Replacing Old Tires

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

Mickey Thompson Sportsman STs are also available at 15". They have a more traditional tread pattern.
https://www.performanceplustire.com/tires-for-sale/mickey-thompson-tire/sportsman-s-t-radial-tire/

Cooper Cobras are the same compound and tread pattern as Mickey Thompson STs. According to the techs I spoke to at Cooper and Mickey Thompson, the MT STs and Cooper Cobras are the same compound and tire, but have different patterns on the sidewalls.

The Coopers are about 30% less expensive than Mickey Thompsons, and in my area are in stock at Discount Tire, but it takes a few weeks to get the MTs.

As an aside, Cooper Tire owns the Avon and Mickey Thompson brands.

There are differences in the tread pattern between the MY S/Ts and the Cooper Cobras that are substantial. Despite people contending they are the same tire, only the carcass is the same. The sidewall design and the entire tread surface are different with the MT having tread features that enhance performance.

[Alfa02]

The same that Mark IV said, Plus my ST's have a Treadwear of 400, and Coopers are 440, might be a small difference, you put all those thing's together say's totally different tires to me.

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by RB60

Well, I went to the tire center I've dealt with for many years and the owner and I settled on Cooper Cobras (he gave me a good price). I'm also considering adding the Goodyear Eagle F1 lettering kit from TIREGRAFICX (has anyone used these before?).

RB,
Hope you're as happy with them as I have been. One advantage--at ~$100@ it doesn't break the bank to change them out every few years, which is probably good practice regardless. (You'd be doing it every 3 years or so with Avons because you'd wear 'em out, and that would be ~$500@!)

AC

[studebaker53]

Couldn't outdated old tires be considered...."improper equipment" in the event of state inspection or something bad occurring??

[1795]

Originally Posted by studebaker53

Couldn't outdated old tires be considered...."improper equipment" in the event of state inspection or something bad occurring??

There always is that risk that if something bad happens and you knew about it and did nothing that you could get charged. A couple of years ago in this vicinity there was a guy who new that he had a bad wheel bearing and kept putting off getting it fixed while he saved the money. One day the bearing gave way, the tire came off his truck and struck and killed a person. He was charged with manslaughter when it was discovered that he knew that the bearing was bad and still drove the truck.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by studebaker53

Couldn't outdated old tires be considered...."improper equipment" in the event of state inspection or something bad occurring??

The risk from hitting an old tire carcass, nail, bottle or whatever on the road is 100 times greater than having a blow out from the tire being old unless it is really dry rotted, you are doing well above the speed rating, or it is massively under/over inflated.

I have a buddy that owns a tire center. He has never seen a blow out from old age unless the tire is literally dry rotted. He said the most common cause is under inflation. The outside edges of the tires are gone.

[Phx Mike]

I have had it happen twice. Tread separated both times (literally unwrapped). Not improperly inflated and not overloaded. Decent tires. Maybe it would have happened on newer tires also (i.e. They may have been defective). But why would you drive a Cobra around on old tires if the risk of a problem is increased at all? Not worth it.

[joyridin']

Then maybe you shouldn't be driving since the chance of hitting something on the road is much greater than a tire blowing out from being 10 years old. Getting in an accident within 5 miles of your house has huge potential. Park the Cobra and buy a tank. You will be safe.