Falkens ZE-326 vs Maxiis MA-Z1 Victra

[JamesL]

Hello.
I have a choice of these tyres in the following size:
235 40 18's

Falkens $220
Maxiis $250

I have had the Falkens for a while now and I know how slippery they get in the wet + how they handle the dry...

What do you guys think..

Again thanks for the answers in advance.

James.

[VooDoo]

Look at the Nankang NS2's as well,they are cheap but need to ensure you get good ones (some are a bitch to balence and get round ones, without soft flatspots) but once you do they arent a bad tyre for general use, quite and not bad in the wet. Ive also done a 1.73 60 footer on them at willowbank in the barge so they stick well too.

The Falkens i found really shit. They go hard after 10000k's and even with some tread left they just spin on the dry and are dangerous in the wet :(

[Highway]

Hello.
I have a choice of these tyres in the following size:
235 40 18's

Falkens $220
Maxiis $250

I have had the Falkens for a while now and I know how slippery they get in the wet + how they handle the dry...

What do you guys think..

Again thanks for the answers in advance.

James.

G'Day James

I have had the Maxxis ( 235/40/18 ) in the MA V1 on the car for 23,000 kms
and they are a good all round tyre.

No dramas in the wet or dry.

Could not get the Z1's at that time. ( Not available from Bob Jane in Australia)

In the tyre test the Z1's were up the top in all the catagorys ahead of much
more exspensive brand tyres.

The Z1's should be much better than the V1's.

I will need tyres soon and will probably go the Z1's or the Hankook K104.

If you end up getting the Z1's it would be great to get your opinion after a
few thousand kms.

All the best.

Mike

[SLE355]

I've had the Falkens and now the Nankang NS2's as VooDoo has and would defianatly recommened them! Shit all over the Falkens in the dry and not to bad in the wet, the Falkens were dead set dangerous in the wet.

You should be able to get the Falkens or NS2's for no more than $180 each.

[LS1VT]

Driving home from Canberra last weekend in heavy rain, had to slow right down to about 80kmh because my shitty faulkens were aqua plaining in the wet. Not nice watching cars passing me after i previously passed them in dryer conditions.
I'll be giving them the flick soon and give the nangkangs a go.

[BLACK 346]

G'Day James

I have had the Maxxis ( 235/40/18 ) in the MA V1 on the car for 23,000 kms
and they are a good all round tyre.

No dramas in the wet or dry.

Could not get the Z1's at that time. ( Not available from Bob Jane in Australia)

In the tyre test the Z1's were up the top in all the catagorys ahead of much
more exspensive brand tyres.

The Z1's should be much better than the V1's.

I will need tyres soon and will probably go the Z1's or the Hankook K104.

If you end up getting the Z1's it would be great to get your opinion after a
few thousand kms.

All the best.

Mike

What he said :yup:

[180sx]

I got Hankook K104's (235/40/18) on my 180, and have been more than impressed with they way they stick, both in wet and dry conditions. They are about the same price range, being around $210-220 fitted

[divjak]

go the maxxis, got them on my car and love em,
got mine from bob jane for $189 each in the same
size, good tyre in the wet and dry

divjak
jim

[my_Berlina]

I'm very happy with my Maxxis, only the 17" version though.

Dave !

[JamesL]

What he said :yup:

Hello, just done 500kms on these tyres (234 40 18's ma-z1)

I must say, no more chirpies (good as I was getting sick and tired of the chirp whenever I floored it).

Tyres are amazing in the wet (was raining here in Syd last Sat).

In the dry, they are noisy through :(

Running nice alignment on the car now through...

Will send another report in a few thousand k's

:)

[Highway]

Hello, just done 500kms on these tyres (234 40 18's ma-z1)

I must say, no more chirpies (good as I was getting sick and tired of the chirp whenever I floored it).

Tyres are amazing in the wet (was raining here in Syd last Sat).

In the dry, they are noisy through :(

Running nice alignment on the car now through...

Will send another report in a few thousand k's

:)

G'Day James,

Just wondering how those Z1's are going.

Still a bit noisy in the dry ?

Mike

[BlueSS]

Go the Maxiis without a doubt. I have had both those tyres on mine and my preference is the Maxiis, they lasted as long as the Falkens but alot nicer tyre in the dry and the wet. Just bought 2 new tyres, was unable to get any Maxiis, tyre shop told me there hard to get hold of at the moment. Ended up getting Silverstones, seem ok.. bit softer than the Maxiis but will see how they go... bonus was they were under $150 per tyre in 235/40/18

[BlueSS]

Go the Maxiis without a doubt. I have had both those tyres on mine and my preference is the Maxiis, they lasted as long as the Falkens but alot nicer tyre in the dry and the wet. Just bought 2 new tyres, was unable to get any Maxiis, tyre shop told me there hard to get hold of at the moment. Ended up getting Silverstones, seem ok.. bit softer than the Maxiis but will see how they go... bonus was they were under $150 per tyre in 235/40/18

[JamesL]

G'Day James,

Just wondering how those Z1's are going.

Still a bit noisy in the dry ?

Mike


Hi Mike, they are quiet now in the dry but my car chirps again in the dry.. for a little while car would just lounge forward but not anymore :9

Bought them when car was on 250000kms hows its just on 252500kms.

I would buy them again I suppose..

Will comment in another 5 or so thous kms..

[clubbie]

I put the Falkens on the front and they are quiet and also quite S*@T. Understeered like crazy.

Now they are on the back and guess what NO-TRACTION. Oversteer happy.

They chirp squeal and spin like tops> Looks impressive but really FOWF.

In the wet thay are outright dangerous.

Would never recommend them.

Anyway have installed German made Pneumant PN950. These are Silica based Directional tye (sound like velcro ripping on smooth bitumen) lot softer hence wont last as long as Falkens and cost $245each at Big Beau's. These have come closest in feel and performance to the SO3's just hope they last longer. (SO3 rears only last 8-10k - worn evenly):p

[JamesL]

Hi Mike, they are quiet now in the dry but my car chirps again in the dry.. for a little while car would just lounge forward but not anymore :9

Bought them when car was on 250000kms hows its just on 252500kms.

I would buy them again I suppose..

Will comment in another 5 or so thous kms..

Just under 260000kms and I say that I do not like them.
Got Suspension place to dial in 1/2 degree neg camber on the front so I can at least have some fun before they wear out.
They are not good in the rain, even though they spin almost round ( on the wheel balancing machine) strong possibility that they are causing my shake at high speed (110kp/h).

Gimme some decent tyres !

[macca33]

I see what your saying mate, maybe you just have to spend a little more then.

You get what you pay for. Pirelli, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Continental etc, are more expensive, but they're more reliable and consistent.

I dunno, I've had Falkens ze502 and ze326 and Kuhmo ecsta and they just do not hold up as good as the Dunlops I run now. I've also run Bridgies and Yokohama.

Mine are in 17", so yes, my choices are better and cheaper.

I cannot comment on Nankangs at all, nor on Maxxis, but clearly you are not happy with them.

Good luck with it and I hope you can find a decent compromise between price/quality.

Regards,

Macca

[errol]

Well i have had my maxxis ma-z1 now on for 35000km and i couldn't be more than happy with mine. I have the 17" and they are wearing perfectly. I even used them at willowbank on Saturday just gone and they stuck like glue on all my runs.

[VXSSV8]

The Falken ZE-326's are f$%'n dangerous, don't touch them no matter what the price. Then again if you like going sideways :burnout: all the time even in the dry then go for it. I am getting mine changed even though I've got at least another 15-20k to go on them. Not sure on the Maxiis but they surely couldn't be any worse. A friend has Nankangs and they are pretty good even in the wet.

:)

[Highway]

Done about 10,000kms on the Maxxis Z1 (18's) with no problems.
Good in the wet/dry,minimal noise in the dry,wearing even at this stage with no balancing problems.

Will probably buy again if they give reasonable km's.

Mike

[2 cylinders shy]

If anyone has gone from OE bridgestones to any of these can they comment on dry grip levels

[VXSSV8]

I think most would have gone from OE Bridgey's. B530's weren't bad for grip, got about 30k out of them. SO3's were pretty good (of course) for grip but were shagged after 15k, even the front ones ;) .

:D

[utty]

The Falkens are useless. I have had 2 balances in the last week and they are still out of balance. And as most people have said they are dangerous in the wet and are very noisy. Never again will I skimp on tyres!!!

[VT-099]

I've had the MA-V1s all round for about 15,000Kms and I must say they are an excellent tyre. I really don't get that much tyre noise under any conditions, including sideways :shiner:

I went for them for their performance in the wet, and largly because of the wheels 2005 tyre test.

I could only expect the Z1s to be better, my exhaust guy, who does a lot of on track racing recommended them.

[myss427]

Just went through changing rear tyres, always had SO3's on the car went to Bob Janes, wanted a slightly wider tyre than the 235's they sugested FUDA (German tyre) $100 cheaper than the SO3's, Put them on and the car started to steer from the rear. Forever correcting going through bends, took them back and demanded SO3's back on. Got 255 x 35's amazing difference in driving, lots more money but you get what you pay for.

[amckiwi]

Friends don't let friends buy Falken 326's

[andrewslr]

Maxxis over Falken's anytime and as said by others, the Hankook K104 would be a bit better again. HKumho Ecsta is also a good choice but not sure how they compare on price.

[cornermsport]

I have the Falkens installed after many years of good results, but i must say, this time around, it was a big mistake. Its just made a good car feel bad!

I have had them balanced 3 times, (at two seperate places) in the last month, and they are still not right. I have learned the lesson.

The cost of a good tyre only hurts for a little bit, the pain of a cheap tyre lasts a long while, reminding you everyday!!!! :nopity: :nopity:

[neb]

do the maxxis tend to be floaty, and do they track at all? reason i ask is i put a set of toyo's on and they seemed to make the ute feel like is was really light and tended to move around on the road a fair bit. took them straight off and went for some yoky's , a little bit better but seem to track alot. plus they are no good after about 10000klms.

[JamesL]

do the maxxis tend to be floaty, and do they track at all? reason i ask is i put a set of toyo's on and they seemed to make the ute feel like is was really light and tended to move around on the road a fair bit. took them straight off and went for some yoky's , a little bit better but seem to track alot. plus they are no good after about 10000klms.


Mine don't float or track from what I can tell.
I have gone 111kp/h on some freeway's and they are ok.

[Domfab]

The worst tyres I ever had were Wanli's. The kumho ecsta werent much better.

I have also used Falken ziex 512s on the VR I had. They were one of the best tyres I have ever had. Quiet, smooth and very grippy in the wet or dry. The Falken 326 are the very cheapest Falken tyres. You should look at the Ziex 512 or the ST115.

At the moment Ive got got Yokohama S1Z's on the VT Berlina. These tyres are awesome!!

[BIG V]

Falken 326's are rubbish, very dangerous in the wet, sliding can be fun but brakeing in traffic is scarey. The cornering is rubbish, they under steer alot on fast corners and i hate having to overcorrect them all the time.

They last for ages thou, but is that a good thing?, I find myself smoking the back tyres to run out a bit faster, nearly there:dance:

Please dont use these black balloons.

[Highway]

Gave the Z1's a workout in the wet on Saturday night at work and they are
brilliant.

Standing starts,kickdown and cornerning ( with TC off ) there was minimal loss of traction.

No wonder they came up the top in the wet road testing in last years tyre tests.

Mike

[JamesL]

Gave the Z1's a workout in the wet on Saturday night at work and they are
brilliant.

Standing starts,kickdown and cornerning ( with TC off ) there was minimal loss of traction.

No wonder they came up the top in the wet road testing in last years tyre tests.

Mike
I have a problem then becuase in the wet
standing start: spins
kickdown: spins
cornering: spins
:(

[Highway]

I have a problem then becuase in the wet
standing start: spins
kickdown: spins
cornering: spins
:(

Mine is a wagon and I had 20-30 kg in luggage over the back wheels and it
just felt really stable.

A couple of times at the lights I could hear wheel spin from the car next to
me ( I had the TC on ) and mine had no loss of traction.

Dont know why there would be so much difference.

Next time I get a chance I will try it with no weight in the car and low petrol.

Mike

[Kenaz]

The Falken ZE326s should be made illegal. They are good for burnouts and nothing more. In the wet they are useless and they aren't much better in the dry. For a budget tyre the Nankangs are pretty good, I have a set on my VS and they have performed pretty well.

[phunky_monkey]

I haven't tried the maziis, but ZE's are horibble tyres... no grip whatsoever, but you get what you pay for