Hi Guys, I'm about to get my hands on a set on 2002L rims and will be needing tires. I think I've narrowed the choices down to the Pirelli Scorpion Zeros or the Falken Ziex S/TZ 04's. Just wondering if anyone is using these and what do you think about them. Thanks

 

Hey Ray!

As you know, I decided against both those tires (since.. well you know how cheap I am) , so I can not help with that, However, the following is the address for the tire calculator site that can help you decide on the size. It allows a person to compare two different sizes and it automaticaly calculates speedo variations due to size differences.
www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Thanks Ironhorse, that helped a great deal. It looks like if I go with the 55's it's basically the same height as my existing set-up. However, if the Falken's, which only make 60's end up to be a better tire I may just go with them. It's only an ~4% difference.

 

Ray,

In my research of what others experienced with both, the Perelli has a higher speed rating (v) and is suppose to be the best for traction , but alot of guys said that was only true on DRY pavement. If it rained or was cold and or bad weather, some said they were not that good. Everyone seems to love the Falklens, even though they have a lower speed rating.

I am sure you have checked out the tire rack banner on this site. I read and re-read the reviews for all the sporttruck tires I was considering at the tire rack. Have fun agonizing over the decision! he he

 

I traded up my factory 16's for a set of factory 17's. I was looking at many all season sport and sport tires - BFG, Pirelli, Falken, Michelin, Toyo, etc. I remember looking at the Pirelli Scorpions in a 275-60/17, and also the Falken Ziex STZ01 in the same size. Speed rating didn't matter to me, but availability in my area along with MILEAGE RATING mattered very much. If memory serves me right, the Falken's mileage rating is about twice that of the Pirelli I was looking at. All four tires cost me a little over $600, which I can justify for tires that will last 50,000 and are sport or performance rated. I absolutely would not spend that kind of money for performance tires that will only last 20,000-30,000 miles. It seems we never hear people saying "check the mileage rating", but rather everyone seems to be worried about the speed ratings, etc. How many people that buy these tires actually drive 100+ mph on a regular basis to the point that speed rating becomes more important than how much mileage they will get from their tires?

Anyway, I'm extremely happy with my Falken's. Drove in 2-3" of snow here in St. Louis with them in December, and made my 70 round trip to work and back ok. Granted, they didn't do as well as the Cooper Discover AT's on my other vehicle, but I didn't get stuck or slide into anything. At this point, I will definitely not hestatite to get Falken's again. Only thing that remains is to see if I get the 50,000+ miles out of them that I expect.

 

Thanks Country,
2-3" of snow and you still have traction? Geez, my stock Goodyears slid all over the place in a light rain. Based upon your review, I think I see a set of Falkens in my near future. I just need to find out the difference between the 01's and the newer 04's.

 

Country,

Very good points. But, actually when you have a supercharger, speed rating is very important (along with a chip that removes speed limiter). For me a high speed rating meant that in summer when the temp is over 100 f. and I am driving that fast or faster, I will have a better chance of NOT having a blowout. Equally important to me was mileage AND price. That is why I did not go with either tire.

My Kumhos, have as high a speed rating as the Pirellis (V), is a 52 psi tire (stiff sidewall), has a "directional all season anti-hydro-planning" tread that performs the best of any tire I have ever used, on dry or rain soaked roads. Really. Because it is a high performance sport truck tire, I was worried about driving in the snow with them. I have had to drive in the snow off an on over the last month. The tires work great in snow!!!! They are 50,000 mile rated tires as well. AND of course, what I like the most is, the Kumhos are far cheaper than any other true sporttruck tire including the Falklens.

.........and I found them by clicking on the Tire Rack banner at the top of this screen............I got help and this site got help.....what a deal!!!!!

 

I just put 285/55/18 Zero's on mine. The Falken was my first choice, price and looks more than anything else. But I wanted the diameter to be as close as possible to the stock 270/60/17 so I went with the Zero's. The Zero is a better looking tire than I realized and I think pirrelli's quality is at the top.
They even have a small yellow scorpion cast on the sidewall
Personally, I was willing to spend the extra $$ to keep my speedo/gearing as close as possible. If price is a bigger issue than proper calibration then I'd go with Falken's.

 

2fords,
How are the Pirelli's in the rain and snow? I'm going to need these to perform well in all kinds of conditions. I've heard they are great on dry pavement, but a bitch in the rain. What have your experiences been thus far?
Ironhorse, the Falkens are rated as an HR tire, meaning top speed is 130mph. I know you're a bit on the looney side , but I think 130 is more than enough for me. I can also get the Falkens for the same price as the Kumhos, so that's why I'm leaning towards them

 

yeah, yeah, I know the truth.......no matter how good the deal, nobody likes saying they own "KUM HO" tires.......

wha....me a little looney.....

 

I've only had them on a couple of days and there's been no rain and snow is unlikely here in mid Ga. By looks of the tread design I think they'll do well in both. Better than Falken because they aren't uni-directional as I believe Falkens are and they have a more aggressive tread design. One thing I did notice yesterday on the interstate was they are a tad louder than the 275/60/17 stock BFG's, hardly noticable. The Pirrelli is a high quality tire with good looks and all the nice technical features but I would have went with the Falken STZ01 if they'd had 285/55/18, even would have went with Kuhmo. If proper calibration, performance in rain and snow mean the most and you don't mind paying a little more than I recommend going with the Zero. Having my speedo/gear ratio close was my #1 criteria as long as the tire was a truck performance tire. The only choices in 285/55/18 were the Zero and a Michelin.
Another factor for me was that I took the price I could get the Zero from www.victoriatire.com to the local Tiresplus and he couldn't quite match it but after figuring in all costs I would have had to pay (shipping, mountin,bal) I felt it was worth paying $90 more (total) because I get lifetime rotation and balance by buying thru him. It was $760 out the door. Not bad really, considering the tire.

 

Love my 265/60/18 falkens. Much better loooking than pirelii if i remember right, but I dont think i do !!! But I take them off in the winter so im not sure about that aspect.
-Bill

 

I had a set of Pirelli Scorpion Zero 285/60/17 on my 2000 Supercab 4x4.

I used them through on summer and winter. The wet handling was awesome. I could carve the backroads with ease. Winter use was a bit tricky, but I survived.

The big complaint that I have is that these things only lasted me about 15,000 miles. Kind of upsetting because of the $180 price tag each.

I have since changed to a bigger tire combo which suits me better for the snow and ice.

good luck...

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