[sharpharp]

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask if anyone here has bought new tyres and suspected that they weren't genuine?

Reason I ask is, I purchased a new set from a seller (supposedly a legit tyre place) on ebay.

The front tyres arrived yesterday - Pirelli P Zero * 245/45R19 Runflats. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the writing on the sides was not as prominent as the same ones on my current ones on the car.

The tyre itself looks ok, tread pattern the same etc etc, it's just the writing on the tyres is kind of flat. The writing on my set on the car, even after doing 28K+ still looks better than these new ones.

Maybe it's just the way there are manufactured by Pirelli now, but it's the same tyre as I have... Perhaps I'm just being a bit paranoid here : The seller did tell me he orders the tyres from Germany.

I will post up some pics when I get a chance, but just wanted to see if anyone else has come across this?

[Peter_R]

What is date code?

Can you post the sellers details?

How do they compare with black circles prices?

http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogu...&tyre=32295347

Check out my today's reply on this link...

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1256382

[Tjalle]

I would be surprised if there are NOT Chinese counterfeits on the market.

"Writing on the sides" would not be top priority for a Chinese - but for Pirelli.

"Ordering" from Germany, is, of course, no guarantee.

I would recommend buying from a renown supplier, not from "a supposedly legit seller".

IF, fake, performance will be bad.

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

I would be surprised if there are NOT Chinese counterfeits on the market.

"Writing on the sides" would not be top priority for a Chinese - but for Pirelli.

"Ordering" from Germany, is, of course, no guarantee.

I would recommend buying from a renown supplier, not from "a supposedly legit seller".

IF, fake, performance will be bad.

You do realize Pirelli is owned by a Chinese company, correct?

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Barbera335

You do realize Pirelli is owned by a Chinese company, correct?

Yes it does! See.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32015529

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirelli

This has no bearing or effect on production that carries on just the same in the same factories.

[ba ba boosh]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

"Writing on the sides" would not be top priority for a Chinese - but for Pirelli.

LOL This comment is so wrong on so many levels. Spouting off random information when not doing research that Pirelli is 65% majority owned by ChemChina and minority owned by Russian RosNeft.

Originally Posted by Barbera335

You do realize Pirelli is owned by a Chinese company, correct?

I actually never knew this. You learn something on these forums everyday.

I personally have new Pirelli Cinturato P7 all season tires and they have been fantastic thus far. Granted this winter we didn't really get any snow.

[Tjalle]

There are a lot of "western companies" owned by Chinese, who realise that, to maintain image, they have to "play ball" and deliver high quality products - one such company is Volvo.

There are other chinese companies producing counterfeit goods incl. aluminium rims and tyres. I have been there and saw some of it.

[Peter_R]

"Who owns which tyre brands?"

"The tyre industry is a confusing business. Historically there were the big 3 brands that people nearly always purchased but recently there have been a number of mergers and new budget brands sprouting."

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article...yre-brands.htm

[Smithy2014]

There are only four things that connect a vehicle to the road surface and those are the tyres, I would NEVER compromise on buying them off ebay to save a few quid, an inferior counterfeit tyre risks your safety and others around you - buy from a genuine registered tyre company.

[sharpharp]

I've been in touch with Pirelli and they're very interested in seeing the pics and various info from the tyres.

Will post back when Pirelli have investigated

[Tjalle]

sharpharp, looking forward to hear about the result.

[Lotus99]

nowadays, counterfeit products exist for practically everything. So if something is too good to be true, there is a risk, especially if the seller is not well established. Hope they're not fake. There should be a lot number or something that they can hopefully track the tire back to, if it's real

[Tjalle]

I forgot.

As mentioned above I have been to China several times, visiting both workshops with floor made out of mud and others with rows of Japanese/German advanced machines.

One thing is common - a Chinese will never pay one Yuan more than necessary.

In your situation I would sell/exchange your tyres to Pirelli UK.

If original tyre, they want to know where quality slipped.

If fakes, they want to nail the seller and possibly the manufacturer. If a company owned by non-chinese, there is no way to sue, but since Pirelli is owned by chinese, they might succeed.

[sharpharp]

Pirelli were on the ball and got back quickly.

They say that they are genuine. The Pirellis on my car are now Obsolete (the sidewall writing is embossed), whereas the new Pirellis use a different sidewall template and have sunken writing.

Hope this helps if anyone else has doubts when buying Pirellis.

[Pinewood]

Originally Posted by sharpharp

Pirelli were on the ball and got back quickly.

They say that they are genuine. The Pirellis on my car are now Obsolete (the sidewall writing is embossed), whereas the new Pirellis use a different sidewall template and have sunken writing.

Hope this helps if anyone else has doubts when buying Pirellis.

Excellent resolution and thanks for the heads up

[Peter_R]

@sharpharp

Good to know.....thanks.