I'm getting rid of the runflats on my '12 MCS. Has anyone put Cooper tires on their MINI? I've heard good things about them, but not on MINI's.
Any input would be appreciated!

 

Can't remember the model but I had coopers once on my trans am, took them off a few K later, ZERO traction after breaking in, scary in the rain. Never again.

 

Sidewalls tend to be very soft on most cooper/cooper private label brands... they make mostly lower priced brands...so be sure you compare them to similar....even their "performance" and touring tends to be mushier than most are looking for....guess it comes down to what you want....

 

Possibly made in China. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

I use them. They are great. Cooper rs3. They are top rated and great priced.

 

I have had 2 sets of the rs3. I like them a lot. They have an all weather and a summer version.

 

I've never used them, but a couple people from our local club have installed them. They speak quite highly of them.

 

Cooper Tire is an American company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_...Rubber_Company

 

Consumer reports just rated them higher then the pilot's and way better priced

 

Who tried to sell themselves to an Indian company a few months ago....fell through largely due to ongoing lawsuits/disputes with unions.....
Large numbers of their products are imported....and they (and their private labels) make up a HUGE percent of tire recalls....hate to say it...but the off brand Chinese tire might be better quality....cooper has NEVER been about quality....but about low price...never about best technology... But low price....never about brand recognition... But low price of their private label....it like they say "had a bad experience with our name.....we have others!!!".
Rather than build brand recognition and respect....they have tried to hide their name.... Even on private labels....

 

P.S.
I did own a set of "cooper" tires...Pepboys specials... On an old crx...were OK for the first 30% of wear...then started to tramline and were pretty slick...they were "touring" tires...but as I mentioned were very soft...ok for a commuter...but to call it a "performance tire" was outright mislabeling imo...was a passanger casing with a sporty LOOKING tread....
Do a 5 minute search on cooper tire private label tires and then look at the recall list.....kinda amazing....

 

We are not taking about private labels. The rs3 is a great tire. Check it out.

 

Zippy is referring to this:
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/12/...ercompany&_r=0

As I understand it, Cooper tires sold in the USA are made in the USA. Cooper tires sold internationally are made in either the UK, China, or Serbia.

 

I ran a set of Coopers on a Caprice wagon a few years ago and thought they were a bit harsh. So, with superb logic, 'All Indians walk in single file because the one that I saw, did' I've never gone back to them. All that said, one thoughtful vote for no.

 

I have the RS3-A on my Cooper. Softer sidewall than the run flats (of course - a brick would have a softer sidewall), so the handling is not as crisp, but overall I'm very happy with them. Grip in the wet is as good or better than any tire I've ever owned. Qualification - my Cooper is a daily driver, not a rally car.