*** OFFICIAL B8 A4 Tire Thread ***

**Spawne32** · 09-01-2017 01:50 PM

Good tires, my buddy has them on his GTO.

**Poodini** · 09-04-2017 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Zach L

Had been going back and forth between the new Michelin PS4S and the new Continental ExtremeContact Sport, trying to decide for weeks. Decided on the Continental due to it being my daily and was about to order until I came across this...

The new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500.

I normally stay away from anything Firestone, but it won TireRack's comparison test AND the reviews are REALLY good and consensus is it's an insanely good tire for the money. Visually, it's a really appealing tire design and honestly I think it might be more practical for my 25,000+ mile per year daily driver. Thinking of giving it a shot. Here's a review relating it to the PSS:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...m=535WR9FHI5XL

I took the plunge with the Indy 500's and am quite impressed! Though it's not as grippy as a true Z rated summer tire, the aggressive pattern and compound help make up the difference. The combination of performance, comfort, savings and stellar reviews made it an easy decision to try!
It does everything well and overall ride comfort is an improvement over my previous Sumitomo HTZ III's.

It def warrants a

❗️

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**Zach L** · 09-05-2017 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Poodini

I took the plunge with the Indy 500's and am quite impressed! Though it's not as grippy as a true Z rated summer tire, the aggressive pattern and compound help make up the difference. The combination of performance, comfort, savings and stellar reviews made it an easy decision to try!
It does everything well and overall ride comfort is an improvement over my previous Sumitomo HTZ III's.

It def warrants a

️

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Thanks, I'm about to pull the trigger on a set! Did you find a better price than TireRack? The other tire sites either don't carry them or have higher prices.

**AutoRacer100** · 09-17-2017 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Spawne32

Thanks for posting pics of the new tires. They look good. I love the thread pattern on those tires. They are all season? Look like high performance summer tires. Haha..

**Spawne32** · 09-17-2017 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by AutoRacer100

Thanks for posting pics of the new tires. They look good. I love the thread pattern on those tires. They are all season? Look like high performance summer tires. Haha..

yeh all season, the trade off is snow traction with these but i have used them in the snow on FWD cars before with no issues, the awd makes it that much easier in the winter

**AutoRacer100** · 09-18-2017 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Spawne32

yeh all season, the trade off is snow traction with these but i have used them in the snow on FWD cars before with no issues, the awd makes it that much easier in the winter

Hopefully they are in stock when I am ready to order them.

**Poodini** · 09-18-2017 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Zach L

Thanks, I'm about to pull the trigger on a set! Did you find a better price than TireRack? The other tire sites either don't carry them or have higher prices.

WADDUP Zach!

The local shop I had install them has a tirerack dealer account so they simply matched the lowest price and got them in the following day.
Apparently, the reason why most don't have in stock, incl Firestone/Bridgestone dealers is it's an updated version of last year's model. Some improvements with the compound blending for improved handling and minor tread differences. Tirerack apparently got the 1st run exclusively.

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**Poodini** · 09-18-2017 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Zach L

Thanks, I'm about to pull the trigger on a set! Did you find a better price than TireRack? The other tire sites either don't carry them or have higher prices.

WADDUP Zach!

The local shop I had install them has a tirerack dealer account so they simply matched the lowest price and got them in the following day.
Apparently, the reason why most don't have in stock, incl Firestone/Bridgestone dealers is it's an updated version of last year's model. Some improvements with the compound blending for improved handling and minor tread differences. Tirerack apparently got the 1st run exclusively.

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**MASTURB8** · 09-18-2017 02:52 PM

I run 265 width Indy 500's on my avant. They have been great tires! Good tread wear, good grip, good looks, great price.

**Poodini** · 09-18-2017 06:40 PM

^^
Nice! I have a feeling the brush fire has started.
Was talking with the manger of the tire shop. We all know BF Goodrich for their Z rated tires and rep yet think of Firestone as more of a lower tiered brand. Well, they're co-brands under one Japanese umbrella. Turns out the script is flipped over there where BF is the red headed stepchild and Firestone is the marquee, top tier brand! It's all marketing. I think these Indys may also be tested/manufactured in Japan as well..

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**Zach L** · 09-19-2017 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by Poodini

^^
Nice! I have a feeling the brush fire has started.
Was talking with the manger of the tire shop. We all know BF Goodrich for their Z rated tires and rep yet think of Firestone as more of a lower tiered brand. Well, they're co-brands under one Japanese umbrella. Turns out the script is flipped over there where BF is the red headed stepchild and Firestone is the marquee, top tier brand! It's all marketing. I think these Indys may also be tested/manufactured in Japan as well...

Here's your answer...

Been running them for a few thousand miles and loving them so far!

**A4Qwattro** · 09-19-2017 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Poodini

^^
Nice! I have a feeling the brush fire has started.
Was talking with the manger of the tire shop. We all know BF Goodrich for their Z rated tires and rep yet think of Firestone as more of a lower tiered brand. Well, they're co-brands under one Japanese umbrella. Turns out the script is flipped over there where BF is the red headed stepchild and Firestone is the marquee, top tier brand! It's all marketing. I think these Indys may also be tested/manufactured in Japan as well..

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Maybe I'm wrong but I could swear that BF Goodrich is not associated with any Japanese brands. BF Goodrich is owned by Michelin as far as I can see on google. I always considered them second tier brand to Michelin.
Maybe Michelin has outsourced the BF Goodrich tire production to Japan? Although not sure why they wouldn't just put them on the same production facilities as Michelin.

**MASTURB8** · 09-19-2017 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by A4Qwattro

Maybe I'm wrong but I could swear that BF Goodrich is not associated with any Japanese brands. BF Goodrich is owned by Michelin as far as I can see on google. I always considered them second tier brand to Michelin.
Maybe Michelin has outsourced the BF Goodrich tire production to Japan? Although not sure why they wouldn't just put them on the same production facilities as Michelin.

It's Bridgestone that should have been referenced instead of BF Goodrich

**Poodini** · 09-20-2017 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by MASTURB8

It's Bridgestone that should have been referenced instead of BF Goodrich

Thank you for that correction! Removes foot from mouth...

Hilarious handle bet!

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**AutoRacer100** · 09-20-2017 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Spawne32

yeh all season, the trade off is snow traction with these but i have used them in the snow on FWD cars before with no issues, the awd makes it that much easier in the winter

One last question sorry. How did these tires perform in a wet environment and how fast have you tried with those tires? What is the speed rating?

**Spawne32** · 09-20-2017 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by AutoRacer100

One last question sorry. How did these tires perform in a wet environment and how fast have you tried with those tires? What is the speed rating?

W speed rated, i live just outside of philly, i havent tried taking turns at 100mph with them in the rain. lmao

**AutoRacer100** · 10-12-2017 09:04 AM

Do you guys do the 4 wheel alignment every time put on a new set of tires? Is it really necessary?

**JBAeroEngineer** · 10-12-2017 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by AutoRacer100

Do you guys do the 4 wheel alignment every time put on a new set of tires? Is it really necessary?

I normally get 2 alignments a year, only with new tires if it coincides.

**choppstixxx** · 10-12-2017 12:07 PM

Been looking for some budget friendly A/S tires for my summer wheels and stumbled upon the Nankang Tire NS-20 Noble Sport. At first I saw the brand name and immediately thought of cheap, off-brand, tires that usually people buy to stretch etc. However the more reviews I read, the more intrigued I got since all of them were really positive. There's even a review from an Audi guy (Click here) about what a nice budget tire they are with some really good performance.
So I took the plunge and bought a set of 245/40/18's for $307 shipped from DTD. Been driving on them for the past week+ in a mix of wet/dry weather. Great all around tires...very low noise tires and have great traction no matter what I'm driving in. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a great budget tire, I easily saved myself $200+ going with these than a comparable Kumho, Hankook, Firestone etc.

**AutoRacer100** · 10-12-2017 12:18 PM

Nankang tires are Chinese brand tires. I've heard Chinese tires do not last and some other horror stories about Chinese tires. I hope this one will prove the rumor wrong.

http://nankangusa.com/about-company/about.html

**choppstixxx** · 10-12-2017 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by AutoRacer100

Nankang tires are Chinese brand tires. I've heard Chinese tires do not last and some other horror stories about Chinese tires. I hope this one will prove the rumor wrong.
http://nankangusa.com/about-company/about.html

Nankang are Taiwanese tires, not Chinese FYI.
While I have only ran them for a very short while, there are enough positive reviews from people that have owned them for longer that I have no doubt they will be fine.

**Spawne32** · 10-12-2017 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by choppstixxx

Been looking for some budget friendly A/S tires for my summer wheels and stumbled upon the Nankang Tire NS-20 Noble Sport. At first I saw the brand name and immediately thought of cheap, off-brand, tires that usually people buy to stretch etc. However the more reviews I read, the more intrigued I got since all of them were really positive. There's even a review from an Audi guy (Click here) about what a nice budget tire they are with some really good performance.
So I took the plunge and bought a set of 245/40/18's for $307 shipped from DTD. Been driving on them for the past week+ in a mix of wet/dry weather. Great all around tires...very low noise tires and have great traction no matter what I'm driving in. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a great budget tire, I easily saved myself $200+ going with these than a comparable Kumho, Hankook, Firestone etc.

achillies or ohtsu are my two recommendations, achillies are a indonesian subsidiary of continental and ohtsu are a japanese partner brand of falken

**choppstixxx** · 10-12-2017 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Spawne32

achillies or ohtsu are my two recommendations, achillies are a indonesian subsidiary of continental and ohtsu are a japanese partner brand of falken

Next go around I'll give em a shot, like I said these are going on my summer set so they will probably last at least 2 seasons or more before I need new ones.

**Zach L** · 10-14-2017 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by Spawne32

achillies or ohtsu are my two recommendations, achillies are a indonesian subsidiary of continental and ohtsu are a japanese partner brand of falken

Originally Posted by choppstixxx

Next go around I'll give em a shot, like I said these are going on my summer set so they will probably last at least 2 seasons or more before I need new ones.

I have ran the Achilles ATR Sport and Nankang NS20. In fact, the Nankangs are mounted on my GTI as I type this. I got them because I drive a ton of miles and was looking for something less expensive for what was, at that time, my daily driver, while still having grip for when the road gets curvy or I take a drive through the hill country.

What I've found with those tires is they start off quiet and grippy, then get loud and hard really quickly. It's almost like there's a thin layer of good rubber then really crappy rubber underneath. Either that or they're just using inferior tread compounds that age really really quickly. Where I live we don't get freezing temps or snow. Pretty sure I won't be buying them again.

PS - Those two specific tires are great for stretching and most people I've seen running them are doing just that. Performance is not why I've seen people buy those tires.

**choppstixxx** · 10-14-2017 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Zach L

What I've found with those tires is they start off quiet and grippy, then get loud and hard really quickly. It's almost like there's a thin layer of good rubber then really crappy rubber underneath. Either that or they're just using inferior tread compounds that age really really quickly. Where I live we don't get freezing temps or snow. Pretty sure I won't be buying them again.

I'll have to report back after I put a few thousand miles on em, like I said I went off of other reviews that all were really positive and for the price I couldn't really say no.

**AutoRacer100** · 10-20-2017 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Zach L

What I've found with those tires is they start off quiet and grippy, then get loud and hard really quickly. It's almost like there's a thin layer of good rubber then really crappy rubber underneath. Either that or they're just using inferior tread compounds that age really really quickly. Where I live we don't get freezing temps or snow. Pretty sure I won't be buying them again.

I'm assuming OHTSU tires do not have this problem otherwise I would heard from Spawne32?

**Spawne32** · 10-20-2017 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by AutoRacer100

I'm assuming OHTSU tires do not have this problem otherwise I would heard from Spawne32?

never had an issue like that, but i dont track these tires, so keep that in mind

**shellraider** · 11-03-2017 03:48 PM

I potentially have a line on a set or 245 45R19 Winter studded tires for dirt cheap. I have found a lot of mixed signals on this size. Some say hell no it wont ever fit, while others say yes. Does anyone have insight to this? I have a 2012 A4 Avant s-line with stock suspension. I normally wouldn't consider it but the tires are too good of a deal to not consider it. If anyone has proof or a definitive NO. Let me know! Thanks!

**AutoRacer100** · 11-04-2017 12:20 AM

What is the recommended tire pressure for 18" tires? Are the tire pressure brand specific? I'm upgrading from 17".

**AutoRacer100** · 11-15-2017 08:17 AM

Does anyone know Tire Easy do holiday sales? I looked at their website and do not see any sales.

**NathanGreatScott** · 11-17-2017 07:47 AM

Just bought a set of 20x9 et32 wheels and am tire shopping for them. Since I'll be running my OE wheels now as dedicated winters, I'd like to get a summer tread for these. I was looking at the Hankook v12 evoII's and the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s. I realize there are better options, but I'm trying to keep the cost down a little while still getting a stellar tire. Thoughts from anyone that has run both or either?

Was planning on getting what the wheel/tire sites recommend; 245/30/20. I've read the Hankook v12s have a nice curve to the sides of the tread which would help alleviate rubbing issues when I lower my car in the future, so I'm leaning toward those.

**wpfahl** · 11-17-2017 08:02 AM

Thanks for tire info.

Sent using mysterious forces

**tominabox1** · 12-30-2017 05:15 AM

I have a set of relatively new p zero tires on my A4, I wifi live in Dallas which often has mornings decently below 45f in the winter. How worried should I be about damage and is it even safe to drive?

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**AutoRacer100** · 01-08-2018 04:36 PM

Finally I bought a set of OHTSU FP7000 245/40/18 tires and put them on with a new set of Alzor S4 wheels on 12/26. Today the tire pressure alarm went off. I checked all four tire pressures and they were at 32 lb, 25 lb, 29 lb and 18 lb. What is going on here? The temp here in NY here has been really low (8F to 18F). I haven't driven the car for four days due to the weather. The car is parked in an indoor garage at all the time. All tires were pumped to 36 lbs on 12/26. I lost that much air within two weeks period??!

I pumped all tires to 36 lb just now and going to check the pressure again tomorrow morning. I hope the tire pressure lost is due to extreme cold temp.

BTW, the shop spent 4 hours to install the rims and tires. The tires did not want to sit with the rims. I am not sure the abnormal tire pressure lost has anything to do with the installation.

**Spawne32** · 01-08-2018 04:40 PM

Sounds like the shop didnt know what they were doing to me, they probably damaged the tire or the rim and now they are leaking air. I have had 4 sets of OHTSU FP6000 and 7000 tires and never once have i ever had an issue with them mounting. 4 hours is insane for any tire, my guys have them done in 30 minutes.

**JBAeroEngineer** · 01-08-2018 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by AutoRacer100

Finally I bought a set of OHTSU FP7000 245/40/18 tires and put them on with a new set of Alzor S4 wheels on 12/26. Today the tire pressure alarm went off. I checked all four tire pressures and they were at 32 lb, 25 lb, 29 lb and 18 lb. What is going on here? The temp here in NY here has been really low (8F to 18F). I haven't driven the car for four days due to the weather. The car is parked in an indoor garage at all the time. All tires were pumped to 36 lbs on 12/26. I lost that much air within two weeks period??!

I pumped all tires to 36 lb just now and going to check the pressure again tomorrow morning. I hope the tire pressure lost is due to extreme cold temp.

BTW, the shop spent 4 hours to install the rims and tires. The tires did not want to sit with the rims. I am not sure the abnormal tire pressure lost has anything to do with the installation.

Originally Posted by Spawne32

Sounds like the shop didnt know what they were doing to me, they probably damaged the tire or the rim and now they are leaking air. I have had 4 sets of OHTSU FP6000 and 7000 tires and never once have i ever had an issue with them mounting. 4 hours is insane for any tire, my guys have them done in 30 minutes.

Yup! The rubber is definitely not mounted right

**AutoRacer100** · 01-08-2018 06:09 PM

So where should I go to get this problem fixed? I don't want to go back the same shop as now I'm afraid they won't be able to fix the problem if not further damage the wheels. I have Mavis tires here. Should I try them?

Do you guys use any sealant on the wheels where the rubber and the wheel met? I don't see the guy use any of that during installation except I saw him spreading water on the wheel.

What should I do now to fix the problem? Any recommendations?

**Spawne32** · 01-10-2018 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by AutoRacer100

So where should I go to get this problem fixed? I don't want to go back the same shop as now I'm afraid they won't be able to fix the problem if not further damage the wheels. I have Mavis tires here. Should I try them?

Do you guys use any sealant on the wheels where the rubber and the wheel met? I don't see the guy use any of that during installation except I saw him spreading water on the wheel.

What should I do now to fix the problem? Any recommendations?

I don't do tires myself so I couldnt tell you what the procedure requires. I'd have someone else look at it though, mavis, or somewhere else. I'd tell them the situation and what happened with the install first.

**BIG_ROOSTER** · 01-10-2018 03:37 PM

It’s not sealant it’s lube or soap

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**JBAeroEngineer** · 01-10-2018 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Spawne32

I don't do tires myself so I couldnt tell you what the procedure requires. I'd have someone else look at it though, mavis, or somewhere else. I'd tell them the situation and what happened with the install first.

Originally Posted by BIG_ROOSTER

It’s not sealant it’s lube or soap

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Mounting tires is crazy simple in theory and when you watch it happen. It's definitely a lube/grease to get the tire on and seated. They should be force matching the tire to the best mounting point too.

If you're looking for a chain, I like AAA. They'll let you watch on the shop floor and walk your through each tire being road forced.