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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731   
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In Germany,for what it's worth, the TÜV (official regulators) recommend that car Summer tyres should not be older that 5 years and Winter tyres no more than 4 years (they age worse). They often fail tyres more than 6-7 years old if they begin to show even mild ageing. I have 5 year old Winter tyres and they are bloody loud (new ones next year).
However, the TÜV are more lenient on commercial vehicles (probably due to thickness and lower speeds. They say no more than 10 years unless they have been used continually (i.e. not swapped for Winters etc.) As the TÜV are very strict and Defender tyres are pretty solid and used at lower speeds, if there isn't a law in the UK I would say you're good for at least ten years - obviously depends on how the rubber looks. p.s. oops  misread the question. Main problems are damage (especially sidewall) and oxidation/cracking of the rubber (incredibly different rubber qualities, even within a brand).
Matt Tell someone you love them today because life is short. But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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11th Feb 2012 3:53pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20348 
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I think that age and tyre's only really comes in when they're laid up for long periods of time exposed to the elements.
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11th Feb 2012 3:56pm |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
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Absolutely - hence the increased life if in continuous use. Also why the spare tyre should be rotated with the others. Just read something about ongoing vulcanisation from new and plasticisers drifting away from the surface of the tread. Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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11th Feb 2012 4:06pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665 
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I found this:
You should be OK for a few years, especially if you store the tyres out of direct sunlight... Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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12th Feb 2012 8:23am |
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| shaun.mobile Member Since: 12 Dec 2011 Location: England Posts: 156 
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i used to drive a vw passat. it had over 100k on the clock and there were a couple of incidents where i spun in damp conditions at quite low speeds.
i couldn't understand why as the tyre had good tread. then i got a puncture in one of the fronts and mentioned the incidents to the tyre fitter. he looked at the rear tyres, pointed to one of the codes and told me that it represented the year of manufacture and that they were the original tyres and due to age the rubber would have hardened. i queried how this could be possible on a five year old car with 100k on the clock and he said that if you don't carry much weight in the back they last forever (front wheel drive). i thought he might be spinning me a line however the spinning incidents had unerved me so i allowed him to change them. once they were off the car it was plain to see. the inner tyre walls were all hard and cracked. the problem disapeared witht he new tyres so i was convinced. |
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12th Feb 2012 8:25am |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8581
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There used to be a move to get a law past (or was it tyre industry recommendations?) that tyres should not be sold if they were 5 or 6 years old.
Whereas UV is considered to be the major cause of tyre rubber degradation, other important factors include thermal (heat build up from incorrectly inflated tyres as well as solar) plus salt. OK winter time salt is applied to our roads, but if you live close to the sea that could affect your tyres. MOT inspectors are now looking at micro cracking on side Walls as well as tread depth etc. IIRC the BFG site has a load on about tyre degradation. Just remember those black round things are rather important when it comes to the safety of you and your family. Brendan |
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12th Feb 2012 9:01am |
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| RED-DOT Member Since: 29 Jun 2009 Location: stirling Posts: 2363 
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My mates series 3 just passed an MOT with the original cracked tyres... i just couldn't believe how bad two of them were. 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..
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12th Feb 2012 10:29am |
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| scamp Member Since: 05 Feb 2012 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 29 |
My uncle has just replaced the original issue tyres on his 1997 300TDI 90. 67k miles and only went in for a slow puncture to be fitted. The tyre guy said he could fix it but the tread depth was getting low and as they were showing cracks in the side walls strongly suggested that all tyres be changed. Once off it was discovered that all the tyres showed a manufacturing date of 1989. No adviseries were issued on the old tyres at the last MOT.
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13th Feb 2012 3:43pm |
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| alfajock Member Since: 12 Jan 2011 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 227 
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Absolutely right - that's why I bought very expensive BFGs in the first place. Thanks all, sounds like in principle they should be fine but condition is the key. I'll make a very close inspection at the time. Fully Restored 89 110 CSW V8 CLS 350 CDI for the sensible stuff |
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13th Feb 2012 4:12pm |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
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That's a very good point! When the German TÜV say 10 years for commercials, they mean from the date of manufacture  Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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13th Feb 2012 8:28pm |
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