Just installed. If your looking for a quiter and smoother ride than I recommend the 512s. I picked up for $89 a tire and Acura installed for Free.

They handle as well as the Bridge OEMs, but are far superior in all other areas.

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Abyss Blue Pearl/Camel/Navigation

 

Ah, yes, another success story. I'm buying a fifth one in case I get a flat. At $89/tire, it's certainly an appropriate expense...

 

are these for stock sizes? i didn't really like the 235/35/19. the sidewalls would crack from hittingi pottholes...

 

I purchased mine in the stock 04 TL size, 235/45/17.

 

where did you get the tires from? That's a good price!

 

http://www.edgeracing.com/tires/2354517/

 

Couldn't wait for the replacements any longer. Service Advisor assures me that Acura has agreed to give me the 'new' BS EL42s. That was 6 weeks ago. Made a deal with Tire Kingdom (formerly Merchant's Tire here in the Washington, DC area). Got the Falken 512's. If and when the replacements come in, they'll give me a credit of $75/ tire. I paid $102/tire for the Falkens; more than mail order but I wanted to cut a deal with a local tire dealer.

I couldn't be happier. What a major difference. IMO, better ride, better handling, and better absorption of bumps - not as harsh. Best of all, no thump, thump, thump, waiting for the flat spots to round out. They barely chirp off the line, unlike the BS that advertised drama. I absolutely recommend these tires!

 

Were you still currently experiencing flatspotting with your EL42's until you got the new Falkens? Some people have said it's worse at colder temps. But I think it's more of an issue of if the car has just sit for a day or so, no matter what the temp is. I have noticed mine at around 65 degrees in morning when not driven for day or so. But at same temp on different morning when driven the day before its not as noticeable... Have you tested to see if the Falkens experience any flatspotting in the morning after sitting a day or so?

 

My EL-42's flat spot every morning, but it takes longer to smooth out on colder days.

 

Yes. My TL is garaged every nite but still flatspots even though the temps have moderated. The Falkens have not flatspotted so far. I cannot emphsize enough how the character of the TL has changed with the Falkens. Without giving up crisp handling, the ride is clearly less harsh and IMO more luxurious and fitting of the TL.

 

Good to hear your Falkens are performing well. I assume you got the stock size (235/45/17)? Sounds like it has the characteristics I like in a tire.
Do you find them to be as quiet or quieter as the EL-42's, which mine were pretty quiet.. My main problem is higher-speed interstate driving. I have vibration in steering wheel, can let go of steering wheel and it will have lots of movement. Some suggest it's the wider low-profile tires, the road. I can experience it on really smooth pavement as well though. Does others experience this problem?

BTW, keep us posted on how the Falkens keep performing, any flatspotting and all. thanks

 

I don't have that vibration problem at freeway speed. I never had with the EL42s until around 9k miles, and haven't had it really with the Falkens. They've improved the driving experience, but we'll see shortly how adding an A-Spec suspension to the mix will change things, especially since I don't want to go to 18" wheels.

 

I did get the stock size. I think the Falken's are as quiet as the BS's. I've only taken the Falken's up to 80 mph so far and there is some subtle vibration that seems to increase with speed - nothing approaching what I had with the BS's. I did feel completely unstable above 80 with the EL42's. I want to have the Falken's balanced again but fear the fate of scratched rims; something I've dodged so far.

 

I have experienced the so called flat spotting. I wonder if it really is flatspotting. I mean wouldn't bridgestone have to check a couple tires in the batch to make sure that they are within spec for being balanced?

What if it turns out that Acura has a faulty tire balancing machine/s. It is entirely possible. If that/those machine/s where off by an inch that alone would screw everything up.

-Chad