The Nankang NS2 is most often praised for dry grip and value, with 90 favourable dry-grip comments against 13 critical ones. Overall, 90 of 197 written reviews are positive, with an average score of 63.7%. Wet grip is the main concern, criticised in 63 comments, roughly a third of reviews, although 46 are favourable. Noise also draws more criticism than praise, with 37 complaints, around one in five reviews, against 18 positive comments. Tread-life feedback leans positive, but later-life accounts include both long service and short wear. Several repeat reviewers became less satisfied over time, while others remained steady or improved their scores, so deterioration is not universal.
What owners mention most counted across 194 reviews
Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.
Owner ratings averaged from 212 ratings
Owner score65%
Dry Grip76%
Wear73%
Road Feedback65%
Comfort62%
Handling62%
Wet Grip58%
Nankang NS2 Reviews - Page 8
Score spread across 192 written reviews
miles
Review stage
90%
Member
BMW
275/35 R18 W
1,000 miles
A Combination of Roads
Average
I feel I really have to put a balanced review of these tyres as some of the comments are quite negative.
I have used the Nankang NS-2 previously on an Audi TT Quattro Roadster and found them to be not bad.
On my current e60 BMW 530i; they are not only less than half the cost of the Dunlop run flat tyres (RFT's) but also appear to be just as grippy in the dry and in the wet. I wasn't expecting them to be great but they are certainly excellent on this RWD 270bhp saloon.
There is a little more side wall flex than with the RFT's but that is the nature of an RFT tyre (the side wall takes the strain when punctured) but the Nankang NS2 certainly feels controlled under hard cornering and without going absolutely mental I couldn't get them to "let go" under hard cornering in the dry. I thought it'd be a different story in the wet but again, cornering hard could not get them to "break away".
On this car, these tyres are very impressive indeed and get a 9/10 from me.
As for wear, it's too early to tell but they do have a lowish tread wear rating of 200 so may not last a long time but at the price I really won't complain.
I've had Bridge-stone tyres and a couple of other better known brands and I found very little difference between these and the more expensive brands.
In all cases I only get between 30,000 and 40,000 kms from each tyre. I drive on all types of roads including dirt roads with an average of 60,000 kms per annum. I cant believe how good these tyres are for the price I pay so I would I want anything else?
I'm from Melbourne Australia
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Had these on my Fiesta ST. for a comparable size and weighted car there ok, i personally wouldn't get them again, not because there are dangerous or skiddish but because for a few extra quid you could get yourself something a bit better.
Pros:
Had i not gotten a flat, these tyres would of outlasted the car. the wear rate on these tyres is realy quite good, pumped 60,000km. For the price the sidewalls have some decent progression. They look good and there fairly cheap.
Cons:
Noisy as all hell, though i had a worn out wheel bearing, ended up being the tyres,
Wet traction in a FWD hatch is fairly horrid, understeers with no feedback, actually in the dry there's not a whole amount of feedback through the steering either.
I would have recommend this as an average tyre yesterday. However, after today - I would say - do not buy this tyre. I was driving on wet road, uphill right hand bend doing approx 30 mph. Lost comtrol at front end spun 180 degrees on the other side of the road. Thank God nothing was coming the other way. Thinking of replacing this tyre right away!! Wet grip is terrible.
Got all 4 replaced on my Audi TT quattro sport 240BHP, cost me about £200 for them all.
Aesthetically - They look fantastic, tread pattern is great.
Performance is excellent for the price... Could never afford to pay £150 a tyre... They grip the road really well... Can put my car into corners at 60/70MPH and they wont fail..
Will probably buy these again.
If people say these are a bad/dangerous tyres..They must be seriously bad drivers :)
I have a set on my 2008 Audi A8 3.0tdi Q Sport having worn out a set of Dunlop Sport Maxx. Why did I buy a set of NS2s? Because at 275/35 20 they were less than half the price of a set of new Sport Maxx. Do I regret buying them? Yes I do.....they are so noisy at low to 50mph that I was beginning to think I had wheel bearing or transmission problems. But I have searched a few 'tyre noise' threads on various forums, and the tyres appear to be the culprit. I know the sheer size of these tyres won't be helping, but crikey I wish I had paid the price and bought Sport Maxx again.....they were awesome on this car.
Sorry Nankang.....I won't be buying them again.
I don't know what expectations some people have from a Tire that is under $100 all i can say this is what you call bang for the buck.......
I had these on my Cobalt SS driving at 120km in pouring rain the tires blew me away the traction was on point, i didn't feel worried at all. And dry condition not that easy to spin out with these they grip, road noise is acceptable not the worse not the best......
Anyone looking for a low budget performance tire don't let any negative reviews here sway you from giving these tires a try you will not be disappointed.
These things are actually pretty solid. Unlike a lot of Nankang tyres which are death traps, these have all the characteristics of higher range tyres (perfect example being the Toyo T1R - very similar), but not as good in each respective area. Grip is good, but not in the wet. Great feedback, good progressiveness, excellent wear due to the hard compound (but comfort is hampered by this). Would definitely pick these up if I'm ever on a budget. But honest - for a tenner a corner extra? Pick up Toyo T1Rs, unless you're looking for a long lasting tyre.
