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Falken vs. Sumitomo

Insomniac
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Insomniac Collaborator

Insomniac

Posted
Posted

I am about to upgrade factory wheels and compliance tyres to 17", and would like anyone and everyone's opinions/testimonials on the tyres that I have narrowed it down to (I am looking for a good performance tyre in wet and dry, good value for money, fairly quiet, but nothing over the top as I won't be racing with them):

Sumitomo HTRZ II vs. Falken ZE326?

Any experience, positive or negative for either would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Oh, and pros and cons of 235-45-17 vs. 225-45-17?

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/56056-falken-vs-sumitomo/
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95GTST Rising Star

95GTST

Posted
Posted

I've got a set of sumi's and they're not real flash in the wet... but I haven't used falkens, so I don't know what they're like...

I drove a mates GTR recently, and he had a set of the silica tread Hankook Ventus K104's on and they were excellent, probably the best value for money around but not the best.

With anything these days, you pay for what you get.

Happy hunting...

Duncan Grand Master

Duncan

Posted
Posted

falken 326 are the worst tyres I have ever driven on.

I've never tried the sumitomos.

But why would you buy a performance car and then put POS tyres on it. Tyres will make more difference than *any* other mod. Try Falken FK451 they are excellent road tyres

The Dan Grand Master

The Dan

Posted
Posted

Sumitomo make Falken for australia anyway.

Buy a set of Tornado's...they're cheap, they stick like shit to a blanket and they last ages.

326 suck

HTRZ II are alright, try another model though...there are better in that range....as with most brands.

Yoko AVS100 are the shizzne

Michelin are expensive but make the best tyres on the market...no exceptions

Dunlop are crap even the ones that come stock on the Monaro's and HSV's (S04's from memory)

But I got 230 RWKW and the Tornado's have trouble stepping out in second. Plus I got 45 thousand outta my last set.

Maxx Veteran

Maxx

Posted
Posted

z326 is one of the worst tyre in term of grip, but they are cheap and have MANY size available.

fk451 are not bad(but not very good), bit noisy i think.

GIII is one of the best tyre i ever used, decent price, VERY good grip

Michelin are expensive but make the best tyres on the market <- agree

pilot sport are the best, lots of grip, not noisy as jap tyre, decent life, killer price...

recommend GIII, 100% won't disappoint!

Duncan Grand Master

Duncan

Posted
Posted
Falken FK451 are sux! can only feel its grip in first 2 months after i bought them, no grip at all after,esp in the wet, its fine to use them as the rear tyres, coz its real fun to spin with, but never use them for your front!

sorry but i totally disagree. my stock gtst has done a 1.57 around eastern creek on fk451 with a passenger. they are excellent road tyres for a good price.

you might be thinking of fk326 which are a POS.

Insomniac Collaborator

Insomniac

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK thanks guys... I have eliminated the Falken ZE326 from the race, but are still getting some very positive reviews (mostly US-based) for the Sumi HTRZ II's (a couple from Mustang GT drivers in US).

I'll throw two more in the mix though - anyone know anything about BFGoodrich's G-Force Sport, or how good Falken ZE512's are? (and yes, I have used the Search facility too! :) )

predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
Posted
falken 326 are the worst tyres I have ever driven on.

:werd:

I 3rd or 5th that.. screw ZE326! I ended up getting some for my r33.. lasted about 10 months and shithouse grip the whole time before i sold the car (as one of the reasons was i needed to spend $1000 on new tyres). I guess I never did crash using them (bonus?) You'll never get good 1/4 times out of them :)

Because of them I've turned against Falkens completely.. even the ZE512's aren't meant to be that great either (only slightly better grip and similar shithouse lifespan). Spoken to a few drivers who have had them also.

51jay Mentor

51jay

Posted
Posted

You have a high performance car If you want to live through you'r first big mistake in the wet...buy the best tyres you can scrape up the money for. Save the shitty 'wouldbe performance tyres' for the track...where they won't kill you

NZM.031 Grand Master

NZM.031

Posted
Posted

i had ze326 on my atmo R31, when i got a flat one day on the back, the spare had some nankang thing on it, the ze326 was that bad that when i tromped it the falken lost traction but the nankang wouldnt, and actually smashed the recenty rebuilt LSD, true story.

dont get ZE326s

cheers

Linton

Duncan Grand Master

Duncan

Posted
Posted
You have a high performance car If you want to live through you'r first big mistake in the wet...buy the best tyres you can scrape up the money for.   Save the shitty 'wouldbe performance tyres' for the track...where they won't kill you

werd werd werd

people spend $2k on a front mount intercooler but won't pay for good tyres?

which one do you think improves your car's performance more.

A clue, a front mount might be worth 5% extra rwkw. Not much point if those wheels are already spinning :P

Robo's Mentor

Robo's

Posted
Posted
werd werd werd  

people spend $2k on a front mount intercooler but won't pay for good tyres?

which one do you think improves your car's performance more.  

A clue, a front mount might be worth 5% extra rwkw.  Not much point if those wheels are already spinning :P

Very true, but its worth extra bragging writes at the pub.

predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
Posted

yeah.. but so does a great 1/4 mile or track time :P

Speaking from experience, I learned my lesson after spending $1000 on a set of the ZE326.. $300+ per tyre or may as well get the cheapest shit you can get. "In between" tyres aren't worth it

Maxx Veteran

Maxx

Posted
Posted

i used to only buy good tyres, but then i never drive it really hard on street. Mostly curising and good performance tyre worn out quicker.

so recently i bought some simex, cheap as chips and seems last forever.

keep the money i save to invest on some semi-slick, allow myself to drive hard at place it should be :P

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