Sunny / Nankang tires?

[Peter B]

Went tire shopping on sat. Got a really good quote on a set of rims and winter tires. Beat trie rack by about $100.00. The guy recomended a snow tire by Sunny. He said they were the same as Nankang (I think.. something with an N). He said that sunny does alot of manufacturing for Nankang. Because of this he said instead of paying for a Nankang, you can save some money and buy a sunny and basically get the same tire.

Anyhow anyone know anything about these tires? Are they any good? I have seen a few less than favorable reviews online. I wanted the blizzak WS-60 in a 205/60/R16 size but I drive 80+ miles a day, all highway. He said the blizzaks are great but the special tread they have doesn't hold up as well on the highway, which makes sense based on how they work. Even though it it can snow alot around here, the roads tend to clear up within a few days, and then your snow tires are just getting worn away on the pavement.

Everything else this guy said about other brands matched up with the research I have done on my own. I just haven't been able to find much on sunny tires.

The tread on the tire looks almost identical to this Hankook winter tire.
http://ssl.delti.com/tyre-pictures/Hankook/W409.jpg

If not anyone else know a good snow tire that will hold up to extended highway driving?

-Pete

[bacarl]

Haven't heard of Sunnys, but Blizzak's LM22 that some folks put on their 18"s don't have that special compound that the other Blizzaks do -- might be an option.

[mattj3636]

chains

[Peter B]

chains

with 80 miles a day of highway?

[mattj3636]

it'd be interesting. lol

[Peter B]

I would fear the chains would eventually fly off... possibly causing an accident for anyone behind me or damage to my paint job. ...awe who am i kidding. I could care less about an accident, I just dont want my baby to get scratched. :D

[mattj3636]

haha i feel you, it was more of a joke than anything, i dont even think there legal in new york, and they cant be good for suspension, i wouldnt even imagine the headaches id get from it... lol

[Young Roids]

With the prices that sunnys go for you have nothing to lose by trying them out. I'm sure they will be just fine for winter tires. I will probly go with them for my next set of winters after my blizzacks wear out. And blizzacks do wear QUICK!

[Peter B]

The picture I posted is a hankook W409. Apparently they are the same tire as the sunny.

[ceric]

Haven't heard about Sunny, but Nankang is the biggest tire manufacturer in Taiwan.
Personally, I haven't used those tires yet. I noticed that DiscountTires used to carry them, but, then, disappeared. Maybe you can call them and ask "why?".

[Young Roids]

The picture I posted is a hankook W409. Apparently they are the same tire as the sunny.

I thought you said sunny was the same as nangkang not hankook.

[Peter B]

I thought you said sunny was the same as nangkang not hankook.

I did. Turns out that Nankang/Sunny make that tire for hankook, according to the guy on the phone. I guess the 3 of them are all in bed together.

[Young Roids]

hankook makes some good stuff. knowing that all three are the same company I would definently try them out.

[skubidoobie]

I ordered the Hankook W409s (i pikes) for my car, they make excellent tires. If its the same thing you can't go wrong. When my Potenzas wear out I'm going with Hankook V12s.

[Olestra]

Running Hankook W300 and they are excellent for highway driving.
The size I have are a V rated tire (205-50-17, reg Mz3).

[skubidoobie]

Sunny has nothing to do with Hankook, they're part of Bridgestone.

[Sport6]

Check the tire date! http://www.mytwodollars.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/tirewallcode.jpg
2607 is 26th week in 2007. Make sure your "new" tires aren't older than 6 years. Well anything older than 3 really so you can get some miles on them before they are 6 years old. 6 years is when they say the rubber starts to break down enough that its not safe to drive.

[Peter B]

Sunny has nothing to do with Hankook, they're part of Bridgestone.

I have been told by several people, that Sunny manufactures tires for larger tire companies. They aren't the same company, its just a subcontracting of the actual manufacturing process. All the R&D is done by Hankook. They then find a suncontractor to produce their product to their specs. This is pretty common practice in many industries. If you want a real shock, start taking those name brand electronics appart, and look to see who actually made them.

[skubidoobie]

I agree with you, but my tire guys are usually spot on about tire manufacturers and they're brands. Hey, maybe they missed on this one.

[Peter B]

I meant to ask where you get your tires from? Incase the place im going to doesnt work out.
-Pete

[skubidoobie]

Town Fair Tire in Westfield, a wee ways away from you.

[Peter B]

Cool
Also going to Townfair tire, only in shrewsbury.

[skubidoobie]

Sweet.

[Peter B]

It has come to my attention that i am an idiot. I snagged a complete set of OEM Mazda TPMS(s?) for about $120.00. The guy at Town Fair Tire said he would install them for no extra charge when he put my snow tires on. Took the car in this morning at 10am, picked it up at about 3pm. As I unlocked the car and sat in my seat I noticed a box sitting on the front seat (lock nuts for oem rims). The box reminded me a lot of the box the TPMS(s) came in... which i then remembered was still sitting on the counter in my kitchen!

DAMNIT!

Fortunately for the guy realized I forgot them and offered to throw em on for free if i bring it back on a quiet day.

none the less... DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN!

[skubidoobie]

Doh!