Hello and welcome to my Falken Ziex ZE329 review.
Automotive enthusiasts love Falken for the breakthrough technology that they have introduced to the tire industry and the kind of efficiency their tires bring to the table. Today, we are going to look at one of their products known as the Falken Ziex ZE329 which happens to be a touring summer tire for the budget passenger cars. I recently met an owner of a Mazda who has been using Falken Ziex ZE329 on his car and here is what he had to say about the tires.
First Impression
Since Falken has been selling the tire as a summer touring tire (although some Falken dealers call it an all season tire) which means that there is nothing much you would see in the tread part. I mean one look at the tire and you would see the treads in a symmetry, a few sips for the water spill and throw and nothing for the ice. While the quality looks great but I am pretty sure that the tires would not be able to last adverse climatic conditions.
Anyway, to sum it all up, the Falken Ziex ZE329 has a very symmetrical design. It has 3 strips on its circumference on either side of the main depression in the middle. The treads look anything but impressive. These are very basic and boring and you should not be expecting a premium experience. At least, this is what the first look suggests. Having said that, since this is purely for summer and hot conditions, you do not (anyway) need much in a tire.
Economics
The Ziex ZE329 by Falken is highly economical. A set of Falken Ziex ZE329:
- Would not be heavy on your wallet
- Is perfect for what they are made for
- Is in for a decent run
I would recommend replacing all 4 tiers for the best performance since these are very economical and 4 new tires which will undergo similar wear and tear overtime would actually mean a better driving experience for a long time.
Falken Ziex ZE329 Review: Test Ride
Unluckily, I could not have access to the test drive myself and had to mostly rely on the gentleman’s experience with his Mazda. Now, I know this guy from a long and I would call him a cautious and sensible driver who sometimes gets an adrenaline pump and speeds for no apparent reason. While, in a normal world this might sound crazy, but when it comes to motor-heads like you and me, we know this happens and we do not care about the reasons.
Dry Conditions
He had no complains when it comes to dry conditions. He had been driving the Falken Ziex ZE329 from a long time and he was very happy with what he was getting. He mentioned the amazing control especially on the corners he has felt on his ride after he got the new tires. He also talked about high traction and stability on super dry roads when he was speeding. The braking responsiveness is superb and the driver can feel the tire responding to every little moment of the steering wheel rather quickly.
Wet Conditions
While we have been calling it a summer tire, this man ruled it out and told me that the performance in great even during the rainy season. However, he mentioned that the rides on the dry conditions are smoother than the wet roads but there is no reason why this tire should not be considered for the wet roads. The symmetrical design we have been talking about runs in a non-directional pattern and that is what gives a tire the ability to run and rotate in the wet conditions easily. So, one thing is for sure that Falken Ziex ZE329 are made for wet conditions as well.
Snow/Icy Conditions
While he had no opinion on the icy conditions since he has never drove it on the ice, I would personally never recommend taking the tires on the snow. First, I am pretty sure that the tires would not be able to stand the cold and second, I feel that the ‘not so durable’ sidewall of the tire might burst on coming in contact with the sharp ice. Having said that, I am open to feedback on performance of Falken Ziex ZE329 in ice and updating it here from my readers if anyone tells me how these feel on the road.
Comfort and Noise
One thing that the owner of the Mazda loved about Falken Ziex ZE329 is the level of comfort it provides considering it is so budget friendly. You will experience a little less bumps, a little more smoothness and a quick response from the tires. The ride gains a lot of stability and the user can actually feel it in the steering. Additionally, the 60,000 mileage warranty on Falken Ziex ZE329 make it a little more comfortable for the buyer.
Sadly, one can hear a lot of noise on the nook and corners of the road or while speeding. This is a big time deal breaker. Considering that this tire is made for mid-budget sedans, you should expect a lot of noise entering the cockpit. The situation gets irritating as soon as you hit a hard concrete road.
Wear and Tear
Falken provides a good mileage warranty on tires which gave me the confidence that these tires are meant to last long. However, when I looked at the tires on the Mazda, I quite felt the opposite. The owner said that he had been driving it for a year but the tires told a different story. They looked like they have been on for at least 3 or 4 years. The tread wire was ‘almost’ visible and it was saddening to tell him that he would soon need a replacement.
Final Word
The Falken Ziex ZE329 is a tire made for people who would not usually speed on the road. The tires work amazingly well on the dry and wet roads but if you are someone who is going to do a lot of driving in the ice, you should probably look at other options. Other than that, the only deal breaker is the amount of noise and roar that these tires make. But, hey, these do not cost a fortune and are totally a rocker if you are a highly responsible driver.
Thanks for reading and I hope you found this Falken Ziex ZE329 review helpful. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
