Winter Tire Life Expectancy

Kid Eh · 09-15-2011, 07:28 AM

Tried looking for an answer to this but didn't come up with much. I have a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3D's that I have been using for winters. I have used them for 5 entire winters. I started back in Dec 2006. I'm not really sure of the mileage on them. I would have to guesstimate about 50K kilometers. I checked the tread depth and they are roughly around 8/32 still. Should I use them again for a 6th winter? I heard people say that the rubber degrades over time and might not have the same properties as when they were new. I don't want to put them on and then a few weeks in find out they don't perform anymore. At the end of last winter they still seemed to do fine. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.

Jobu · 09-15-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid Eh

Tried looking for an answer to this but didn't come up with much. I have a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3D's that I have been using for winters. I have used them for 5 entire winters. I started back in Dec 2006. I'm not really sure of the mileage on them. I would have to guesstimate about 50K kilometers. I checked the tread depth and they are roughly around 8/32 still. Should I use them again for a 6th winter? I heard people say that the rubber degrades over time and might not have the same properties as when they were new. I don't want to put them on and then a few weeks in find out they don't perform anymore. At the end of last winter they still seemed to do fine. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.

My Bridgestone LM-22's gave my wife three good years, after which they lost some of their bite. I believe that the high silica portion of the tread only goes down halfway, so when you've worn through that, the winter traction degrades somewhat. I upgraded to pure winter snows, LM70's I think to have the best traction possible from my 2WD 530i.

Why not upgrade and use the 3D's in the warm weather while they still have tread?

Gary@TireRack · 09-15-2011, 12:48 PM

Most see about 20,000 winter miles which is two to four seasons for most.

Kid Eh · 09-15-2011, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll be searching for some new shoes.

09-15-2011, 07:28 AM	#1
Kid Eh I used to be conceited, now I'm perfect. 570 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 CS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	Winter Tire Life Expectancy Tried looking for an answer to this but didn't come up with much. I have a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3D's that I have been using for winters. I have used them for 5 entire winters. I started back in Dec 2006. I'm not really sure of the mileage on them. I would have to guesstimate about 50K kilometers. I checked the tread depth and they are roughly around 8/32 still. Should I use them again for a 6th winter? I heard people say that the rubber degrades over time and might not have the same properties as when they were new. I don't want to put them on and then a few weeks in find out they don't perform anymore. At the end of last winter they still seemed to do fine. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated. __________________ 2018 M3 CS - Alpine White l l "I used to be conceited. Now I'm perfect"
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09-15-2011, 12:48 PM	#3
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	Most see about 20,000 winter miles which is two to four seasons for most. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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09-15-2011, 01:42 PM	#4
Kid Eh I used to be conceited, now I'm perfect. 570 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 CS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 CS [0.00]	Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll be searching for some new shoes. __________________ 2018 M3 CS - Alpine White l l "I used to be conceited. Now I'm perfect"
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