Cooper CS5 or Michelin Defender?

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: 3for3
I find it interesting that Consumer Reports lists the CS5 mid-range in their tests results. I had the Pirelli P7 Plus' on another car, and I find the CS5's to be every bit as good in the wet, and the dry as the Pirelli. Humm...most peculiar CR.


Tire performance can vary considerably with tire size. It's not that the size itself changes their performance, but some tires are original equipment tires in some sizes, and the very ones that may be tested may not be representative of the group as a whole. I don't think Cooper is OEM on anything, but the Pirelli tires you had before may have been, and they may have given up some wet traction in exchange for low rolling resistance.

It's hard to tell. When I shop for tires, I either buy ones that I know are not OEM on anything else (like the Cooper CS5s, for example), or, if they are OEM on something else, I'm comfortable with their characteristics (like my Michelin Primacy MXV4s, for example).

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

I don't think Cooper is OEM on anything...


Some version(s) of the Ford Focus, is all that I know of.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

I don't think Cooper is OEM on anything...


Some version(s) of the Ford Focus, is all that I know of.


You're right -- I think their RS-03 Zeon or whatever it's called comes on a few cars. I was speaking in particular about the CS5, but I didn't say so, and that's my bad.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

I don't think Cooper is OEM on anything...


Some version(s) of the Ford Focus, is all that I know of.


You're right -- I think their RS-03 Zeon or whatever it's called comes on a few cars. I was speaking in particular about the CS5, but I didn't say so, and that's my bad.


Ahhh... gotcha. No worries.

Honestly, I don't put a lot of weight in OE fitment, as most of us seem to not be very pleased with OE tires anyway.

The first owner of my Silverado had the dealer remove the OE tires at 3,000 miles... and the OE tires on my Sierra (they were still on it when I bought it) were simply awful.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Honestly, I don't put a lot of weight in OE fitment, as most of us seem to not be very pleased with OE tires anyway.


Right -- which is why I try to stay away from OEM tires unless I know exactly what I'm getting. In my experience, there's too much variability in OE specifications for me to gamble on a set of tires like that.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: 3for3
I find it interesting that Consumer Reports lists the CS5 mid-range in their tests results. I had the Pirelli P7 Plus' on another car, and I find the CS5's to be every bit as good in the wet, and the dry as the Pirelli. Humm...most peculiar CR.


I just looked at the ratings and I see nothing peculiar about it.

The CS5 UT is rated similarly in the wet and dry to the Pirellis, but the CS5 lags in a couple areas compared to the Pirelli and other top performers, specifically rolling resistance and ice braking.

Nothing wrong with a tire that's not rated the very best in class. I often choose tires that aren't the very best, but offer good performance in areas I care about and offer a lot of value.

I have the CS5 GT and I've been very happy with them so far. I'm about 10k miles in.

 

[FL-400S]

I've had defenders on 2 vehicles and they seem ok, and CS5 on a third vehicle. The CS5 impressed me with how quiet it is compared to the previous tires (BFG touring TA). I wont hesitate to search out the CS5 when I need car tires again. I'd choose them over defenders having had both.