New Mickey T's
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 16:33
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ajd
Finally got rid of the Cooper ST's after 31.000 km. Most of the side lugs had fallen off and there were splits in the sidewalls that were deeper than my fingernails could go in.
Another serious problem was the uneven wear and bulges, I know Cooper says to rotate them every 5000 km I found this a bit ridiculous and did it every 12,000 to 15,000. My frank admission to this fact voided any warranty claim.
So on went the Mickey Thompson ATZ (4 rib), feels like a new car again and I don't need the radio on as loud as I can barely hear them after the roar of the Coopers.
Just need a rainy day to see how they handle the wet, but for now, very happy!!
Reply By: Member - Tony B (Malanda FNQ) - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 17:05
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 17:05
So question is - what did you do (or did not do) to the Coopers to make them fall apart?
As the tyre subject always get a response it would be interesting to know your driving habbits and tyre pressures used. I have to always ask - Is it the tyre or the person using it? I ask that question because the following is normal of what some say about Coopers.
"COOPERS WIN 4WD TYRE
TEST
Steve Vickers with the winning Cooper ST tyre
The popular Cooper S/T Discoverer tyres have beaten 16 other brands in a comprehensive all terrain tyre
test conducted by a national 4WD magazine.
In the comparison, three 4WD experts tested the tyres for "Australian 4WD Monthly" on a range of surfaces, including bitumen, gravel, sand and fire
trails. Based in
Newcastle, NSW, for eight days, the drivers used the nearby freeway,
Watagan mountains and
Stockton beach. Their
test vehicle was a current model 3.2 litre Pajero turbo diesel, and the
test team worked "blind" so they did not know which brand of tyre they were using at any time.
At the finish, Cooper Sure Trac tyres came out the winners, rating five out of five for gravel roads, and four points in the categories for fire
trails with rocks and mud, as
well as for sand and beach driving.
Product manager for Cooper Tires in Australia, Steve Vickers, said the
test was proof that American research and development, combined with input from Australia and South Africa, had resulted in the Cooper Sure Trac being the market leader in both performance and value for Australian 4WD owners"
Best of luck with the new ones & let us know what they are like after 31k. Cheers Tony
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: ajd - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 17:16
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 17:16
Funny how Cooper tyres are one of the biggest advertisers in both these magazines.
That's why I stopped reading 4x4 rags.
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Follow Up By: Member - Tour Boy ( Bundy QLD) - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 18:07
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 18:07
Yet the 4wd monthly guys use the mickys now
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Follow Up By: Member - Tony B (Malanda FNQ) - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 18:48
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 18:48
So you are saying the
test was lies because they advertise with the mag. Maybe - but I would suggest rubbish!
All that aside one day we will get to the truth - no one will admit though - Is the tyre or is it the driver, their habits & way they inflate the tires
I have asked this question on tyre threads and not much response has been received. Once someone confessed that the tyre was too flat!
I have had a good run on Coopers & other brands, but to be fair I have never had much trouble with any brand that could not be traced back to a driver or car fault.
I do admit occasionally you may get a bad one, but when will these bagging tyres threads also confess the method of use? Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: ajd - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 19:13
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 19:13
Tony B
You don't work for Coopers do you?
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Follow Up By: Member - Tony B (Malanda FNQ) - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 19:50
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 19:50
What I am suggesting is easy - When you Bag a tyre also post how you used them - that would give the information what people really want to know. Tyre life & quality based on how they were used & not just on the end result.
As I have said lots of tyre bagging threads - none supported with honest details on the way they were used.
The only connection I have with Coopers is that my current set are that brand. Same type as this thread, done as many Ks and still going strong! I do nor run my tyres with low pressures for long distances - maybe this is a cause of failure? If no one posts how do you know??????????????????? Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: ajd - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 20:07
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 20:07
Running pressures of 38lbs.
Driven on tar roads for 98% of use.
Hardly extreme use!!
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Follow Up By: StormyKnight - Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 21:13
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009 at 21:13
I had cooper ST's on my Prado whern I got it. Unfortunately a few trips to the high country had big chunks missing from the lugs & severe scolloping.....i.e. every second lug was a different height to the one next to it.
Been on BFG MT's now for 75,000km & probably still have 10-15,000 left before they will be too low to be safe.
The car is used as a shopping trolley 99% of the time, doing 3 trips into & out of town each week (70km return).
The BFG's were $300 each, how does that comare per km to other tyres? Also they are a no comprimise tyre when it gets wet which I like to know when I'm out bush.
Touch wood...only had the occasional screw in the tread so far....
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Reply By: Sea-Dog - Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 13:23
Friday, Mar 20, 2009 at 13:23
I think even Cooper suggest that if you are not on the gravel roads a lot then the ST-C is not the tyre for you as the rubber is designed more for the gravel and will wear faster on the black top.
A close friend of
mine had STT on his 80 series and ran them at 45psi as per instruction from the installer... did do some off road stuff but basically the tyres lasted SFA and he has since binned them out for Mickey Thompson and is happy.
Another close friend who had a set on his GU put his to the
test of agressive driving off road etc and they basically disintergrated in record time... he did treat them rough but they just shredded!
Both drivers know what they are doing and are very
well informed on tyre management and maintenance etc.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Bucky, the "Mexican"- Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 at 05:56
Saturday, Mar 21, 2009 at 05:56
ajd
Wouldn't make any difference with Cooper's. Their warranty is crap.
Our friend, who went out in the Desert with us on our last trip, did 2 brand new ones, one at 5000 km and the other at 8000 km, and when she took them back to the local realer, he just scoffed at the idea, that they should be replaced, "you know that you are on the roughest roads in Oz" was his answer., and just wiped his hands of it..
Nice guy..
Me,
well I was lucky enuf not to have even one
puncture, but they were cut to pieces, and when I sold the Navara, in June/July last year, I noticed that on the Patrol the Cooper Tyres had sidewall ripples. Another local Cooper dealer in the area told me they were "splice joins".. I said get them off, and put BFG's in it,,
Bloody beautiful
Those Coopers are still in my shed, hanging up, and you want to have a look at the inside of them ,, Glad I took them off,, No telling when they will explode. Bulges on the inside, under the tread..
Makes you think a little
Cheers
Bucky
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