Cooper CS5 or Michelin Defender?

[josejoseph]

I'm also in the same situation.

Need tires for my Honda Odyssey tires and after reading all the good reviews, I want to get the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring (compared to Michelin MXV4). Cost wise also the savings would be significant. None of the retailers here in Bay Area have them in stock so I have to specially order them.

America's Tire & Pep Boys have agreed to order it for me. Problem is, there won't be any road hazard included it.

So my question is -

1. My insurance covers road hazard. Wouldn't that be enough for me?
2. What would happen if one of the tires get damaged? Since it's a specially ordered tire do you think one of these shops could provide a loaner tire while the replacement tire arrives?
3. Since I'm getting all 4 new tires, should I go for alignment? My current tires are wearing out evenly so I'm not sure if I should get it done. Pep Boys quoted $90 for this.

 

[shiny]

Do you have Discount Tire in the Bay Area? They should be able to special order them and will give you full warranty with road hazard, free air and rotations, etc.

 

[mrsilv04]

I happened to buy a set of Cooper CS5's this morning. Local store (Blain's Farm and Fleet) was running a Buy 3, Get 1 free sale.

I had the wrong car, so they're not on the vehicle yet.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: josejoseph
I'm also in the same situation.

Need tires for my Honda Odyssey tires and after reading all the good reviews, I want to get the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring (compared to Michelin MXV4). Cost wise also the savings would be significant. None of the retailers here in Bay Area have them in stock so I have to specially order them.

America's Tire & Pep Boys have agreed to order it for me. Problem is, there won't be any road hazard included it.

So my question is -

1. My insurance covers road hazard. Wouldn't that be enough for me?
2. What would happen if one of the tires get damaged? Since it's a specially ordered tire do you think one of these shops could provide a loaner tire while the replacement tire arrives?
3. Since I'm getting all 4 new tires, should I go for alignment? My current tires are wearing out evenly so I'm not sure if I should get it done. Pep Boys quoted $90 for this.




1) Subject to your deductible?
2) Why would they?
3) Probably a good idea if it has not been recently checked.

 

[jrmason]

Put over 60k on a set of CS4's. They could have gone longer if not for winter coming. We just got a killer deal on a set of new Good Year Ultra Grip winters ($200) but will most definitely be buying a set of CS5's before spring based on the performance of the CS4.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: volk06
Dont get the defenders.

Id save the $230 and go with the CS5. So you dont have the road hazard, if you need to replace 1 tire your still ahead money wise.

The michelin premier a/s and CS5 is a better tire for winter driving than the defender. Tire rack has the michelin defender as a bad tire for winter driving FWIW.

defender
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender&affiliate=FH8

premier a/s
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Premier+A%2FS


Cooper CS5 and General Altimax RT43 would be my recommendations.


+1 Mine too Heard nothing but good things about both tires

 

[meep]

I just installed the older cooper CS3 on our MDX. It has previously worn Mich LTX and Firestone LE (1). The CS3's initial impressions are best of the 3. Tracks well, quiet, no shake/roundness issues. They were $129 per tire plus m/b.

I decided on the coopers after trying the cooper rtx on the truck, which I am pleased with. I'd never run coopers before but the tires seem really good and the prices competitive.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: meep
I just installed the older cooper CS3 on our MDX. It has previously worn Mich LTX and Firestone LE (1). The CS3's initial impressions are best of the 3. Tracks well, quiet, no shake/roundness issues. They were $129 per tire plus m/b.


The CS3 is a new model that was released alongside the CS5.

Do you mean the CS4 (which was replaced by the CS5?)

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: meep
I just installed the older cooper CS3 on our MDX. It has previously worn Mich LTX and Firestone LE (1). The CS3's initial impressions are best of the 3. Tracks well, quiet, no shake/roundness issues. They were $129 per tire plus m/b.


Is that in P235/65R17 size?

 

[meep]

@ hokie yes, 235/65-17. nice tire.

@ mrsilv04 -- odd, the dealer told me he thought that was a previous generation tire. Maybe he meant something different?

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: meep
@ hokie yes, 235/65-17. nice tire.


Funny question, but if you could take a few pictures of them installed, especially of how much the sidewalls bulge and the tread pattern up close, I'd appreciate it. I love tire porn, especially in my size and application.

Thank you!

 

[kxc262]

Originally Posted By: josejoseph
I'm also in the same situation.

Need tires for my Honda Odyssey tires and after reading all the good reviews, I want to get the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring (compared to Michelin MXV4). Cost wise also the savings would be significant. None of the retailers here in Bay Area have them in stock so I have to specially order them.

America's Tire & Pep Boys have agreed to order it for me. Problem is, there won't be any road hazard included it.

So my question is -

1. My insurance covers road hazard. Wouldn't that be enough for me?
2. What would happen if one of the tires get damaged? Since it's a specially ordered tire do you think one of these shops could provide a loaner tire while the replacement tire arrives?
3. Since I'm getting all 4 new tires, should I go for alignment? My current tires are wearing out evenly so I'm not sure if I should get it done. Pep Boys quoted $90 for this.



DTD/America's Tire are generally more than generous with road hazard, especially if you buy the certificate. I bought my CS5 Ultras from DTD through the eBay sale and the store just had to add the invoice number to link the purchases. You will be covered under Cooper warranty and treadwear warranty.

Regarding loaner tires, yes America's Tire will loan you a tire while you wait for your new one IF they have the right size. Huge YMMV because sometimes you might get there and the truck hauled away all the old tires. They loaned me a used tire while I waited for a replacement tire before.

Alignment - good idea if your car is pulling to a side. Check out Firestone as they have a lifetime alignment offer.

Enjoy the CS5 Ultras. I like mine

10k miles with 9/32" still (although mostly freeway driving). My local America's Tire manager said his customers also approve of the tire and they get good reviews too.

 

[pbm]

I'd go for the Coopers.

Notwithstanding the price difference...they are just as good of tire, IMO...

 

[fdcg27]

The simple question would be whether these rather mediocre members of the Michelin clan are worth $230.00 more than Cooper's best touring all season.
The answer is pretty obvious.
I was a Michelin snob for years.
Until I had sets of Coopers and Generals on cars that I bought used.
I no longer view Michelin as any sort of gold standard.
While I always had good experiences with sets of Michelins, I've had the same with Coopers and Generals.
For $230.00 more, I'd not be riding on Michelins, especially the Defender tire.

 

[Doc8404]

Cooper or the Mich Premiere A/S

 

[carguy996]

Without a doubt the Defender is the best tire I have ever owned. I've got 22,000 miles on a set I have on my Caravan and they still have 8.5/32 of tread, quiet, have a fantastic ride, traction on rain/snow has been fantastic. I plan to buy Defenders any time I need tires.

 

[meep]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: meep
@ hokie yes, 235/65-17. nice tire.


Funny question, but if you could take a few pictures of them installed, especially of how much the sidewalls bulge and the tread pattern up close, I'd appreciate it. I love tire porn, especially in my size and application.

Thank you!


hokie, sorry I haven't had the time. The bulge is more variable by the looks of it. a "normal" amount up front and minimal at the rear. The front had less bulge with A/T tires, but we are talking small differences. front looks "normal" to me.

Tread pattern appears unexciting. But then, A/T and M/T treads are what I find appealing visually. It tracks straight and true, quietly, wet and dry, so the tread does what we purchased it to do.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Sounds good. I actually like very straight tread patterns -- they seem to throw water well and run quiet. I've always liked the Primacy MXV4's tread pattern because it's very straight. The CS3 and CS5 also appear to have very straight tread patterns. Less effective on mud or snow, more effective on wet or dry pavement.

Can I presume that your new CS3s are quiet and ride smooth? Those seem to be the biggest advantages of "straight and smooth" patterns like these tires have.

 

[meep]

yes, very!

 

[3for3]

I have approximately twelve thousand miles on my CS5 Ultras, and I can say that they are an absolutely fantastic touring tire.

On dry roads the tenacious grip on sweeping on-ramps and sharp curves is funtastic. On rainy days the incredible traction continues on, and hydroplaning is not an issue at posted speed limits.

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. If they were the same price, it would be a coin toss, But, the Cooper's are less expensive, so it's a no brainer for me, COOPER wins.

I don't feel like I am driving a mid grade tire with the CS5, at all. They feel premium to me.