ImInPA

As many of you know, there are not many great deals out there for MBs. I wanted to share a great one with everyone. About 15K miles ago, I replaced the RunFlats that came on my E350 Bluetec. I looked long and hard at the Michelin PS2s and Turanzas. Then, I came across a review in either car and driver or Road and Track about the Cooper RS3 series tires. They compared them quite favorably to the Michelins. I decided to give them a try, and, I have been totally happy with them.

The Coopers come in two variants, RS3-S (summer only) and RS3-A (all season). Compared with the stock tires, these things are MUCH quieter riding and have the best wet traction I have ever had with any tire.

OK, so you probably figure I am happy with them so what is the deal? Here it is: I purchased these tires at Pep Boys for $129 each with a"buy 3 get the fourth free" deal. Imagine, a new set of tires for under $400. And great tires at that. Pep Boys also told me that if I was not Happy with them, I could exchange them for the PS2s. The only disappointment with the tires is that Cooper, a great American company, chose to manufacture them in China. In any event, they are fantastic and the RS3-A has a treadwear rating of 500. After 15K miles there is very little evident wear. Quiet, grippy, and inexpensive.

Tread Depot

Yep, pretty much the message we have been trying to get out to folks. Great tires for the dollar, that can hold their own own against the (much) more expensive Michelins, Pirellis and Contis. Glad to hear the word is getting around.


Andy

threeMBs

Hate to rain on Cooper's parade, but for example in size 255/35-19, the tire in question is only a few $$$ cheaper than (excellent) ContiExtreamContact DW and not much cheaper than Eagle F1 or Pilot Super Sport. In fact it is actually more expensive than Hankook Ventus V12 - an excellent and proven tire and a true bang for the buck here (and I would pick a Korean made tire over Chinese everytime).

Speaking of "third world" made tires. Malaysian (that region is in "rubber" business for almost two centuries) made Accelera Phi is half the price of Coopers. Disclaimer - I do not suggest to anyone to go and buy them. There is not enough of them used here in the US to know how good they're (except the price is unmatched), but UK folks and other Europeans used them for years now.

Tread Depot

For Reference (from our website today):

255/35R19 Cooper Zeon RS3A = $192
255/35R19 Cooper RS3S = $194.
255/35R19 Conti DW = $222
255/35R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport = $285
255/35R19 Goodyear Eagle F1 ASYM2 = $265

The gap in other sizes is greater still. For example 225/40R18 and 255/35R18 - Popular fitment for C300/C350:

Cooper RS3A Set of 4 = $574
Cooper RS3S Set of 4 = $618
Conti DW Set of 4 = $742
Pilot Super Sport Set of 4 = $932
Goodyear Eagle F1 Set of 4 = $866



We don't sell Hankook, so I cant speak to that.

threeMBs

Well, DWs are only $30 more per tire (yes $120 more per set, but on an $50K-$60K car???).
V12s sell (TireRack, DTD, etc.) for about $10 per tire less plus $80 rebate (that is further $20 per tire less) - that's $120 less per set.
Phi sells for $105 or so - about 1/2 of RS3s (that's over $350 less for a set of 4).
Personally, I would choose between V12s and DWs specifically in 255/35-19 size. That may not apply to OP's 245/45-17 tire. This is just my opinion and a different perspective.

ImInPA

I had the Conti DWS on my Volvo. The Coopers are superior in my opinion. I am saying this after 15K miles on them. The Conti DWS became just as loud as other Contis by 10K miles. The Contis never had the wet traction of the Coopers either. I just wanted to share this with you. The Conti DWS in no way compares favorably to the Michelin. The Coopers rated on par with the Michelins. I just wanted to share my experience with the Cooper Zeon RS3-A. Great tire. Great price. Great tread life. Great performance.

threeMBs

DW(s) summer that I'm refering to are not the same as DWS(s) A/S that you're refering to. Never compromise - performance summer only and performance winter only (when appropriate).

I also strongly disagree that Cooper's RS3 (summer) is anywhere "comparable" to Michelin Pilot SuperSport or PS2. Who did the "ratings"?

Also, as I pointed out above, once you get to more "exotic" sizes (255/35-19 vs. 245/45-17), a possible price advantage of "lesser" sizes is significantly reduced.

ImInPA

The test was in either car and driver or road and track. I don't really care what you believe. You are entitled to your opinions, not your own facts. I am aware of the difference between the DW and DWS. Cooper does the same thing with the RS3-A and RS3-S. Having now purchased winter tires, the only thing I would do differently is go with the Cooper Zeon RS3-S (summer only). Consumer reports also rated the copper as the quiietes UHP tire they tested and also gave it a very favorable rating. You need to come out from under the rock you are living under and realize things change.

W210

http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-new...-summer-rubber

hyperion667

wow threeMB's! your knowledge continues to impress......(NOT being sarcastic man)

ImInPA

W210: thanks for posting a link to the R&T article.

The Cooper Zeon RS3 tires continue to impress those who try them.They handily meet or beat their competition.

W210

My pleasure, considering upping the power of the E550 and will probably need better tires when time comes. Leaning towards the Michelin Pilot Super Sports, not sure how much 'worse' the RS3-S is..

ImInPA

I have the RS3-A and am quite pleased. If I had it to do over again, I would get the RS3-S since I have winter tires mounted on their own rims. The RS3-S would be similar to the DW and the RS3-A would be similar to the DWS. They get really good reviews. It is not often that I buy a product that so greatly exceeds my expectations. I just wanted to pass the info along.