Michelin CUP shelf life...

[funtime]

As above, providing they've been stored in a garage out of direct sunlight would a pair dated 40th week of 2003 be alright? matched up with a pair of new cups on the other side of the car (one front and one rear) ?

Actually as I type that it sounds daft so I will await a flaming and a slapping from Shimmy

[glendog74]

Should be ok when warmed up fully - i used a pair of 'Shimmy Special' fronts on track last year and they were fine. (mfg 2003)

Ideally though you should have tyres of similar type/age on the same axle...

[funtime]

Originally Posted by glendog74

Should be ok when warmed up fully - i used a pair of 'Shimmy Special' fronts on track last year and they were fine. (mfg 2003)

Ideally though you should have tyres of similar type/age on the same axle...

Ok cool, think I'll avoid though like you say each axle should have the same!

for anyone that wants them, there's one brand new front and rear for £350 on pistonheads

[NZ_M3]

Generally speaking all tyres have a shelf life of 6 years whether they've been stored correctly or otherwise.

Rubber deteriorates whether you store it correctly or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngIK4dmTGic

Personally I wouldn't risk my car for a couple of hundred pounds.

[mattCSLnut]

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

Generally speaking all tyres have a shelf life of 6 years whether they've been stored correctly or otherwise.

Rubber deteriorates whether you store it correctly or not.

Personally I wouldn't risk my car for a couple of hundred pounds.

Well said Tom and absolutely correct I wouldn't fit six year old, ordinary road tyres to my daily donkey let alone to my CSL.
I'd hazard a guess but if you had a blow out due to sudden de-lamination and consequently caused an accident, damaging your car and maybe others, the Insurance company could use this as a reason to invalidate the policy.