Another Tire Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 17
From: Macon GA
Another Tire Question
I have a 2000 coupe (A4/Z51) with 21000 miles and the original run flat Goodyears. The tires still have good mileage left on them but they are 8 years old. My question, from a safety perspective, is should I replace them now or run them till the wear out. Car is typically used for trips and weekend driving and being from the south where the highways get pretty hot in the summer safety is the primary issue.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
Check tires carefully for any tiny dry rot cracks,if none don't worry, on the other hand you probably don't have but about 3k mile left on them,24k is about all you can expect out of thses tires,I went with Toyo Proxy's, they have longer tread life ,quieter ride and more comfortable but not a run flat either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
The tire industry is trying to get 6 years as tire life, but aren't having agreement.
Check for cracks on the sidewalls and in the grooves between tread, if none you should be okay. It helps if your car and tires were garaged, Sun is the enemy of tires.
BTW, I get 55,000 miles front tires and 45,000 from rear OEMs. I just took off a second set, that I bought for the polished thinspokes (I had wagon wheels) and they were from a 2000 and I ran them until bald with no problems. I have 118,000 miles on my 1998.
Check for cracks on the sidewalls and in the grooves between tread, if none you should be okay. It helps if your car and tires were garaged, Sun is the enemy of tires.
BTW, I get 55,000 miles front tires and 45,000 from rear OEMs. I just took off a second set, that I bought for the polished thinspokes (I had wagon wheels) and they were from a 2000 and I ran them until bald with no problems. I have 118,000 miles on my 1998.
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Eight year old EMT's with 24K are probably pretty noisy and ride like wood, I would think. If for no other reason than to improve ride, handling and quiet - I would consider something else.
There are aftermarket run-flats like the Michelin that will improve all of these areas....it will be like having a different car. There are a lot of choices in various price ranges.
Another thing to consider - if you are even thinking about different wheels other than stock, unless you plan to retain the stock wheel sizes, consider doing it all at the same time to avoid having brand new tires that won't fit your new wheels.
There are aftermarket run-flats like the Michelin that will improve all of these areas....it will be like having a different car. There are a lot of choices in various price ranges.
Another thing to consider - if you are even thinking about different wheels other than stock, unless you plan to retain the stock wheel sizes, consider doing it all at the same time to avoid having brand new tires that won't fit your new wheels.
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My 02 with 10,000 miles on it has the original run flats and they are like new. They handle and ride fine and have no cracks. If your car was a garage queen like mine it probably didn't see much ultraviolet light from the sun so they don't dry rot as quickly. I'm keeping mine until they wear out at about 40,000 miles.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 17
From: Macon GA
Car lives in a garage so no direct sunlight. Sidewalls look like new but there is some cracking in the grooves between the treads. I will probably go to Michelin P/S Run Flats in the spring and keep the OEM Custom Sport Wheels. Thanks for the information.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Make sure that is cracking, OEM's have "belt ridges" between the tread.
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