Brand Approved Tires... I don't get it.

[Kevlar]

First ... I totally understand the need for a manufacturer to authorize or approve a certain tire for a particular car. What I don't understand though, is what the same tire that is approve for a particular car, costs more. I ask this question because I just bought tires and it's on my mind.

Michelin Pilot Super Sport - Non Brand Specific - $295
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - Mercedes - $391
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - Porsche - $517

As far as I can tell, the tires are exactly the same except the one for the particular brand as a special marker on the sidewall denoting it is for Mercedes or Porsche. Same size, same tread, same load rating, same everything.

The Michelin PS2 is the same thing... more expensive for the brand "optimized" equivalent.

Does anybody actually buy these "approved" tires versus the same tire for less money?

[ezbmr]

From what I understand, the automakers get big discounts from the tire company. To make up for that, they soak the consumer for the "factory" tire. I don't know what the difference. It is probably like the unrated version of movies. Usually the difference is four seconds, that they didn't present to the rating board. I would never buy the "factory" tires, I am not rich enough not to care.

[Kevlar]

I couldn't find a difference... Same load rating sizes tread depths... Basically every stat I could look up was the same except for price and part number.

Sent from my iPhone using BF.com

[JB2mnytys]

I doubt it's the same in car tires, but Bridgestone sold two versions of their BT-016 motorcycle tires. The OEM was a single compound lump while the one purchased in the aftermarket was 5 layers and three tread compounds. It's more likely a thing to get brand whores to spend more on the same product.

[kasmand]

it's called OEM.."original equipment".its the manufactures way of covering their asses. Just like MAP Standards and manufacturer recommended maintenance.

[Jim@tirerack]

The OE tires are tuned for the car they are going on. Even though the specs may be the same they are different. Sometimes it is wider grooves for better wet traction or it can be as simple as cosmetic.

[ezbmr]

I am sensing there should be a test between the factory installed tires and some other tires, say Pilot Super Sports or Pilot A/S 3, lets see which tire wins.

[ChristopherG]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=26

In the case of Porsche the band layout and compound may be different.

I am more than happy to buy off the shelf tires that meet what I want vs what the manufacturer sanctions though.

[Jim@tirerack]

We have used OE tires as a baseline in testing before but if you look at the customer surveys on our web site the OE tires are normally towards the bottom.

[Kevlar]

Ok... that makes sense, but then you have to ask yourself. If the manufacturer brand is so much better, why doesn't the tire manufacturer adopt that into their designs and just make that the standard tire (rather than stocking two different kinds). Or! Is the manufacturer crazy for trying to get into the business of tire design/manufacturing and they should just listen to the experts?

[Jim@tirerack]

The car mfg. tells the tire company what they are looking for and then they submit a tire. The car mfg then test the tire and they tell the tire company they like the tire but they want it to be a little more something. They then tweak the tire for the car mfg. specifications. That is the way it normally goes.