New Tyres

[taffy1967]

I had 2 brand new Falcon 165/60x12 tyres fitted to the front wheels of my Mini today. Well I can't afford Yoko's and I've had Falcons fitted for several years now anyway.

However although their 165/60 profile, their not directional like the older set that was on the car (and still on the rear). Instead their branded inside and outside on the tyre walls.

So has Falcon changed their tyres spec? My old tyres are branded Falcon G though, so are they still available now?

[taffy1967]

Well I asked the same question on The Mini Forum and: -

There are two types of Falken tyres in 165/60R12 size - the FK06G (directional) and the ZE912 (asymmetric). It looks like the ZE912 is a newer design. The 'Inside' and 'Outside' markings are because of the asymmetrical design - the grooves in the tyre being designed to shift water in a particular direction.

So I hope it's okay to have the newer type just on the front for the moment (will replace the ones on the back in time for the MOT).

[coedy]

hmm have you ever had trouble with them in the wet? when i had 165/60/r12 falkens all round on mine driving down the motorway in the rain it used to feel like you were literally skiming on the surface of the water. changed my fronts to yokohamas and its much better.

is there any difference in price with the ZE912's?
may be worth me changing to those when a change is due... but only if i hear back from a few people that their better in the rain!

[ljonez]

i used to have that problem when i had falkens, recently changed all 4 for yokos,
and i wish i had bought them in the first place they are a much much better tyre in the dry and an exceptional tyre in the wet.

[taffy1967]

Yes Falkens aren't brilliant in the wet, but someone who has the newer asymmetric types fitted to their car reckoned that their far superior, especially in the wet.

So I'll let you know how I get on.

[coedy]

hmm....

how much more are they compared to the previous pattern? and how much less than the yokos were they?

i can see myself putting these on the back of mine instead of the old falkens if the price is going to be right!

[jc1380s]

Saw these 'new' type Falkens at Himley Hall yesterday for £30 each compared to £26 each for the original Falkens.

Tread pattern is slightly different but nothing alarming.

Yokos look better but are a much softer compound so wear out quicker and were £40 each.

Think I'm gonna try 2 of the new type Falkens next on the front of jc

[coedy]

ive found them for £32/£33 online, so ill be phoning up Harris Brothers after my uni work is sorted and asking how much they charge for just fittment and how much the new ones are with them including fitting. if i wont gain much ill probably go with them getting them for me!

the old falkens have been on the car (on the back) since i got them with a wheel deal at mini in the park at silverstone. cant remember how long ago that was... definately more than a year. i just wish yokos would last as well tbh...

also if your geometry isnt set up spot on you really eat through yokos my drivers side front wheel has had a bit of negative camber on it for ages (cant seem to get it right, and all the tyre places round here have no idea how to adjust mini suspension ) and that tyre gets mangled within 2 months if i use it frequently..

off topic, anyone know someone in swansea that can set up the geometry on minis PROPERLY ? lol.

[dai9fxey]

Hi Coedy. Re the wheel geometry etc you could give Owens Motorsport a shout.
He's got all the gear there to set it up spot on.
Well he does run a team of Miglia Minis.
His workshop is between Carmarthen and St Clears though.

[coedy]

AH! awsome. cheers for that! ill give him a call after my uni stuff is sorted.
how much adjustable stuff do i need? ive only got adjustable tie-bars up front see.... everything else is standard. surely its adjust to a degree as standard though? enough to get it pointing straight and even wear anyway...?

[dai9fxey]

It's a bit strange how You've got neggy camber on one side only.
Is the Mini lower on the offside.
On saying that though some Minis came from the factory with odd steering Characteristics.
Are the Tie-rods the same length on both sides.

[coedy]

tbh i think its from when my arch used to rub, we bought the adjustable tie bars to stick the wheel out a touch so it would clear the arch. but it wore stupidly then, so we adjusted it back and since its always looked a bit lop sided...(the wheel. the car looks level).

ive no idea. about mechanical/greasy things really... lol.

i may just take it to that bloke down camarthen so he can have a look and do his best. and if he finds anything wierd ill get a (i hope small) shopping list for one of the shows then...