How do you like your Dunlop Tires?
07-14-2010, 12:20 PM
#11
AudiWorld Super User
They use the same crappy Dunlop grand trek on the Lexus GX470. The GX470 comes with 3 kinds of oem tires, the dunlop grand trek, Michelin Cross terrain and the beridgestones. Almost every own who had the Dunlop complains about traction, road noise and stiff ride. The Cross Terrain was by far the best tires out of the three.
07-14-2010, 12:22 PM
#12
AudiWorld Senior Member
Not impressed with mine. We had very little snow here last winter and I drive cautiously in rain and had only one issue where I was surprised by a loss of traction. What's especially noteworthy is that about a day or so after I took delivery I noticed that that the right front wheel had a 5.5" long wheel weight on it. I figure about 1/2oz per inch. That's a lot of weight(close to 3oz) but not unheard of on a large wheel/tire assembly. Then I looked at the right rear and found a 10" strip of weight on that wheel. That's WAY too much, IMO. After bringing "it" to the attention of the dealer and telling them about a slight steering wheel wobble they tried to rebalance both right side tires. It did no good and the wobble remains. I attribute it to the crappy Dunlop tires and will live with it until time to replace them. Hopefully they'll wear out soon. Sorry tires, IMO.
07-14-2010, 01:27 PM
#14
AudiWorld Senior Member
07-14-2010, 01:38 PM
#15
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mine came with Good Year tires - they have been phenomenal. It poured today in Halifax and even after 20,000 miles, they performed very well in the rain.
07-14-2010, 01:45 PM
#16
AudiWorld Super User
Bob
07-14-2010, 07:09 PM
#18
AudiWorld Member
I noticed that that the right front wheel had a 5.5" long wheel weight on it. I figure about 1/2oz per inch. That's a lot of weight(close to 3oz) but not unheard of on a large wheel/tire assembly. Then I looked at the right rear and found a 10" strip of weight on that wheel.
have you tried rotating the tires/rims - i.e., put both weighted tires/rims on front or both on back; then rebalance.
07-14-2010, 09:06 PM
#19
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well, then why don't they just save even more and use entry level Bridgestones? For heaven's sake, if true, it's amazing to me that Audi would compromise safety and comfort...and resulting bad reviews to boot, to supply one of their best selling and best handling cars with tires that aren't up to snuff.
Also, these Dunlops are "new” tires, so it is possible they did not have enough data/feedback on those tires except from Dunlop itself...
07-15-2010, 04:11 AM
#20
AudiWorld Super User
tire pressure was checked the day before on cold tires and inflated to 32 PSI
The Dunlops are about $165, and Michelins are $220 on tirerack - so there is a BIG difference in price. Why they don't use even cheaper tire - I see Kumho tires on Hyundai, Kia, etc., never see them on Volvos, MB, BMW, etc. Cheaper tires would "degrade" the image of the brand; they use the cheapest tire that was accepted as suitable by Audi/ VW managers.
Also, these Dunlops are "new” tires, so it is possible they did not have enough data/feedback on those tires except from Dunlop itself...
The Dunlops are about $165, and Michelins are $220 on tirerack - so there is a BIG difference in price. Why they don't use even cheaper tire - I see Kumho tires on Hyundai, Kia, etc., never see them on Volvos, MB, BMW, etc. Cheaper tires would "degrade" the image of the brand; they use the cheapest tire that was accepted as suitable by Audi/ VW managers.
Also, these Dunlops are "new” tires, so it is possible they did not have enough data/feedback on those tires except from Dunlop itself...
I would think (dumb me) that Audi would do any and everything to optimize that driving experience - for all Audi owners - not just those lucky enough to get the "other" tires. I could better understand it if all the tires were of a given brand, but it looks like customers have to "hit the right tire lottery" when buying/leasing their Q5 or (thanks to this forum) demand other tires.
Bob