Audi (AO) specific tyres - gimmick or not?
Discussion
Hi guys,
Quick question as I am about to order some.
For the S3 there is an AO specific Continental Sport Contact 5 which has a wet weather rating of B and a non Audi specific Sport Contact 5 with a wet weather of A. The price is pretty much the same. I always thought these were identical and just a marketing gimmick but the different wet weather rating suggest not (maybe harder compound in AO?). Does anyone know the difference and if you're in a S3 or A3 did you go for AO or non AO tyres?
Size is 225/40/R18 92Y
Thanks in advance
Quick question as I am about to order some.
For the S3 there is an AO specific Continental Sport Contact 5 which has a wet weather rating of B and a non Audi specific Sport Contact 5 with a wet weather of A. The price is pretty much the same. I always thought these were identical and just a marketing gimmick but the different wet weather rating suggest not (maybe harder compound in AO?). Does anyone know the difference and if you're in a S3 or A3 did you go for AO or non AO tyres?
Size is 225/40/R18 92Y
Thanks in advance
I figured marketing too but there must be something different if if one gets an A in wet weather and the Audi get's a B. Unless these tyre test ratings are very much luck of the draw, 1 point in time so two identical tyres could score different results.
Not even sure what Audi these tyres are OE on, I though the S3 was Bridgestonme Potenzas originally
Not even sure what Audi these tyres are OE on, I though the S3 was Bridgestonme Potenzas originally
I don't know whether you've looked on the Continental Tyres website, I have just done that and it says this about the Audi specification: The "AO" marking signifies that this tyre is approved and fitted as original equipment by Audi. These tyres can be mixed with standard non-homologated tyres. - See more at: http://www.conti-tyrefinder.co.uk/index.php#sthash..., doesn't help you much in understanding exactly what the difference is.
This is just the Audi approved version but do be aware there may be a specific reason for this.
On the C5 RS6 only the audi specific version of the tyre would fit as the tyre profile was slightly different so the tyre didn't rub on part of the suspension arm. The wrong profile would basically touch the suspension and wreck the sidewall until the tyre went pop.
On the C5 RS6 only the audi specific version of the tyre would fit as the tyre profile was slightly different so the tyre didn't rub on part of the suspension arm. The wrong profile would basically touch the suspension and wreck the sidewall until the tyre went pop.
The wife has a TT Black Edition running 19's and we had the same just recently. The car came with Toyo Proxes and we had the option of AO or not. I rang Event Tyres and the guy said if the tyres are going on an Audi use the AO tyres. In this instance the AO tyres were slightly cheaper, 50 pence cheaper per tyre. We went with the AO tyres.
Edited by Andy OH on Monday 8th June 12:54
I got a puncture right on the shoulder of my one of mine after about 4k miles and being a 20" nobody had anything in stock. Ended up going to my local audi dealer who also didn't have any AO bridgestones so fitted a 'standard' tyre. They told me there wasn't any difference, certainly can't feel any after another 4k miles.
If you're changing all 4 I'd be tempted by Michelin Super Sports over the SC5 - had them on our admittedly heavier A6 and it ate the inner shoulders in town!
It's not uncommon for the 'approved' tyre to become unavailable over time, as the car manufacturer won't continue to approve different, more modern, tyres for their older models. So if Conti stopped making the AO SC5 you won't have the option anyway...
It is possible to vary the construction of a tyre to give particular characteristics that the car manufacturer wants that the base tyre doesn't give e.g. a different compromise between noise and wet grip, but once you ignore tie-ins between tyre companies and manufacturers resulting from Type Approval requirements there are many other options out there which will give you similar/identical/better 'performance' based on whichever criteria you want to apply.
It's not uncommon for the 'approved' tyre to become unavailable over time, as the car manufacturer won't continue to approve different, more modern, tyres for their older models. So if Conti stopped making the AO SC5 you won't have the option anyway...
It is possible to vary the construction of a tyre to give particular characteristics that the car manufacturer wants that the base tyre doesn't give e.g. a different compromise between noise and wet grip, but once you ignore tie-ins between tyre companies and manufacturers resulting from Type Approval requirements there are many other options out there which will give you similar/identical/better 'performance' based on whichever criteria you want to apply.
The Evora uses MO marked tyres, ie Mercedes fitment. Lotus state that the car was developed around this compound. In this case I think they are softer than regular Pzero.
Lotus handling tech says other tyres can compromise handling and in my experience you need to increase pressures to move back towards the handling from MO tyres
Lotus handling tech says other tyres can compromise handling and in my experience you need to increase pressures to move back towards the handling from MO tyres
Edited by blueg33 on Friday 5th June 14:11
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