Replaced my bridgestone 'b420's with Sigma shadows made by Cooper. The side walls are much stiffer and the ride is very smooth (comparitivly). A lot less sway-sidewall roll. the point I make is that they were $45.00 per as opposed to $96.0 for the french harmony tire and have a 55,000 warrenty. I THINK I DID OKAY! Time will tell and I will let you know!

thebern

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1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

Cooper seems to make pretty good tires for a fairly low cost, that's been my experience anyway. They may not be as good as a tire that costs twice as much but they are usually pretty darn close..... seem to last well too. I think you did good too.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

I put Coopers on a Datsun 510 I had years ago, loved 'em. Conversly had Cooper performance tires on my last 351 Crown Vic police car, scary dangerous when wet. The big Fords seemed happiest with Goodyear performace tires. At the moment, I'm liking the Yokohama LS4 as a general street tire and Bridgestone Blizzaks as snow tires.

I think those expensive French tires are over priced, over rated, and over hyped. I have never been impressed with any I have had.

Unless Cooper has improved in the last few years, they are still made in the old fashioned clam shell molds. This method is not conducive to proper belt placement.

Michelin pioneered radially sectioned molds right after WWII and this is why Michelin was so superior for so long. Today there are MANY other mfg's that use radially sectioned molds including but not limited to Kumho, Yokohama, Pirelli and Continental. There are more and more mfg's that are moving up to this process every day.

The radially sectioned mold moves toward the tire in "pieces of pie" thus allowing the belt to be precisely positioned. You can look at the flash marks on a tire and tell if it was made in such a mold. If so, the marks will go from sidewall to sidewall. The clam shell left a flash mark around the outside center of the tire and this flashing will wear off in just a few miles.

The more precisely placed belt makes for an easier balanced smoother rolling tire. Don't settle for a tire that is molded in a clam shell henceforth. You will be much happier with them.

Good luck,

i use mastercrafts up here in the northeast which are made by Cooper. both on the vw and the MB - they are great handling tires and super in the rain. don't last as long as michelins but for the price you can't go wrong.

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP