Falken ZIEX ZE950-Budget AS Tire
Currently running these tires in a 225/45/R17 square setup on stock suspension. This review isn’t meant to compare them to summer or track tires—I understand the major differences, as I’ve experienced a wide range of both. This is more for someone looking for a budget tire for daily driving with some semi-spirited use.
I’ve had these tires for about 6 months now. During the break-in period, they felt a little odd—slightly floaty with more roll—but they never unpredictably broke loose. That’s expected though, since all-season tires generally have softer sidewalls compared to summer or track tires.
In the rain, they can break loose if you’re making a sharp turn, but it’s manageable. I’ve mostly noticed this in specific spots where cars tend to idle more, likely leaving oil residue that makes the surface extra slick. Outside of that, I’ve taken plenty of sharp turns without any issues. I’ve also been stable in the rain at higher speeds (around 90 mph) with traction control on.
For daily use, these tires are very reliable. Even in the rain, I’ve never felt overly concerned about traction. I’ve also practiced controlled sliding in a closed area, and they perform surprisingly well—they’re predictable and go where you want them to.
On spirited canyon runs, they hold up fairly well too. I’ve taken them through backroads and found they offer solid grip in dry conditions. They do warm up with driving, but not in the same way as a true summer tire—they don’t develop that extra “sticky” grip as heat builds and will reach their limits sooner when pushed hard.
At the end of the day, they’re not summer tires, so it’s important to keep that in mind and not let your ego take over—brake early, drive smooth, and stay within your limits.
p.s road noise: 3/5 quiet low speeds, highway speeds a little more noticeable but not terrible.