Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[billspreston]

Originally Posted by roy@gambitmotorsport

Hmm... I can't explain that at all, except possibly track conditions or driving style.

The stock 335i pushes/understeers a lot, but like any RWD car you could certainly get the back to rotate a bit with throttle lift and especially with braking all the way up to the apex. I could get this with all my tires so far, Bridgestone, Continental, Falken - each coming back with more control, especially at the edge.

The Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs sound like quite a tire - I don't doubt it. The price isn't too bad, either.

But, all the same, I was much enjoying watching the majority of drivers/vehicles in the other run group at last weekend's autocross coming in behind my times, rather than the other way around.

I'd like to hear more about others' experience with both the FK-452s and the Direzza Z1 Star Specs, especially at autocross.


Roy

I do know the Z1 SS doesn't come in 19" sizes, which screws a lot of people on this board, myself included.

[roy@gambitmotorsport]

Think autocross times suffer in general with 19" wheels with their weight sitting out at a higher diameter and sidewalls less compliant? I'm not professing it, just wondering... Also, it's worth double-checking on this chart if the sizes you're running have reinforced sidewalls (not all do):

http://www.fk452.com/sizes.html

At least one of the top drag-race time leaders for the 335i (sure, it's different from handling) runs light-weight 17" rims. I may be trying it at some point in the future, to loose the 30lb heavy-weights stock affords us, and give a little more sidewall for the widths we run.

[BMW MotorSport]

I've had the Falken FK452 on my personal track E36 M3. This is before I had my 17 inch lightweight track wheels on, I had them on my 19 inch MVR's and I put them on the track. They really surprised how well they handled. The FK452 is a very good performer on the street and fairs up on the track. I beat the hell out of them because I wanted to wear them out and they never failed on me.

[roy@gambitmotorsport]

Originally Posted by BMW MotorSport

I've had the Falken FK452 on my personal track E36 M3. This is before I had my 17 inch lightweight track wheels on, I had them on my 19 inch MVR's and I put them on the track. They really surprised how well they handled. The FK452 is a very good performer on the street and fairs up on the track. I beat the hell out of them because I wanted to wear them out and they never failed on me.

Good information. I was trying to decide whether I got miraculously better at autocross, the tires were as good as they seemed, or the competition just lagged.

Maybe it's a little of each...


Thanks,
Roy

[krnshinsa]

i love my falkens and if they ever need someone to sponsor holla at me! ahaa

[roy@gambitmotorsport]

Originally Posted by krnshinsa

i love my falkens and if they ever need someone to sponsor holla at me! ahaa

That was my exact same thought! I'd be happy to post a mid-size logo on the side of my vehicle at events to carry these tires. Just not planning on painting my vehicle blue and green.


Roy

[ShadeZeRO]

I've had 452's on my S500 (w220) for about a year now.

I must say they're holding out MUCH better than i thought.
Especially since the car is insanely heavy.

Sizes:
255/35/20 - Front
275/30/20 - Rear

Sitting on ADR "double" 5 spoke rims.

[shiggy]

Originally Posted by roy@gambitmotorsport

Falken FK-452 tire review -

http://www.gambitmotorsport.com/fafktire.html

I'm really loving them so far! Great performance, great price.


Roy

how doo these compare to the General UHP's????

[roy@gambitmotorsport]

Originally Posted by shiggy

how doo these compare to the General UHP's????

So, this gets interesting! I've read on forums that Continental makes the General UHP's and Dunlop makes the Falken FK-452's. I'm not making this up - the Continental/General connection was in a thread either here or on the N54Tech forum (as they make good drag tires) and, if I remember correctly, the claim of the Dunlop/Falken connection was made in a post here by e.n335 (one of the moderators). From my own experience with the Continentals and Falkens:

- They both make decent drag tires. Mostly coherent throughout first gear, stable in second, with a slight chirp going into third (with turbo mods)

- The Falkens take corners at 60 which the Continentals took at 50-55, equal car and driving skill

I haven't tried the General's and don't know first-hand how they handle; any input?


Roy

[kei169]

how much would it be for 17" 4 wheels?

[halB]

Here are the links:

For Falken Tire/Sumitomo/Goodyear:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falken_Tire_Corporation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumitomo_Group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumitom...dustries,_Ltd.

For General Tire/Continental:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Tire