84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
82/100
69 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop SP Sport FM800 vs Falken ZE512 — Compared (May 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: Dunlop SP Sport FM800 — better wet, treadwear and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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Category breakdown
5 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)
SP Sport FM800 leads by 21
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport FM800 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 67 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
SP Sport FM800 leads by 39
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport FM800 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 47 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
SP Sport FM800 leads by 29
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport FM800 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 55 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
SP Sport FM800 leads by 37
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport FM800 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 45 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
SP Sport FM800 leads by 33
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport FM800 | ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 50 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SP Sport FM800 | Falken ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 51 |
| Dry | 88 | 67 |
| Wet | 86 | 47 |
| Comfort | 84 | 55 |
| Treadwear | 82 | 45 |
| Handling | 83 | 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
84
/ 100
Tire A
51
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SP Sport FM800 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-budget tire that punches above its weight class in terms of wet and dry grip, comfort, and noise suppression. While most users praise its performance-to-price ratio, some report inconsistent tread longevity and a decline in performance as the rubber compound hardens over time.
Pros
- Exceptional wet and dry traction
- High value for money compared to premium brands
- Low road noise and high ride comfort
- Predictable handling and progressive grip limits
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life reported by some users
- Performance degradation as the tire ages/hardens
- Not suitable for high-horsepower or aggressive track use
- Occasional reports of sidewall stiffness or lack of steering precision
Observations
- Users on smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., VW Up, Ford Focus) report excellent handling and satisfaction.
- Drivers of high-performance or heavy vehicles (e.g., C63s AMG, Jaguar XF) noted that the tire struggles with high torque and may experience premature or uneven wear.
- Some users noted that steering feel can be perceived as vague on certain tire profiles, likely due to sidewall construction.
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 · Dunlop SP Sport FM800 | B · Falken ZE512 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
84
/ 100
Dunlop
51
/ 100
Falken
Winner: Dunlop SP Sport FM800 — better wet, treadwear and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop SP Sport FM800 scores 86 vs 47 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop SP Sport FM800 scores 82 vs 45 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop SP Sport FM800 scores 83 vs 50 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop SP Sport FM800 scores 84 vs 55 on comfort.
Tire A · Dunlop SP Sport FM800
Tire B · Falken ZE512
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop SP Sport FM800 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.