After thousands of happy miles with the Sailun Atrezzos, I've decided on a change and gone with 4 new Nexen N'Fera SU1s. They get great reviews and have a wet weather rating of 'A'. Plus I've heard they're really quiet, a major consideration for me.

£57 a corner from Oponeo; getting them fitted this weekend.

Will update soon.

I recently got a couple of Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetric XL for my Superb twindoor 2009 TDi DSG model. Had thought of "cheaper" rubber but decided to spend £167 for two more than decent tyres rather than unkown manufactured tyres. A decent car on budget rubber? Recipe for disaster I would have thought.

I have Nexen tyres on our DS4

Do not be fooled by the brand or price

They are better than you think

I find them really good for the price..Good wear rate, grippy in the dry and wet

With 19" wheels and less than £80 each...A no brainer

Nexen have a very good reputation. Be interested to hear your thoughts, Noddy once they're on the car.

I recently got a couple of Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetric XL for my Superb twindoor 2009 TDi DSG model. Had thought of "cheaper" rubber but decided to spend £167 for two more than decent tyres rather than unkown manufactured tyres. A decent car on budget rubber? Recipe for disaster I would have thought.

 

A very plausible argument on the face of it.  Four points I would raise, though:

 

• Nexen are hardly "unknown"! They are a very well-established Korean brand.
• Regardless of price, they have a Grade A wet weather rating; performance in dry conditions is likely to be similar (in fact, in reviews, it is rated as only very slightly worse).
• The economic/safety argument is a difficult one.  Your brakes and suspension are likely to have just as much of an impact in an emergency situation but we seldom hear of people fitting uprated suspension or carbon brakes, suitable for a "decent car".  This is perhaps because we assume that the standard kit is "good enough"; I assume the same logic with tyres - a Grade A tyre which has been tested to destruction in one of the most stringent testing regimes on the planet is likely to be "good enough".
• Finally, I have driven well over half a million miles since I passed my test. I have driven on Continental, Pirelli, Michelin, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Uniroyal, Kumho, Avon, Fulda, Cooper, Toyo, Firestone, Federal, Sailun, Maxxis (dozens more; sorry, I can't remember them all) and do you know what?  I can't tell the difference.  

 

Fair enough: I've never had a braking emergency, but then I'd come back to the suspension and brakes argument - how much of the problem was actually down to my choice of tyres?  Would 6mm of Nexen perform better than 2.2mm of Continental?  Were my tyres over/under inflated?  Was my tracking out?  Had I got uneven wear? Steps in my tyres?  Are my Grade A Nexens worse than Grade B Pirellis in the wet?

 

I understand that new cars tend to come fitted with premium tyres.  That wouldn't be anything to do with scratch-my-back trade deals, would it?  And don't even get me started on marketing hype...

Edited 11 December, 201510 yr by Noddy90

I agree Noddy. This is the same snobbery that was aimed at Hangkook, until they became an OE supplier to Ford and GM then that snobbery disappeared!!

An age old argument. I would never skimp on tyres. They are the single most important item you can spend your money on when it comes to your car. They're the only point of contact between you and the road. Safety is key for me. I have had the misfortune to have driven on several budget brand of tyres and most of them are downright dangerous. I trust my life and the lives of my family in good, branded tyres from trusted manufacturers. I also pay a lot of attention to tyre review websites and magazine reviews. I have never seen a budget brand beat a premium brand.

An age old argument. I would never skimp on tyres. They are the single most important item you can spend your money on when it comes to your car. They're the only point of contact between you and the road. Safety is key for me. I have had the misfortune to have driven on several budget brand of tyres and most of them are downright dangerous. I trust my life and the lives of my family in good, branded tyres from trusted manufacturers. I also pay a lot of attention to tyre review websites and magazine reviews. I have never seen a budget brand beat a premium brand.

 

• How do you view the Grade A wet weather rating?
• In what sense is Nexen "(un)branded"?
• In what sense is Nexen not a "trusted manufacturer"?

 

Established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company, Nexen Tire Co. is proud to have served the tire industry for the past 71 years. We were recognized in 1956 as the first Korean tire company. 

In 1985, we dedicated our facility in Yangsan, Korea, to the production of radial tires. 6 years afterwards, in alliance with OHTSU Tire & Rubber in Japan, we sharpened and honed our development and manufacturing capabilities.

In an effort to reflect our dedication to quality and continued leadership, we changed the company name in 2000 from Woosung Tire to Nexen Tire Corporation. The name Nexen is a combination of two future-oriented words; next and century. It reflects Nexen’s will and determination to prepare for the future and to drive a better tomorrow.

In 2005, we established our US branch, Nexen Tire America, which was a great start in expanding our brand globally. In the same year, Nexen Tire was awarded a patent for the technology to manufacture rubber/stratified silicate nano-composite tires. By 2006, we had completed development on the new UHP and Winter LTR/SUV patterns. To accommodate increased global demand for the Nexen brand, we opened an additional tire manufacturing plant in Qingdao, China in 2007. After opening our U.S. location as well as other offices worldwide; it was necessary to break ground on a  3rd factory in Changnyeong, Korea in 2012. It is one of the world’s largest and most advanced tire manufacturing facilities, with plans to attain an annual output of 10 million units by 2015 and 20 million units by 2018.

Due to our commitment to provide quality products, friendly service and exceptional value, Nexen's global market share has increased significantly in the past decade, with sales well over $2 billion annually. We are dedicated to fulfilling our brand promise to explore innovative technologies, to develop safe and eco friendly products and to ensure active families and individuals reach their destination safely while enjoying a smooth and comfortable ride.

 

Kumho and Hankook are the other Korean manufacturers; also companies of impeccable reputation, like Nexen.

Sounds like you've fallen for the hype...

Edited 12 December, 201510 yr by Noddy90

• Finally, I have driven well over half a million miles since I passed my test. I have driven on Continental, Pirelli, Michelin, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Uniroyal, Kumho, Avon, Fulda, Cooper, Toyo, Firestone, Federal, Sailun, Maxxis (dozens more; sorry, I can't remember them all) and do you know what?  I can't tell the difference.  

 

Fair enough: I've never had a braking emergency, but then I'd come back to the suspension and brakes argument - how much of the problem was actually down to my choice of tyres?  Would 6mm of Nexen perform better than 2.2mm of Continental?  Were my tyres over/under inflated?  Was my tracking out?  Had I got uneven wear? Steps in my tyres?  Are my Grade A Nexens worse than Grade B Pirellis in the wet?

 

As someone that has always driven for a living ... trust me I CAN tell the difference between some manufacturers, Bridgestone ... I would never buy them again as they were certainly not as good as other brands I have used.

My MKI Superb had budget tyres and in the dry they were fine, in the wet they were not brilliant.

 

Kumho and Hankook are the other Korean manufacturers; also companies of impeccable reputation, like Nexen.

Sounds like you've fallen for the hype...

 

I own a Škoda so certainly would not consider myself a badge snob, the Mrs picked up a puncture on her TT and had to have the tyre replaced ... she bought a budget tyre that I have never heard of before and to say I was less than impressed was an understatement... HOWEVER they were very good, enough to replace the front Continentals with them when they were needed (so at least there were 4 matching tyres on the car, which is more important IMO).

 

I have also had 6 Hankook tyres fitted to the truck recently and despite my initial reservations they are MUCH better than the factory fitted Bridgestones! 

Noddy I think you work for Nexen! As long as you are happy that's what counts.

I have seen many cheaper brands with 'A' grade ratings but they don't seem to translate in to real world grip.

Nexen popular on the Saab forums, went out for a spin in (Damo) Evil Miyagi's mapped Audi A5 3.0 TDi when he 1st got it, was running on Nexen's at that time, gripped extremely well on greasy roads, I know he rates them, not sure if still has them on his Audi now.

As Ive already stated

I have Nexen Tyres

Nothing wrong with them

I too have driven many hundreds of thousands of miles as was for about 14 years a service engineer for a Till company and an IT company. Have driven 80,000 in one year and have used all manner of tyres, but as the cars were either leased or company owned; they would only let "known" brands be used.

Might have turned me into a tyre snob but by buying decent rubber, they were covering themselves in the duty of care caveat. Can't complain about that and have continued that thought through to my private motoring.

My Superb 170 DSG has Goodyear and Continentals on and ill continue in that vein. Had some Kumho's on a Volvo V50 and I thought they were somewhat overpriced and not worth the money. My opinion but I shall keep to well known tyres, hype or not. Personal choice.

Yeah;as you say, it's each to their own. I would still argue, however, that Nexen IS a known brand. I'm not advocating throwing on some obscure Chinese rubber/ish, but, having said that, I've just covered 40,000 VERY contented miles on Sailun Atrezzo Z4s...

Well we live and learn. Goodyears for me though as I stick with what I trust.

I recently got a couple of Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetric XL for my Superb twindoor 2009 TDi DSG model. Had thought of "cheaper" rubber but decided to spend £167 for two more than decent tyres rather than unkown manufactured tyres. A decent car on budget rubber? Recipe for disaster I would have thought.

 

About the best tyre I have used over the years. I've rated them above Michelin PS3s in my own little hierarchy of tyres

 

I have Nexen tyres on our DS4

Do not be fooled by the brand or price

They are better than you think

I find them really good for the price..Good wear rate, grippy in the dry and wet

With 19" wheels and less than £80 each...A no brainer

 

They are now better than you think. They weren't always like that and they have had some frankly awful reviews over the years. Since some serious investment was made it has paid off. They now OE fit to several large firms inc Hyundai and a few models of MB.

 

 

Nexen have a very good reputation. Be interested to hear your thoughts, Noddy once they're on the car.

See above - like many brands they were shocking only a few years ago.

 

 

I agree Noddy. This is the same snobbery that was aimed at Hangkook, until they became an OE supplier to Ford and GM then that snobbery disappeared!!

Well that's because someone has invested money into the brand to push it from a cheap brand to something more mainstream. It appears to be paying off. Time will tell for them and the tyre reviews in places like AutoBild or Evo are the places to watch for them. I suspect Nankang may also be heading in a similar way

 

An age old argument. I would never skimp on tyres. They are the single most important item you can spend your money on when it comes to your car. They're the only point of contact between you and the road. Safety is key for me. I have had the misfortune to have driven on several budget brand of tyres and most of them are downright dangerous. I trust my life and the lives of my family in good, branded tyres from trusted manufacturers. I also pay a lot of attention to tyre review websites and magazine reviews. I have never seen a budget brand beat a premium brand.

I agree with the sentiment but I have experienced poor branded tyres as well (Original Dunlop SportMaxx comes to mind). I completely agree with the second to last sentence though. 

 

 

 

• How do you view the Grade A wet weather rating?
• In what sense is Nexen "(un)branded"?
• In what sense is Nexen not a "trusted manufacturer"?

 

Established in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire Company, Nexen Tire Co. is proud to have served the tire industry for the past 71 years. We were recognized in 1956 as the first Korean tire company. 

In 1985, we dedicated our facility in Yangsan, Korea, to the production of radial tires. 6 years afterwards, in alliance with OHTSU Tire & Rubber in Japan, we sharpened and honed our development and manufacturing capabilities.

In an effort to reflect our dedication to quality and continued leadership, we changed the company name in 2000 from Woosung Tire to Nexen Tire Corporation. The name Nexen is a combination of two future-oriented words; next and century. It reflects Nexen’s will and determination to prepare for the future and to drive a better tomorrow.

In 2005, we established our US branch, Nexen Tire America, which was a great start in expanding our brand globally. In the same year, Nexen Tire was awarded a patent for the technology to manufacture rubber/stratified silicate nano-composite tires. By 2006, we had completed development on the new UHP and Winter LTR/SUV patterns. To accommodate increased global demand for the Nexen brand, we opened an additional tire manufacturing plant in Qingdao, China in 2007. After opening our U.S. location as well as other offices worldwide; it was necessary to break ground on a  3rd factory in Changnyeong, Korea in 2012. It is one of the world’s largest and most advanced tire manufacturing facilities, with plans to attain an annual output of 10 million units by 2015 and 20 million units by 2018.

Due to our commitment to provide quality products, friendly service and exceptional value, Nexen's global market share has increased significantly in the past decade, with sales well over $2 billion annually. We are dedicated to fulfilling our brand promise to explore innovative technologies, to develop safe and eco friendly products and to ensure active families and individuals reach their destination safely while enjoying a smooth and comfortable ride.

 

Kumho and Hankook are the other Korean manufacturers; also companies of impeccable reputation, like Nexen.

Sounds like you've fallen for the hype...

 

The ratings on the tyre label are self certified. This is the biggest reason to not pay much heed. The Evergreen EU72 on the wives fabia when we got it are rated as E/C/74dB. C wet rating? And the rest! Awful tyre. The only bit I believe was the 74dB rating!

 

Nexen has far from had an impeccable reputation. They are finally coming out as a good mid range brand. 

It sounds like you are justifying your purchase. Fine and I'm sure they'll be great for you. Hankook and Kuhmo went through the same process. Hankook are now a very good brand and usually on my list when I look to replace tyres. 

 

Yeah;as you say, it's each to their own. I would still argue, however, that Nexen IS a known brand. I'm not advocating throwing on some obscure Chinese rubber/ish, but, having said that, I've just covered 40,000 VERY contented miles on Sailun Atrezzo Z4s...

Isn't Sailun an obscure chinese brand?

I've been running Nexen Winguard Sports on our little Fabia since we got it.  Very happy with them, and the low powered engine doesn't shred them.  Swapped front-to rear and I expect about 25-30,000 miles out of them.

 

I've also bought Maxxis all-season and Sailun Atrezzo Z4+ AS all-season tyres for different cars.

 

It makes me laugh when all the people who say the wouldn't drive on mid-range or budgets don't then change their tyres according to the daily conditions since they're so in tune with them.  I say that partly in jest, since most of us accept there are compromises in EVERY tyre we fit, both on a daily basis and throughout the tyre's life.  Unless you're in motorsport you probably have to take a long-term guess.

 

By all means, play safe with premium brands, but don't then knock anyone who chooses something lower down the spectrum but increases their margin of safety accordingly.

 

It sounds like you are justifying your purchase.

 

Isn't Sailun an obscure chinese brand?

 

Great post!

 

I don't have to justify my purchase, really.  I'm very fortunate to earn enough to put premiums on if I choose to. I choose NOT to, though, as I don't believe they are any better.  The money I save, I spend on whores, crack cocaine and sensible footwear.

 

Sailun are bordering on obscure so that's why I said "Having said that...".  They performed superbly in a Canadian tyre test a couple of years back and were being marketed as premium tyres by MyTyres.  My 40000 miles on them were in the whole range of weather and driving conditions; they never missed a beat.  I only switched to the Nexens because I heard they were quieter; I'd just bought a new (used) car with Continentals on and I fancied switching to new rubber on all 4 corners. Yes, that's right: I consciously went from Continentals to Nexens.

 

Now done a week on the Nexens, mostly in rain: a BIT quieter than the Sailuns; a BIT quieter than the Contis. Apart from that (you know what's coming next) - I CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

Great post!

 

I don't have to justify my purchase, really.  I'm very fortunate to earn enough to put premiums on if I choose to. I choose NOT to, though, as I don't believe they are any better.  The money I save, I spend on whores, crack cocaine and sensible footwear.

 

Sailun are bordering on obscure so that's why I said "Having said that...".  They performed superbly in a Canadian tyre test a couple of years back and were being marketed as premium tyres by MyTyres.  My 40000 miles on them were in the whole range of weather and driving conditions; they never missed a beat.  I only switched to the Nexens because I heard they were quieter; I'd just bought a new (used) car with Continentals on and I fancied switching to new rubber on all 4 corners. Yes, that's right: I consciously went from Continentals to Nexens.

 

Now done a week on the Nexens, mostly in rain: a BIT quieter than the Sailuns; a BIT quieter than the Contis. Apart from that (you know what's coming next) - I CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

 

I did post more than that - but cherry pick the bits you want rather than all of it. 

 

I did say that Nexen was on the up and they are starting to get good recognition for their new range of tyres. If they came out well in the AutoBild / EVO or similar tyre tests then they would be a potential candidate. I notice their new N'Blue tyre is doing well in reviews but sadly not in the size required for our Fabia. 

 

Over the years I have tried many tyres from top $ to bottom end and I'm afraid to say there is a marked difference. That's not to say that the premium brands don't put out crap at times as they do; Pirelli P6000, Dunlop SportMaxx to name a few. but they generally these days a safe bet. I currently run Falkens on the our other car and am perfectly happy with them on that BUT wouldn't want them on my car as I do more mileage and I drive quicker than my spouse. But hey don't pick up on either of those two comments I made earlier. 

 

The Fabia came with Jinyu and Evergreens on; on a 15mph damp corner it went from understeer to oversteer regularly without provocation. My F1A2 equipped Superb can easily do it at 25mph while tracking properly. It was like driving on ice when wet and the noise was awful. But hey they're almost as good as the Goodyears right? I'm just being a snob with my tyre choices? The Falkens didn't transfer it from a rubbish car to drive to a happy neutral handling quiet car?

 

I've noticed a trend on certain forums of inverse badge snobbery about tyres and such. 

 

Sailuns are very much an obscure brand; they aren't mainstream. MyTyres marketing them as premium doesn't say anything. They are most likely a better margin tyre for them so is in their interest to sell more of them. This is pretty well known about most budget brands. What works in Canada doesn't necessarily translate well here. This is why we don't generally get tyres from North America as they don't suit the European roads and don't have the necessary approvals. 

I did post more than that - but cherry pick the bits you want rather than all of it. 

 

Those were the only two parts I wanted/needed to address in my own comments.

 

 But hey they're almost as good as the Goodyears right? I'm just being a snob with my tyre choices?

 

I've noticed a trend on certain forums of inverse badge snobbery about tyres and such. 

 

I did LIKE your post, so I'm not quite sure why you're being borderline aggressive in your arguments. Why all these "But hey"s and fierce interrogatives?

 

As I said, I'm not motivated by - nor reactive to - snobbery, either inverse, converse, universe or second verse before the chorus.  I can afford whatever tyres I want and respect other people's choices, so long as they don't try the "cheaper tyres are rubbish" trick on me.

 

I salute your expertise and knowledge - I hope you enjoy your tyres as much as I'm enjoying mine.

 

Now I'm assuming you're going to calm down a bit from this point on.  We've each said our piece (mostly like gentlemen) and I'll regard posts similar to your last one as (needlessly) antagonistic.

like many brands they were shocking only a few years ago.

And they used to say the same about Skoda!

Can we all agree that things change, usually for the better...

This might help then:

 

http://www.tyrepress.com/2015/03/landsail-beats-michelin-surprise-result-in-finnish-tyre-test/

Well, done around 500 miles now, mostly in wet with some mud and sodden leaves; mixture of town, fast A-roads and twisty B-roads...

I have to say these tyres are sensational - quietest I've ever known + absolutely planted and confidence-inspiring. I might be lying, though, just to justify my purchase...

As an amusing side-note, the BBC "click" segment on its 24-hr news programme, featured a deLorean, complete with BTTF interior. Guess what tyres it was riding on...

Edited 28 December, 201510 yr by Noddy90

At work,on the 16 seater Merc Sprinters we have switched to using Hankook Ventus Prime, they have performed very well and lasted very well given the mileage our buses do. It was a conscious decision reached by our mechanic who reckoned the price difference to get and fit Michelin or Goodyear simply wasn't worth it as the Hankook's were performing just as well. A few years back Hankook were sometimes looked down upon, at one point they were fitted new to Daewoo, another brand that was looked down upon but which carried a faithful fan base of owners. Roll on ten years or so and Hankook are now accepted as being a decent quality tyre by those same folk who looked down on them years ago.

 

My daughter's wee car is a Fiat 500 with 1.2 engine so hardly sporty, but chooses Nexen whenever it comes to tyres. This is a result of my BMW 5 series (car I owned at the time) having had Nexen fitted all round and not getting stuck on a winter's morning, and getting decent wear out of them. The Nexen's on the Fiat are the Nexen Nfera as fitted by the OP, and they have been excellent so far.

 

There's no doubting that there are a few tyres out there that do deserve a panning but on occasion there is a tyre snobbery involved, similar to that utilised against Aldi and Lidl, against Skoda themselves in fact, but I tend to find that this snobbery often disappears whenever one of two things happen.....either the pocket tells them that the Goodyear at upwards of £125 a corner are too much or it becomes fashionable and therefore acceptable, you know, once the Jones's have been seen shopping in Aldi or a good review appears in the Times or Telegraph then it becomes acceptable to use them.

 

The tyre industry has long been a cartel, relying on people unquestioningly firing out crazy money for "top brand tyres" that are often relying more on reputation than actual performance. And they will continue to get those people irrespective of what is written here, I've lost count of the number of times over the years I've heard of Jimmy Kwikfit being asked to fit the best tyres, of course opening the door to the tyre place deciding that the most expensive is therefore the best as there's more money there for them.

Conversely, a manager at Halfords told me that the Sailun Atrezzo Z4s I had purchased online we're just as good as top-brand tyres. Fair enough, I'd already bought the rubber, but then again he could have easily taken the opportunity to influence my next purchase to his advantage. He acknowledged that some people will always buy on perceived reputation, but he was clear that he thought they were wasting their money.

Turns out that the Sailuns were absolutely outstanding - I did 40,000 very happy miles on two sets before hearing even better things of the Nexens.

Edited 28 December, 201510 yr by Noddy90