Originally Posted by
Crestcutter
Ok this is all just my opinion from an ex Beuarepaires manager so no flaming.
The Cooper tyres are exy in price but do wear well with the new st range a/t. My son works for tyre power and the coopers is there main breed. The main problem i had when trying to wheel align a vehicle with coopers on it was at least 2 out of 3 vehicles had 1 tyre with a spongey tyre wall. This made it a real head @#$% too try and align properly. So soft tyre wall dramas for coopers. The more tread shite that they carry on about is crap. It's a softer compound that wears just as quick. The average 4 wheel tyre has around 14mm of tread.
Bfg's are a really excellent tyre but are real exy too. If you can afford these they are what i would recommend.
If you are a city slicker getting out every once in a while i would probably look at khumo's or maxxis. These were my main selling foriegn brand tyres . Main buyers for those were coal seam gas companys such as QCG, MCQCLONG etc.They are cheaper but getting good k's. They are subject to bruising though. Bruising is indentations left by rocks etc.
If you live your life in the mud a set of Duratracs were probably my best seller. Never had a noise complaint about them though? Even had them on my v8 hilux.
Please keep in mind that tyres from fresh out of the factory only have a shelf life of 4 years(yes four years only) Your not going to get four years out of them unless you get a wheel alignment and rotation every 5 thousand K's. It pays to check the manufacturers date on the tyre before you get them put on. Most of the goodyear dunlop tyres are made in asia and by the time they get here are already 3 months old. Then they sit in the store for a while before they sell. When i took over the store we went through every tyre. Some had been on the shelf for 6 years. These tyres were like rocks and unsafe.
Another thing that helps save your tyre life is keeping them out of the sun(garage) The sun brings out the natural oils in the tyre and causes the tyre to dry out a lot quicker, which in turn weakens side walls etc.You often see this after 4wdriving, you will see a bluey colour in the tyre.
Darryl