Thailand is the largest importer of tires into the US.
Are Chinese tires really that bad?
- Thread starter nthach
- Start date
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
did that also for Conti LX 25''s
The Kumho KU27s from Walmart are great, I put a set on my Prius. They go on and off sale but are still a deal even at full price, $67 right now. Great ride, great traction, quiet, all you want. MPG is down from my worn OE LRR tires, but would be with nearly any budget pick.
Don't buy Solar, they're a budget brand meant for sucky chain tire shops. Same shops are pushing their entry level Chinese tires because they're still making lots of money on them, meaning the wholesale price is so cheap you aren't getting much.
If you don't want the Kumhos WM has Starfires for $53 in 195-65-15 right now-- those are made by Cooper and are a legitimate brand.
Rubber trees grow in Asia. It's not a huge surprise finished tires come from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea, etc.
Don't buy Solar, they're a budget brand meant for sucky chain tire shops. Same shops are pushing their entry level Chinese tires because they're still making lots of money on them, meaning the wholesale price is so cheap you aren't getting much.
If you don't want the Kumhos WM has Starfires for $53 in 195-65-15 right now-- those are made by Cooper and are a legitimate brand.
Rubber trees grow in Asia. It's not a huge surprise finished tires come from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea, etc.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
I learned this today.
For lower price tires, I've gone with Milestar Tire. I have the AS710 Sport on an older Accord, and for a family member and neighbor, recommended purchase of MS932 Sport for a Civic and Nissan Rogue. All purchased at DT, keeping them rotated and balanced as recommended to keep the treadwear warranty active. That's how I got a nice pro-rated price based on previous set of Nankang SP9 Cross Sport, afaik now discontinued. Using the tire sidewall manufacturer's plant ID, the AS710 Sport made in Dayton Tenn, the MS932 made in Vietnam.
Sounds like the USA made Milestar is made by Nokian
Honestly, until just before I posted I didn't investigate the specific plant details. I did know Milestar/TireCo said most sizes of AS710 made in the US and reading further Tenn. Made in the US was a factor in the purchase. I thought I saw something about a Hankook plant in Tenn, but if you say Nokian, works for me.
Shouldn't the question be 'Are cheap tires really that bad?'.
Putting politically driven buying decisions aside, I would buy a quality, name brand tire made in China over a bottom of the barrel US or 'Western' made one. China, and most low cost producing countries are quite capable of making world class products as much as we are capable of making poor quality goods; it is up to the manufacturer. That said, I try to avoid China COO where I am able and if you are so inclined, there are many decent tire options.
And yes, cheap tires can really be that bad.
Putting politically driven buying decisions aside, I would buy a quality, name brand tire made in China over a bottom of the barrel US or 'Western' made one. China, and most low cost producing countries are quite capable of making world class products as much as we are capable of making poor quality goods; it is up to the manufacturer. That said, I try to avoid China COO where I am able and if you are so inclined, there are many decent tire options.
And yes, cheap tires can really be that bad.
My thoughts exactly.
Can you be specific?
My DD came with new Goodyear RS-As and was told 'they'd kill me".
They had 50,000 miles to kill me and didn't. In fact, they had life left when I replaced them (before a long, Summertime trip).
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
I have had GS-Cs and RS-As as stock equipment on the F-bodies and Caprice. They didn't have particularly good grip for what the cars are, didn't wear well and were noisy. They didn't "Kill me" as far as ride goes. I just don't think they were great for what they cost.
I’d look for some 16 or 17 inch wheels on marketplace and go from there.
Sweet & Sour Sidewall, Teriaki Tread, Mongolian tire valve . . . all with a choice of duck sauce, sweet & sour, or ketchup.
Shrimp With Lobster Sauce, Egg Drop Soup, and a Fortune Cookie.
And what is your source for this bit of wisdom ?
No-Chinese tires are not inherently all bad.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/sailun-tires-made-in-cambodia.383578/#post-6909774
https://sailuntire.ca/en/plt/tires/hlt/
Over 7,000 miles on these tires. Part of these miles might have been used going down I-15 (in 100plus degree weather) though the deserts of Arizona, Nevada, and California))-and may have been (or maybe not) in excess of legal speeds-
Chinese company-made in Cambodia.
Cut out the nonsense fellas.....
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/sailun-tires-made-in-cambodia.383578/#post-6909774
https://sailuntire.ca/en/plt/tires/hlt/
Over 7,000 miles on these tires. Part of these miles might have been used going down I-15 (in 100plus degree weather) though the deserts of Arizona, Nevada, and California))-and may have been (or maybe not) in excess of legal speeds-
Chinese company-made in Cambodia.
Cut out the nonsense fellas.....
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2015
- Messages
- 806
Are Chinese tires really that bad? I’m not willing to risk mine and my family’s lives to find out.
There's enough garbage made anywhere else to risk your family's life on anyway.
No Chinese tires for me.
