76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
96/100
35 professional tests
User signal (40%)
71/100
110 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Falken ZE512 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
51
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
50/100
27 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 — better wet, comfort and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 67 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 41
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 47 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | – |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 25
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 55 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 63 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 64 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 45 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 23
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 50 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Falken ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 51 |
| Dry | 84 | 67 |
| Wet | 88 | 47 |
| Snow | 77 | – |
| Comfort | 80 | 55 |
| Noise | 63 | – |
| Treadwear | 59 | 45 |
| Handling | 73 | 50 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
76
/ 100
Tire A
51
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is widely regarded as a class-leading winter tire for wet and slushy conditions, offering exceptional grip and braking performance that rivals summer tires. While it performs reliably in fresh snow, user consensus indicates a significant decline in performance and tread life after the first two seasons, with many owners reporting premature wear and increased noise levels as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance.
- Predictable and stable handling on dry roads.
- Strong performance in slush and fresh snow when new.
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise levels during the initial phase of ownership.
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, often failing to last beyond 15,000–20,000 km.
- Significant performance degradation in snow and ice after the first or second season.
- Development of loud humming or buzzing noises as the tire ages.
- Reports of tread deformation, wobbly blocks, or uneven wear patterns.
Observations
- Heavy vehicles, including EVs and large SUVs, appear to accelerate the rapid tread wear observed by many users.
- Users with RWD vehicles noted that while the tire is predictable, it can struggle with traction on steep inclines once the tread depth drops below 5mm.
- Drivers of performance-oriented or heavier cars reported noticeable understeer during spirited driving in dry conditions.
The Falken ZE512 is a polarizing budget-oriented tire that receives mixed reviews, often criticized for its rapid tread wear and inconsistent wet-weather performance. While some users appreciate its initial dry grip and affordability, many report significant dissatisfaction regarding its longevity and lack of structural durability on rough road surfaces.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Satisfactory dry pavement grip when new
- Generally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Good initial handling characteristics for casual driving
Cons
- Extremely rapid tread wear and short lifespan
- Poor wet-weather traction and hydroplaning resistance
- Soft sidewalls prone to damage from potholes and curbs
- Significant performance degradation as the tread wears down
Observations
- Users driving performance-oriented or heavier vehicles frequently reported premature wear and lack of stability.
- Drivers noted that the soft sidewall construction provides a comfortable ride but lacks the structural integrity required for rough urban road conditions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | B · Falken ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Summer Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 11 | — |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | — |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Bridgestone
51
/ 100
Falken
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 — better wet, comfort and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 88 vs 47 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 80 vs 55 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 73 vs 50 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 84 vs 67 on dry.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Tire B · Falken ZE512
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 also compared with
Falken ZE512 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.