Anyone have any experience with Cooper tires on a Countryman/any MINI?

Looking for a replacement set of tires, probably moving up to 18's and a local shop suggested them after he personally had problems with Hankooks.

Also, looking at TSW wheels, black Max's 18x8.5" - anyone have them???

Any info is greatly appreciated!

 

Cooper makes many of the private label, us made tires...like the ones sold at pep boys, fuzions, etc.
The set i had years ago were ok (non mini), but they were sold as a performance tire, but always felt squishey, and got into the groves on cement highways and did funny things...but like i said, that was years ago.
Like many companies, cooper makes tires at many price points...
so having the name of the cooper tire you are comparing it too might be useful.

 

I just ordered the Cooper Zeon RS3-A tires. They ranked at the top of Consumer Reports 2012 Buying Guide for ultra-high performance all season tires.. I got them online for a good price (~$90+ each). They are being mounted tomorrow.

 

My previous mini was an '08S with a sport suspension and 17" runflats. At 11,000 miles, I replaced the tires with Cooper tires in the same size. The stiffness gave the initial impression that the runflats were great handling tires. But the tires, after the initial turn in feel,they didn't stick at all. And on freeways, they would tramline on every groove.
Bottom line, after getting a few miles on your runflats, ditch'em.

 

Sorry, considering Cooper Zeon RS3-A tires... Anyone have any experience with them?

 

They felt fine on the ride from the shop, but I haven't had a chance to put them through any hard twisties yet.

From CR:

Cooper Zeon RS3-A tires:

dry braking = very good
dry handling = very good
wet braking = excellent
wet handling = very good
hydroplaning = very good
snow traction = good
ice braking = good
ride = good
noise = very good
rolling resistance = very good
tread life = excellent

(On a scale of poor-fair-good-VG-excellent)

The Pirelli P Zero Nero All Seasons and Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 tires tied with thesame overall score (but some variation in individual categories).

I hope that helps.

 

Coopers on a Cooper does have a nice ring to it.

 

A quick check shows they own Avon Tyres in the UK (which I have positive feelings about). I remember Cooper from the old IMSA sedan racing series (IIRC).

They're on my radar now.