Chinese Tyres. Can They Match The Value of TCL or BYD?

urzu on 06/10/2024 - 20:29

Hey Ozbargainers,

As someone who works in TV sales, I've seen firsthand how brands like TCL have disrupted the market. Their Mini LED TVs, in particular, offer near-OLED picture quality at a fraction of the price. I routinely advise customers to skip Samsung, LG, and Sony unless they're going for the absolute top-of-the-line OLED models. TCL simply offers unbeatable bang for your buck in that specific category.

It's worth noting that this is a relatively recent phenomenon. Even five years ago, Chinese TVs were definitely cheaper, but the quality was noticeably inferior. The latest generation of TVs from TCL and Hisense, however, have really closed the gap. That said, I understand that brand names, even among Chinese brands, don't always tell the whole story. Just like any other manufacturer, they have their budget models that are pretty average. I'd definitely buy a TCL Mini LED, but wouldn't necessarily say their bottom-of-the-range TVs are anything special. It's often the same average stuff at the entry-level, regardless of the brand, Chinese or otherwise.

I'm also a bit of a car enthusiast and have been closely following the rise of Chinese automakers like MG, GWM, and BYD. They're delivering compelling vehicles, both EVs and ICE cars, with features and performance comparable to established brands, but at significantly lower prices. Their value proposition across the board is really impressive.

It seems like this trend is happening across a range of industries. I've even heard from professional aircon installers that Chinese brands have really upped their game recently, offering competitive performance and reliability at lower price points. I'm not very clued in on solar panels and inverters, but this may also be happening in the solar industry.

This leads me to my question: are there any Chinese tyre brands that offer this same level of value? I'm not expecting Michelin or Pirelli performance, but something that provides solid everyday driving characteristics without the premium price tag. I'm not just interested in brand names, but specific model recommendations too.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from those with professional experience in the car or tyre industries, or those with in-depth knowledge of the tyre market. Have you come across any hidden gems from China? Any brands to look out for or avoid?

Let's keep this thread focused on informed opinions and real-world experiences. I'm definitely not a China-shill, and can criticise their anti competitive behaviours and politics all day, but that's beside the point.

Thanks in advance for the discussion, if it takes off.

TL;DR: Chinese brands like TCL, Hisense (TVs) and BYD, GWM(cars) now offer amazing value for money, rivaling big names at lower prices. Are there any Chinese tyre brands doing the same? Looking for recommendations from professionals or tyre experts.

Poll Options

  • 118
    All bad (why?)
  • 3
    Some OK (explain)
  • 49
    Some great! (explain)
  • 3
    As good as OLED TVs! (unlikely, but…)
  • 1
    Other (best value non-Chinese)
Automotive Tyre

Comments

  • SBOB on 06/10/2024 - 20:40
    +38

    Summary for those, who like me, ran out of energy half way through that wall.

    https://tldrx.me/https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/869848

    (Thanks to https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/869332)

    • urzu on 06/10/2024 - 21:08
      +2

      I had provided a tldr at the end, but that sure is a handy tool.

      • Suspect420 on 06/10/2024 - 21:46
        +12

        More useful if it was at the beginning

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 06/10/2024 - 22:11
      +1

      Not all heroes wear capes.

      • fredk1000 on 08/10/2024 - 20:52

        Quote from Mike?

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:00
      +1

      I thought OPs explanation was very infiormative and set the scene for the main question.
      Good reading for a lazy Public holiday monday morning.

      But yes could have just asked if any Chinese tyres are good brands.
      You get the same answer either way

      • TooSerious2 on 07/10/2024 - 12:10
        +8

        There it is, under the first comment. I'll keep my eyes open now

        • JIMB0 on 08/10/2024 - 08:27
          +1

          I'm sure if you utilised the "Hide comments from user" option you wouldn't be missing out on anything.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:06
      -7

      SBOB is an everyday critic here.
      First in line to tear down any useful post or factual information.

      Contributes little if anything useful to any discussion.

      Personally I found urzu's post very informative.
      And they did provide a short 2 line summeray at the end compared with SBOB's long winded 145 word paragraph.
      Yes probably better placed at the top of the post.

      • brendanm on 07/10/2024 - 13:29
        +6

        Contributes more than you, replying with whatever nonsensical garbage you can come up with to the first commenter.

        • SBOB on 07/10/2024 - 14:13
          +4

          Contributes more than you

          Would almost be a compliment if the reference bar wasn't so low :)

    • DontNeedThis on 07/10/2024 - 22:36
      +2

      You need to cut down on your social media time to get some of that attention span back if you lost energy half way through a post of this size.

    • smartazz104 on 08/10/2024 - 20:58
      -1

      Must be the same people who only get action once a year.

    • Shane043 on 09/10/2024 - 15:27

      i need this tool for everything in my life lol

      • ab c on 17/11/2024 - 12:43

        Tool includes read-widely, TOO price-focused has consequences, trials & errors, etc etc etc

    • ab c on 17/11/2024 - 11:20

      Do your research on SPECIFIC brand-model for YOUR-car & YOUR-use.
      For road-use & on the FRONT-wheels, especially with WET & COLD conditions, BEWARE…many bad reviews & new brand-models appear as fast as reviews are written.
      Frugalness: I would only put them on the REAR-wheels of a FWD after thorough-research & you've OVER-tyred…NOT on the FRONT-wheels of FWD. Exception: Ford Fiesta ST & similar, lol.
      Michelin PS5 is a worthy-considerations STARTING-point of your research-> https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre/Michelin/Pilot-Sport-5.htm
      Btw, my Michelin PS4 is 5+ yr, ~ 1mm above wear indicators & still ok grip in WET & COLD conditions. I can still feel these tyres @ its limit, lol.
      My threashold for tyres is likely above the average-Joe & happy to pay more.
      235/40 R18 $229: competitive-pricing for a PREMIUM-brand that delivers-> https://www.tyroola.com.au/v1-michelin-pilot-sport-5-xl-2354…

  • GordonD on 06/10/2024 - 20:48

    Its no wonder Washington wants to start a war with the Chinese, and for us to join them**. China is beating America at capitalism, shock, horror!. America's only remaining claims to run the world to serve its interests are that its still best at technical innovation, and outspends everyone else on military weapons and political corruption.

    **And when the time comes our politicians will sign up in our name, whether we want it or not, and whichever party is in power. They always do.

    GordonD on 06/10/2024 - 20:48 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • daison on 06/10/2024 - 21:13
      +15

      So what's your tyre suggestion?

      • MS Paint on 06/10/2024 - 21:25
        +11

        Sounds like the Albanese All Terrain Extra Load

    • rooster7777 on 06/10/2024 - 22:01
      +7

      @ Gordon D
      I agree with much of what you say, but I believe that israel wins the prize for external political corruption, for how it distorts and affects policy of major western governments, particularly usa and australia. It takes only a very small portion of the massive foreign aid they receive being reinvested in jewish lobby groups in those sovereign nations to get a massive return…. eg the over $300 billion that israel has received from the US.

      Another indication is who votes to block any UN decisions regarding israel. The recent move to accept palestine as eligible to apply for UN membership had a vote of 143 for, and 9 against. Those against were the acknowledge noble nations of usa, australia, argentina, israel, hungary, the federates states of micronesia, nauru, palau, and papua and new guinea.

      I'd suggest any UN resolution that saw the above bled of nations voting against an overwhelming majority… has to be most critically regarded as being something on the nose, or absolutely rotten.

      I'm not suggesting that usa doesn't, and hasn't got an appalling record of illegal and immoral interference in the internal affairs of other countries…. but I believe that the biggest example of ongoing corruption of a political system is the international jewish lobby.

      I wouldn't have popped my head up at random spewing this, but since someone is suggesting america is the world leader I just wanted to put up a counter position.

      • GordonD on 07/10/2024 - 08:57
        +3

        I believe that israel wins the prize for external political corruption

        The point I was making that Washington is the most corrupted Western democracy. You are right that its the friends of Israel who are doing the biggest share corrupting there.

    • AustriaBargain on 07/10/2024 - 06:36
      +2

      China calls it "globalism", which isn't inherently capitalistic, and has benefits for people everywhere.

  • JIMB0 on 06/10/2024 - 21:28
    +8

    I had some Winrun R330 tyres that were shocking in the wet. When accelerating hard in the wet the car would still be fish tailing past 80km/h. A set of Pirelli tyres sorted it.

    • pegaxs on 06/10/2024 - 21:45
      +26

      Holy shit, same. Worst tyres I have ever put on a car… and noisey! Like Jesus H. Christ came down from the heavens and told me to stop driving around with them on as it was waking the dead. Boeing called me and asked me not to drive as they can’t hear their jets over the noise these things made. They were going to use my tyres as noise cancelling for the latest SpaceX rocket…. Turns out my tyres were still too loud. I almost got booked because the coppers thought I was running my V8 exhaust with no mufflers, straight out the headers when it was just the rolling noise of the tyres.

      And in the wet… it was like I was rolling around on steel drums. I had to get out and push my car up to speed in the wet just to stop the tyres spinning and then I had to deploy a safety parachute to slow down. The last advance driving course I did, the wet section was advanced, in a normal car, and superhero, which was advanced, but you had to do it on Winrun tyres…

      Friends don’t let friends buy Winrun.

      • sumyungguy on 06/10/2024 - 22:05
        +2

        Totaly not disagreeing with you; I reckon motoring as a widespread hobby/interest has long been on a steep decline. Meanwhile on Tyroola,1879 generally positive R330 purchasers are saying stuff like:
        They're perfect. No road noise. Definitely feel safer in the wet.
        Good grip in wet, not noisy
        They are quiet and smooth. Very good grip in the wet and feel very safe.

        • pegaxs on 06/10/2024 - 22:12
          +1

          None of the tyre shops around where I live will stock them and there is only one place in town that will even touch them if the customer supplies them. All the rest have said no and won’t even entertain touching them.

          And there is no way that test you linked below is right… 3rd for quietness? I think they misread “171dB” as 71. Either that, or for the Winrun test, they forgot to take the dB meter out of its padded case. I literally still have ringing in my ears from these tyres… 6 years ago…

          • sumyungguy on 06/10/2024 - 22:20
            +6

            @pegaxs: I vote all bad. Why? Here's a report that may inform OP's query. However cheap tyres may have a use-case; when you're selling and need a RWC; petrol-head bogans who prefer minimal grip in all conditions

            • urzu on 07/10/2024 - 00:08
              +1

              @sumyungguy: Nice report. That's good info. I remember reading about winrun a few years ago and at the time, they were a clear no go. Interesting to see quality hasn't changed according to reviews.

        • JIMB0 on 06/10/2024 - 22:43

          The quality varies greatly. They must have got a good batch. I thought I needed a wheel alignment as the car pulled to the left, rotating the tyres around fixed it. These were brand new Winrun tyres.

      • mapax on 07/10/2024 - 07:53
        +1

        Had some Ovation eco something or others on a falcon that sound like they matched the wet weather performance. People think I’m exaggerating when I say that in the rain those tyres would spin with even the lightest throttle input and it was nearly impossible to not spin them.

        I’ve had mud tyres on the tread wear indicators that were safer in the wet.

      • Rally Dave on 08/10/2024 - 06:37

        Agree, even in the dry they didn't hold on properly. Only set of tyres i have replaced early, and i true everything to speed that up. You basically just had to look at the throttle to light them up. And they ride terrible.
        I learnt and went back to raising this is one area you had to spend money and put Michelin back on, and the whole car felt transformed.

      • CocaKoala on 08/10/2024 - 13:31

        Good to know. I just filter my results each time I shop for tyres by ruling these rubbish brands out. I am not even going consider these crap brand tyres if someone paid me.

      • mousie on 09/10/2024 - 07:30

        Vin diesel has released a new movie.
        Winrun drift

      • ab c on 17/11/2024 - 11:51

        Weird…a person of pegaxs-calibrae did'nt do basic-research before buying ?

    • sumyungguy on 06/10/2024 - 21:47
      +1

      Winrun R330 featured in this tyre test with results consistent with your impressions

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:10
      +4

      Yeah, Ive got some Athena tyres on the front of my car. (not by choice)
      Slip and slide verywhere.

      Had Bridgestones before that and they were flawless.

      Note though that many brand name tyres are now made in China so China has the newest tyre factories and the latest technology.
      So its just a matter of working out which Chinese brands benefit from that same technology.

      • Hangryuman on 09/10/2024 - 17:09

        as I understand it depends on the quality that a Western company specifies to be made in China, is quoted and agreed for supply, and then regularly checks to verify that is what is being supplied.

        any failure in the verification process can lead to what's called 'tofu dregs' - dangerous, unsafe, poor quality products.

        there is a regular series of YouTube shorts called 'China fakes everything' - e.g. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/T1aiHN-eWTE

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:17
      +1

      Winrun are aparently made from recycled and synthetic rubber.

      Informed by a mate that owns a tyre shop.

  • rooster7777 on 06/10/2024 - 21:30
    -2

    I reckon duttinos on the front to splash into shit and make bold claims with nothing to back them up, and albinos at the back to flounder and skid….sacrificing the reputation of australian labor tyres for generations.

  • Baysew on 06/10/2024 - 21:32
    +14

    Maybe the tyres aren't quite there yet. I originally read this from some other source, but this quote from carexpert.com.au

    That’s because previous versions of this model had Atlas Batman tyres, and they let down the drive experience. I wasn’t alone in levelling this criticism, and it seems BYD has paid attention.

    Now the Atto 3 has Continental EcoContact 6Q rubber (235/50/R18), and the tyres do make a notable difference to the drive experience. It’s funny, you know – you never realise how much a change a good set of tyres can make until you’ve driven a car with not-good tyres.

    Chinese car maker avoiding Chinese tyres.

    • fusion17 on 09/10/2024 - 09:10

      I remember one of my earlier 2nd hand rwd cars came with some new Chinese tyres. Antyre was the brand iirc.

      On the new smooth black roads, I literally could not keep traction on a roundabout when it was damp.
      Had to really feather it and pray.

  • awulf on 06/10/2024 - 21:41
    +1

    I currently have Sailun Attrezzo, which came on my Audi S4 when I bought it used. Absolute rubbish tyre, in the wet it feels like driving on ice, barely passable in the dry. Online reviews also suggest they have about a 10m stopping distance difference to the next decent brand name tyre in the wet at 100km/h. Haven't replaced them yet as they came brand new (a waste just throwing new tyres out?), and new decent tyres cost a bit. I'm leaning towards Continental SportContact 7 or Michelin PS5 for the next set.

    I also disagree chines cars are close to trusted/established brands from the likes Japan, EU, Korea. Chinese care are certainly much cheaper and have a good feature list, but from what I've experienced it's all unpolished, bad handling, cheap plastics etc.

    • brendanm on 06/10/2024 - 23:50
      +15

      Sailuns on an S4 let's you know that the owner skimped on all the other maintenance as well.

      • awulf on 07/10/2024 - 00:09
        +1

        Was the used car dealer who put them on, previous owner was a business who serviced at the Audi dealer. But yes if it was the previous owner who put them, be a red flag.

        • JDMcarfan on 07/10/2024 - 09:30
          +3

          that's even worse. dealer with absolutely no regard for safety, just margins

      • bazingaa on 07/10/2024 - 09:14
        +6

        this is the first thing I look for in used car ads, if someone is using Chinese tyres, they haven't done proper maintenance as well.

    • urzu on 07/10/2024 - 00:13

      Thanks for your feedback on the Sailun. I was curious to hear feedback as they were allegedly one of the better manufacturers from a quick googling session I found. Still not up to scratch it seems.

      I agree with the poor fit and finish of the cheaper cars I sat in an MG ZS 6 years ago-ish and it looked and felt like a cabin from the 2000s era… But it was also Australia's cheapest SUV at the time. For the price again though, a 30-35k haval seems like a fairly nice place to be. Certainly a larger, better kitted car than an i30 or base corolla

      • RatBargain on 08/10/2024 - 01:15
        +1

        Sai Lun translates to dead dick literally or bloody penis colloquially in some languages

  • Euphemistic on 06/10/2024 - 21:57

    You get what you pay for. Yes, you pay a brand tax on a known brand, but cheap tyres will have cut something to make them cheaper. Chinese can make whatever you want to whatever quality you want.

    I got some unknown brand tyres for my ute. Tyre shop said they seemed OK. For AT tyres they seem decent value for money. Grip heaps better than the old Hankooks or BF Goodrich ive had in the wet too. Ute doesnt do a lot of kms, so perhaps they wont get many kms on them They'll likely get changed because theyre old, rather than worn out at this point.

    • urzu on 07/10/2024 - 00:16

      Funny as I'm looking to replace the Hankooks on my i30. They haven't been great: noisy, not the best grip… But now they're nearing 55000km so they've certainly lasted well.

      I'd be curious to know what tyre you fitted and if you have experience in the wet with it. Especially with a ute.

      • miicah on 08/10/2024 - 19:55

        Pilot sport, with regular rotation you can get 50k out of them.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:15

      "I got some unknown brand tyres for my ute. Tyre shop said they seemed OK. For AT tyres they seem decent value for money. Grip heaps better than the old Hankooks or BF Goodrich ive had in the wet too"

      WOW amazing
      Do share the tyre brand name please

    • Spending2Much on 07/10/2024 - 14:49
      +2

      My KO2s were absolutely horrible in the wet on bitumen

      • Euphemistic on 07/10/2024 - 19:19

        Id get rid of them tomorrow, but it seems a waste of a lot of good tread. Ive beem known to flick it into 4wd for a hill start in the wet.

        • mapax on 07/10/2024 - 19:38

          I’m confused. Your earlier comment made the Chinese tyres sound pretty good, but this comment makes them sound like they’re pretty bad in the wet if you need 4wd for a hill star?

          • Euphemistic on 07/10/2024 - 21:22

            @mapax: The BF goorich K02s are shocking in the wet. The chinese tyres were much better. i think they might be terra firma (theyre 400km away on a car i dont drive anymore)

      • stumo on 09/10/2024 - 13:26

        I had KO2's all round for a couple of years on my LWB Sprinter van. They seemed ok I guess for a van. Then the fronts needed replacing so I chucked on some cheap Nexen tyres and holy sh*t… Suddenly the rear of my van is trying to overtake the front all the time in the wet. Luckily it has ESP, and that flashing yellow warning triangle on the dash is fixing to blow a bulb, it comes on all the time in the wet now.

        Nexen are originally a Korean tyre manufacturer but are probably made in china now. They were cheaper than the real chinese tyres like the Cumforcer was the next cheapest. I'm not going there but Nexen seems really good, compared to KO2's

  • pegaxs on 06/10/2024 - 22:05
    -2

    Yeah, I’m not reading that… I have “Atlas Batman” tyres on my BYD and they are fine, despite what all the tyre elitist (fropanity) heads try and tell you. Plenty of people on the forums are getting 40,000 to 80,000km out of them.

    • freefall101 on 07/10/2024 - 18:28
      +3

      Really? I have the same tyres and mine are garbage. I leave my car in eco mode and don't really punch it, but I can still spin the wheels in the dry when taking off at an intersection, particularly when turning. In the wet I reckon they're dangerous, even barely accelerating I can feel them slip.

      Every car review I've read criticised the tyres, calling them out while praising the hell out of the car. I haven't seen any other car that has had the tyres reviewed so poorly, these tyre elitists must be really specific. I'm at 15k km and I'm done with them, will change them over come black friday.

      • pogichinoy on 09/10/2024 - 06:15
        +1

        My friends who were early adopters of the Atto3 say the same. Dunno how drivers can defend Atlas tyres but who knows.

      • surg3on on 09/10/2024 - 16:27
        +1

        Also have a set of Batman's. Not good and certainly want to replace them as soon as it's reasonable. I

    • ab c on 19/11/2024 - 07:35

      Lol, pegaxs wrote this…MIS-information lives here!

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 06/10/2024 - 22:11
    -1

    Chinese Tyres. Can They Match The Value of TCL or BYD?

    Chinese brands like TCL, Hisense (TVs) and BYD, GWM(cars) now offer amazing value for money, rivaling big names at lower prices. Are there any Chinese tyre brands doing the same? Looking for recommendations from professionals or tyre experts.

    None of the above brands are 'top' in their class or even close to it

    Im not saying they're bad but they are what they are cheaper options for inferior products - i got nothing against any of the above brands but Id take the top LG/Samsung over any TLC/Hisense - the question is about quality not affordability

    As for cars Toyota and Volkswagen have dominated the market in regards to quality and longevity whilst brands like Ferreri down to Mercedes hold the mantles for flash looks and performance

    Do i think Chinese Tyers can be 'good' value for money - Yes

    Will they match the quality of other brands i highly doubt it - short answer No

    To make something cheaper usually requires you to make an 'inferior product' or have a superior technology that 'allows' you product a quality product cheaper

    There is a place for a 'cheaper' product and an more expensive one depending on the driving habits of the driver

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:27
      -6

      "To make something cheaper usually requires you to make an 'inferior product' or have a superior technology that 'allows' you product a quality product cheaper"

      You obviously have never worked for a manufacturer so have no idea of what costs go into a product.

      Usually raw material cost is only a fraction of the final product cost.

      You also have "factory production" cost, factory clean up and maintenance costs, labor costs, packaging costs, storage and transport costs, government compliance costs including environmental costs, research and technology development, marketing and advertising costs, commissions and selling and the weight of the brand name built into the cost.
      There are more but these come to mind.

      Hence the bottom line is that if you use an inferior product, yes it lowers your raw material costs but that only has a very small impact on the final cost.

      The Chinese are masters at stealing technology, avoiding environmental costs and pay lip service to advertising. Hence these and other costs are much bigger contributoers to the final product cost that the Chinese are able to strip out.

      So its just a matter of finding out which Chinese tyre manufacturer is able to do this the best to end up with a decent quality tyre

    • tonester on 08/10/2024 - 11:04
      +1

      There is a place for a 'cheaper' product and an more expensive one depending on the driving habits of the driver

      unless those habits include not driving on wet roads, then they won’t matter much if there’s zero grip

  • Aureus on 06/10/2024 - 22:36

    I have "Kingstar Road Fit" tyres on my car, as I wanted something cheap because I am going to get rid of this car soon.

    Feels just as good as the Hankook tyres I had before. Not super surprising as Kingstar is a value sub-brand of Hankook, that is made in China.

  • Mumbles on 07/10/2024 - 00:17

    For speedy drivers who own high performance cars I'm guessing that Chinese high performance tyres would not be constructed strong enough for Australia's harsh conditions.

    The Australian environment is so much harder on rubber than most countries. Strong UV sun, terrible B roads (think of inland rural area's where sealed roads are bumpy but drivers can do 200kph), floods/droughts, corse bitumen, temperature extremes below zero to nearly 50 Celsius. Mountain ranges along the entire east coast. Australian muscle cars and modified vehicles that are noticeably higher powered than most asian countries.

    Even the popular European manufacturers recommend against parallel importing their own tyres because of possible regional variations.

    If you are doing extreme driving I would not be trusting a Chinese brand. I once bought a set of Japanese tyres Nitto NT555 and thought they would be reliable as Nitto used to sponsor Australian drag racing events. I ended up popping 2 tyres on my daily driver. So even a motorsport tyre sponsor with motorsport experience can still stuff things up.

    • MS Paint on 07/10/2024 - 08:16
      +1

      but drivers can do 200kph

      Where is this road?

      • mapax on 07/10/2024 - 08:20
        +10

        All roads when you’re a youth in a stolen commodore…

        • MS Paint on 07/10/2024 - 09:36
          +3

          *Assuming said commodore still has 4th gear

      • Baysew on 07/10/2024 - 10:33
        +6

        Where is this road?

        Nice try, Highway Patrol.

      • vengeance88 on 08/10/2024 - 00:56

        Stuart Hwy in NT used to have no speed limit. It's now 130km/h.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:41
      +4

      @Mumbles

      I beg to differ.

      Unfortunately you have been sold by good old Australia advertising - "Built tough for Australian conditions"

      Im sure you will find the same advertising slogan used in other countries…

      The temperature extremes in Europe and the US as well as the very fast highway speeds are equally as challenging for tyres. They both also have equally testing roads outside capital cities.

      • dp1 on 07/10/2024 - 17:51

        This. European temperatures range from minus 20 up to 45 degrees. European roads are everything from farm tracks, urban potholes, medieval cobblestones, snow, black ice, salt, up to super smooth autobahns. Australia is nowhere near as harsh

      • RatBargain on 08/10/2024 - 01:19

        Kinda agree, For example, Aussie capital city roads are smooth as silk in comparison to just about anywhere in the US

    • gromit on 07/10/2024 - 14:55
      +2

      Once upon a time that may have been true, however nowadays Australian roads and conditions (unless you are doing 4x4 driving in the bush) are better than most countries.We don't tend to have the bad roads or temperature extremes of many other countries across Europe or the US.

  • saltypete on 07/10/2024 - 08:26
    +1

    I have generally found that what ends up cheap in OZ from China started off as cheap in China - often so cheap few of the locals will touch it. I do wonder if tyres fit this pattern.
    im off there in a month or so again. I'll have a look at what folk are using for decent cars.

  • 82norm on 07/10/2024 - 08:55
    +2

    ………but this may also be happening in the solar industry. R u kidding me, they dominate the market. But mate Albo is going to be a disruptor, albeit he’s 20+ years too late.

  • bazingaa on 07/10/2024 - 09:08
    +3

    When I got my old Pulsar n16, it had 4 tyres from different manufacturers and some were Chinese. Slipping in the wet conditions (even with thread) and I ended up replacing all with Continental CC6 which were awesome from a Tyroola deal (~$80 per tyre), cost were almost same to Chinese tyres from other places. I wonder why anyone buy Chinese tyres instead of looking for deals on good tyres

  • sonicentropy on 07/10/2024 - 09:19

    My wife got my last tyres on the golf i said take them in and get bridgestones. I found these they are less than 1/2 the price brand was
    hankong, they were ok until you drive them in the wet, hill starts also get you a bit of wheel spin, but the sound you get when doing a hard 180 will wake the dead. Wont buy again

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:46

      Doing a hard 180???

      Hmm You wont be driving far when they take your drivers license away from you.

      So lets pass on that one

      • vengeance88 on 08/10/2024 - 00:57

        180 degrees, not km/h

  • deandownunder on 07/10/2024 - 10:10

    Bought 4 Toyo Chinese made tyres about 30k ago and they perform and have worn very well.I guess if you stick with the known brands no matter where they are made you should be ok.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:47
      +2

      "Toyo" have always been known to perform and wear well

      Good choice

    • slick7 on 07/10/2024 - 16:55
      +1

      I bought Japanese made Toyo that were 2 years old (from manufacturing DOT code) when I got them and they've been outstanding. It seemed a little risky when I got them for a good price but I would get them again if I could but I think they were grey imports and therefore not in constant supply.

      On another car I had recent issues with an 18 month old Continental tyre that was a bit surprising. Tread separation issues after 12K km. There was a puncture repair in the middle that probably contributed but was quite unimpressed with having to replace a tyre in what looked like good condition so soon. The noise it was making made me take in to get it checked and having to drive 800km next day. I checked before replacing and it was made in China although I'd get Continental again, my opinion of the brand has dropped a little bit.

  • eccaz on 07/10/2024 - 12:00
    +8

    If you think TCL is even close to OLED then I’m sure there are cheap tyres that will impress you.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:50
      -4

      Balony

      Where do you get your information from?

      Pls stick to the facts:

      8 Aug 2023.
      TCL issued press release to confirm that it is the supplier of not only the 98-inch 8K LCD panel in the Samsung QN990C but also the 98-inch 4K LCD panel in Samsung and Sony's 98-inch 4K LCD TVs.

      See here as well:
      TCL To Sell Cheap OLED TVs In 2024 As Their Sales Surge…
      https://www.channelnews.com.au/tcl-to-sell-cheap-oled-tvs-in…

  • TEER3X on 07/10/2024 - 12:20

    TCL have been the best bang for the buck for at least a decade, if looking at non OLED models.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/10/2024 - 12:54

      Also now for big screen OLED models

      • TEER3X on 07/10/2024 - 16:56

        Do you mean mini led? I haven't heard of TCL OLED before.

  • payless69 on 07/10/2024 - 12:36
    +1

    I bought 5 Wanli tyres to go round Oz in a Toyota 4WD van.
    The luxury Surf direct import only qualified for light truck tyres.

    As predicted some rubber came off. Found the USA had banned the brand.

    Still managed to do about 200km in pure sand taking extra care.

    More rubber came off, Down Tassie all tyre places ran away from me.
    Back in Melbourne after lond safety didcussion managed to get just one other brand to complete the 4000 km trip home.
    Just being cheapsked and still alive, even after loosing it in a curve because grip was pretty well just imaginary.

  • Speckled Jim on 07/10/2024 - 13:45

    I ended up with some Nankangs in 1996. I might have been the guinea pig for those. They were 195/50-15s, considered low-profile back then.
    Worst by far, even worse than the hateful BFGs I had previously.

    20+ years on, Nankang have been mentioned quite a bit by the RWD brigade. I have to wonder why exactly, and where those 17-18" 35-40 profile tyres lie on the value-wear-burnout spectrum.

    It's reasonable to assume they've improved in 28 years, but I can't say from personal experience. My current set are Kumho, and they've been the best by far.

  • Drakesy on 07/10/2024 - 13:49

    Have a set of Winruns on my 4wd.

    Zero issues so far and quieter than my Highway terrain Pirellis.

    • TEER3X on 07/10/2024 - 17:04

      I've read decent things about winruns, most Chinese brands are crap however.

  • Seaeagles on 07/10/2024 - 14:21
    +2

    I brought a set of cheap Chinese tyres for a car I was about to sell while waiting on delivery of my new car.
    They were terrible in the dry and dangerous in the wet.

    Always buy the best tyres you can afford, the price difference between rubbish and decent tyres is only a few hundred dollars for a set.
    Most people will get several years out of a set, the extra cost over time and its under $1 a week for the tyres that could save your life.
    As the old Good Year advertising jingle use to say "If it only saves you once a year than its a Good Year"

  • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2024 - 15:12

    I put a set of winruns on my VE ute because it had 20" rims when I bought it. Can't say I've had any issues, and the set was 70ish % cheaper then big brands.

    When it comes to tyres, I've had bad experiences with cheap ones and expensive ones. There's minimal point even reading reviews cause the users are so different. Tyres are also one of the biggest things left that you for some reason need to call around for pricing, like it's just 100% a thing you call 3 stores you are guaranteed to get the same tyres cheaper elsewhere regardless of all other factors

  • md333 on 07/10/2024 - 15:48

    I put GoodRide AT tyres on a Delica since they had good reviews, and was reasonably happy with them. They did get a bit slippery cornering hard in the wet when they were nearly worn out, but really only when driving inappropriately for the conditions.
    The Goodride semi slicks seem to also have some good reviews. Nearly got a set for my MX5 but Hankook Ventus RS4s ended up slightly cheaper and I knew some people with them for first hand reviews. Always wonder how many of the online reviews are fake.
    The Hankooks (korean) have been very good for grassroots motorsport stuff, noticeably more grip than more expensive bridgestones.

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