Are Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium Tyre

In this article we'll be finding out what the best cheap tyre on the market is!

Times are hard, and now more so than ever people are asking me what the best budget tyre they can buy is. As these have never been tested against each other properly, I usually don't have an answer, but all that is about to change!

Sadly I've not been able to test every budget available, there are literally hundreds of tyre brands coming out of the far east, most of them from just a handful of factories. In fact, I've got over 300 tyre brands on the tyre reviews website, and as much as I love big tests, even that's too much for me.

Instead, I've bought eight of the most common and cheapest tyres available I could find, and because I've never tested a retread tyre, I bought one of those too. Naturally they'll all be going through a full tyre reviews tyre test to see which is best.

Obviously, there's no point in seeing what's best if we have no reference point to know how best that is, so to see if any of them can match a premium tyre, I've have a benchmark tyre in the test. It's not going to be easy as it's the brand new, and already multiple test winning, Continental PremiumContact 7.

Can any of these eight cheap tyres get anywhere near one of the best tyres on the market in this segment?! Let's find out.

Test Publication:

205/55 R16 9 tyres 4 categories

Similar Tests

Test Publication:

https://www.tyrereviews.com

Test Size: 205/55 R16

Tyres Tested: 9 tyres

Test Categories:
4 categories (13 tests)

Similar Tests

Wet

Naturally the premium tyre had a huge advantage in wet braking, stopping the Golf over 7 meters shorter from the 80 km/h than the best budget tyre, and over 14 meters shorter than the worst!

Like in wet braking, the Continental was in a in a league of its own during the wet handling test, it's a brand new premium tyre and one of the best in its class in the wet, so that's no surprise. 

The next best tyre was the Tomket, 4.4 seconds behind the Continental, but the worst budget tyre, which was the Doublecoin, was another 7.1 seconds behind the tomket! The spread inside the cheap end of the market can be as big as it is between premium and budget tyres!

While the Tomket couldn't match the poise and balance of the Continental, it was pretty easy to drive, with nice steering, a good balance and predictable levels of grip. Predictability in tyre in the wet is underrated as people tend to focus on lap times, but having a well balanced tyre is a very important quality.

This was highlighted by the Nankang, which was almost as fast over the lap but wanted to oversteer you off the track at every opportunity. I've said it before about Nankang products, the grip levels aren't bad, and they certainly make for some entertaining tyres as track day tyres, but they need to work on the balance they give the vehicle. 

Davanti, Winrun, Triangle and Maxtrex were the next group, all struggling to really communicate what was happening to the driver, they'd push into understeer quite quickly then you'd spend a lot of time off power waiting for the tyre to come back to you. 

The retreaded King Meiler was next. This was my first experience with a retreaded tyre so I had no idea what to expect, and in the wet at least, it didn't feel any different to any of the other tyres at this end of the market.

And finally, the Doublecoin. Not only was it the slowest, but it was also the hardest to drive. I couldn't quite work out when or why or what caused the sudden oversteer, but there it was. It was the worst tyre in wet braking, wet handling, and straight and curved aquaplaning.

Dry

Dry conditions usually means much closer results than in the wet, and while dry braking was closer, there was still a significant gap between the Continental and the best budget tyre, which was once again the Tomket. The difference, around 7% or nearly a car length, means when you're stopped on the Continental you're "only" doing 26kmh on the tomket, and 34 km/h on the triangle! That would be an expensive crash.

The dry handling lap times were relatively close, but it's a short track and the VW Golf test vehicle doesn't have the most power, and while the Continental was the nicest to drive, there were also some good tyres in the group. 

The Winrun was my favorite, it had good steering and stable handling making it easy to drive fast, helped by a little understeer. The Tomket was also nice during lane changes and the lap, the Nankang felt sporty for a 16" tyre with quick turn in, but once again the rear wasn't very stable meaning oversteer. Fun for a track, but perhaps not the best on the road.

As for the retreaded King Meiler, well that felt good in steering and balance, but the compound couldn't seem to keep up with the demands of the car meaning the lap time wasn't great.

The Doublecoin and Davanti were the slowest of the group, the Davanti steering felt fine sublimit and was noticeably more comfortable on the way to track than some of its competitors, but once going quickly there was little feedback and a lot of understeer, and finally the Doublecoin continued to be a really messy tyre, difficult to control and subjectively by far the worse of the group.

Environment

Echoing my subjective experience, the Doublecoin and Davanti were the quietest during the passby noise test, with the premium Continental finishing midpack. While external noise does have an impact on the noise in the cabin, it is not a direct correlation as tyre manufacturers can direct the sound into the vehicle to achieve a slightly better external noise test, and this reading doesn't account for pitch.

The Winrun and Tomket also had better a rolling resistance than the Continental, though it was less than 2%, and we've seen in the other test that the Continental was also 20% behind the best premium, so this isn't a huge win for the cheap tyres.

Shockingly, the Continental was the most expensive tyre on test.

Results

1^st

Continental PremiumContact 7

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

It should come as no surprise that the brand new, and premium Continental PremiumContact 7 had a huge lead overall. The PC7 was beaten by a couple of the cheaper tyres in noise and rolling resistance, but the huge amount of grip, especially in the wet, is worth a 1.19% drop in rolling resistance.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	35.27 M			100%
Dry Handling	1st	51.73 s			100%
Subj. Dry Handling	1st	100 Points			100%

Wet

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	31.58 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	84.85 s			100%
Subj. Wet Handling	1st	100 Points			100%
Wet Circle	1st	11.5 s			100%
Straight Aqua	1st	74.91 Km/H			100%
Curved Aquaplaning	1st	3.3 m/sec2			100%

Comfort

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	2nd	92 Points	100 Points	-8 Points	92%
Noise	4th	72 dB	70.2 dB	+1.8 dB	97.5%

Value

76%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	9th	86.19	45.87	+40.32	53.22%
Rolling Resistance	3rd	8.38 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+0.1 kg / t	98.81%

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2^nd

Tomket Sport Series 1

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

While it's difficult to recommend any of the cheap tyres due to the wet braking performance, the Tomket Sport is certain the tyre to look at if you need to save money on tyres. It was the closest to the premium tyre in wet braking and wet handling, performed well in the dry and was a pleasant tyre to drive. It also had the lowest rolling resistance of the group.

Dry

92.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	37.83 M	35.27 M	+2.56 M	93.23%
Dry Handling	3rd	52.78 s	51.73 s	+1.05 s	98.01%
Subj. Dry Handling	3rd	85 Points	100 Points	-15 Points	85%

Wet

90.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	2nd	38.69 M	31.58 M	+7.11 M	81.62%
Wet Handling	2nd	89.21 s	84.85 s	+4.36 s	95.11%
Subj. Wet Handling	2nd	90 Points	100 Points	-10 Points	90%
Wet Circle	3rd	12 s	11.5 s	+0.5 s	95.83%
Straight Aqua	5th	70.52 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-4.39 Km/H	94.14%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	2.8 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.5 m/sec2	84.85%

Comfort

93.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	91 Points	100 Points	-9 Points	91%
Noise	6th	72.6 dB	70.2 dB	+2.4 dB	96.69%

Value

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	4th	50.49	45.87	+4.62	90.85%
Rolling Resistance	1st	8.28 kg / t			100%

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3^rd

Nankang Econex NA1

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

As we've seen in other tests, the Nankang Econex NA-1 objectively performed well, for the price point it had good grip in grip tests, and had good aquaplaning resistance and low noise, however subjectively it was one of the tricker tyres to drive on the VW Golf test car, with a rapid transition between grip and oversteer. If you want a fun, cheap, track day tyre in a 16" wheel size, this is the tyre for you.

Dry

88.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	38.45 M	35.27 M	+3.18 M	91.73%
Dry Handling	2nd	52.23 s	51.73 s	+0.5 s	99.04%
Subj. Dry Handling	6th	75 Points	100 Points	-25 Points	75%

Wet

89.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	3rd	39.61 M	31.58 M	+8.03 M	79.73%
Wet Handling	3rd	89.36 s	84.85 s	+4.51 s	94.95%
Subj. Wet Handling	4th	70 Points	100 Points	-30 Points	70%
Wet Circle	2nd	11.9 s	11.5 s	+0.4 s	96.64%
Straight Aqua	2nd	74.13 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-0.78 Km/H	98.96%
Curved Aquaplaning	2nd	3.2 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.1 m/sec2	96.97%

Comfort

93.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	8th	90 Points	100 Points	-10 Points	90%
Noise	3rd	71.9 dB	70.2 dB	+1.7 dB	97.64%

Value

94.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	46.69	45.87	+0.82	98.24%
Rolling Resistance	7th	9.18 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+0.9 kg / t	90.2%

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4^th

Winrun R330

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

The Winrun R330 had a mid pack objective performance, but subjectively it was an easy tyre to drive with understeer balance. It was also one of the cheapest of the group and had the second lowest rolling resistance.

Dry

92.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	39.41 M	35.27 M	+4.14 M	89.5%
Dry Handling	5th	52.85 s	51.73 s	+1.12 s	97.88%
Subj. Dry Handling	2nd	90 Points	100 Points	-10 Points	90%

Wet

86.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	5th	40.91 M	31.58 M	+9.33 M	77.19%
Wet Handling	5th	92.25 s	84.85 s	+7.4 s	91.98%
Subj. Wet Handling	4th	70 Points	100 Points	-30 Points	70%
Wet Circle	4th	12.4 s	11.5 s	+0.9 s	92.74%
Straight Aqua	4th	70.83 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-4.08 Km/H	94.55%
Curved Aquaplaning	4th	3 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.3 m/sec2	90.91%

Comfort

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	1st	100 Points			100%
Noise	5th	72.2 dB	70.2 dB	+2 dB	97.23%

Value

98.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	46.59	45.87	+0.72	98.45%
Rolling Resistance	2nd	8.37 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+0.09 kg / t	98.92%

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5^th

Davanti DX390

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

The Davanti DX390 performed well in he aquaplaning tests and had slightly above average grip in the dry and wet, and it was also a comfortable tyre. The handling nature of the tyre was a safe understeer primary balance. It was the most expensive budget tyre though and was out performed by the cheaper Tomket, Nankang and Winrun products.

Dry

85.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	39.08 M	35.27 M	+3.81 M	90.25%
Dry Handling	8th	53.32 s	51.73 s	+1.59 s	97.02%
Subj. Dry Handling	8th	70 Points	100 Points	-30 Points	70%

Wet

86%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	4th	40.75 M	31.58 M	+9.17 M	77.5%
Wet Handling	4th	92.19 s	84.85 s	+7.34 s	92.04%
Subj. Wet Handling	7th	65 Points	100 Points	-35 Points	65%
Wet Circle	4th	12.4 s	11.5 s	+0.9 s	92.74%
Straight Aqua	3rd	70.98 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-3.93 Km/H	94.75%
Curved Aquaplaning	3rd	3.1 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.2 m/sec2	93.94%

Comfort

95.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	91 Points	100 Points	-9 Points	91%
Noise	2nd	70.3 dB	70.2 dB	+0.1 dB	99.86%

Value

88.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	57.78	45.87	+11.91	79.39%
Rolling Resistance	4th	8.56 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+0.28 kg / t	96.73%

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6^th

Triangle SporteX TH201

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

The Triangle SporteX TH201 was the second most expensive budget tyre, but the performance was near the back of the pack in every test meaning this is not a good choice at the cheap end of the market.

Dry

88.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	9th	40.01 M	35.27 M	+4.74 M	88.15%
Dry Handling	6th	52.97 s	51.73 s	+1.24 s	97.66%
Subj. Dry Handling	5th	80 Points	100 Points	-20 Points	80%

Wet

83.1%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	7th	43.6 M	31.58 M	+12.02 M	72.43%
Wet Handling	6th	93.11 s	84.85 s	+8.26 s	91.13%
Subj. Wet Handling	4th	70 Points	100 Points	-30 Points	70%
Wet Circle	6th	12.7 s	11.5 s	+1.2 s	90.55%
Straight Aqua	7th	69.51 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-5.4 Km/H	92.79%
Curved Aquaplaning	7th	2.7 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.6 m/sec2	81.82%

Comfort

93.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	91 Points	100 Points	-9 Points	91%
Noise	8th	73.2 dB	70.2 dB	+3 dB	95.9%

Value

88.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	56.08	45.87	+10.21	81.79%
Rolling Resistance	6th	8.71 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+0.43 kg / t	95.06%

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7^th

King Meiler Sport 1 KM

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

The King Meiler Sport 1 KM retreaded tyre promises German engineering performance at Chinese tyres pricing, and while the subjective qualities of the tyre were fine, objectively it was near the back of each test.

Dry

90.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	7th	39.48 M	35.27 M	+4.21 M	89.34%
Dry Handling	4th	52.84 s	51.73 s	+1.11 s	97.9%
Subj. Dry Handling	3rd	85 Points	100 Points	-15 Points	85%

Wet

82.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	8th	43.93 M	31.58 M	+12.35 M	71.89%
Wet Handling	8th	95.24 s	84.85 s	+10.39 s	89.09%
Subj. Wet Handling	7th	65 Points	100 Points	-35 Points	65%
Wet Circle	6th	12.7 s	11.5 s	+1.2 s	90.55%
Straight Aqua	6th	69.61 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-5.3 Km/H	92.92%
Curved Aquaplaning	5th	2.8 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.5 m/sec2	84.85%

Comfort

93.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	91 Points	100 Points	-9 Points	91%
Noise	7th	72.9 dB	70.2 dB	+2.7 dB	96.3%

Value

86.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	54.3	45.87	+8.43	84.48%
Rolling Resistance	8th	9.42 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+1.14 kg / t	87.9%

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8^th

Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

The Maxtrek Maximus M1 finish the test in a similar situation to the Triangle, as one of the most expensive budget tyres on test, but without the performance to match.

Dry

87.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	39.32 M	35.27 M	+4.05 M	89.7%
Dry Handling	7th	53.21 s	51.73 s	+1.48 s	97.22%
Subj. Dry Handling	6th	75 Points	100 Points	-25 Points	75%

Wet

82.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	6th	43.45 M	31.58 M	+11.87 M	72.68%
Wet Handling	7th	93.93 s	84.85 s	+9.08 s	90.33%
Subj. Wet Handling	3rd	75 Points	100 Points	-25 Points	75%
Wet Circle	6th	12.7 s	11.5 s	+1.2 s	90.55%
Straight Aqua	8th	67.3 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-7.61 Km/H	89.84%
Curved Aquaplaning	8th	2.6 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-0.7 m/sec2	78.79%

Comfort

92.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	3rd	91 Points	100 Points	-9 Points	91%
Noise	9th	74.4 dB	70.2 dB	+4.2 dB	94.35%

Value

83.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	6th	55.18	45.87	+9.31	83.13%
Rolling Resistance	9th	9.82 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+1.54 kg / t	84.32%

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9^th

Double Coin DC99

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

The DoubleCoin DC99 was the cheapest tyre on test, and had the lowest noise and mid-pack rolling resistance, but every other test it was last, with the worst wet grip by far. Definitely a tyre to avoid, even if it is the cheapest tyre of the test.

Dry

72%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	8th	39.62 M	35.27 M	+4.35 M	89.02%
Dry Handling	9th	53.39 s	51.73 s	+1.66 s	96.89%
Subj. Dry Handling	9th	30 Points	100 Points	-70 Points	30%

Wet

75.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	9th	46.04 M	31.58 M	+14.46 M	68.59%
Wet Handling	9th	96.27 s	84.85 s	+11.42 s	88.14%
Subj. Wet Handling	9th	50 Points	100 Points	-50 Points	50%
Wet Circle	9th	12.8 s	11.5 s	+1.3 s	89.84%
Straight Aqua	9th	64.55 Km/H	74.91 Km/H	-10.36 Km/H	86.17%
Curved Aquaplaning	9th	2.3 m/sec2	3.3 m/sec2	-1 m/sec2	69.7%

Comfort

95%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Comfort	8th	90 Points	100 Points	-10 Points	90%
Noise	1st	70.2 dB			100%

Value

98%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	45.87			100%
Rolling Resistance	5th	8.63 kg / t	8.28 kg / t	+0.35 kg / t	95.94%

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