Michael99

Would you hesitate buying a set of new (2020) take-off tires from an independent tire shop online? I have seen photos of therm and they are definitely brand new. I have a 2020 Q8 with 285/40R22's. New at the Audi dealer they are about $700 each installed ($2,800 total). I can buy the set of four 2020 take-offs for $700 (free shipping) and then pay $85 each for installation locally ($1,040 total). Saves me almost $1,800. Same tire...Hankook Dynapro HP2 plus.

Any concerns? Could the tires be knock-offs? Is there even such a thing as a knock-off tire? Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

ThomasWShea

Personally, I'd buy them without worry. I know each tire will have a barcode that you can see when it isn't mounted, and if they are the original OEM tires, the audi dealer should show them as having warranty if scanned. I have never asked a dealer to verify this, but when i've had a flat, they pull off the tire, and scan that code, if it is an audi sold tire, and within the time period, it is covered by the warranty - i think any tire they sell has a 2 year warranty, including the tires that come on the car. If the tires are a great deal, maybe see if your audi dealer will mount them, then they can check to verify the warranty date. EDIT: if these tires are older, they won't be under warranty, but you'd still know that they are "real oem" tires...

jzhu625

if these are from years of 2021+ get it.

ThomasWShea

Also, there will be a date code on the tire: https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/tire-dot-date-code/

You can use that to ascertain the tire's exact age.

Just curious, why would the tires be a go if they are 2021+ and why would they not be a go if they were made in, say, 2019? If stored correctly, they should be completely fine.

PDXscreen

The 6 year "expiration" date gets thrown around, but you are absolutely correct that if stored correctly, it probably doesn't matter. The TUV uses a 6 year of road use guideline and makes exceptions for stored tires at 10 years. So, even if the tire was from 2019, you would probably be most of the way through them by 2025.

Highline-Autos.com

You will be fine, we offer Fidelity Road Hazard and Tire protection if you would like the peace of mind you can send me an email at tgibson@highline-autos.com or give me a call at (855) 924-1333 , when I think of knock off tires I think of ling longs or a lot of the cheaper tires you'd find at Walmart form brands you have never heard of.... I'd say if it is sold at Discount Tire, then you're safe.

Billyboy1

$85 to mount EACH? Thats harsh.

ThomasWShea

i know some places bone you if the tires are not purchased from them...the audi dealer bones you on the tire cost, but the mounting is "free"...you can choose lol

Michael99

Thanks for the help guys. I need to read my tire & wheel policy which doesn't expire until 2026. I need to make sure these tires will be covered.

ThomasWShea

I am now remembering, my audi dealer charges 50$ for a flat repair, which involves un-mounting the tire, repairing it from the inside then mounting and balancing - so 85$ each for mounting and balancing is too high.

That set of tires you're buying for 700$ is 2927$ mounted and balanced from tire rack. Say your tire & wheel policy didn't cover the tires and you were worried about that - you could buy the 4 take offs, plus 2 new tires from tire rack and have 6 tires for 2163$. If something happens, you have 2 tires to throw on ready to go. If something really crazy happens, buy 2 more tires new at that later point and replace all four.

Worst case, you'd be spending money way later, that you'd otherwise need to spend today, which is better in my opinion.