[petrel]

Thank you very much for your insights. I was buying into the logic of the rubber's suspended animation while in storage, until Michelin said they drew the line at 3 years of storage. That would mean that the tires I was offered were already over half way through their shelf life. If they do not deteriorate in storage, why draw the line on shelf life?

I must admit that this has been an interesting exercise. Two dealers are actively trying to find me fresher tires. One refuses to look and dismisses the storage issue. Michelin themselves seem to come down right in the middle.

I'll see if the last dealer near me comes through today. After that I may start shopping other brands.