Coopers versus BFG tyres

I am running Cooper Discovery S/T's on an RV6 Prado (235/85/R16). I find them slightly noisier on the tar compared to the originals, not as sticky on wet roads, but not alarmingly so. In the rough rocky bits and mud, they are very good. I don't think you will go wrong with either tyre.

Show ponies use Coopers and they are good for circle work. and if you want to go 'bush' the BFG's will probably do the trick... but if you want real tyres then get a set of Dunlop Road Grippers (8ply) and really get set...

Patrick

I agree completely with Thommo's verdict. I am happy with the Coopers. There seems to be a (fanatical) following for any brand, but have just got the Coopers, so am fairly unbiased. Bill Church

I've been running BFG A/T's on my 80 series Landcruiser for the past 3 years, and am still on my first set. I've racked up 50,000km on
them, travelling through Birdsville, Simpson Desert, Maree, Broken Hill, Stockton Beach, loads of trips through the Blue Mountains west of
Sydney, etc. - no punctures, no sidewall damage, and minimal tread wear (even after all the gibbers). While at Birdsville, every group we
encountered had stories of at least one member having punctures, and the only people we came across without such experience were those
also using BFG's. I was put onto them by a friend who grew up on a property in northwest NSW and they swore by the BFGs for
everything. I'll be replacing these (when they eventually need it) with BFGs again, going up to 285/75R16 from the 265/75R16, and would
certainly recommend them. Road noise is slightly higher than standard, but hardly noticeable. Grip on the road also seems better -
probably the extra depth of the tread grooves allows better dispersion of water in the wet.

Have to agree with Steve here. I have BFG's & couldn't be happier, no punctures, great wear & exceptional performance.
Having said that though, i'm sure the Coopers would be quite adequate as well.

When I went to replace the tyres on my Prado, I had the same questions. If you stick with the 265*70 R16 then I think you'll find that you can't get the Cooper ST in that size. You however can get the BFG's in that size though, but my experience was that they were $40 - $50 more per tyre (~$277ea) than the next size up viz 265*75 R16 (~$235ea). If you go up to the 265*75, the problem is that the tyre diameter increase is 27 mm, which depending on state ADR / roadworthy regulations is greater than the allowed legal 15 mm increase. Having said that, if you took a sample at random of mid size 4by's with A/T tyres (Prados, Pajeros, Jackaroos, etc), then you would find most have tyres that are greater than 15mm over the vehicle (ADR27) compliance plate. Difficult decision. Also, make sure your insurance company will cover you for what you want to do.
Rgds, Mal58

Beddo, Blow outs, punctures, stakes, nics, cuts I've had them all with BFG's. I've had two sets (33 x 12.5) and I've just bought a third set.

My BFG's have worn well the current set has approx 60,000ks with probably 20,000 to go.

I've looked several times at Coopers but the con of 80,000k guaranttee does not suck me in, as the slightest nic on the tyre will void the guaranttee, and I know damage will happen.

Plus with Coopers you have to have the balanced every 10,000k's (more expense). My BFG's have only been re-balanced after being repaired from the previously stated damage.

Beddo,

I would recommend the BFG AT's but I would go for the 265/75 size as it will be cheaper then the 265/70 size. Also the larger size is classified as a light truck (LT) tyre and the 265/70 is classified as a passanger tyre. The LT tyre is usually has a 3ply sidewall on the BFG's rather then the 2 ply on the passanger tyre. This gives better protection against staking. I run the 265/75 on my Prado and have currently got 45,000k from them and they have about 60-70% left. I have only had one puncture in that time. It is important to rotate them regularily to keep the wear even and also to include the spare tyre(s).

Hope this helps.
Cashy

Beddo,
I am in the same boat and tossing up between BFG AT's or Cooper S/Ts.
I have done quite a bit of searching on the various forums and it seems that most are in favor of the BFG's. The only concern is that I have seen quite a bit of negative feedback on the later BFG KO's with many reports of the tyres splitting at the sidewall, it seems like it could be a batch problem but how do you tell. There are a couple of interesting threads on the Overlander website regarding this issue. http://forums.overlander.com.au/ search for "bloody BFGs"
All seem happy with the Cooper S/Ts but have not yet put any real mileage on them, only negative it seems is they are nosier on the blacktop. Must say I am swinging in favour of the S/Ts.

Whichever one you choose, you can always try the other brand next time. The truth about 4WD tyres is that you will always be buying them!

To clarify further - we have used numerous full sets of BFGs and now we're on our second set of Coopers (by the way, if you're looking at the STs you must make sure you are buying the 10ply not the 8ply). You can't avoid wear and tear on tyres but I actually think that the technology in these 2 tyres is fairly similar and the popularity of them both in the market indicates that they are the top choices. However the single factor that will make an astonishing difference between one or the other brand will be your driving style. Talk to other drivers and you will see that after a lot of outback experience drivers tend to work out how to keep from getting flats and stakes etc. Selecting the combination of correct tyre pressures and driving speed for a particular track is the key - and also the skill of the driver in picking the best drive path (ie. not too close to stakes, and not over the top of fallen branches, not heavily braking, not taking corners too fast). It's a bit like "personal responsibility", you can't always blame the tyre manufacturers for all your flat tyres!

Michelle, I agree completely. Beddo, don't agonize over the decision. Heads/ Coopers or tails/BFG. (Although some would argue heads/BFG tails/Coopers) Despite what the marketing people will have you believe, you will not be making a mistake by going for either brand. Besides, only you will know which one you prefer after having tried both brands.

Thanks all, I did a bit of research by calling remote dealers who deal with both tyres (see my reply earlier - should of put it down here, Oh well). Heard the BFG AT have an issue with side walls after they changed the design on them slightly ! All said the Coopers were the way to go. Anyway also found out that the 75's with my Surf KZN185 will not give me a good clearance between the guards (will be slight rub on full lock) unless I put a lift kit in. Thanks again all, Beddo

I put a set of Cooper St's on my 80 Series after using BFG ATs for over 20 years. These have been on for a year now and have just notched up 50 k I am very happy with them, thier wet road bitumen performance and steering ability is far superior to the BFGs, a very important issue for me as I drive up the Kuranda range to my training tracks regularly. They are also far superior in mud as they don't clog as the BFG ATs do and thier side grippers work well. They also steer very well on dirt. I was advised by my BFG dealer, who is a personal friend, 12 months ago not to by his BFG's as there was an issue with sidewall cracking and tread chiping since Michelin took BFG over. My freind rang me the other day to say that without ever admitting anything was wrong, BFG claim these problems had now been fixed. In closing I know from personal experience the Cooper ST is the best compromise tyre for my application. I only wish they made a 32 x 11.50 x 15. Cheers Rob.

As Michelle said it is important to have "10 plies" or higher, COOPERS. The rubber on the "8 plies" is poor and I cheaped all my "8 plies" Cooper tyres after 20 000 km. Now I have "10 plies" Cooper, the rubber is a lot harder, no more chipping and punctures. Compare to our friend, we had NO puncture with our "10 plies" Cooper and our friend had two BFG shredded to pieces on the stone roads from Gove to Normanton.(2 000 km around the Gulf country)