Brand new Michelin tires cupping at 150 miles!

[HyperM3]

I purchased aftermarket wheels for my 2021 S5 in 20x9 and Michelin AS3+ in 275/30/20. They fit square, as opposed to stretched like the OEM 265/30/20 tires. I was warned by Tirerack when I was ordering the tires that they were not OEM size. However, they are OEM size for RS5, shouldnt be an issue. As a reference, on my previous S4 I went from 245 to 255 size tires(Same AS3+) on aftermarket wheels without issue.

Anyway, pretty much only a couple days after having them mounted and balanced and installed last Wednesday, I start hearing noises like the wheels werent balanced. I didnt feel any vibration, just a terrible sound that got louder and louder above 40mph.

I brought my car in this past Wednesday, a week and 150 miles later, to have everything checked and rebalanced. They took all the wheels off and put back on the machine and said everything was still within spec. HOWEVER, they noticed all four tires were starting to cup in the center.

They asked me if I had bought the tires used. I said no, they came brand new from Tirerack. They said they have never seen tires cup that fast in 150 miles and there must be something defective with the tires.

I called up tirerack to put in a claim and the first thing they did was read the note on my file that I was told this was not the OEM size and I purchased anyway. I said that the size is within OEM spec for the car, but just the RS5 trim, and it shouldnt make a difference on the S5. Even my local Audi dealership confirmed it shouldnt be an problem.

My installer wrote up a note saying everything was mounted and balanced correctly but the tires were showing signs of cupping and should be replaced. I sent that note along with pictures of the tires to my salesperson at tirerack.

This is my third set of AS3+ tires and the first time Ive had an issue with them. Im concerned I wont get a new set and have to come out of pocket another grand for new tires.

Has anyone ever experienced this situation before?

[HyperM3]

Get an alignment

The car has 678 miles on it. I was told it shouldnt need an alignment.

[dal59]

You can try and file a claim directly with Michelin. I bought my tires at one distributor and had then replaced by another. Michelin will honor a warranty and replace tires as long as they were bought from an authorized Michelin dealer and being replaced at an authorized Michelin dealer. I had all four replaced, no questions asked.

[JohnEnglish]

The car has 678 miles on it. I was told it shouldnt need an alignment.

It shouldn't but get one anyway. No sense in getting new tires and running into the same problem if your alignment is off.

[HyperM3]

It shouldn't but get one anyway. No sense in getting new tires and running into the same problem if your alignment is off.

Fair point.

You can try and file a claim directly with Michelin. I bought my tires at one distributor and had then replaced by another. Michelin will honor a warranty and replace tires as long as they were bought from an authorized Michelin dealer and being replaced at an authorized Michelin dealer. I had all four replaced, no questions asked.

Thats my next step if tirerack denies my claim.

[BrockDM]

+1 for an alignment. Assuming your car came spec'd with 255 tires, jumping to a 275 is well worthy of realigning. Even more so if yours came spec'd with 245. The rule of thumb I like to use is any width change +2/-2 sizes from factory deserves a realignment.

Hopefully TR steps up as it is very possible you got a bad tire. If they replace all 4 I would highly recommend an alignment right off the bat

[HyperM3]

+1 for an alignment. Assuming your car came spec'd with 255 tires, jumping to a 275 is well worthy of realigning. Even more so if yours came spec'd with 245. The rule of thumb I like to use is any width change +2/-2 sizes from factory deserves a realignment.

Hopefully TR steps up as it is very possible you got a bad tire. If they replace all 4 I would highly recommend an alignment right off the bat

Mine came with 265/30/20. So going to 275/30/20 shouldn't have made any difference.

Also, lowered the pressure from 40f/36r to 36f/33r and the unbalanced sound is still there, just starts at 55mph as opposed to 40 mph

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[BrockDM]

Mine came with 265/30/20. So going to 275/30/20 shouldn't have made any difference.

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Interesting... I didn't even see that as an option for the 21 S5.

I personally would still get one done on the new set. $150 to ensure it doesn't happen again is an easy piece of mind IMO.

Let us know how TR handles it. I'm curious

[HyperM3]

Interesting... I didn't even see that as an option for the 21 S5.

I personally would still get one done on the new set. $150 to ensure it doesn't happen again is an easy piece of mind IMO.

Let us know how TR handles it. I'm curious

Black optic package has 20" wheels with 265/30/20 summer tires.

Yeah I'm considering doing an alignment anyway just to see if it's within spec or not.

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[Dan99]

The car has 678 miles on it. I was told it shouldnt need an alignment.

It shouldn't, but mine needed an alignment. In my case, left turns had over steer and right turns had under steer. The service manager insisted it wasn't necessary but I insisted they do it. Guess what, I was right. The factory alignment was out of spec and the "unnecessary" alignment fixed my problem.

[HyperM3]

It shouldn't, but mine needed an alignment. In my case, left turns had over steer and right turns had under steer. The service manager insisted it wasn't necessary but I insisted they do it. Guess what, I was right. The factory alignment was out of spec and the "unnecessary" alignment fixed my problem.

Was it covered under warranty?

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[Dan99]

Was it covered under warranty?

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No

[HyperM3]

No

Hmm, well that sucks. Better safe than sorry I suppose.

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[B_Boy]

They can check the alignment for free at most local tire shops. If its off then they can adjust or you can opt to just take it back to the dealer for alignment.

[HyperM3]

They can check the alignment for free at most local tire shops. If its off then they can adjust or you can opt to just take it back to the dealer for alignment.

I've got an alignment check scheduled for Saturday. I'll report back.

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[HyperM3]

Just an update. I wasnt able to get an alignment on Saturday, getting it done tomorrow. That being said, it's been an arduous process with TireRack but at the end Michelin is going to warranty the tires. I ended up purchasing the AS4 tires and will be getting a credit back when they receive the old AS3+.

[Andy_FL]

Just an update. I wasnt able to get an alignment on Saturday, getting it done tomorrow. That being said, it's been an arduous process with TireRack but at the end Michelin is going to warranty the tires. I ended up purchasing the AS4 tires and will be getting a credit back when they receive the old AS3+.

So, 265’s this time?


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[HyperM3]

So, 265’s this time?


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No, sticking with the 275. They square up the wheel better and fill up the wheel well.

[HyperM3]

Last update. Got the new tires put on today and got an alignment check at the same time. Alignment was all in spec other than my right rear which had the toe off by a smidge. New tires are perfect and quiet up to 90mph...so far.

[Andy_FL]

Post some pics when you get a chance!

[HyperM3]

Post some pics when you get a chance!

Anything specific?

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[Andy_FL]

Anything specific?

Curious to see from a profile how square that size is on the OE BO wheel. Something like this ...

[HyperM3]

Curious to see from a profile how square that size is on the OE BO wheel. Something like this ...

These aren't on the OEM BO wheels but same 20x9 size. PXL_20210721_011644561.jpg

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