Tires Unsafe?

[VLT]

Hey guys I have two tires, both are essentially new. I was curious of their safety though.

One is a brand new Pirelli with less than 50 miles on it. The problem is that a nail went in sideways into the center of the tread. The result is a chunk of tread missing from the center of the tire and a patch needed. The tire has been patched. Here is some pictures below.

http://i.imgur.com/6Jgfgz4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/W0nOOH0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mTzLLBo.jpg

The other tire is a new Bridgestone Turanza off of a full size spare from an E46. This tire has full tread on it but is from 2001. There is no dry rot on the tire. here is some pictures of this tire.

http://i.imgur.com/tobYzZx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fPD6HC5.jpg

My question is are either of these tires safe for driving?

[menewtobmw]

Here is the problem, you are in the desert which is terrible for tires. Running a tire from 2001, no way would I even consider that. What is the manufacture date on that (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11).

As far as the one with the chunk missing. You are just asking for it to pick up a rock, etc and puncture it or even cause a blow out. Go buy new tires and don't risk your's or someone else's life.

[Rudolph320i]

Yea, dont run a tire from 2001. I put tires that were 6 years old on the back of my s10 and they both slipped belts within 3 days.

[Jim@tirerack]

The tire industry says tires are good for 6 years of use or for 10 years from the date of mfg. You are past that on both. I would get new tires. If I can help let me know.

[BenFenner]

I will echo the concerns about the tires form 2001. I'm in amazement that it shows no dry rot, but it is still not safe.

The patched tire? I'd run that all day long for as long as it still has tread left or as long as it holds air. No big deal.

[VLT]

Thanks for the replies. I will toss the Bridgestone then. I was also surprised it shows no dry rot, especially in Vegas. These were going on a spare set of wheels I had. As far as the Pirelli, I have not yet mounted so I do not know if it holds air or not.

[Jim@tirerack]

The plug and patch will normally work but I would be a little nervous with the big chunk out of the tire.