I have a different take on OEM tires.
They are often cheater tires. On high end models, it's highly likely they are tailored and tweaked to the exact qualities that the OEM developer wants for their design goals and benchmark metrics. None of which is the definition of a cheap tire just to roll off the production line with.
If there a place to cheap out on, it's not where the rubber meets the road as the single most critical component in the chain. As mentioned elsewhere, they are often differing compounds and construction to the retail version of the tire. They might also be shaved with thinner tread depths. To get that extra bit of traction, braking, cornering, decreased rolling resistance, etc. that reviewers benchmark vehicles with.
That they don't shine in enthusiasts metrics is not what they care about. We're also willing to give up a lot as enthusiasts.
I'm glad that Toyota is turning into their enthusiasts market though. Falken Wildpeaks were ridiculed early on from naysayers and they've shown up on everything from G-Wagons, Porsches, Jeeps, etc. Great to hear the Toyo ATIIIs are factory fitment as well. Both solid ATs that serve that function well, while still having great core attributes.
They are often cheater tires. On high end models, it's highly likely they are tailored and tweaked to the exact qualities that the OEM developer wants for their design goals and benchmark metrics. None of which is the definition of a cheap tire just to roll off the production line with.
If there a place to cheap out on, it's not where the rubber meets the road as the single most critical component in the chain. As mentioned elsewhere, they are often differing compounds and construction to the retail version of the tire. They might also be shaved with thinner tread depths. To get that extra bit of traction, braking, cornering, decreased rolling resistance, etc. that reviewers benchmark vehicles with.
That they don't shine in enthusiasts metrics is not what they care about. We're also willing to give up a lot as enthusiasts.
I'm glad that Toyota is turning into their enthusiasts market though. Falken Wildpeaks were ridiculed early on from naysayers and they've shown up on everything from G-Wagons, Porsches, Jeeps, etc. Great to hear the Toyo ATIIIs are factory fitment as well. Both solid ATs that serve that function well, while still having great core attributes.
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