Are Chinese tires really that bad?

[camrydriver111]

May I add:
Taiwan is not part of China.
Taiwan is an island off the coast of China.
As of today, two different countries.

EVERYTHING I have bought "made in Taiwan" for the last 15 years is top-notch quality.
"I'm only giving credit where credit is due"

It can still be considered China. Taiwan's official name is Republic of China. Most people living there are ethnically Chinese and speak Mandarin Chinese. Taiwan even claims the entire South China Sea just like PRC.

For the purpose of tires I would group Taiwan with mainland China. From what I've seen Nangkang and Maxxis are average to poor performing. Are they really that much better than what is being produced in mainland China?

 

[billt460]

Have these horrible Chinese tires ever been tested or rated by any consumer group here?

 

[c502cid]

I think LDB is the only person here who actually gets it. China is not a "peer," "competitor," or anything else similarly fuzzy. At present, the CCP is more of an enemy (even if not formalized) and is doing everything it can to contribute to the downfall of our nation.*

This is not to say the rank-and-file Chinese people are bad...they're not. The CCP, on the other hand, stands in stark contrast to everything that's good about America and their products should be avoided as possible.

For the budget-conscious buyers, please purchase Douglas tires and help employ American workers.

And learn how to read and utilize UTQG ratings in making tire decisions. Funny how there's six pages of tire discussion here and not one mention of UTQG...

* - for the wiseguy about to reply with the witty "Source?" comment, the source is me - and my years of experience as a military intel officer who focused on China.

For most of my life I was the biggest "Buy American" supporter you'll ever meet. It's still in my blood. However after doing that and getting screwed by American companies a lot more than once, I now do what is right for me, and if it means I see more value in a foreign product, I'm buying it.

I sold US made products to China for years, putting my thimble full dent in the balance of trade. Chinese consumers want and desire US made products and will seek them out. I do agree that the Chinese government is not our friend, but these days, I'm not so sure ours is either.

 

[vavavroom]

Why do I see less cars with flats or blowouts than ever? Considering the generally abysmal road conditions and the lack of cleanups I'd expect to see more roadside tire carnage than ever. Do all those crappy tires just deflate quietly at the most opportune occasions?

 

[BillyHW]

Why do I see less cars with flats or blowouts than ever? Considering the generally abysmal road conditions and the lack of cleanups I'd expect to see more roadside tire carnage than ever. Do all those crappy tires just deflate quietly at the most opportune occasions?

Tubeless tires are designed to deflate slowly. TPMS being mandatory since over a decade now means people are probably at the correct inflation levels most of the time now. Tire quality improving (assuming they aren't Chinesium). Run-flats more common. People have portable compressors to top up if leaking.

 

[vavavroom]

Tubeless tires are designed to deflate slowly.

Yes. No tire was designed to disintegrate.

TPMS being mandatory since over a decade now means people are probably at the correct inflation levels most of the time now.

Most likely most cars are a few PSI under because most people rely on TPMS as a pressure monitor and they alert at what, 5 PSI under? And do most people reset the TPMS after adjusting pressure? I doubt it.

Tire quality improving (assuming they aren't Chinesium).

Why would Chinesium not improve over time? They have to be at least good enough to compete which they are apparently able to do in the budget - I almost wrote bidet- market.

Run-flats more common. People have portable compressors to top up if leaking.

Not only Chinesium benefits from being a boy scout.

 

[wings&wheels]

For most of my life I was the biggest "Buy American" supporter you'll ever meet. It's still in my blood. However after doing that and getting screwed by American companies a lot more than once, I now do what is right for me, and if it means I see more value in a foreign product, I'm buying it.

I sold US made products to China for years, putting my thimble full dent in the balance of trade. Chinese consumers want and desire US made products and will seek them out. I do agree that the Chinese government is not our friend, but these days, I'm not so sure ours is either.

I would argue that buying the "...right for me.." product regardless of COO is the best for all involved as, theoretically at least, it should drive the lower performing products to improve, or out of the market, both of which are positives for the consumer. That being said, I understand avoiding China COO when possible.

 

[nthach]

Have these horrible Chinese tires ever been tested or rated by any consumer group here?

Consumer Reports did test a few. They said they’re decent dry, but watch out when wet.

 

[nthach]

True, but post-WWII Japan was no longer an enemy. This is not the case with modern China.

The Americans gave the Japanese a helping hand after WWII too. Deming was laughed off here but the Japanese took him seriously, he was part of how Toyota came up with TPS.

While the Germans - we owned the rights to their companies state-side operations. Bayer USA was the last to go in the 1980s when Kodak relinquished control and Miles Labs was bought out by Bayer AG.

 

[CKN]

Consumer Reports did test a few. They said they’re decent dry, but watch out when wet.

And how long ago was this?

 

[nthach]

And how long ago was this?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/09/chinese-truck-tires-are-no-bargain/index.htm

 

[jackz]

Everyone has an opinion regarding tires produced in Asia. I have been satisfied with three brands produced in Vietnam or Thailand: Kumho T rated all terrain tires and Milestar and GT Radial V rated performance tires. I believe in researching a tire company before I buy. It's not difficult. After having numerous Michelins over the years, I'm not a fan of their rock hard rubber compounds.

Yes I agree just put Thailand tires 225 55 19 Otaina KC 2000 on wifes 17 Mazda CX 5 $98.00 each nice tires quiet and smooth had the factory tires toyo ok but more money than the Otaini very happy with my selection

 

[Langanobob]

My Suzuki is riding on a set of Nankang UHP A/S. Made in Taiwan which technically makes them 'Chinese'. Good tires, great price.

Huge difference between Taiwan manufactured goods and mainland China. Taiwan stuff, in my experience, is very good.

 

[fdcg27]

A guy at work bought himself a used Model S. I noticed that it was on Sailun tires, no doubt installed by the high end used car store he bought it from.
Sailun would not be my choice for a beater, much less a Model S.

 

[Vercingetorix]

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article...od-Enough-8-Cheap-Tyres-VS-1-Premium-Tyre.htm

 

[PandaBear]

My past experience is they go out of round or off balance sooner and you end up throwing them out before they are completely worn. They do brake fine and stay on good traction, just vibrate to a point you don't want to drive fast, or drive that car.

If you buy a reputable Chinese or non major brand it maybe ok (I dunno, Nexen? Nankang? Lauffeen? I usually stick to at least Hankook or Kumho but no need for Bridgestone / Michellin).

The problem I have is 195-60-14 no longer has any reputable brand at a great discount.

 

[CKN]

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/09/chinese-truck-tires-are-no-bargain/index.htm

That article is ten years old....

 

[billt460]

That article is ten years old....

The tires on my truck are older than that.

 

[zzyzzx]

Have these horrible Chinese tires ever been tested or rated by any consumer group here?

Can we get Project Farm to test them?

 

[Kalle.J]

Landsail Qirin (Sentury) from China and Maxxis from Taiwan. Doing really well in this swedish test against Michelin, Pirelli and Nokian. Exception being straight aquaplaning for Landsail and questionable wear-rate compared to the rest for Maxxis.
But newer Landsail Radpiddragon has wider grooves.
Hifly is still ****.

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/2021-ViBilagare-Summer-Tyre-Test-.htm