hey im thinking about getting some falken 512 205/40/r17
just wondering what experience you guys have had with them. thanks

 

Here's what's good about them: They're cheap.

Here's what's not so good about them: You can do better for the same money.

The first question you should be asking is whether you really need all-season tires like the Falken Ziex ZE-512. All-season tires are designed to be used in winter conditions (snow and bitter cold) as well as in moderate to warm temperatures. They are a compromise, in that they don't grip as well in winter conditions as a winter tire, and they don't grip as well in moderate to warm temperatures as a summer tire. But if you must use only one tire and your area experiences snow and cold, they may be perfectly adequate for your needs. All-seasons also generally last longer than summer tires so if value is a factor, that may be another reason to get them.

If I wanted to get an all-season tire in 205/40-17 and I wanted to get the most for my money, I'd get the Kumho Ecsta ASX rather than the ZE-512. It's a better tire and in 205/40-17 it's about the same price as the Falken.

If you want better performance and you can get away with using a summer tire (because it doesn't snow where you live or you have another vehicle you can use when it does), then get the Yokohama S.drive. Right now Yokohama has a $40 rebate on them which makes its price very close to the ZE-512 and ASX.

 

thanks
what do you think about riken raptors?

 

The S.drive offers very good performance (better than those Rikens) for a lower price.

If you're looking for the very stickiest street tire you can get in 205/40-17 (even stickier than the S.drive), and you don't mind downsides of treadlife (typically 10-12K miles vs 25-40K miles for the S.drive) and higher cost, consider the Falken Azenis RT-615K.