What caused this tire damage?
 

I pulled this rear wheel from my '95 E320 Cabriolet and found the tire breaking apart near the rim. What would cause that?

http://www.fototime.com/AF1F9E1CACD726F/standard.jpg

atikovi, the tire appears to be dry rotted. How old is the tire?

It looks like it has been driven with a flat.
Otherwise (very) old age.

Looks dangerous!

Rob

Not sure how old, I'll check for the date code.

Then why isn't the other side like that?

X 2

Dry rot.

Driving on a flat tire exhibits enTIREly different damage.
As requested, verify the manufacture date, I'll bet it shows an old tire...

Jim

Tire made week 37 of 2005, not 6 years old yet.

I had both rear Goodyear's on my Acura have similar failures. The outside sidewall appeared okay, the inside was crumbling. I also caught them before they blew out or failed. These were not directional tires so the construction should have been symmetrical. Hadn't been run flat or with low pressures. They just went bad. The tire guys said low profile tires run in hot weather seem more prone to it, but couldn't explain why. They were under the treadwear warranty so he pro-rated a set of replacements based on the level of tread left.

Check your other tires. If one was like this, the others may also be.

atikovi, trash those Pirelli tires and buy a set of Michelin Primacy MXV4 P205/60R15's for your Cabriolet. They will improve the ride dramatically.

Maybe some DC potholes (nice legacy of Mayor Barry's fine government). Either way you're due for new. x2 on the Michelins.