My OEM Potenzas have almost had it, and I've been researching some new tires for the rear wheels (fronts were just replaced courtesy of Nissan for feathering). I came across the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 245/45-17 size, which go for a very competitive price, and are supposedly VERY stick for a street tire.

Does anyone run these tires on their car? How is road noise? Treadwear? Traction both wet and dry (I DO live in FL after all, where it can pour on a moment's notice )? Overall impressions? Pics?

 

I have them as double use (street/track) tires.

235/40R18 and 255/40R18.

Dry grip level are very good. Not as sticky as their predecessors (RT215). Noise levels are a bit higher than the re040.
Wet traction is better then the re040 but not the best rain tire out there.

As far as durability, they lasted me longer than the re040 did (8k miles vs 7k miles, in the rear. 20k fronts).

 

Thee are about 5 performance tires that rate at the top of Consumer Reports testing and Car & Driver testing. Why not stick with the proven winners?

 

Price and/or personal experience with the so-called "winners" (if those tests are actually fair and not just bought with marketing money). Plus I've always heard good things about the Azenis line... they are supposedly one of the most popular tires for street/track usage.

 

There are no advertisements in Consumer Reports. Car & Driver is a bit different. However am pleasantly surprised that both tests had similar results.

 

Yeah, but do you know who makes the "falken" line?

 

Do you?

I can't read japanes writing. They have some pretty interresting tires over there !

 

First off, I wouldn't recommend runnning different tires front to rear, especially for track use. Might get by on the street but be prepared for instability at speed. For a high performance wet-dry street tire I'd recommend Goodyear F1 GS-D3. I've had these as my street tires for over a year now and highly recommended them. I run the Faulken RT-615 for the track and they are noisier and need to warm up for max traction. I have no wet weather experience with them as of yet.

 

I like how you recommend a tire that costs TWICE the price of the tire I asked about... I'm sure the Goodyear F1 is a great tire, but I'd also be paying over $400 instead of just over $200 for 2 tires.

Also, I never said that I was planning on tracking my car. These would be for street use only.

 

I have run them before but not on the Z. I have auto-x on the old 215 and loved them and the 615 are better. I think I am going to get these for my 18x8 touring rims. Maybe 245or235 front & 255 Rear.

 

I am going to order set today myself. I ran the rt-215's and they had a lot of grip but do get a bit "greasy" on a track. If you want a street tire with ultimate dry grip then get the rt-615. Road noise and tread wear would be the areas that are compromised, but its nothing I can't live with.

 

Well, sorry for passing on my experience about tires. You didn't mention price. Good luck with your new tires.

 

Now your question is a bit different. You are talking about dollars vs performance or value. If we talk about handling and safety, I would not put a $100 tire on a 350Z. None. Period.

 

Err, are you planning to have the re040 front and RT615 on the rear, at the same time?

Not a good idea IMO...

A set of RT615 will set you back ~600$. Pretty cheap for the dry grip they offer. In the rain, make sure you have plenty of thread and you'll do fine.

 

I decided to bypass the Azenis for now and ordered 2 Hankook Ventus Sport K104, in 255/45-17 size. I know they're not the best tire, but they were inexpensive, and I didn't want to spend TOO much because I plan on upgrading my OEM 17's to a wider set of 18's at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Kolia: Yes, I will be running the stock RE040's in the front, and the K104's in the rear... I know you're supposed to use the same tire for each wheel, but I don't need to replace the RE040's (they only have <2000 miles on them), and I didn't want to get them for the rear again, as they aren't very good, and also more expensive than other options.

Hopefully this setup will be decent until I take the plunge and buy some 18's!

Thanks for your help and suggestions everyone, appreciate it.

 

Sumitomo makes Falken's. Interesting huh?