Cooper ST (Sure Trac) tyres - good & bad experiences wanted

Last year I was super-keen to fit Coopers to my Disco 1. The tyre seller who used to stock them, warned me about the considerable number of warranty claims he had in the past. So I asked a cobber in the mining industry what he knew of them; same story heaps of blokes had tried them - too many problems.

So, rather deflated, I bought what I had before (Goodyear Wranglers), which have given no trouble at all, and they shouldn't as I rarely get the chance to go off-road.

I was hoping this thread might show that my mates were wrong, but it has only confirmed their experiences.

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Originally Posted by tombraider

OK, so it should be the tyre you know....

Well which ones would you like me to talk about?

Cooper ST
Cooper STT
Mickey Claws
Dick Cepek FCII
BFG MT (and MT KO)
BFG AT
Mickey ATZ
Mickey MTZ
Silverstone MT117
Bridgestone Dueler
General Grabber
Mickey Bajas
Goodyear MTR
GY Silent Armour
Michellins
Kuhmo 'super slippers'

I've tested them all.....

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Well, as I may be in the market sooner than I expected, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on most of them:)

Andy

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Originally Posted by CraigE

This thread is worrying though.

With this in mind then most of the Mickey Thompson range and others would probablly be sub standard as well, as there are a lot made in the same factory.

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Not correct...

Mickey Thompsons are owned by the same umbrella corp, but are manufactured in different factories and have not had these issues.

Coopers are overpriced and overated IMO and not worth a pinch of **** :mad::mad::mad: I did a GHM run a few years back, all 3 tyres with punctures were all Coopers. Maybe a coincidence but I was looking at a set back then nd that really made my mind up not to buy Coopers :(

BFG M/T's I would class in this catagory (AT's I've been pretty sucessful with. Funny, they both pretty much have the similar construction). I sold mine BFG M/T's off because I staked one on the 3rd run out with them too easily and nearly put a hole in one, which is when I decided to cut my losses and get something els that was better (and cheaper).

The Silverstones MT117's I've got now, might be noisy and handle not as well as a MT but tough as nails and cheapish outlay make them a winner for me :D:D

Trav

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Originally Posted by Redback

Yes i've tried them, 20,000ks they lasted, but they were knacked at 10,000ks really, Coopers just didn't want to change them under warrenty untill we realy insisted.

Baz.

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Baz, how do you wear out any tyre in 20,000 km? Did they all wear evenly or on the edges?

Just interested

Johann

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Originally Posted by AndyRevill

I've been following this and other similar threads since I first heard of a few delaminations with STs with, I'll admit, a degree of nervousness mixed with "you only hear bad stories so don't panic". However, Mike's post which mentioned cracks made me check mine this evening. Now I'm not sure what's "normal" but I'm a bit concerned with what I found. These tyres have done two mainland trips (totalling about 15000 kms) and about another 10-15000 on bitumen. The chipping doesn't seem to me to be too bad (considering the tracks we went on) but there does seem to be an alarming degree of cracking at the base of just about all the outside lugs, especially on the rear tyres - so now I'm wondering if these are something to be concerned about. There are also a few cracks in between a few lugs. I've tried to take a couple of pics but not sure how clear they will be.
Anyone any suggestions on the best way to get some independent advice?

cheers, Andy

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I would be EXTREMELY worried about that cracking of the main carcass of the tyre, I certainly wouldn't drive at speed, I would take them back and scream Blue Bloody Murder.
If a RTA inspector seen those cracks you would get a tow order, likewise an observant cop, take'em back and if they whinge get a report off the RTA, Regards Frank.

Everyone keeps on commenting on the expensive price of Coopers. Just wondering what you guys are paying for tyres? I have just purchased a set of Cooper STT's after a lot of ringing around and pricing, and they were the same price as BFG's, Maxxis Bighorns, only about $10-15 dearer than dunlop, bridgestone etc., and about $40 cheaper than Goodyear MTR's. As far as the prices I came up with, they were about ball park with most of the other makes. By the sound of things, this obviously isn't the case over east.

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Originally Posted by jmkoffice

Baz, how do you wear out any tyre in 20,000 km? Did they all wear evenly or on the edges?

Just interested

Johann

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Not worn out, but chipped and very bad uneven wear, i had whole complete lugs off right down to the steel belt.

My opinion is that Coopers are too soft and can't handle the traction control of the Disco 2, i have Nankang Mudstars on now and as far as wear and chipping goes, nothing so far, they have preformed very well and are wearing as per normal.

Not the best on wet tar, but good everywhere else, they are the same tread pattern as Maxxis Buckshots.

Baz.

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Originally Posted by TheLowRanger

Everyone keeps on commenting on the expensive price of Coopers. Just wondering what you guys are paying for tyres? I have just purchased a set of Cooper STT's after a lot of ringing around and pricing, and they were the same price as BFG's, Maxxis Bighorns, only about $10-15 dearer than dunlop, bridgestone etc., and about $40 cheaper than Goodyear MTR's. As far as the prices I came up with, they were about ball park with most of the other makes. By the sound of things, this obviously isn't the case over east.

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$230-$250 ea for 285 75 R16 silverstone, doubt for that money you will get the same size cooper or bfg!

cheers phil

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Originally Posted by Redback

My opinion is that Coopers are too soft and can't handle the traction control of the Disco 2,

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I don't understand your reference to problems with TC - you mentioned it an earlier post as well.

I have ST on my P38A and will be due for new tyres soon. Do I fit the near new ones I have in the garage or go another brand. I've had these on for the past couple of years.

I do dislike the noise of them but that could be due to the scalloping that's occurring with wear.

I do very little off-roading so I might be able to go back to another brand of AT.