Rant about new Cooper Cobras

[YY1]

Actually, Kumho's are nice tires, and that company has done a lot to rejuvenate the Akron OH area, taking advantage of the already in place knowledge base and (often out of work) work force for that industry.

I used to swear by the Ecsta 711 series directional VR rated for my Dakota R/T until they stopped making that oddball 255/55/17 size.

BTW my wife grew up in the Akron/Canton area, and I've been there a few times visiting. A few years ago, her sister got a job at goodyear. Her first year entry level assembly, she made $65,000. Really?

(...and she quit after one year because she basically couldn't be bothered to keep a schedule and go to work) (Thank GOD my wife is the "normal" black sheep of that family)

 

[YY1]

My research indicates both the Coopers and Mastercraft Avenger RWL have better traction/temp/treadwear ratings than the Coker built BFG T/A RWL tires.

 

[YY1]

Hankook is another S Korean brand that's a good tire.

I've even seen RWL from them, but I'm not sure I want that name being called attention to.

(It is better than Kumho in RWL. I can hear the snarky comments about that one already)

 

[moparedtn]

Coker is making BFG Radial T/As in Mexico also.

Say what now? BFG is a Michelin-owned company, last I checked.

 

[69L48Z27]

I think BGF sold the rights to Coker a while back for Radial TAs.

 

[Officer Higgins]

I did notice the sidewall on the Coopers weren't as robust as the BF Goodrich they replaced.

 

[khryslerkid]

I still like them. They have a good soft compound and the price isn't over rated like other better known brands. We'll have to see how long they hold up, that's the test.

 

[Dennis H]

This warms the heart. Blower belt. Unless it’s directional, the boys in Brampton at least turned it to be read upside down.

 

[Sixpactogo]

I have Coopers on 3 of my cars. Have not had a problem with any of them. My tire shop puts the weights on the inside and have never had to add any on the outside so they must balance up ok. Never noticed a font change. I guess I'm lucky I don't care for the white lettering and always have them turned to the inside.

 

[GetX'd]

I have Goodyear RWL - I paid a lot for that retro look but loved it.

 

[Ranger16]

Funny that the "Made In Mexico" thing just came up. I just noticed that the other day after having my Cobras for several years. Not terribly concerned about it though.

That said, I bought the car with a set of BF Goodrich T/A's that looked like new (lots of tread left). Had a belt start to separate on the highway and progressively got worse while half way home from Mopars On The Mississippi car show (Minn. - Northern Ill). By the time I made it home (at 50 MPH on the interstate) the bulge was the size of an apple. I'll stick with Coopers.

P.S.
Just went out and checked mine. I can't see any weights on them at all. Car rides smooth.

 

[moparwacko]

Someone requested a pic...

Not really concerned, better than other countries. But not what my local hometown tire guy said. I checked my other vehicles with Coopers, all USA made.

 

[davek]

 

[YY1]

I will say- I've had two belts separate on Coopers.

Both of them took weeks or months before I realized what was going on or felt they were unsafe to drive on.

Never a "couldn't make it home" situation at all.

 

[khryslerkid]

I will say- I've had two belts separate on Coopers.

Both of them took weeks or months before I realized what was going on or felt they were unsafe to drive on.

Never a "couldn't make it home" situation at all.

You made me think about the date on mine. 2013 on the fronts and 2010 on the rears. They've been on there for two years now and didn't think about checking when I bought them.

 

[Jerry Hall]

I will say- I've had two belts separate on Coopers.

Both of them took weeks or months before I realized what was going on or felt they were unsafe to drive on.

Never a "couldn't make it home" situation at all.

I have had 4 B F Goodrich tires blow out just sitting. This really makes me want to drive on them (not). I have probably a equal amount of both brands. Cooper & B F's. Until a Cooper tire does this I will stick with them.

Both rear tires blew out within 2 weeks of each other.

 

[YY1]

Nice R/T!

 

[MoparGuy68]

I have had 4 B F Goodrich tires blow out just sitting. This really makes me want to drive on them (not). I have probably a equal amount of both brands. Cooper & B F's. Until a Cooper tire does this I will stick with them.View attachment 945855
Both rear tires blew out within 2 weeks of each other.

How old were the BFs that blew out?

 

[WileE]

Labor in Mexico is cheaper, but the machinery to build tires is pretty much the same used in the USA, the factory owners are from the USA, the fact that say build in Mexico doesn't mean worst quality or poor construction, due nafta or the new agreement, quality values must be fulfilled before any item, specially automotive parts are sold in the USA.

I don't think there's any inference of quality. Rather, a preference of a product manufactured in our country by a fellow citizen. Just as you would for your fellow countrymen, which would be quite understandable.

 

[Jerry Hall]

How old were the BFs that blew out?

The car has been sitting there for about 4 years and they may have been on there for about a year and a half before. So I'm saying 6 at the most.