Sonar Tyres

cjmcork

so I need to change my front tyres and I usually get Bridgestone or Hankook, but my usual supplier guy is out of both and said that the Sonar brand is similar............just wondering re anyone else's opinions on the brand (I've never heard of them).

richardsheil

don't do it.

Cosmo K

Never heard of them.

Neilw

Chinese comedy tyres I suspect.

I was once offered a set of linglong tyres, the guy selling them described them as urban tyres :rolleyes: I suspect that meant don't go over 30mph with them :P

skywalker_208

Never heard of them.
I would go somewhere else!

R.O.R

From the Sonar Tyres website:

SONAR TYRES are manufactured in worldclass factories in the Far East. Having experience for more than 25 years, the quality and service is outstanding. The size range is covering more than 80% of the Euopean replacement market. All quality certifications are available ( E-mark, DOT, ISO9001, ISO14001, ETRTO)

We have a large stock of SONAR tyres available for you and do offer 12-hours and 24-hours logistics.

We are pleased to serve you !

Sonar Tires


Looks like one to avoid.

Wiki has them down as being part of Nankang (aka Widowmaker tyres).

skywalker_208

R.O.R wrote: »

Wiki has them down as being part of Nankang (aka Widowmaker tyres).

I havent heard that expression before - just googled it there!

keithclancy

The Germans did some tests on those Tyres.

Scored great on road noise.

Didn't score on safety or stopping distance, i.e. they recommend against fitting them, the picture should put you off purchasing them :eek:

Link

Quote from the article.

The same applies to the sonar SX-608 N.

cjmcork

thanks for the replies - will avoid so.

next opinion - Semprit or Bridgestone?

langdang

keithclancy wrote: »

the picture should put you off purchasing them :eek:

That's a widowmaker for sure - yikes!

R.O.R

cjmcork wrote: »

thanks for the replies - will avoid so.

next opinion - Semprit or Bridgestone?

Worth looking at Vredestein as well? Good reviews in general and should be cheaper than Bridgestone. No experience with Semperit tyres so don't know.

Tragedy

Federal and Toyo Proxies seem to be fairly popular these days while being reasonable.

keithclancy

R.O.R wrote: »

Worth looking at Vredestein as well? Good reviews in general and should be cheaper than Bridgestone. No experience with Semperit tyres so don't know.

Vredestein aren't bad, manufactured in Enschede in the Netherlands.

Had a set of Winters and they did the job.

cjmcork

cjmcork wrote: »

thanks for the replies - will avoid so.

next opinion - Semprit or Bridgestone?

I had Semperits years ago, found them very very good, was doing Cork to Dublin once a week at the time. Also had Bridgestone Turanza or something the 20,000 miles before the Semperits. Can't remember any horrible moment with either set.

Semperit are apparently economy Continental though, Bridgestone are a more premium brand.

Eoin

Kumho could be worth a look, I've had a few sets and found them fine.

vectra

Funnily enough I had a pair of Sonar SX-1's fitted to my last car and can safely say I never had an issue or a hearty stopping moment with them.
Granted it was a small car but was well able to shift and I had full faith in them in the rain.

Tropheus

I agree that Kumho are worth a look. I have a set on my car and I can't fault them. Not the cheapest of the cheap, I would describe them as mid priced.

Tigger

i drive four bikes and three cars and id never use anything but bridgestones
i have but i always regretted it

biou812

I had a set of Sonars 205/55 R16 fitted to my Focus. I now have done 30,000km on them and the two front are down to min thread while the rear about 1mm left. Must say I have been very happy with them. I asked dealer recently for price and he said price has gone up to €75 per tyre.

bazz26

biou812 wrote: »

I had a set of Sonars 205/55 R16 fitted to my Focus. I now have done 30,000km on them and the two front are down to min thread while the rear about 1mm left. Must say I have been very happy with them. I asked dealer recently for price and he said price has gone up to €75 per tyre.

You can buy superior Hankooks in that size for around the same price.

corkgsxr

Father in law had them on his taxi wore bad gripped bad

sundodger5

I wouldn't have them on my car but the tyre test in the link was a bit unfair.
They ran the tyres underinflated at a speed in excess of the tyres speed rating.
In normal use they are not going to fail like the pic shows That said they are cheap and i would imagine wet performance is not up to the level you need for Irish conditions.
As always but the best tyres you can afford.

knifey_spoonie

Lads dont be fooled by brand when it comes to tyres, There are nankang models that will out perform some bridgestone models.

There is a new tyre labeling system that has just been introduced, It rates each tyre on Fuel Efficiency, Wet Perfromance and noise. Try take these into account more than someone telling you that bridgestone is better than dunlop or the like. Get the tyre brand and model being offered and do some research. It will pay off.

colm_mcm

Meanwhile, in 2013....