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[leif20]

I have a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports on my 2006 330i, i bought them last year on craigslist from a guy who sold his BMW. The DOT code on the tire is 2214, so 23rd week of 2014 making them just over 5 years old now. I believe he ran them for a half season, they were stored indoors for at least 2.5 full years, and then I've run them for 1.5 seasons now. I don't push the car too hard, but from what I can tell grip is very good in all conditions. I don't notice too much road noise or harsh ride. I see some signs of hairline cracking and discoloration on the very edges of the tires (the outside). This is normal for old tires, but at what point does it start to get unsafe?




I was planning to run these tires the rest of the summer (I have winters that I will put on in November), but then beyond this would you feel confortable running these over 5 year old tires? Tread-wise they are in good shape and I like this tire a lot, so if possible I'd like to get another summer out of them. I'll be storing them in my garage in the Canadian winter where temps can range from -15 deg c to +10 deg C inside (non-insulated).

[Expert@ApexWheels]

There isn't really a definitive age where tires become unsafe. It's like asking how long an engine will last, and there are unlimited variables to consider. Although you're unlikely to have a random blowout, when the tires are old and dry enough to begin cracking, they have hardened to the point where grip is significantly reduced, which means longer stopping distances and less predictable handling in emergency situations.

You're be better off with a new lower-cost summer/all-season tire than old, dry/cracked high-end tires.

--Dylan

[Riceball777]

5 years is fine. They say times lake 10 years when in storage and 6 years when outside mounted on a car

[Gamb1t]

I had a pair of summer tires that was 12 years old before I replaced them because one of them got a puncture. No signs of rubber fatigue nor dry rot. Always kept in doors though. Still had good tread life.

[pedro2u]

I bought a set of 10 year old Michelin's that been sitting in my friends basement for 8 years (after he sold a car). They looked fine. I wanted to mount them on my 745i and took them to several tire places that refused to mount them and also put them on the car..... One of them was willing to mount them on the rims but only if I went home, pulled the wheels myself and returned with just the wheels. They then mounted them and I had to take them home and put them back on the car myself.

They wanted to limit all liability. In fact just wrote "Mount/balance 4 tires" on my receipt.....

But in my case, the tires were on for 3 years until I sold the car this year

[david in germany]

Check on the manufacturer web site, iirc continental says 6 years other companies say similar.

[American Cincinnatus]

Basically when they start dry-rotting right? I remember my E30 had the original *WEST GERMAN* Michelin spare in the trunk and it was still gorgeous. Probably helps that it was hidden from the sun though.

Drove an '82 911 with original tires on it a few years back lol and I lived to tell the tale.

[lowrydr310]

I recently picked up a complete set of wheels from a forum member (I just needed the wheels) but to my surprise they have Bridgestone Turanza EL42 runflats mounted, with a date code from 2010. They appear to be in excellent shape despite being 9 years old since they were stored in a garage. I was planning to use them as-is.

The age of the tire doesn't worry me, it's the reviews on these tires even when new that is making me think twice.

[NinetyEight740]

I wouldn’t drive on those tires... the first picture shows the rubber is cracking and failing.