[bmwstve]

Hi, I purchased a set of tires online (Alibaba)

The tires are Dunlop SP Sportmaxx 285/35R21 and 325/30R21

When I purchased the tires, it was written in the webpage that the tires are NOT RUNFLATS. I'm ok with that since I don't like the stiffer ride of runflat tires

I received the tires few days ago, upon inspecting it, I noticed that there is no Load Rating and Speed Rating on the tire sidewall. Example: (108Y, 106W)

This raised my suspicion, I then searched several websites and I cant seem to find Dunlop SP Spotmaxx sizes 285/325 that are NOT RUNFLATS, all I found available in those sizes are DSST tires which are RunOnFlat tires.

Is there a way for me to check if the tires are original DUNLOPS or are fakes?

Pls kindly see the attached photos of the sidewall of the tires.

I will appreciate any help.
I'm concerned with the safety of the tires.

Thanks

[overcoil]

Is there a 'DOT' stamp on the sidewall?
I now see the DOT stamp but not reading the month & year of manufacture as I thought it would appear after the DOT stamp.
It could be a euro spec market tire ?

[Harlequin]

Yes.

They are not real tyres.

[bobblehead]

you bought them from Chinese online site.

FAKE. I don't see date of manufactured.

[inTgr8r]

Are knock off tires a big issue?
I hadn't really considered it before.

[BeEmVe]

My suggestion is to contact Dunlop. Mfg. are sensitive to counterfeit issues.

[K_style]

I personally never seen a counterfeit tire before... Learn something today,,,

[bobblehead]

Originally Posted by K_style

I personally never seen a counterfeit tire before... Learn something today,,,

The Chinese is master in counterfeiting, they even do toothpaste.

[....,,,,..,,..]

As mentioned, look for DoM.

There was a big thing over here a while back with Michelin getting hit heavy with counterfeit tyres.

Obviously the main thing with counterfeit tyres is lack of testing and you just do not know if it will go at anytime.

Admittedly, a lot of counterfeits come from the same plant as makes the genuine article, just the work is carried out 'after hours'...

[Turbmando]

Your tires are most likely real. The DOT week and year is only required on one side of the tire. Your tires are ZR and I do not believe the speed rating needs to be on the sidewall, it is considered open-ended. See this link from Toyo:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...8TJylgislM8rSA

The fact that these are non run on flat most likely means you have an older product. Check your DOT year and search online to see if a non run on flat product existed during that time.

Lastly contact Dunlop

[bobblehead]

Not speed rating

Op said load rating

[MightyMouseTech]

All the pics are of the outside of the tire. Any pics of the inside of the tire?

And yes, counterfeit tires are a thing.

Seems strange to buy tires from China that were "Made in Germany"?

Consumer Reports recently did a tire test between several lower end tires. One of them performed really badly, turns out it was a counterfeit tire.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...risk/index.htm

[stranger]

wow this is a scary thought. Never heard of anyone ever buying a fake tyre

[drewnel22]

Probably fake. Not sure why you would buy tires off Alibaba. Do they even sell any genuine items?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by stranger

wow this is a scary thought. Never heard of anyone ever buying a fake tyre

Europe was flooded with them back in 2005+.

A number of companies were hit.

Michelin I thInk were hit the most.

Tyres is one area I would never skimp on.

They are pretty much all that lies between you and a nice wooden Box.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Sorry man but ..

[GrantE83]

If it's too good to be true then it probably is

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Brigand

They are pretty much all that lies between you and a nice wooden Box.

Exactly.

What accelerates the car? Engine? Nope, the engine powers the wheels, it's the tires that accelerate the car.

What stops the car? Brakes? Nope, the brakes just slow down the wheels, the tires stop the car.

What turns the car? The steering? Nope, the steering just turns the wheels, the tires turn the car.

Tires are the absolute most important part of the car.

A car weighing 3500 lbs with 35 PSI in the tires will have a total contact patch of 100 sq inches, or average 25 sq inches per tire. That is the only thing making contact with the road. Buy the best damn tires you can get.

[chris82]

So you cheaped out, and now you have tires that you suspect are counterfiet and could very well BE counterfeit. Wonderful

[David70]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Are knock off tires a big issue?
I hadn't really considered it before.

If you really don't care you should just skip the fakes and buy one of the Chinese tire brands that no one has heard about and if things go bad will open under a different name tomorrow.

Personally not worth saving some percentage of a decent brands cost and getting something I have never heard about, don't know if they build a quality product, don't know if they meet required tests and don't know if they will be in business tomorrow.

Also wouldn't buy a product from Alibaba that was safety related.

[AM4ZING]

You can buy anything off Alibaba lol wouldn't be surprised if they've been re-carved lol

[M3Bimmer77]

Who in the world buys tires in Alibaba!!!! Your life depends on them them!!!! Wouldn't you buy tire on eBay or Amazon??? Where do you live!!!!! have you heard of fake tires blowing in the middle of a highway while going 80 mph??? People get killed by that. Get rid of those tires ASAP. Did the add says that they were fake? Complain about it, call Dunlop, call Obama and get good tires from a reputable shop or vendor.