What 15 year old Potenzas look like

[LiteIsRite]

Angle of the pic I think, but that new Potenza, which also looks to be a 195/50x15, looks very different on the rim from the old one, & might help with some cushioning.

Yes, they are 195/50x15. To my eye the shoulders of the RE-003 ARE more rounded than the RE-01, but that pic seems to have exaggerated it a bit.

Anyway, I've just got back from my first drive, over my usual shakedown road, after fitting them. First impressions, taking into account that particular feel of a new set of tyres, are:
1) a definite decrease in harshness. That may simply be the greater thickness of rubber between the road and the tyre carcass or, perhaps more likely, new rubber that isn't nearly as hard
2) a more 'rubbery' response to steering input. This may be for the same reasons given in 1)
3) less intrusive road noise. A particular section of my test road includes a surface that would consistently have the old tyres 'humming'. With the RE-003, a similar tune can be heard - but it's like it's got a sock in it's mouth.

Harsh ride is mostly the Bilsteins - my NA8 still has them - good on freeways, but harsh on poor road surfaces.

Just for clarification, I don't have a set of Clubman Bilsteins... they are revalved units running Tein springs on the back and Kings on the front - but I don't know the characteristics of either.

[project.r.racing]

I'm surprized these have passed a RWC for the last 5 years.

Apparently and rightfully rwc checkers in Vic can knock a tyre back based on age / cracks.PS in Vic rwc only apply when a car is sold.

I've looked into the NSW legislation on this a little, specifically Clause 52 of Schedule 2 of the Vehicle Registration Regulation 2007 (http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/subordleg+522+2007+cd+0+N/?dq=Regulations%20under%20Road%20Transport%20(Vehicle%20Registration)%20Act%201997%20No%20119)
I don't see anything related to age there, only (under 'Tyres - defects') the sentence "A tyre fitted to a vehicle must be free of any apparent defect that could make the vehicle unsafe." So I guess pass/fail depends on what sort of day the inspection station staff are having.

So the cracks on you tyres only formed on your tyres only formed since last inspection? ie Less than 12 months ago?

p.s. Cracks are defects.

[LiteIsRite]

p.s. Cracks are defects.

Agreed... I guess, like me, the inspection station just didn't give the tyres a close enough look. Come to think of it, they also recently passed my other car, which had two tyres worn down to the indicators (it has a new set now). Perhaps I'll go elsewhere next time.

[LiteIsRite]

Forgot to mention that I weighed (wheel + RE01) and (wheel + RE003) for comparison purposes. From that I gather that the new tyre is about 0.5kg lighter.

[93_Clubman]

Bilsteins... they are revalved units running Tein springs on the back and Kings on the front - but I don't know the characteristics of either.

Useful improvement - if you wanted to follow-up, I know with the Kings there's an about a six character alpha-numeric in black on the spring coil itself which can shed light. Teins may have a similar identifier.

[LiteIsRite]

Useful improvement - if you wanted to follow-up, I know with the Kings there's an about a six character alpha-numeric in black on the spring coil itself which can shed light. Teins may have a similar identifier.

Cheers! I'll look into it.