I need to change out my r/f tires for non-run flat tires. The original tires have only 3,700 miles, but they are 10 years old and I don't trust them, even though they have been properly maintained.

I have decided on one of the following tires, in 205/50/16.

Pirelli P7AS

Continental Premiere DWS

Michelin Premier AS

Winter driving will not be an issue as my car will hibernate during the winter. Also, I will have a 22mm rear sway bar installed at the Dragon.

One thing I am interested in is 'road noise' and I can't find much info on this factor. As always, TIA for any help and information you can give.

 

10 years... ouch... yea it's time...

Since you put it up in the winter, why not go with just Summer Performance Tires?

Motor on!

 

I have Pirelli P7AS+ (non-RF) on my 2005 Mini Cooper S. The road noise in my opinion is very low and the ride reasonably comfortable. I drove it up to Mini on the Mack and the wind noise was much louder than any road noise.

Tirerack.com tire surveys include data on noise. The Pirelli's rated a 9.1 out of 10 on noise. The Michelin Premier A/S rated 8.6 out of 10 for noise.

 

I cannot decide....lol.
Yeah...
10 year old tires...sounds like time. I would not trust them.
Most likely anything will be better....rubber gets hard, and runflats were always loud and grip was so-so....

 

Heard a lot of good things about the Continental Premiere DWS. Not too sure about the road noise on those though.

 

If you are still indecisive, consider that a number of authorities recommend replacing tires after 10 years regardless of mileage.

The British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) recommended practice, issued June, 2001, states, "BRMA members strongly recommend that unused tyres should not be put into service if they are over six years old and that all tyres should be replaced ten years from the date of their manufacture."

"Environmental conditions like exposure to sunlight and coastal climates, as well as poor storage and infrequent use, accelerate the aging process. In ideal conditions, a tyre may have a life expectancy that exceeds ten years from its date of manufacture. However, such conditions are rare. Aging may not exhibit any external indications and, since there is no non-destructive test to assess the serviceability of a tyre, even an inspection carried out by a tyre expert may not reveal the extent of any deterioration."

More recently, the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) recommended practice, issued May, 2005, states, "Customers are encouraged to have their vehicle tires promptly inspected after five years of use to determine if the tires can continue to be used (recommends spare tires be inspected as well). Furthermore, even when the tires look usable, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires) that were made more than ten years ago be replaced with new tires."

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=138

 

He found a unicorn. The car is 10 years old, but he just got it. Original owner didn't ever use the car.

So gang, what's your fav tire?