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2003 with original tires - replace?

Old Mar 1, 2019 | 03:06 PM
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Default 2003 with original tires - replace?

Asking here because I don't belong to any bimmer forums, and you guys know more about the collectible aspect and the tire tech than they would anyway, so:

I have a 2003 M3 Convertible with the original tires and about 14,000 original miles. Guess I drive the Vette a lot more than the M3!

Anyway, I was looking at the tires and they're sort of checked and cracked on the surface, and they're 16 years old. Is there any logic by which I do not replace them, or should I store them? I'm thinking replace and store, since I have the room. Crazy? I have no idea if these cars will ever become collectible, but I keep the mileage low having the original tires can't hurt!

I assume I'm not being reactionary by replacing 16 year old tires? They get NO UV light, just age in my humidity-and-temperature-controlled shop. But that's still 16 years....

Thanks!
Dave
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 03:18 PM
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The shelf life of tires is 10 years. I would not drive very fast on those tires before replacing them.
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 03:18 PM
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Absolutely get new tires. No need to save the old ones.
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by C5inWV
Absolutely get new tires. No need to save the old ones.
I agree. The 2003 M3 will never see the value that the E30 enjoys. Far too many produced however, if your not going to drive it why bother with new tires.
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 05:48 PM
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You know why Paul Walker died?

He was in a car on original tires that were way too old.

Fifteen year old tires are a DEATH TRAP.

I rate performance tires at 6 years at the absolute maximum. Beyond that, they may look great, but they will drive like garbage. I replaced mine after 6 years with the same kind, and it was night and day.
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 08:41 PM
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Dont waste your time storing those tires. No one,,,,and I mean No one....would put those tires back on the car if you were to sell it. 16 year tires are sort of like...." Planned obsolecense". You are going to even have to pay the tire store to take them off of your hands....
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Josephu
Dont waste your time storing those tires. No one,,,,and I mean No one....would put those tires back on the car if you were to sell it. 16 year tires are sort of like...." Planned obsolecense". You are going to even have to pay the tire store to take them off of your hands....
Get Jon run flats and the car will feel like a different car...I had 16 year old tires and the looked fine but were rock hard with zero traction...very dangerous
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by C5inWV
Absolutely get new tires. No need to save the old ones.
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Old Mar 1, 2019 | 10:32 PM
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Thanks all! Ordered new tires and booked install appointment!
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Old Mar 2, 2019 | 07:28 PM
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Default Keep your Original wheels & tires

Not sure if your interested in NCRS as the 03 & 04 are the next cars in line for Judging and tires are worth about 30 points. What I did was buy another set of wheels for $500 and bought new tires for them. That way I keep my original wheels and tires together.You can always sell your wheels & tires in the future.

Mike
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