Brdigestone 604 V Cooper ST

[cookiesa]

About to change tryes. We have had a set of Cooper ST's and they have served us well, this is my first choice but a Tyre dealer has thrown a spanner with a good deal on the Bridgestone 604 (original pattern dueler)

The Bridgestone's are $68 cheaper (each)

Anyone had them on and got any comments about them? I have had them on a Jackaroo a while back and they were ok except I staked the sidewall on one.... (doubt any tyre would have survived!)

The Bridgestone's are also in a 205 so narrower (original size?) but that doesn't bother me overly, I'm a fan of narrow tyres

Mostly dirt, some sand and rocky track (Flinders) style driving

http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/products/car/tyre_pics/DUELER_604V.jpg http://www.coopertires.com.au/images/st_sml.jpg (http://www.coopertires.com.au/tyres/st.htm)

[mrapocalypse]

No experience with the bridgestones but I'm annoyed with my coopers, they wont wear out, are good on the dirt not bad on road and are pretty quiet. It's making it hard for me to justify buying a set of MTRs.

[cookiesa]

LOL

I have been reasonable happy with the Coopers but when your spending the best part of $1000 I like to compare what else is out there. (I have a very 1 eyed friend who will no doubt shun me if I change from Coopers!)

Anyone had any experience with the Micky's.. ust had a quote of $28 less per tyre than the coopers, dearer than the bridgestones and not as agressive as the coopers


http://www.mickeythompsontires.com.au/img/tyres/atz_with_arrows.jpg

[Phoenix]

I wouldn't gauge aggressiveness on internet photos, it's better to have a look at the tyres in person to get a better idea. The Bridgestones have ben around a while now, but i've never heard a bad word against the 604v, and if it's cheaper ;)

[cookiesa]

604's seem very popular with the Toyota work vehicle range

[chosen]

On my last truck (a Hilux) I had Bridgestone's and they served me well, they seemed to last a really long time too and not ware as quickly as my current tyres (Coopers ATR's). They were however a little noisy on the road... it was a Hilux so it didn't have the fancy noise deadening stuff of a Disco.

Technically they didn't throw out mud as easily as the coopers and has a tendency to clog up - loss of traction!!

Coopers are better but I dunno about $68 a tyre better... I'd go for Mud Terrains now anyhow ;-) hope this helps,

Chosen

[p38arover]

The Mickeys look interesting. They are made by Cooper. What's their speed rating?

Ron

[cookiesa]

hope this answers

size LT225/75R16 load range E load & speed 115/112R rims 6-7 overall diameter 747

Has anyone seen these in the flesh.... Unfortunately I can't see them here.. Wife had a tyre die so would like them replaced before she comes back from Adelaide. (Just under 400km)

I am happy with the grip of the Cooper St's and don't want to loose that.... could be an excuse to get a diff lock though.. Hmmmmmmm

Thinking the Dueler 604V

[dirtdodger]

The Bridgestone Desert Dueler 604 has been around for a long time. Is good on the road, ok in the bush,and good on the sand.
However. I found from personal experience that the sidewalls puncture easily, and the tread pattern changes when they become half worn. When the tyre wears enough, the tread support blocks become part of the tread and limit water clearance from the tyre.

I have used Cooper STs almost exclusively on family vehicles for the last 8 years.
Never had any bad experiences with them.
My complaint is their habit of chipping the treads.
Long wearing I assume means harder compound, which means chipping.
Also the superiority complex Coopers have developed of late................ their pricing

I have just been through the tyre hassle 2 months ago, and bought Australian made Bridgestone Dueler 693s.
No "frills tradie" tyre.......and no fancy "Hey, look at me" white lettering.
$50 cheaper (each) than the closest Cooper price.
On the highway they are fine without any tendency for "tracking", and no problem on the only day it did rain in Brisbane.
Have not tried 'em in the bush yet.....unfortunately.
Another encouraging sign is that I don't have bricks on the wheels to balance them.

Discussing tyres is like discussing women, and engine oils.
Everyone has had a good and bad experience......and an opinion.

Good luck in your choice..........The tyres that is.:)

[cookiesa]

Already dipped out on the first one I think! LOL ..... OUCH!

Have to agree on the prices..... Paid $180ea for the Coopers last time (I was working in the car industry at the time but still) same dealer $258 each now for same ST in the same size!

If you look you can find someone who has had a bad run with any brand and those that swear they are the best thing since sliced bread.

[cookiesa]

If these were available in a size to fit I'd get them and give them a go, but we poor road going Land rover owners only have the choice of the ATZ

Mickey Thompson FC II

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com.au/img/tyres/F-C-II1.gif (http://www.mickeythompsontires.com.au/tyres/fc-ii.htm)

[HSVRangie]

THOSE B/stones are ok on road, ok on dry tracks, and CRAP in the wet and mud.

Michael.

[cookiesa]

Hmmm the wet comment seems to be common.... Normally I would say it doesn't rain here so doesn't matter, but this year it has barely stopped!

[numpty]

604v's were the only tyre I ran on the Stage 1 for nearly 20 yrs. Not much available in 750/16. They lasted well, as others have commented, good in dry, sand & gravel, not bad in wet, but hopeless in mud. But then again most tyres are unless specifically designed for the stuff. Once they were about 50% worn then the punctures started, but this has a bit to do with tubes also. Pretty good really for the price.

[Tzukius]

Question: Is the immeadiate financial gain of the Bridgestones off set by the longer life of the Coopers? In other words, how many Bridgestones will you go through compared to one Cooper??

[JDNSW]

I have been using the Bridgestones for fourteen years on the 110 and have had no reason for changing them. As others have commented - not the best in mud, but that stuff is pretty rare round where I tend to be.

John

[cookiesa]

The Coopers have lasted around 60K with others running Duelers saying they are getting that and better. (The Cooper Warranty on the 225/75/16 ST LT is only 60K)

So the wear I expect to be about the same

[chosen]

Question: Is the immeadiate financial gain of the Bridgestones off set by the longer life of the Coopers? In other words, how many Bridgestones will you go through compared to one Cooper??
Um, it is more like how many coopers will you go through compared to one bridgestone, bridgestone's seem to last longer... That said I still wouldn't go for them again if only because of the mud thing - mud glorious mud, when I see it I gotta go for a dip ;-)

[PAT303]

I ran cooper and BFG for a long time but have changed to Michelin(Disco) and Pirelli(defender) and one thing I have noticed is the lack of wheel weights on the rims,that to me is a mark of good quality .They both hold on well in the wet and since I have a young family that is important to me.

[cookiesa]

Can anyone help me with what the largest tyre you can get away with on the standard rims without bodylift etc are?

[cookiesa]

Well the Dueler's have been ordered and going on tomorrow so well see how they go weekend after next!

Thanks everyone for your comments. This is defiantely the best 4x4 forum. t's great to be able to post a question and people help out and don't get in to a slanging match.

Thanks again, will post how they go once we run up a few k's (hopefully no need to post before then. Ron no touching... PLEASE! LOL)

[Mark86]

i have the 604v on my 86 Rangie 31 x 10.5r and have served me well for the last 2 years wearing well no punctures and yes we do actually use our 4wd i have not found lack of traction in the wet spose constant 4wd helps with that but they do like to aquaplane a bit is my only complaint.

All the best Mark:D

[blitz]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/08/427.jpg (http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.intercotire.com/piclib/572.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.intercotire.com/site28.php&h=359&w=240&sz=148&hl=en&start=0&tbnid=2jzPTZfa2XJY2M:&tbnh=140&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmud%2Bboggers%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10% 26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG)

35/14.5/16
go on you know you want to