How old is too old for tires?

[Stanley Rockafeller]

Looking at a new set of tires being sold from someone off of CL.

The tires are Continental DWS's and have gotten great reviews on tirerack. The size is 205 50 16's for my e30/

The tires have never been mounted and still have the original stickers on them. Problem is, is that these tires are about 4 years old acc. to the seller.

Is this a gamble worth taking? he wants 400 for the set I know these are great tires, but is this too old?

I'm going to check out the tires today. If they are too old I won't buy (acc to the date stamp on the sidewall). So far I can tell the tires should be maybe 3-4 years old. Also, the tires seem to have been stored outside, under a deck. The temps where I live seldom gets below 23F (-5C)

thanks in advance

 

[mason1125]

I would buy those if you think you'll use up the tires in 6 years, that's 2 more years of life left.

 

[StevieBoy]

Don't buy if you won't wear them out in 2 yrs or less. Tires should never be used past 6 years after the manufature date. Even my vehicle owners manual states that. You can find the same info many places on the web. May not be safe now if they were kept outside. IMHO

 

[Eddie]

I think 7 years is the max recomended life-time regardless of appearent condition. 3-4 years with no side-wall checking or cracks between the treads is a good to go tire in my opinion.. Ed

 

[The_Jeff]

I'm rolling on a twelve year old goodyear regatta. It's starting to show its age. I unmounted its partner and the bead was tough to break but it still looked great inside.

 

[Shelbybob]

I have a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE940's on my Shelby that were installed(gasp)about 20 years ago. The tires rarely see sunlight as I don't do shows and go mostly out at night for cruising. These tires appear brand new, absolutely no signs of dry rot. If the price is right,I'd go for it. It come down to how much sunlight they saw underneath his deck.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Id run them, you dont have Sharp Asphalt like down here.

My trucks tires go about every 2-3 years...

 

[Rand]

Pass those are only 113$ new.+ shipping so about 122$ new

thats not enough discount for a 4 year old tire.

if he wants to get down into 250$ territory it might be worth it if you drive at least 15000 miles a year.

I wouldnt feel bad about using them into a 7th year+ if they were stored properly they dont age as fast as on the vehicle.

are they bagged at least under the deck?

just noticed you are from canada.. I used usa pricing.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Rand
just noticed you are from canada.. I used usa pricing.

Yeah, I'm thinking they're more expensive up there. Still, I'd try to negotiate the price down more considering the age. The rubber hardens over time, regardless if the tire is used or not.

 

[fdcg27]

They should be okay.
They aren't that old.
This is a bit of an oddball size.
Offer him $200.00, and buy them for $250.00 tops.
If he won't budge, tell him thanks and bye.
Leave him a contact email in case he comes to his senses.

 

[Doog]

I would pay $200 tops for 4 year old tires.

 

[Dave Hess]

Yep, $200 max

 

[Kestas]

Agreed. Four years isn't that old. Check and see if there is any dry rot.

All too often I look at tires on Craigslist and find the tires that look new are up to 11 years old.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Agreed. Four years isn't that old. Check and see if there is any dry rot.

All too often I look at tires on Craigslist and find the tires that look new are up to 11 years old.


Most manufacturers warranty tires for 6 years and recommend changing them out then.

 

[The_Jeff]

The flaw in buying tires on craigslist is they don't depreciate enough due to age. IOW most buyers won't or don't know how to read the date code. Neither would sellers, or they'll keep quiet.

I run used tires; I get them from a junkyard who realizes they are a liability and something to get rid of quickly. Prices are way more reasonable than a private party. Most people try to get their mounting, balancing, nitrogen, alignment, and road hazard money back which is all useless once the tires are unmounted! 99% of used tire sellers near me are cheap jerks. These are the same toothless hicks who'll put a car up for sale and say "bring a battery to hear it run" because they put that walmart battery in Erma Mae's 92 corsica so she can take the triplets down to Linda Donna's daycare n' learnin' center.

 

[daves87rs]

No issues with my almost 9 year old Goodyears, granted the car has been shaded most of it's life. No dry rot...

Just for safety's sake, they'll be replaced...

I think you'll be fine if they are not in a the sun and heat all day...

 

[zzyzzx]

I'm still using 1998 Goodyear tires on a car that was garaged most of it's life. They look perfectly fine, but I will most likely replace them sometime soon anyway.