I'm running BFGs. Put them on brand new in 1996. Car is stored in a dark garage, so no sunlight and not too dry. No cracking. No discouloring. Tires look great and work fine.
They work fine for street driving where I'm responsible enough not to treat it like a race track, yet irresponsible enough I do push it a little bit at times.
I am, however, getting a little paranoid as they are 23 years old and there's a lot of threads on the dangers of old tires (like this 4 year old thread). There's also a lot of threads on BFGs being inappropriate for light cars, like our Cobras.
I think it's about time for new tires. Might get BFGs again. Was thinking of the MT STs, but it is my understanding the Cooper Cobras are basically the same thing, and I can buy them locally.
The Cooper has a UTQG rating of 440 A B, so I will assume the MT STs do as well. This is actually a worse rating (440 last longer so are likely harder than 400 tires, so less grip) that the BFG (400 A B) despite that many Cobra owners deem both the M-T and the Cooper appear to be very acceptable second place alternatives to the Avons.
I won't be buying Avons for a number of reasons. Too expensive, and I do believe their advantage is largely touted by those who have bought them in order to justify the expense. Too sticky; I'd rather slide a bit than suddenly flip. Rather lose grip at a speed I can handle too. They wear too fast. I don't track my car. They aren't available locally. They don't look very nice. I could probably go on, but this picture will do for now:
