Tyre age

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

Man of Honour
Joined
17 Oct 2002
Posts
160,222
Hi guys,

Whats the shelf life of tyres? I need 2 new rear tyres, was about to order a pair of Eagle F1 Assymetrics for £302 when I found a place flogging GS-D3's for £250 instead. I've currently got GS-D3's and are more than happy with the performance but they were discontinued about 18-24 months ago so these must be old stock.

Is it a good idea to buy tyres which have been sat around like that or should I stop being a cheapskate ***** and find the extra 50 quid? It'd also mean the rears would match the fronts as I've got GS-D3's all round atm.
 
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6 years (or 8, not 100%), pretty sure there is a way of checking via sidewall markings.
 
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I would put the GS-D3 so it matches all round.

I just put 2 premium contact 2 on the front and have been quite pleased with them over the last 600 miles. great grip, good in the wet and seem to be more comfortable over small bumps and thngs. Can really feel the pull when accelerating. /for anybody whos interested... My Rainsport 2s were great for grip but harder ride and lasted about 9K. I'd say the continentals are better so far.
 
think i read some where that a tyre loses 5% of grip a year.

For me not a problem, as i tend to go through a set a year.

Now i think about it i think it was some thing to do with some one wanting guidlines to be introduced to stop people selling tyres that were x years old as there son or something has died.
It was due to the tyres being 6 years old (or older) when they bought them and they had sat out in the sun all day in a garge forecourt in america and he's son crashed and died and the tyres were part to blame or some such.

If they been looked after ok only what 10% less grip, not to bad but seeing as you would get the aysm which i can only assume most be a better design (and improvement) i dont see why you would not get the improved version? You wouldn't buy a 4870 if you could get a 4890.
 
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Surely £50 is a decent amount for a student, more to spend on Drink or whatever :p

I'd save the £50, tyres will be fine.
 
you raise a good point, but i this case, i seam to remember that fox does really drink (or not to normal student levels) and certainly does pamper the car which i why i suspect in his case the newer tyres would be better. and why buy old tech.
 
One thing I would check more than the age is where they were maufactured. I had two sets that were manufactured in China and both sets went lumpy! Seriously they went lumpy. Sounded like wear bearings worn. Yet, the others I had that were German manufactured didn't suffer this problem.

Local eTyres guy confirmed it last time I had some. Had serious flat spots! Shame I can't have GSD3's anymore due to wheel size, but I am also more than happy with my A's I have now. No flat spots on those, but they are also German.
 
my father goes on about the age of tyres, according to ze german magazines if stored incorrectly and allowed to heat and cool tyres can be shagged in less than 18months.
 
whitecrook said:
Surely though Fox has GSD3 on already and therefore those tyres must be of a similar age?
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and exposed to the elements, which would affect them more quickly I would have thought?

I've never had cracked tyres on any of my cars unless they were like that when I bought it. I go through about 1 set on the front a year and maybe a set on the rear every two years.
 
[SKR]Phoenix;14601137 said:
and exposed to the elements, which would affect them more quickly I would have thought?

I've never had cracked tyres on any of my cars unless they were like that when I bought it. I go through about 1 set on the front a year and maybe a set on the rear every two years.
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Since Fox is looking for a rear set they'd probably last a year or less for him, perhaps finishing their useful life, at the same time as his part worn fronts, thereby enabling him to by a newer set of 'new tech' tyres in a years time.
 
I had Asymmetrics on the back and GSD3's on the front for a while, it was absolutely fine. Go for the Asymmetrics.
 
If you have GSD3s at present and the shelf life is fine then go for them. BMWs seem to behave like nonces when you put different tyres on front to rear.
 
It's 6 years.

As you know the ones I got were approx 4 years old, however its unlikely they will be on there for any more than a year before they're worn out.
 
After delivery the price difference is only 30 quid so I guess it comes down to whats best performance wise, Assy or GSD3 to match my fronts.
 
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