SONAR tyres. Are they crap?

[craigvk]

Looking at the Kmart catalogue they have Sonar tyres for $69. Are they really crap? Anyone bought them before?

[JD]

they are crap tyres, pay a little bit more and get a better set e.g. bridgestone, dunlop etc.

[craigvk]

Thanks. I was looking at tyres and see Kmart have them for $69 or I can get ER30's for $99. Maybe I will get the $99 tyres.

[RVN 355]

Don't you get what you pay for. If I was you Craig Vk I would be looking into the Firestone Firehawk Range of Tyres,they have done me well, Highly recommend them to anyone who wants performance,touring and A long lasting tyre


www.bridgestone.com.au

[1991_Vn2nV]

Kumho tyres are pretty decent and cheap too. Good value for money imo.

[craigvk]

Don't you get what you pay for. If I was you Craig Vk I would be looking into the Firestone Firehawk Range of Tyres,they have done me well, Highly recommend them to anyone who wants performance,touring and A long lasting tyre


www.bridgestone.com.au

Firestone. hmmm. Ever since cars in the USA started blowing out and rolling over years ago because of the fault with Firestone tyres, I have always wanted to steer clear of them but I might just get a couple of ER30's. I have them on the back end and they are good! Cheers.

[craigvk]

I wonder how much these Grid II's are worth?
Bridgestone GRID II (205/60R15)

I like it for the aspect ratio (60) a lot of them come in 65 for the 205 tyre.

[1991_Vn2nV]

Legally you need to keep the overall diamater within 15mm of stock. It will also put your speedo out.

So the profile is probably meant to be a 65 not a 60.

[craigvk]

Yeah technically it should be 65 not 60 but it's **** having your front lowered so much because it catches the guard. Gah and people think lowering is good! Pigs arse!

[1991_Vn2nV]

As it turns out, VK Calais' came with 205/60 R15 stock... So your speedo would be incorrect with a 65 profile... Go the 60 profile as thats the correct profile for your car.

VK Tyre/Rim Sizes: 195/70 R14 for lesser models. 205/60 R15 for Calais.

[craigvk]

Last time I did a speedo check, it was perfect. Doing 107Km/hr and that was what was recorded and I was using 215/60 at front and 225/60 at rear. If it put my speedo out, it would be very very minor.

[1991_Vn2nV]

They are both 60 profiles which is what I was suggesting though mate. I know its minor as in like 2 or 3% but I just figure most people want it as accurate as possible. Just giving the information.

[craigvk]

I know. Cheers fella

[vlv8vic]

firestones have done me well. have cleared 50000km's and looking at pulling at least another 10-20thou. very impressed.

[Pretender]

The blow out problem with Firestones was due to the incorrect tyres being fitted to certain vehicles only. The tyres were coming off the rims when fast cornering was attempted and in extreme cases could cause the vehicle to roll. I think it related to Ford 4WDs or were they the ones that kept catching on fire?
Other vehicles correctly using the same tyre suffered no problems at all. Firestone are decent tyres.

Sonar are an OK tyre but that is about it as they are made to a budget. In normal driving they are fine but push the limits a bit and they don't inspire confidence but do remain safe though. As for wear, I couldn't say but cheaper tyres are usually a harder compound meaning longer lasting but less grip.
Sonar are twice as good as the old Dunlop Grand Rally S tyres fitted standard to a lot of Holdens in years past but so are all current tyres.

[craigvk]

Thanks guys for the tips about Firestone. Pretender you are right about Firestone tyres. They were a defect for 4WD's in the USA but I have always had I guess a grudge against them ever since I heard the news probably on MSNBC USA and this is going back 5?+ years since I first heard about it, but I am re-assured now. I will look into different options including Firestone. I am sure Bridgestone make Firestone tyres anyway so there it is.

Cheers men

[Stupa]

Get the ER30's they are good value for money, they smoke up nicely, and theres gotta be a reason the cops use them

[deathsminion]

I put Sonars SA-603's on the back of my mates spooled 355. Pretty much pointless for going quick, but they survive a spool well, and for $69, who cares if they don't?
Admittedly the front tyres are Pirellis at $200+ each.

[walesy]

i bought sonars all the time on my old car... they lasted about 3 mins before i hit belts ^^^ my car was also spooled...