ashutoshsm

I'm sure someone out there has used or currently uses, or knows someone who uses the following -
- Konig Helium Wheels (15", 4x100)
http://www.konigwheels.com/catalog_p...ght%20Wheel%29

- Falken ZIEX ZE-512 (or its forerunner, the 502) tires (particularly the H-rated 195-50-15)
http://www.falkentire.com/html/produ...12/ziex512.htm

If so, could I please get some opinions and reports about these? I'm on the verge of getting a wheel and tire package comprising these two, and overall ratings seem reasonably favorable so far.

For starters, the Heliums are pretty light, but supposedly strong ripoffs of another Racing Hart Wheel (the CP8 - same as the Rota Circuit 8). Any strength, quality or reliability issues?

The Falken tires (512) are the replacements for the 502 which were rated good, but not great. These have improvements for increased dry and wet (main previous problem) traction, as well as longevity.

TIA!
-ashu

ashutoshsm

Well - I just got the Konig Heliums and Falken 512's installed on my car. Will try to post pictures or a link sometime soon.

I guess I'll report in, if anyone'e been considering either of these, with my impressions. For starters, they're incredibly light! And they look great! The wheel and tire combination when mounted (without the weight of the lug nuts) came in at just a hair over 28 lbs!

The 13 inch steelies and the old 175/70 tires on them are going to stay mounted and will be mounted on (if I feel the need to) in winter - although the Falken's are All Season M+S tires, and 195 is not that much wider than 175! I'll weight them today and find out whether the Plus Two upgrade actually dropped the unsprung weight, or not! For the appearance and expected handling improvement, I'd be happy with even no weight change!

Yeah - the drums do look UGLY behind the rear wheels - any suggestions? The local Auto Trak is going out of business, and I was thinking I'd pick up some engine enamel paint and do the front disk calipers and the rear drums - but they only had yellow, teal and purple left! I picked up some sandpaper, masking tape and a can of the yellow. Yellow *may* look OK on the (front) disc calipers, but would probably be too loud (for my taste) on the entire rear drums! I was thinking of silver enamel to go with my white car and silver wheels. Any other ideas?

Now to edit my signature

ZoomZoomH

pictures ashu, we need pictures!

ashutoshsm

(NEVER MIND - I found the appropriate threads about adding html, images etc etc)

Please, gimme a quick pointer to somewhere I can find out how to insert pictures into any/all of the following
1. My signature (I'll make sure its within specs - size and dimensions!)
2. The body of an individual post,
3. The left column under my name - now THAT is cool!

I imagine there's just a 'help' or 'instructions' discussion somewhere; I've already spotted the 'test' discussion!

TIA
-ashu

1fatEs

hey I what to see a pic because I just ordered them the other day but in bronze

ZoomZoomH

OK here's Ashu's new bling bling's

this is his old steelie w/ wheel covers:



and here are the new Konig Heliums!



big BIG improvement!

good job Ashu!

(btw Ashu, I linked your photos from the Yahoo group photo folder, so there's your solution for finding server space! )

ashutoshsm

I was going to do that at lunch, but you beat me to it.

Here's the imagestation album with full-resolution (but cropepd) images ...
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291367347

Thanks for the compliments - I love the look myself.

ashutoshsm

Took these at a parking lot the other day. Still love how the wheels feel and ride, after a 500 mile road trip last weekend!





and the old one again (as Yahoo seems to have turned off remote hosting!) -

ZoomZoomH

hey Ashu, how are the Falken Ziex holding up so far? I'm really need to start looking for replacement tires for my Pro. I burned up my tires real good at the autocross this past Sunday, now my front tires have no treads on the edges!!!

how does the tires feel at high speed? at making high speed turns at tight corners? quietness/comfort??

I'm planning to get the 195/55/15 V-rated ones, in case you're wondering.

thanks!!!

ashutoshsm

Hey Hank,

The Falken Ziex'es (512, not 502 - which are the previous generation) are holding up really well. Grip in the dry is phenomenal, and I was very impressed by their stoic handling and continued good grip in the heavy downpours we had a couple of weeks ago. But then, you already know what (13 inch 175/70 Michelin XH4, terrible handling, slight slippage and hydrooplaning at 25K miles) I'm comparing them to!

From what I read and researched when I bought them, these are great compromise tires, but you might be better served with the Falken Azenis (only available in 205/50-15 or higher, an acceptable upgrade for your wheels - but check for sure!) or something more performance oriented.

Of course, I expect these to last longer, be quieter and handle better in rain and snow than say the Nitto 450s, or perhaps the Dunlop SP 5000 (which are similar, but slightly more performance oriented). Another tire I considered was the Kumho Ecsta 712 - but shied away from it due to lack of all season abilities, reports of excessive road noise halfway through their life onwards (as early as 10K miles) and their higher price!

Good luck picking tires! (or are you looking for a snap-on-off wheel/tire package?)