Tyres - Toyo T1Rs vs Falken 452
Discussion
It's that time again when the scooby needs new tyres. I've been running Toyo T1Rs for a few years now and while they certainly aren't bad I can't say I've ever been overly impressed with them either. I've heard good things about the Falken 452s and they are also £10 a corner cheaper so the cynic in me is wondering where's the catch? Anyone got experience of running them on an Impreza or similar?
I never got on with Toyos, they always felt as if the sidewalls were flexing too much exhibiting a 'toppling over' sensation when cornering. They felt the same fitted to the MINI so I swapped them to the Falkens which, whilst they weren't the 'great white hope' as enthused by many on here, were a clear improvement.
The problem you'll find, is that different combinations of cars/drivers interact with tyres in a different way so you'll end up with loads of replies telling you they're right so all I can say is that having had them fitted to the MINI the Falkens were an improvement, but not a massive difference.
The problem you'll find, is that different combinations of cars/drivers interact with tyres in a different way so you'll end up with loads of replies telling you they're right so all I can say is that having had them fitted to the MINI the Falkens were an improvement, but not a massive difference.
Not an Impreza as such, but I have run them on my old Mondy ST220, 530D, and usually on my 200SX's.
For the performance/pricepoint they are nearly unbeatable. 95% the grip levels I have had with T1R's + Eagle F1's but alot cheaper. They seem to last quite a long time as well.
A no brainer for me.
For the performance/pricepoint they are nearly unbeatable. 95% the grip levels I have had with T1R's + Eagle F1's but alot cheaper. They seem to last quite a long time as well.
A no brainer for me.
Have had 452's on my 6 MPS and they were OK. As people say, they seem to suit heavier cars more than T1Rs and they grip well in the dry and reasonably in the wet but they don't like the cold weather. Mine only really performed when it was above 10 degrees C. Felt like the tyres were filled with concrete when it was near freezing. Now have a set of Hankook V12 on which are noticeably better.
general consensus is the Toyos have too much sidewall flex for a newage (heavier) Impreza, though I've not tried them myself. I had them on the front of a BMW E39 and yes they do have sidewall flex but wasn't a problem on a barge.
I then put 452's on the E39 after everyone's comments, and was hugely disappointed. I've got 452's on my STI (they came with them, nearly new) and they're ok but not great ... but that's fairly meaningless as I've not experienced anything else on the STI.
To answer question from someone else above, the Falken 912's are diabolical for grip (on an Alfa 147), and that's coming from my wife who probably wouldn't notice if she was driving with a flat tyre.
My opinion is the Falkens are great value for money, but not great tyres. OP, you've got a great car, get some Vredesteins or Hankooks on it as a minimum.
I then put 452's on the E39 after everyone's comments, and was hugely disappointed. I've got 452's on my STI (they came with them, nearly new) and they're ok but not great ... but that's fairly meaningless as I've not experienced anything else on the STI.
To answer question from someone else above, the Falken 912's are diabolical for grip (on an Alfa 147), and that's coming from my wife who probably wouldn't notice if she was driving with a flat tyre.
My opinion is the Falkens are great value for money, but not great tyres. OP, you've got a great car, get some Vredesteins or Hankooks on it as a minimum.
gingerpaul said:
While we're on this subject how do Falken ZE912s stack up in comparison to these two tyres?
Probably not quite as good but I just had a set fitted to her Polo Gti (to replace a set of tyres that whilst they would do a winter were well below what I would regard as sensible) They scrubbed in fine seemed to grip well once scrubbed and whilst they aren't winter tyres (195/45 15 is a tricky size for winters) they've behaved very well so far in the recent snow and ice. If it had been spring I'd have put Toyo's on (Toyo's were cheaper!) but it's not so I thought I'd try the Falken 912's and I've been pleasantly surprised. The Polo eats fronts every 15K but rotation gets it close to 30K I use FK452's on my Octavia vRS and find them to be fine. They take a while to scrub in properly (up to 300 miles) then they grip well and seem to be lasting ok. They aren't the best in snow (especially when getting low on tread) but are generally predictable with good grip in all conditions except ice (like any tyre without spikes).
Certainly for the money they are hard to beat. In the size for my car they are an extra load tyre which probably explains why they work well on heavier cars.
Certainly for the money they are hard to beat. In the size for my car they are an extra load tyre which probably explains why they work well on heavier cars.
If you don't like the Toyo, the Falkens probably won't be much better. Good initial grip but I, and a lot of others have found road holding falls away at about half tread life which leaves a tyre that's difficult to catch.
Personally I'd spend the extra few quid now and get a sport contact 3 / PS2 / Eagle F1 A etc.
Personally I'd spend the extra few quid now and get a sport contact 3 / PS2 / Eagle F1 A etc.
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