Just got an e-mail from Tire Rack saying they canceled my order

[KPC1.8TQuat]

I placed an order with Tire Rack this weekend to replace one of my Blizzak LM-25s that I lost at the end of last winter to a pot hole. My summer Falken tires are all chopped because I put them on with the car missaligned, so they need to be replaced as well. One of the Falkens currently on the car has a slow leak and needs to be replaced more immediately. I decided better to order the one single Blizzak for winter and then order 4 new summer tires next spring. I just got an e-mail from Tire Rack saying they won't send me the Blizzak I ordered because it's a run flat and according to them, you can't mix run flats with non run flats. I'm not sure what the harm is? The tires have the exact same dimensions and ratings as my current Blizzak LM-25s, the only difference being the run flat technology.

I don't want to buy 4 new Blizzaks because the remaining 3 Blizzaks are in perfect shape and only have one short winter season on them and do not need to be replaced.


Summer 18" OZ Ultraleggeras with 235/40/18 Falken FK452

Winter 17" OEM B5 S4 Avus with 225/45/17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25

Thoughts?

[PDX04a4]

not sure about the run flat vs non-run flat mixing, there may be differences in the tire that make it non-viable with our quattro awd. if you are dead set on it, have someone order the tire for you and then there is nothing tirerack can do to stop you from getting it.

another option is to sell the three remaining tires and make as much money off them as you can and then buy 4 new tires. certainly not the easiest path, but an option.

[rollerton]

I'd tell them to take the money and shut the hell up. What business is it of theirs what kind of tires you install on YOUR car?
If you're at a shop and ask them to install the tire it could be a different story, they can refuse to sell AND install at the leisure. But if it's on the website with shipping, just email them back and say- " i made a mistake, my other 3 tires are identical to what I'm trying to buy- do you want my money?"
I don't see the harm, especially considering their winter tires.

BTW tire rack has been known to do some shady stuff; one time they had a sale on Koni struts, too good to be true! so I placed the order and got a refund within 15 munutes. I called them up and said what gives- the guy said the website wasn't updated and they were out of stock.
But guess what? Later that day I checked the website was updated, plenty in stock AT TWICE THE PRICE!!!
I called back and the guy said he had no explanation, but he'd take my order!.. awesome!

[doublezero30]

runflats typically have an innertube in them. at least the runflats im familiar with.

[doublezero30]

BTW tire rack has been known to do some shady stuff; one time they had a sale on Koni struts, too good to be true! so I placed the order and got a refund within 15 munutes. I called them up and said what gives- the guy said the website wasn't updated and they were out of stock.
But guess what? Later that day I checked the website was updated, plenty in stock AT TWICE THE PRICE!!!
I called back and the guy said he had no explanation, but he'd take my order!.. awesome!

want an explination? simple. they had a sale on the shocks in stock. the stock for the sale depleted and the website wasnt updated. they got more in stock, no longer on sale, and the price went up to normal cost. /arguement

[Skyler@Achtuning]

I'd tell them to take the money and shut the hell up. What business is it of theirs what kind of tires you install on YOUR car?

I'm pretty sure you can thank our sue happy society and greedy lawyers for that....

[KPC1.8TQuat]

I'm going to look at the blizzaks on my S4 rims in the garage when I get home. If my Falkens are all chopped from running misaligned, maybe the Blizzaks are chopped too?

I had an alignment done this spring, but I guess the damage was already done on them, so maybe the Blizzaks aren't as in as good shape as I remember?

...guess I'm trying to justify buying 4 new Blizzaks.

You know, this pisses me off. I've got a full MTM k04 setup just sitting in my garage waiting to be installed and every time I think about doing it, I have to put money in to something else in this car.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I'm pretty sure you can thank our sue happy society and greedy lawyers for that....

^+1

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

Mixing tires in general is a bad idea, and using run flat tires on a car without TPMS is just stupid. Suppose you get a puncture and don't realize it, and drive on the tire until it disintegrates. Sounds like fun doesn't it? A run flat, just like a normal tire, is destroyed if driven on without proper air pressure, but the run flat won't show it until it's dead. Order the right tire.

[KPC1.8TQuat]

Mixing tires in general is a bad idea, and using run flat tires on a car without TPMS is just stupid. Suppose you get a puncture and don't realize it, and drive on the tire until it disintegrates. Sounds like fun doesn't it? A run flat, just like a normal tire, is destroyed if driven on without proper air pressure, but the run flat won't show it until it's dead. Order the right tire.

that's what I asked in my OP, maybe you didn't read it or have some comprehension issues?

I know that mixing tires is a bad idea, and would never do it. To my knowledge the LM25 (which is currently on my winter setup) and the LM25rft has the exact same tread and dimensions. I just wanted to know how the run flat technology changes the equation, which you answered. Thanks.

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

that's what I asked in my OP, maybe you didn't read it or have some comprehension issues?

I know that mixing tires is a bad idea, and would never do it. To my knowledge the LM25 (which is currently on my winter setup) and the LM25rft has the exact same tread and dimensions. I just wanted to know how the run flat technology changes the equation, which you answered. Thanks.

Wait what? You ordered the wrong tire, correct? And tirerack wouldn't sell it to you? Not sure what I didn't comprehend here...

Again, don't try to order a non-matching tire. Luckily tirerack is clever enough to catch this, and with some liberal use of hyperbole, saved your life

[bigblue]

Runflats are a lot thicker... depending on what brand they are they use different technology. Tread-wise, a lot thicker and the sidewalls are ridiculous. Most shops buy machines just to do runflats. I've done them on regular rim clamps and I've had to put my whole 200 pound ass on the tire bar to force the bead over the rim lips on like a 45 series tire. They ride like crap as well... but definitely from a safety aspect the not knowing if your tire is flat is very important. Most shops will not install less than 4 tires on a quattro... or any awd for that matter. I know the one I worked at didn't. All it takes it a messed up drivetrain to get sued when it says in the manual you cannot install a tire if its more than 2/32 difference in tread depth.

[KPC1.8TQuat]

Runflats are a lot thicker... depending on what brand they are they use different technology. Tread-wise, a lot thicker and the sidewalls are ridiculous. Most shops buy machines just to do runflats. I've done them on regular rim clamps and I've had to put my whole 200 pound ass on the tire bar to force the bead over the rim lips on like a 45 series tire. They ride like crap as well... but definitely from a safety aspect the not knowing if your tire is flat is very important. Most shops will not install less than 4 tires on a quattro... or any awd for that matter. I know the one I worked at didn't. All it takes it a messed up drivetrain to get sued when it says in the manual you cannot install a tire if its more than 2/32 difference in tread depth.

ok, that makes sense.

thanks.

[KPC1.8TQuat]

FYI: just ordered 4 new blizzak LM-60s.

Thanks for the help.

/END THREAD

[urban96]

why not pick one up on ebay?

[bigblue]

Quick question... I've never run this car in the snow yet... My 18s I put new tires on months back... you think I should get snows as well? I'm thinking of trading my 18s for some 17s and some 15s and then putting snows on the 15s.

[IVRINGS]

Quick question... I've never run this car in the snow yet... My 18s I put new tires on months back... you think I should get snows as well? I'm thinking of trading my 18s for some 17s and some 15s and then putting snows on the 15s.

I ran mine for the first time last year with new 17" all seasons and did great! They are a lot of fun to drive in the snow. Also just remember if you are playing in the snow not to hold full lock on turning for more then a few secs.

[bigblue]

Sorry about the thread jack... but why?

[PDX04a4]

Sorry about the thread jack... but why?

good bye power steering pump if you do. you can search the forums and find tons of threads of people who have blown their power steering rack/pump by holding full lock while doing 'Nuts in the parking lot on a snowy day.

[bigblue]

Well thanks for the advice. /threadjack

[EBG 18T]

Kurt - don't mix the runflat with the regular tires.

[EBG 18T]

Quick question... I've never run this car in the snow yet... My 18s I put new tires on months back... you think I should get snows as well? I'm thinking of trading my 18s for some 17s and some 15s and then putting snows on the 15s.

Yes proper winter tires will provide you the extra stopping/starting friction on the hardpack and ice that makes everything safer. I run Nokian Hakka R's on my spare 18's for winter (need an 18" wheel to clear my brakes, other wise i would run a 17" wheel).

[bigblue]

Well I'm aware that it helps as I did work at a tire place for a few years, I just didn't know if the a4 was perfectly capable of tackling the snow with fresh all season rubber... I have snow tires for all my other cars sitting around in the garage in sets of four but I'm running the audi this year to see what awd can do.

[EBG 18T]

Well I'm aware that it helps as I did work at a tire place for a few years, I just didn't know if the a4 was perfectly capable of tackling the snow with fresh all season rubber... I have snow tires for all my other cars sitting around in the garage in sets of four but I'm running the audi this year to see what awd can do.

Well then you understand the difference between the friction of a real winter tire vs a all season. AWD is not a replacement for surface friction.

[bigblue]

Ok, ya thats all I needed to know, I've never owned anything other than fwd vehicles.

[COMMANDOE]

Tirerack is NOT known to do shady stuff. I have bought 40 sets up tires myself over the years have made countless recommendations and haven't ever heard of a complaint ever so lets speak with some knowledge here.