Falken FK452s

[heavypedal]

Well, after all that research I picked up the Falken FK452s in stock trim 245/45/18s for $142 per with road force balancing. I wanted the 255/45/18s, but they were $30 per tire more (for .5 inch....nah, not this time around). Discount tire here did not like Falken's at all...trying to push me towards Dunlop Direzza or the GSD3s. Dammit I was = this close to picking up the GSD3s. Stuck with gut and trying the Falken's for the first time. Running at around 30-32 psi cold.

So after 50 miles, here is my report (this is during winter, lows in 30s, highs in 50s):

GOOD:
- Whisper f(#($ing quiet. I was not all the way down on the Avons that I had, so they weren't that noisy yet. Yeah, I know they are brand new tires, but these things are silent. The corsa has never sounded so good. Getting on the brakes hard, barely any more noise.
- Cornering is great in these things (after warmed up) Side walls tougher.
- Rides a little rougher than the Avons, kinda the same rolling feel as the F1s.
- No tracking. On my way into work, I cover tons of track lines and potholes...nuttin. She stays steady.

BAD:
- Tire actually looks thinner than the Avons I had.... hate that. But they do have a better, racier look.
- Supposed to have a rim guard. Guessing our rim is to wide, because there is no rim guard.
- cold traction not good. Leaving the Discount Tire parking lot....reverse, 1st gear, on to the gas lightly...and they just started sliding around. Held down traction control for the 10 secs and made sure I warmed up the tires down the street. Still, when leaving the house at 32 degrees outside...same thing again. Def summer tire. CVP... I definitely agree about your freezing comment.

Not sure what to think about them yet. CVP...weigh in here man, what do you think?

FYI...Taking off the Avon's I noticed the insides were worn way more than the outsides. Time for that track alignment.

T

[CVP33]

I agree with most of your comments. The handling is roughly the same as my F1's at the limit as is the grip. You'll need a few more break-in miles to feel their full potential.

Mine are 255/45/20's and appear to have the same width as my old tires, but honestly never measured. The tire also looks tall for a 45 aspect ratio, but could be an illusion. The sidewall is plain when compared to the F1's. I know that only cosmetic but still.

I definitely agree with quiet. These tires are absolutely silent at ALL speeds (wink, wink). The ride for me is the same as the F1's, but I'm lowered with adjustable shocks so I'm riding pretty rough to start with.

There are two things I really like about the Falken's. Same handling as the F1's for a lot less change. $850 vs. $716. These tires squeal. I use to engage in stealth burnouts at intersections. F1's spin and buzz but never squeal. The Falken's definitely squeal!

I'm trying the Nitto INVO's next go 'round. I'm reading mixed reviews on those too.

[dannystang]

I too have these in 255 /45 format all 4 corners.

Best Tires ever..

Thanks Velrose for the suggestion

Edit: oh and when you turn the wheel it fits so tight its like a "xxxx" in a "xxxxxx" "xxxx" "xxx" "xxxxx"

[bryce3]

Heavy, I just put a set of the 452's on and I went with the 255/45/18's in the rear. I'm in No. Cali. (Velose's neighbor) and the weather has been in the upper 20's to mid 30's in the morning. I haven't had any issues with these tires (noise,handling, etc.). I am really happy with this set up. Our stock overall tire height is 26.7, the 255's I got on the back only increased the overall to 27.0 and it looks a little meaner too.
-Sean

[heavypedal]

Finally have been breaking them in and liking these FK452s more and more.

The squeeling is barely noticable to me. They are refined and livable, plus give you the performance our cars tend to push for. shoulda, woulda, coulda on the 255s... but I'm happy.

T

[JP's V]

I've had the FK452s on for about 3 months now and couldn't be happier. Went with the 255 on all four and agree with the above comments -- whisper quiet and grip very well.

[miacts-v]

i have had the 245/45/18 Falken FK452s for about a year now, they handled great, not too noisy and soo on...i have put close to 14K miles on them, so i was thinking of getting the same ones again,, probably go with the 255-45-18 or 255-40-18

[MWD]

Thanks for the report heavypedal. I just moved to Apex, NC from Northern Cali. I was planning on getting a set of the Falkens here soon, and noticed the Discount Tire store on my way to work. In Cali, I was about 15 minutes from Infineon Raceway, so I usually get tires mounted over there. Even they had a little trouble dismounting the F1s, so I'm a little concerned since my chromed rims are perfect.

Michael

[slothV]

I ordered the 452's too. Got 245/45 front and 275/40 rear. Out the door $647 from Discount Tire.

I'll update when they're on the car next week.

[2002BlueWS6]

Originally Posted by slothV

I ordered the 452's too. Got 245/45 front and 275/40 rear. Out the door $647 from Discount Tire.

I'll update when they're on the car next week.

Can you post some pics of these? Id really like to see what the 275s look like on the rear. Was considering 285s.... I like the beefed up look. Thanks.

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by slothV

I ordered the 452's too. Got 245/45 front and 275/40 rear. Out the door $647 from Discount Tire.

I'll update when they're on the car next week.

Is that for all 4 tires? They make these for Corvettes too only problem is that they aren't runflats like original Goodyears.

[hurley64]

Apex/Cary guys, I only recomend one tire place in our area, Hubcap Heaven. They are located in Cary near the train station.

[DILLIGAF]

My best set of tires to date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I went thru my 615's in 4,000 miles.I have 2,000 miles on the 452's and they look new!

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by rp64ctsv

My best set of tires to date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I went thru my 615's in 4,000 miles.I have 2,000 miles on the 452's and they look new!

[MWD]

Originally Posted by hurley64

Apex/Cary guys, I only recomend one tire place in our area, Hubcap Heaven. They are located in Cary near the train station.

Thanks Hurley. Looks like they have 'run-flat tire service'. I wonder if that means that they have the tool to compress the tire to help get it off the rim, or if they just charge extra for the service because they are such a pain to get off the rim....

Michael