Nankang Sportnex AS3

Driving around 6000 miles in hot summer days and some rainy ones on a BMW X5 E70 and for this money tyres are good, but they are not premium or ultra or even high performance for sure. Maybe for lighter cars they're fine, but for heavy SUV you must be careful on dry roads, cause they're just loosing the grip if you come up with higher speed. And the feeling in very hot days is not good at all in the cornering. Stopping is fine, acceleration too. In wet conditions they perform better than what I expected which is more important for me. On the highway tyres are fine, no additional noise or something. I don't have the same confidence like I have with GoodYear for example. For the price they are very good, but for sure not high performance tyre. 4 pairs, 2x 275/40/20 front and 2x315/35/20 rear for 480 euros compared to 1100 euro for premium brands, you can't expect more. But for my better feeling next time I prefer to pay double for premium brands.

Nankang Sportnex AS-3 (Staggered Setup: 245/40 R18 Front / 265/35 R18 Rear) on 2010 Mercedes W212 E350 CDI (231 hp, RWD) You can tell it's not a top-tier premium brand, but it is incredibly close-especially considering the price tag. It is a fantastic budget-friendly alternative that performs exceptionally well. The V6 Diesel puts down a lot of torque, but the wide 265mm rears handle it perfectly. Both dry and wet grip feel completely solid and safe, without the traction control constantly kicking in. Steering feedback through the 245mm front tires is surprisingly precise for a heavy car. The best part is the progressiveness-if pushed too hard in a corner, it doesn't snap abruptly; it breaks traction very smoothly and predictably. Comfort and road noise are also a solid 8. It rolls quietly on the highway and doesn't ruin the classic Mercedes ride comfort, while tread wear looks very reasonable despite the heavy front end. In conclusion, it gets a clear 9/10 recommendation. If you need a reliable, sporty daily setup for a RWD cruiser without paying premium brand money, the AS-3 is a smart buy that simply delivers.

In the past, I drove on strictly sports-oriented tires like the Nankang NS-2R and Bridgestone Potenza Sport. Both of them were simply phenomenal in terms of absolute grip. I actually ended up choosing the summer Nankang AS-3s because of the winter season—after a very positive experience with the Nankang AW-6 winter model, I decided to give the AS-3 a chance after running the more aggressive NS-2R. The result? I am extremely satisfied with them.

What impressed me the most about the AS-3 is their refinement. They are exceptionally quiet and comfortable, yet responsiveness wasn't sacrificed at all. The sidewall is stiff enough to keep the steering really precise. During sharper cornering, you know exactly what is happening under the wheels; the tire doesn't roll over and reacts instantly.
Another huge surprise is their behavior on wet roads—they are downright excellent in this regard and provide immense confidence even in heavy rain.

Direct Comparison with Competitors
vs. Nankang NS-2R and Bridgestone Potenza Sport: Understandably, the AS-3 has slightly less absolute grip on dry tarmac, which was to be expected when moving away from the semi-slick / UHP category. However, in normal traffic or during spirited driving on backroads, it doesn't bother me at all.
vs. Michelin Pilot Sport 4: This is where the Nankang AS-3 really scores. In terms of driving feel, I actually find the AS-3 even better and, most importantly, quieter than the highly praised PS4. Given the price difference, that is a massive compliment.
Final Verdict
The Nankang AS-3 are budget-friendly tires that easily give much more expensive premium brands a run for their money. They offer a great mix of precise steering, top-tier wet performance, and everyday comfort. If you don't need to chase lap times with the NS-2R but are looking for a reliable, quiet, and superbly controllable tire, the AS-3 is a fantastic choice.