Help! Are these tires safe?
 

Hi all, I just bought my first Mustang and this is my first post here. My '05 GT still has the stock 17" rims so I immediately posted an ad looking for someone getting rid of some stock 19's from their own 2010+ GT. A guy got back to me saying he had some mint wheels off his 2010 GT but the tires (Pirelli PZero Neros) only had 6/32's left and had what he calls weather cracking in some of the treads. The sidewalls look to be fine from the pics but I havent asked directly.

Anyway, the internet seems to be split as to whether these tires are safe to drive on. I need the tires as much or more than the wheels so no point getting them if they're garbage anyway. Can I get some expert opinions as to whether this damage is cosmetic as he claims or more serious? (BTW the last pic is my car with the current rims) :)

Thanks!

Welcome, nice ride. I'm not a fan of used tires, personally if they had cracks like that I'd be moving on, or looking for something different. There's plenty of guys selling tires, but why the hurry to get new ones? Those 17's are a good looking wheel, why not just get some new rubber for them? Is that a Transformer emblem I see on the front fender ? I thought the Bumblebee car was a Camaro. lol Just joking, like the colour a lot.

Hey thx for the welcome. Ya, the cracks are worrying me, although the guy says he had them looked at and they're just the result of the tires naturally aging and being exposed to UV and weather and such and they're just superficial and not dangerous. I'm skeptical but internet searches turned up forum comments saying to avoid them but lots saying that happens to lots of tires, no big deal safety-wise, so I'm soliciting opinions from people with more car knowledge than me to try and find the general consensus.

P.S. Yes the new Bumblebee was a Camaro, but only because GM dumped a pile of cash on Michael Bay. If they were going to make Bumblebee a muscle car, I think we all agree he should have looked like mine :)

Welcome to CMOC! I would error on the side of safety and just find new tires.

the cracks may not cause any issues safety wise.
But if they are that old, they will not have good grip.
Tires tend to lose grip with each year of age, regardless of tread depth.

Ditto what AP says. Had Pirelli Low Profile on my 2007 GT when it arrived last year. I was not impressed with them. As AP says the wheels look great just spend some money on new rubber. I stayed with the 17 inch size and went with BF Goodrich Super Sport tires.

I know according to the manufacturers some amount of cracking is acceptable, but I wouldn't trust them and I certainly wouldn't pay for tires that are cracking. There tends to be plenty of almost new take offs floating around for these cars so I'd hold out for something better.

Welcome to CMOC. You have an investment in your car, do yourself a favor and get new rubber.

I have those exact rims on my 2012, they were salvaged from the trade-in with my 2010. The Pirelli's come stock on the GT's in 2010. I am betting those tires are original. If you have your heart set on the rims base your asking price on the rims alone. If you do purchase the rims, ditch the tires and get new ones.

Welcome aboard. I would pass on those!!