Do I need a new spare tire?

[ArPix]

I am shopping for new tires for my 1987 BMW 325es. I excavated the spare tire as shown in the pic. Not sure if this tire is needing replacement. Can I get another 30 or so years out of it? I don't think it has ever been on the ground. What do you all think?

 

[AandPDan]

In my opinion, as a spare, go for it.

Yes, it's old but it hasn't been exposed to uv or other damage/wear.

I wouldn't drive it any great distance though.

I still have the original spare on my 2000 Dakota. Never been on the ground too. Still holding air - yes I do check it.

 

[ajchien]

If it were my spare, and the spare is the same size as the regular tires, I would buy 4 new tires, and use the "best old tire" as my spare.

If it were a different size spare, I'd consider putting a cheaper tire on it.

I don't particularly like tires over 8ish years old, but that's me.

 

[JamesBond]

On my e30 I put the good wheel from the spare on the car, I figured why have a pristine wheel just sitting in the trunk. I don't know if I would trust a 30 year old spare on the highway, no tire authority will tell you that it's ok. Maybe run it around town for a few weeks and see if it has any problems.

 

[supton]

How far will you ever have to drive on it? If it's only a few miles and then you'll get a new tire, well it'd be hard to bother. I do like the idea of using a good tire from a recent tire change though. That should be a cheap solution, maybe for the cost of one mount and balance.

Personally, unless if it's for showing off the car I'd replace it. If it's a problem for car shows (want to show original unmarred rim) I'd get another spare wheel for the purpose of being a true spare.

 

[Rat407]

I still have the original spare on my 2002 Silverado that has never been used.

 

[user52165]

Who, today, 30 years later, provides a full size mag as a spare?

 

[Kestas]

During tire replacement, I take the best of the 4 used tires and mount that for a spare. I'd rather have a newer worn tire than an old tire with full tread for a spare.

 

[tiger862]

If spare is same as rest and no tire pressure sensor why not get 5 new tires and rotate spare? This is one thing I don't miss on my vehicle is not having a spare. I don't worry about as only once in the last 20 years did i need a spare. I do keep road side service though with no spare not much that they can do.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted by user52165
Who, today, 30 years later, provides a full size mag as a spare?


Yeah, that rim is gorgeous. I'd offer it up on CL or wherever for a few hundred bucks in case there's a restorer who wants a perfect new rim. Then take his shabby but servicable old one with whatever tire holds air and was made this decade.

My 1983 merc had 5 alloys.

 

[Linctex]

If it HOLDS air, leave it alone.

Just don't try to win any races when driving on it.

 

[atikovi]

Sell that thing on Ebay and keep a can of fix a flat in the trunk, or get a $10 donut spare from the junkyard.

 

[ArPix]

Well, I think I will rotate the wheel to the ground with a new tire, then use one of the old wheel/tires as a spare. I have ordered four new Ohtsu FP 0612 a/s tires from America's Tire. It was surprising when shopping for tires how few are available in 14". I had to go to a 60 series, down from a 65 series, just to get the Ohtsus. I do kinda wonder how far that 32 yr. old Pirelli would go...

Thanks for your replies!

 

[Nick1994]

Definitely replace, especially if you're in an area that has any real heat unlike Massachusetts or Minnesota.

My Jeep's spare was 10 years old and I replaced it with a brand new tire. What's $100 every 10 years?

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Originally Posted by JamesBond
On my e30 I put the good wheel from the spare on the car, I figured why have a pristine wheel just sitting in the trunk. I don't know if I would trust a 30 year old spare on the highway, no tire authority will tell you that it's ok. Maybe run it around town for a few weeks and see if it has any problems.


Yes for me the normal thing would have been to have that tire in my rotation cycle.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Whatever you do, never trust an out of date tire.

Years ago I was in need of a tire and a rim, had a take off in a garage that had never been driven on, just beautiful. Put it on without a thought to the date.

Two weeks of driving later it blew spectacularly. We were lucky no one got hurt! Turned out it was 8 years old.


Tore up my fenderwell, and ruined the rim, too. I saved a lot of money (NOT!).