M/T Drag radial life expectancy 4yrs/10k +

D-CEL · #1 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 04:08 PM

I mounted my first set of 325-50-15 M/T’s on 5-15-2005. As I recall, the car had about 25-26k miles on the odometer. For those that don’t know me, I drive the carp out of this car at every chance I get. The local canyon, lots of street, no track days yet, but I will on this set, I swear!
Anyway, at long last, they reached the end of there lives.
On 6-22-2009 with 37,304 miles on the clock, I mounted a new set. They still held air and drove perfectly, but both tires had a ½ inch by 2-3inch stripe of cord showing, dead in the center, so they had to go.
They did everything I could have asked and more. They never got hard and they even worked without complaint in a (light) rain.
4 years and over 10000 miles out of a tire that offers this much traction is amazing and gets a 10/10 in my book.
I thought everybody should know.

Jason

terry lee · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 04:35 PM

Good news to know for the future.
I also think they look great.
TL

RedBarchetta · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 08:51 PM

My set may (no, will) be up for sale soon. Too bad you needed to replace at this point. They are excellent street tires, but I have a passion for the Billboards and have a set in route.

-Dean

MaSnaka · #4 (**permalink**) 06-26-2009, 09:56 PM

Hey Dean,
Hang on to your MT's until your sure your passion for BB's goes beyond looks. I went the other way...BB's first then 400 miserable miles later the MT's. I agree with Jason's comments on the MT's as I am very happy with them too. BB's look great and seem to work out well for a lot of guys, just not for me. 10,000 miles is incredible.

John

RedBarchetta · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2009, 08:26 AM

Hi John,

Yes, I've been thinking about that and will get a few miles on the BB's before I make the decision to sell the MT's. I'm also running a 10.5" rear rim for my 325s, so I don't know if they will affect the ride/look of the BB's or not. My guess is that everything will be okay despite the extra inch. The section width (sidewall to sidewall) on both are nearly identical (around 13").

-Dean

Naumoff · #6 (**permalink**) 06-28-2009, 07:17 AM

Dean,
Get another set of rims for your Billboards then you can swap out.
I love the look and traction of my Billboards but remember they are bias ply tires. Tire pressure is critical.

RedBarchetta · #7 (**permalink**) 06-28-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naumoff

Dean,
Get another set of rims for your Billboards then you can swap out.

That was my original plan and I had a complete set of spare rims at one point. Other matters surfaced and I had to sell them. I'm just going to mount the Billboards on my existing rims and go with that.