Help! Big problem with brand new tyres

[estorilBM]

Hi, I have bought a pair of brand new Dunlop SP Sport Maxx (non-runflat) tyres (325/30ZR21) and had them fitted to my Genuine 21" Alpina alloys.

The problem is that when I tried to fit them back on the car, the tyres are too wide and will not fit. They are touching the inside of the arch and will rip the tyre to pieces if the wheel was to go round.

The size of the tyre is correct and the tyres I replaced were Dunlop SP9000 in the same size (325/30ZR21).

I have 2 sets of 21" Alpina's and the second set has still got the SP9000 tyres on. So I fitted one of the rear wheels from the second set on the back of my X5 and there is plenty of clearance, I can put my hand in between the back of the wheel and arch, but on the 1st set of 21" Alpina's with the SP Sport Maxx there is no space at all.

On further inspection I laid the 2 wheels down next to each other and measured the width. Both the alloys are the same wheels, both same width and part number. But the 2 Dunlop tyres are different widths.

I have taken pics so you can see











The pics show clearly the size on both tyres and that the SP Sport Maxx is 30mm wider than the SP9000 even though they are supposedly the same size.

As far as I know, only Dunlop make the tyre in this size. Michelin use to but stopped some time ago.

So I have paid nearly £700 (GBP) for 2 tyres that are no good to me and probably cannot be returned as they have been mounted on wheels.

Has anyone had this problem before?