just got and put on my 225/50/17 falkens and took off the oem potenzas, i see that the potenze sidealls are like a rock compared to the falkens, they seem soooo soft and thin!!! i dont unerstand how they could provide better handeling on such crappy side walls, i know the actual traction patch is better, but i think i actually regreat switching. any input on the sidewall issue?

 

I have had the 512's for about 7 months and think they are horrible. The sidewalls are crappy and do not suit my driving style. Over time, the tires also have become very loud and also make an annoying humming noise most notably when braking. My advice to you is to return these tires before you really regret it and get another set. I have been contemplating the Turanza LS-Vs. Good luck.

 

I don't know what would possess someone with a 2000SE to buy such crappy tires, let alone to transition from the craptenzas to them. It would be like going to a fine dining restaurant and bringing a bottle of screech with you. Sacrilege I say!

 

I've owned 2 sets of 512s and I have no complains.

 

That's kind of like getting used to lousy cooking or an ugly woman!

 

7000 miles on my 512s and I like em.... sidewalls can be soft, but if I keep the tire pressure at 35 all round they seem fine to me, even on the twisties....

 

I don't think so

 

had mine for 10000 miles and i love mines. They wear out pretty fast tho.

 

I have had mine for about 18k now and they have about half the tread left even with the fact that I enjoy a good burnout every once in a while. I keep em at 35psi all around and have had no problems with this sidewall issue. Of course I dont take turns hard at all. I have not noticed them becoming louder or any humming. Perhaps you should get your alignment checked or maybe you lost a balancing weight of one of the wheels. If you want a better all season tire I would say go with the Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S. Thats gonna be my next tire... unless something better comes out in the mean time.

 

I had 2 sets of 512s. Sure, it's not an UHP summer tire. It's an all-season tire. The soft sidewalls are what make it a great rain and snow tire. As Joel said above, the handling is decent if you up the tire pressure a bit. You do get more sidewall roll, but it's a stick-as-hell tire, and rarely slips. The Falkens do get a little loud as they get worn down, but you can't have everything in a $100 tire, right?

All that said, I MUCH prefer my Toyo Proxes 4. Best A/S tire I've ever owned, in any condition (dry, rain, snow)...and it's quiet and inexpensive. Sidewalls felt kind of soft before they were put on, but I've never felt the tires rolling over. They stick about as well as my autocross tires, Hankook RS-2's (sticky!!)....

 

Josh brought up a good point... if the 512s were 150 per tire, then yeah, maybe I'd expect more out of em... but I paid $90 a tire and I think that's great value for money... I'm not trying to win auto-x competitions with em, so besides the noise, I'd say they are great tires for daily driving in most conditions.