Tyres manufactured 2002, change them?

[Two Stallions]

I have a friend with a low mileage (around 8K) 2002 360 Modena with the original front tyres still on. They are dated mid 2002 but only half worn. The rears have recently been changed, do you think it would be a good idea to change the fronts considering their age? The car is always stored in a dry garage and never really abused, but 7 year old rubber on a performance car?

Would you recommend changing them? Thanks.

[VAG1]

Are there crack/fatigue marks on them? If it's a performance car I would change them.

[Two Stallions]

No cracks or fatigue marks visible.

[AL001]

7yrs old, car sitting in one place most of that time.

Change them.

Poor car.

[neil-f]

Take it on a track day and wear them out

[nomisesor]

I know it's a long time ago, but when I was a child in the late 60s my parents left me with grandma and went on holiday in their Aston DB2/4. On the way back from Italy they had a front wheel puncture and put the unused, pristine spare on. It probably dated from when my father bought the car new in ?'56 ?'58 - an Aston enthusiast will know when these were made*. About 100 miles later there was a rapid tap tap tap from the front at about 90-100mph (few speed police around in France in those days!). My father stopped as soon as possible and found a grapefruit-sized lump had appeared in the sidewall of the spare. Much longer and a blowout would probably have ensued.
Though tyre technology has improved since then I'd suggest it's not worth economising on tyres, especially at the front ...

• Edit, it was probably bought in '54.

Edited by nomisesor on Friday 18th September 21:32

Edited by nomisesor on Friday 18th September 22:01