Old Tyres - new wheels?

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   My E24 Highline is still running on the original wheels fitted with 240/45ZR415 Michelin TRX GT tyres.  When I had an unexpected MOT failure on one last year I baulked at the �330 for a replacement and sourced a couple of used tyres with 5mm of tread.

I've had no problems but at a meet recently I was advised to worry about the age of my tyres.  I turns out that some of them are 1994 vintage and the recent two are 1989!!

How worried should I be?  

Are these tyres still manufactured or if I buy new will they be from old stock?

If I upgrade the wheels how do I decide the size?  I have seen 225/45 17 and 225/50 16 fitted to other E24s.

Grateful for any advice.

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Keith Robson Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote Keith Robson Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Old Tyres - new wheels? Posted: 03 May 2010 at 7:44pm
	My E24 Highline is still running on the original wheels fitted with 240/45ZR415 Michelin TRX GT tyres. When I had an unexpected MOT failure on one last year I baulked at the �330 for a replacement and sourced a couple of used tyres with 5mm of tread. I've had no problems but at a meet recently I was advised to worry about the age of my tyres. I turns out that some of them are 1994 vintage and the recent two are 1989!! How worried should I be? Are these tyres still manufactured or if I buy new will they be from old stock? If I upgrade the wheels how do I decide the size? I have seen 225/45 17 and 225/50 16 fitted to other E24s. Grateful for any advice.

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Jay Stride Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 23 Aug 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jay Stride Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Aug 2010 at 9:46am
	Very worried I think! I bought a Z3 last year...2001 with 13,000 miles on the clock and the original tyres which were half worn. They looked fine except that pulling out of turnings with a bit of throttle could be interesting! Changed them and the tyre dealers showed me how the inner parts of the tread had lost their plasticisers and were rock hard. The ride on the new tyres transformed the car. If you search on "wheel sizes" there should be a link to a sizing URL which I found very helpful.
	Jay

Bern Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Region Chair Central Region Chairman Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1237	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bern Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 9:17am
	Tyres only have a 7 year recommended life. As mentioned above changes to the material composition, both by natural and by sunlight, means the tyres become unreliable for road use.
	Drive a BMW and you will have a smile on your face every time (and- drive twice as far as you need to !!)