Falken 512
 

I was interested in some all season tires and these have decent reviews and are only $100 a piece. I was wondering if anyone has used them on an RX8 and how you feel about them for the winter? Was going to get 245/40/18.

I have the Falken 512's in 245/40/18. I have been running them for about 4000 miles and I really like them. I have them on my summer wheels (Enkei NT03+M) for now but when I get my Azenis I will be switching them out. I have not used them in the winter but I feel they would do great. That's what I got them for. Well, that and the $100 price.

I have them on my '8 now in 225/50/17 (spare set of 17" alloys) for the winter. I had them on my Passat the winter before last in 205/60/15 and liked them. They are a good choice if you are in the market for a budget all-season tire. Winter handling was secure and predictable but not stellar (they aren't a snow tire, after all). Wet and dry were similar; competent and predictable but not really "excellent" in any single category.

I just autocrossed on them today (too lazy to dig my OEM wheels/tires out of the crawlspace) and found them to preform better in lower temperatures on dry pavement than the OEM Potenzas (it only got up to about 43 F today). I expect that they would be equal to or only marginally worse than the Potenzas in warmer temps.

I had an issue with them cupping on my Passat but could never narrow down the cause.

Thanks for info!! I think I will give them a try. I also considered Pirelli P zero nero all season but they are about $170 per tire and I am to cheap to spend that for a all season. I'll take my chances with the $100 tires to get through winter.

From what I've heard with the PZero Nero, you really get what you pay for. Other budget all-seasons that I've heard good things about are the Kumho ASX and the Avon Tech M550 A/S.

What are the winters like in your area? Tires are not an item you want to skimp on if you get a significant amount of snow. Here in east-central IL, our winters have been trending more towards "mild" 35-40F rainfall instead of 20-30F snowfall for the last 7-10 years. Last several years we have only gotten 12"-18" of snow for the entire winter season and around half of that melted as soon as it hit the ground. Because of this, I feel comfortable with the Falkens.

I live in Baltimore but I don't plan on driving in heavy snow if I can help it. I have a 2nd vehicle that will be used in those situations however if I am out and it starts to snow I am hoping the Falkens are good enough to get me home. I am really more concerned with cold temps and rain. I have continentals summer tires now and if it gets below 40f the tires slip and slide(not to mention rain).