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[I_want_an_Omega]

Ok, I'm confused (don't take a lot I know  )

A couple of months ago I took the Omega to WIM in Chesham for an alignment. They pointed out that my front wheels were pointing in "opposite directions" and as a consequence the inner edge of my front tyres were worn dangerously low - i.e. cords showing  . Ok from now on I'll be checking the whole width of the tyre - lesson learned.

I  needed some new tyres there and then and asked what they had available in 225/55/16. They didn't have that big a choice - and suggested Falkens - which they assured me were good tyres - well out of the rubbish group and at the lower end of premium.

I'm now noticed that OOF generally dislikes these tyres.

So, can someone explain what's wrong with them please, and if they are as bad as I'm thinking you think they are, why do WIM suggest them? Seems that OOF rate WIM very highly but then get advised by them by buy a poorly rated product.

I have to say that they have done about 4k on the front and feel fine to me. I don't tend to chuck any car around in the wet anyway, and have had no probs at all with them so far.

My rears are Dunlop SP sports - (did have on all 4 prior to the WIM visit) which are now starting to get low @ about 4mm. With the onset of winter should I leave them where they are and replace the Dunlops when they need doing, or swap the fronts and backs over and wear the Falkens out.

Thanks guys ........

[TheBoy]

They do like Falkens

It seems that Falkens are well regarded as a 'cheap premium' tyre on many cars.  However, Falken 912 esp, on the Omega, once worn a little, they seem to lack directional stability. Quite dramatically.

Its like tyre review sites, a specific tyre is more suited to some models than others.

[BazaJT]

Saw a demonstration on T.V. once[I think on top gear]of worn tyres versus new tyres and their placement on a car.Some of it was frightening,but the upshot was that if fitting two new tyres to a car[and leaving the other two older tyres on it]then the new tyres should always be fitted to the undriven wheels as fitting them to the driven wheels could mean that the greater grip they provide could "over power"the grip offered by the "part worn"ones making for dodgy handling.

[I_want_an_Omega]

They do like Falkens

It seems that Falkens are well regarded as a 'cheap premium' tyre on many cars.  However, Falken 912 esp, on the Omega, once worn a little, they seem to lack directional stability. Quite dramatically.

Its like tyre review sites, a specific tyre is more suited to some models than others.

Ok, understood. But, what I'm having trouble coming to terms with is that WIM seem to know the Omega very well in terms of chassis setup -and are well regarded here as a consequence. They then seem to "like" a tyre which dosn't seem to suit the car - which is a big concern and seems, on the face of it, to detract somewhat from that high regard. I have no idea as to why they like them - and must admit that I wasn't really aware of OOF dislike of the same tyre until after I'd bought them 

[SMD]

OOF doesn't dislike Falkens, just chrisgixer

[Andy B]

Saw a demonstration on T.V. once[I think on top gear]of worn tyres versus new tyres and their placement on a car.Some of it was frightening,but the upshot was that if fitting two new tyres to a car[and leaving the other two older tyres on it]then the new tyres should always be fitted to the undriven wheels as fitting them to the driven wheels could mean that the greater grip they provide could "over power"the grip offered by the "part worn"ones making for dodgy handling.

Michelin recommend that if you get 2 new tyres, they should be fitted to the rear of the car, irrespective of which wheels drive the car. And if you go to Costco for 2, they will only fit them to the back .... no matter where you want them. 

[TheBoy]

Saw a demonstration on T.V. once[I think on top gear]of worn tyres versus new tyres and their placement on a car.Some of it was frightening,but the upshot was that if fitting two new tyres to a car[and leaving the other two older tyres on it]then the new tyres should always be fitted to the undriven wheels as fitting them to the driven wheels could mean that the greater grip they provide could "over power"the grip offered by the "part worn"ones making for dodgy handling.

Generally, its recommended that the better tyres go on the rear, irrespective of FWD or RWD.

Its deemed that understeer is easier to cope with than oversteer.

[TheBoy]

They do like Falkens

It seems that Falkens are well regarded as a 'cheap premium' tyre on many cars.  However, Falken 912 esp, on the Omega, once worn a little, they seem to lack directional stability. Quite dramatically.

Its like tyre review sites, a specific tyre is more suited to some models than others.

Ok, understood. But, what I'm having trouble coming to terms with is that WIM seem to know the Omega very well in terms of chassis setup -and are well regarded here as a consequence. They then seem to "like" a tyre which dosn't seem to suit the car - which is a big concern and seems, on the face of it, to detract somewhat from that high regard. I have no idea as to why they like them - and must admit that I wasn't really aware of OOF dislike of the same tyre until after I'd bought them 

WIM are a geometry specialist. Thats what they do.

I guess they have experience of that tyre on other cars, where it may work well.

We should all do our own homework before buying such things, as only we know our requirements.

[I_want_an_Omega]

They do like Falkens

It seems that Falkens are well regarded as a 'cheap premium' tyre on many cars.  However, Falken 912 esp, on the Omega, once worn a little, they seem to lack directional stability. Quite dramatically.

Its like tyre review sites, a specific tyre is more suited to some models than others.

Ok, understood. But, what I'm having trouble coming to terms with is that WIM seem to know the Omega very well in terms of chassis setup -and are well regarded here as a consequence. They then seem to "like" a tyre which dosn't seem to suit the car - which is a big concern and seems, on the face of it, to detract somewhat from that high regard. I have no idea as to why they like them - and must admit that I wasn't really aware of OOF dislike of the same tyre until after I'd bought them 

WIM are a geometry specialist. Thats what they do.

I guess they have experience of that tyre on other cars, where it may work well.

We should all do our own homework before buying such things, as only we know our requirements.

Hmmmm - but hold on a moment, they are also "Black Boots" - a tyre specialist, so isn't that what they do also?

[Andy B]

....
Generally, its recommended that the better tyres go on the rear, irrespective of FWD or RWD.

Its deemed that understeer is easier to cope with than oversteer.

Isn't that what I said?   

[D]

The BMW boys love their Falkens. I dont think they are much better than budget tyres. A lot of outfits recommend them. But tyres are subjective. Perhaps thats why?

[D]

....
Generally, its recommended that the better tyres go on the rear, irrespective of FWD or RWD.

Its deemed that understeer is easier to cope with than oversteer.

Isn't that what I said?   

I think it was in response to reply no:2.

[r1]

leave the rears at the moment and buy some winter tyres.

[tunnie]

Happy with them when I had them on the 2.2, had 912's and 452's on the rear. Got 35k out of them, silent tyre, no road noise, for normal folk they are fine. It's only fat people with digital throttle pedals who don't like them

[I_want_an_Omega]

Happy with them when I had them on the 2.2, had 912's and 452's on the rear. Got 35k out of them, silent tyre, no road noise, for normal folk they are fine. It's only fat people with digital throttle pedals who don't like them

Ok, so a fat(ish) person with a normal throttle should be ok then?