[DML] Re: Tire Replacement

["therealdmcvegas" <dmcvegas@xxxxxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Dave Swingle" <swingle@xxxx> wrote:
<SNIP>
> I've driven a couple of DeLoreans on no-name tires (Cooper, , low-
> line Goodyear etc) and honestly think they ride nicer in everyday 
> driving than my Yokos. But you will give up some handling 
capability 
> (more understeer). 
> 
> Dave S

I have a set of Cooper Cobra GT's on my D. And I can tell you that 
they have improved the handling of my car, in comparison to the Yoko 
AVS Intermediates. My braking distance is not only shorter, but is 
more controlled with no side to side motion. And they handle VERY 
well in both rain, mud, and the bit of snow I've encountered on the 
street, & in the mountains. All this with a shot, 20 year-old 
suspension.

As you've seen with other posts, the streets of Vegas are very oily, 
becaise our lack of rainfall here never gets the chance to wash them 
off. In the Yokos, I've spun my D around corners, from a dead-stop, 
while riding the clutch. I've never had this problem since with the 
Coopers. Not once. But I've got more reasons to endorse the Coopers.

When you choose a tire set, you need to go by more than just price, 
and name-brand recognition. Start reading those sidewalls, and find 
out just what they mean.

http://coopertires.com/us/en/information/info-sidewall.asp

The Coopers have a "B" temperature wear rating. This means that while 
they don't disperse heat as quickly as an "A" rated tire, they do 
disperse heat twice as fast as what they govt. rating reccomends. 
This also means that they retain more heat in the winter, and will 
remain more sticky than those Michelin Pilot XGT H4s. Being the 
highest rating, isn't always the best thing for your application.

Traction is rated at the same between these tires, but the treadwear 
tests show that the Coopers will last longer @ 440, than the 
Michelins @ only 400. Plus the tread depth is deeper on the Coopers, 
as is the load rating.

Overall, the only advantage the Michelins have over the Coopers, are 
speed rating: 118 mph on the Coopers, 130mph Michelin. But I 
seriously doubt that anyone is going to get up that fast, so the 
difference of 12mph really won't matter. But having exceeded that 
speed on my own tires, I can tell you that they held up fine with no 
chunking, or cracking. I've also hit curbs, rubbed against them, and 
routinely corner hard on a daily basis. And the sidewalls have held 
up just fine, with no damage. Warranties are varied between the two, 
but even overall. The life of the tires are either stated at 50K 
miles for Coopers, or 6 years for Michelins.

Cooper Cobra G/Ts seem to have a more solid following from what I've 
personally seen, and from reviews online. The Michelins are all over 
the place though. I also prefer the Cooper treads, over the Michelin 
ones. Coopers continue deep sipes out to the sidewalls for hard 
cornering. Plus, the grooves are all in an even direction, so that 
the water can flow out quicker, as it gets push out from the center 
tread. Plus, they're half the cost. I picked mine up at a little "mom 
& pop" shop. $330 out the door. And that included tax, mounting, and 
disposal. It took 3 days for them to arrive, and there were no 
additional shipping fees.

-Robert
vin 6585 "X"

p.s. Here are the links for those who'd like a side by side 
comparison.

http://coopertires.com/us/en/ProductDetails.asp?
ProdType=Passenger&id=11&title=Passenger+Tires

http://www.michelinman.com/assets/pdfs/doc_pilotxgth4.pdf








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