A message from our friends at The Tire Rack:
Tire Rack wants to conduct performance comparison tests that will showcase the influences of tire age during the different stages of a single tire model’s life. Our desire is to evaluate the handling capabilities, as well as braking and cornering traction of tires manufactured within the last year to that of tires approximately 5 and 10 years old.
In order to acquire a half-dozen each of 5 and 10 years old tires, Tire Rack will exchange a new tire (or credit its value towards another purchase) for never-used 205/55R16-sized Original Equipment (O.E.) spare tires from selected 1999 and 2004 model year BMW E46 3-Series cars.
The Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus (MSPN 79258) will be the tire of choice since it was one of the most frequently used Original Equipment (O.E.) tires of the period that is still available today.
Spare tires representing 1999 tire production have DOT Tire Identification Codes (serial numbers) in which the last three digits read 019 through 539
Example: DOT XXXX XXXX 109
Spare tires representing 2004 tire production have DOT Tire Identification Codes (serial numbers) in which the last four digits read 0104 through 5304
Example: DOT XXXX XXXX 0104
In order to initiate the process, BMW E46 owners who believe they have an eligible never-used spare tire should email a picture of their spare tire’s tread and Tire Identification Code (serial number) for confirmation.
Upon review, Tire Rack will acknowledge eligibility via. email and contact you to initiate an order that will ship a new tire at our expense. We will also provide a prepaid FedEx label to return the spare tire to our South Bend headquarters.
Once the never-used spare tire has been received in South Bned, we will mail a $25 Tire Rack gift certificate to offset the costs associated with mounting and balancing.
NOTE: We are only looking for a half-dozen tires manufactured during both time periods at this time.
