Edited by daveyjp on 12/08/2018 at 10:35

To me, AO (or equivalent for other makes - note how many are German brands) are rip-offs just to jack up the price of the tyres and direct you to makes that may have an OEM tie-in with that car manufacturer. All it means is that those tyres were likely used for the R&D testing of that model and/or they are the OEM fitted tyres - its not as though other tyres will be unsafe or less safe, especially as most quality branded ones will be of newer design than those already fitted, so are possibly even better.

Its not as though AO type tyres are required for all other brands - I've seen basic Audi cars (SE models), standard VWs etc 'requiring' AO tyres, which is, to me, a load of BS. Maybe specialist tyres for a top-of-the-range S3 with 4WD...even then, many brands of tyre have perfectly great alternatives, sometimes better.

I'd check on fitters' websites, e.g. Blackcircles - stick your car reg details etc in and up will come ALL the compatible tyres (once you confirm the size) available for that car. You'll likely find you'll save a reasonable of money by chosing an non AO alternative.

I'd also check out the Tyre Reviews website to see how people with your model find this and alternative tyres - you can check out reviews by car, or make of tyre, or size of tyre. Be aware though that with the latter two, its best to concentrate on review for cars of similar characteristics to yours - handling, perfomance, how its driven (given) and type of mileage done as well as the age and make/model of the car. If yours is *likely) a FWD car, then I'd forget reviews for RWD cars as their tyre usage and wear isn't the same, even on cars of similar performance.