How can I find replacement tires for my 2017 Audi Q7?

Asked by newriverexpat Apr 21, 2017 at 01:31 PM about the 2017 Audi Q7 3.0T quattro Prestige AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

In 2016 we purchased a 2017 Audi Q7.  It is currently parked an unusable.

It came with 285/40R21 tires summer tires.  The dealer told us that the tires
were runflats but the fact is that they are not.  This matters because there is
no spare in the car and no space to add one, not even a donut tire.  Most
Q7’s do come with runflats due to this issue and most are 19” or 20” wheels.

We now have 20K miles on the car and the tires are worn out.

The problem is that nobody makes a 285/40R21 all-season tire, much less
that tire in a run flat version.  There are no winter versions available either.

There has been a great deal of discussion of this issue on forum sites such
as audiworld.com.

The bottom line is that there is no way to replace the tires with the size that
came on the car.

Several owners have decided to go forward with using 295/40ZR21 all-
season.  Those tires are no run flats but they are all-season.

There are two problems with this approach (even if the 295 sizes really work
okay):

1.  According to the forum, Audi says that use of non-approved tires is
dangerous and will void the warranty.  This is apparently due to the fact that
the software in the car is tuned to specific tire specs.

2.  They are not run flat and a simple flat will result in needing a tow, not just
roadside assistance.

We discussed this with Audi Plano, the dealer that sold us the car.  After
multiple discussions the GM of service there told us that he agreed that
there is no apparent “official” solution to this problem and he told us to call
Audi corporate and ask them what to do.

We’ve written to Audi USA several times with no response.  We finally called
Audi and talked to a “customer advocate.”  She basically told me that it isn’t
their problem as they don’t manufacture tires.  She told me to call the tire
makers directly.  We pointed out that it is their problem because they sold
me an $80K product that is useless.  She told me that there is nothing she
can do.  We asked a supervisor to call and so far we have not received a
call.

According to the forum site one of the owners with this problem did get an
official response from Audi.  Audi told them to use the non-runflats and just
take the risk of a flat and told them to buy a new set of 19” wheels and
approved tires to use in the winter.

Do you have a suggestion as to how we should resolve this problem?


13 Answers

110

Isnt Audi a pleasure to deal with? Typical German attitude ,ie. the customer is ALWAYS wrong. I have bought 5 Audis in 7 years and this last one just takes the cake with problems,it is my last Audi ever. Talking to corporate is like yelling down a deep empty well,not even an echo,sorry for your problems but do what I am doing ride the sucker out and when you are done DUMP it.

6 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2012 Q7 and I see the problem with 275 45 20 size tire also. The original tires that came with the vehicle lasted 20K miles. I spent $1500 on all-season Michelin tires. Surprise surprise! The new ones only lasted 24K miles. I rotated the tires every 10K miles (per dealers advice). This time, only one tire has worn-off. I took it to the Audi Rochester (NY) dealer, and here is what they say "IT IS A HEAVY TRUCK, AND TYPICAL LIFE OF TIRES ON THESE TRUCKS IS 25K MILES" Really? I fought a lost battle with the tire company and the dealer for over a week. The lesson I learnt is, DON'T BUY an AUDI Q7. If you buy, it comes with a package of problems that no one cares. Audi customer service is terrible!

6 people found this helpful.
110

My first Q7 came with Dunlop tires and they lasted 14K miles the noise level coming out of them was unbearable so out they went changed them for Michelins and voila they last almost 25k miles. And of course NO Audi official ever recognized that there was a problem. I love the way the beast drives but I will NEVER by another vehicle from these obnoxious supermen again. BTW I have 21" wheels on the car also, Audi does state that the standard tires are only good for 20,000 miles which is normal in a high rubber content high performance tires they did a CYA but "didnt understand why the tires made so much noise after ONLY 14K miles. TIME TO GO BACK TO AMERICAN IRON for me.

3 people found this helpful.
40

I have run into the same continental 20” tire problem. Terrible, never again for me. Back to America....

4 people found this helpful.
10

No problems with 2018 Q7. Goodyear run-flats. All season. 36K+ miles and counting. Just had service done at the dealer. Tires are good. I will say, I think the ride is stiffer with these tires. Maybe a Q5 next time.

1 people found this helpful.
20

No problems with 2017 Q7 with Goodyear runflats. Currently have 20,000 miles, car with runflats runs quiet and smooth. I do rotate tires every 10,000.

50

I have an Audi Q7 that I bought from Audi Fredrick MD, they suck, didn’t take care of delivery issues. The deal ship is crooked and there is no accountability from the top down. Went to Audi Chantilly VA and they are not credible either, a little less dishonest but still very much dishonest, $250 for oil chang and $50 to reset light because they said they need special equipment to do it oops they must have accidentally lied again. I went on- line and its a 7 step procedure anyone can do. They wanted $428 to replace a $250 tire oops rip off. First and last Audi.

2 people found this helpful.
50

and they do not stand behind their product, the worst experience with a car, worse than BMW and MB. Lexus much better and Tesla is the best based on our experience

1 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 2017 Q7 with 255/55R19 Goodyear run flats. Rotate tires every 10,00. There is 17,000 miles and no issues whatsoever. I used Audi dealership once for oil change 184.00. I now use a certified technician at local mechanic pay 100.00 for oil change. Dealership rates are obscene plus at 13,000 miles the service advisor told me I needed new rotors as the rotors on my car were rusted. He is no longer employed at dealership as I wrote to GM and Audi headquarters. Overall very impressed with vehicle, ride and handling.

2 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2019 Audi Q7 that came with pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season 285/40 R21. Mine still at 5/32 tread with 42,000 miles (mostly freeway). Audi wants $400/tire. Tirerack.com has them for $250ea, free shipping. my concern/question is “do I need to have Audi install these tires for me due to any recalibrations that might be required? They claim I do need to have them install them, but I don’t I really trust a lot of the things they tell me.

1 people found this helpful.

Audi charges around $700 for a "recalibration" after a tire change and I ignorantly agreed to it without asking what it cost. I blew a few blood vessels and said I wanted to see the entire report and have them explain every aspect of the report and what it meant. They literally where dumbfounded. The report was in German and it took them calling corporate to get it in English. They had no idea what any of it meant because a computer does all the work. Finally when I showed them where the actual measurements where and that there was literally not even a slight calibration adjustment required I had to explain that this pretty much would only be required after a collision or if I was track racing my Audi Q7 as a professional driver. Total SCAM! The heavily discounted it but I have not been back to the dealership except for recalls repairs. I also had two tires replaced by my mechanic and he told me my front two tires where in fine shape and no need to change them. 1 month later went in to Audi for a recall repair/update and they told me they needed to be replaced and recommended all 4 be replaced. They had not even looked to see the back tires where brand new. Audi needs a moral upgrade in their service department. Total racket.

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