Quote Originally Posted by BigMW View Post
I suspect 250 and 250a ARE the same tire (compound, pattern, thickness, weight), but one is sold on the open market, at market prices. The other was a bulk purchase by the factory, at near cost prices, so they asked for it to be identified differently, so that the tire company is not responsible for warranty. If car manufacturer decides to warranty it, then you get it from them

Edit: note the key words "I suspect" - this is strictly my guess
Like you said, that's purely speculation on your part. I never assume. The Mirage factory tire is on the open market in the States Almost every tire vendor seems to carry the factory Falken tire found on the Mirage.

I would like to think putting a different UTQG rating on the same tires would be illegal, but I don't think those ratings are regulated by anyone.

Ask Falken if their 320BB rated tire with no warranty is the exact same tire as their 720AB rated tire with an 80,000 mile warranty & let us know what you find out?