Cooper Tyres: Unconditional Replacement Warranty - How Good Are They?

Digital Vampire · 19th November 2010, 19:10

I was on the lookout for a set of wheels for my Tucson and bumped across this new brand (for me) called Cooper Tyres from the US of A.

Even though they cost marginally more than mainstream offerings from Yokohama and Bridgestone, what caught my attention was the "UNCONDITIONAL REPLACEMENT WARRANTY" against any kind of damage till the tread wears to 25% of original.

I've read a few international reviews wherein Cooper Tyres were highly rated but...

Will they survive the torture test of Indian roads?
How good are these tyres when compared to Yokos/Bridgestones/Michelins
Is their UNCONDITIONAL REPLACEMENT WARRANTY any good or is there a fine print to it?

VeluM · 3rd December 2010, 16:35

Well my Dad's Indigo and Sis's Indica both have these tyres. They were not only one of the cheapest around when we purchased them, but also had the Unconditional Replacement Warranty, so we went for them (Indigo's feet first).

Bought them from the shop on the corner of JC Road (when approaching from Jayanagar - Lalbagh Gate side). Instead of turning right (where the multi level parking is, again on the right), continue straight across and its the first tyre shop on the left. Big yellow board, if I remember correctly, but it has been a while.

It has been over two years since then, and over 30k Kms in the Indigo without a Single flat. Nearly two years in the Indica, again without a flat, although we did have a bit of trouble with the old, rusted rims leaking air initially (until they were changed).

Both cars have been on Numerous trips to Coimbatore and Chennai, and we also did a trip to Pondicherry (with 5 adults, 2 kids and all the luggage over some poor sections as well) without any trouble. The Chennai trips can also be considered high-speed, with my Sis and her husband doing 120 on the Krishnagiri-Chennai stretch. The tyres grip well, have good tread depth and look good, and are also reasonably noiseless.

Since we haven't needed to use the URW, I can't comment on it. That might be a good thing!!

Overall a great buy that I'd recommend to anyone. One (possible) drawback is that I've seen a couple of my office cabs (Indica's) shod with them. That does prove their reliability, it would seem, though.

Digital Vampire · 3rd December 2010, 17:12

Thanks for your feedback VeluM.

I purchased the Coopers a week back from the exact shop you've mentioned. The shop's name is Cherry Agencies. Since I've done less than 200 Kms post replacement, I was waiting to clock some more kilometers before I post feedback here. Here is a short initial impression.

Vehicle: Hyundai Tucson
Old Tyres: Bridgestone Dueller 215/65/16
New Tyres: Cooper Discovery Sport HP 235/60/16 (yes, I used the oppurtunity to upgrade)

Purchase Price: Rs.8250/Tyre (I could have bargained more but I was in a hurry)

Ride Comfort: Far better than Bridgestones (now I understand how crappy the Bridgestones were even though they had less than 15K clicks on them) - Coopers glides over the moon-craters on BLR roads way too well. Could be because of Cooper's wider profile also but the difference is HUGE.

Tyre Noise: Very silent when compared to Bridgestones (which were real howlers at high speeds).

Road Grip: Excellent!!! I can carve corners much faster and no nervous wallowing which was there with Bridgestones in huge amounts. Braking seems a lot more assuring but Bridgestones were not too bad either. I haven't tried it in slush but anyways these are not off-road tyres to expect any magic there. The tread pattern is definitely deeper and sipes wider.

Steering Response: Though these tyres are bigger and heavier, the high speed steering feel is in fact better. There is a mild rumbling feeling at the steering at close to zero speeds. The vehicle feels faster to reach 3 digit speeds but it could be a placebo effect.

Dealership Experience: Below Average. Typical of most JC Road dealers I guess. The wheel alignment is best dismissed as a ritual. I have to get the Wheel alignment checked elsewhere since there seems to be a minor left pull.

Goof up: I purchased 5 tyres but these tyres are directional

.I dunno what I was thinking even though I was well aware that the tyres were directional types days before purchase itself. Tyre rotation (every 5K kms) is going to be a real PITA

19th November 2010, 19:10	#1
Digital Vampire BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Utopia! Posts: 605 Thanked: 121 Times	Cooper Tyres: Unconditional Replacement Warranty - How Good Are They? I was on the lookout for a set of wheels for my Tucson and bumped across this new brand (for me) called Cooper Tyres from the US of A. Even though they cost marginally more than mainstream offerings from Yokohama and Bridgestone, what caught my attention was the "UNCONDITIONAL REPLACEMENT WARRANTY" against any kind of damage till the tread wears to 25% of original. I've read a few international reviews wherein Cooper Tyres were highly rated but... Will they survive the torture test of Indian roads? How good are these tyres when compared to Yokos/Bridgestones/Michelins Is their UNCONDITIONAL REPLACEMENT WARRANTY any good or is there a fine print to it?
	() Thanks

3rd December 2010, 16:35	#2
VeluM Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,805 Thanked: 1,541 Times	Well my Dad's Indigo and Sis's Indica both have these tyres. They were not only one of the cheapest around when we purchased them, but also had the Unconditional Replacement Warranty, so we went for them (Indigo's feet first). Bought them from the shop on the corner of JC Road (when approaching from Jayanagar - Lalbagh Gate side). Instead of turning right (where the multi level parking is, again on the right), continue straight across and its the first tyre shop on the left. Big yellow board, if I remember correctly, but it has been a while. It has been over two years since then, and over 30k Kms in the Indigo without a Single flat. Nearly two years in the Indica, again without a flat, although we did have a bit of trouble with the old, rusted rims leaking air initially (until they were changed). Both cars have been on Numerous trips to Coimbatore and Chennai, and we also did a trip to Pondicherry (with 5 adults, 2 kids and all the luggage over some poor sections as well) without any trouble. The Chennai trips can also be considered high-speed, with my Sis and her husband doing 120 on the Krishnagiri-Chennai stretch. The tyres grip well, have good tread depth and look good, and are also reasonably noiseless. Since we haven't needed to use the URW, I can't comment on it. That might be a good thing!! Overall a great buy that I'd recommend to anyone. One (possible) drawback is that I've seen a couple of my office cabs (Indica's) shod with them. That does prove their reliability, it would seem, though.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2010, 17:12	#3
Digital Vampire BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Utopia! Posts: 605 Thanked: 121 Times	Thanks for your feedback VeluM. I purchased the Coopers a week back from the exact shop you've mentioned. The shop's name is Cherry Agencies. Since I've done less than 200 Kms post replacement, I was waiting to clock some more kilometers before I post feedback here. Here is a short initial impression. Vehicle: Hyundai Tucson Old Tyres: Bridgestone Dueller 215/65/16 New Tyres: Cooper Discovery Sport HP 235/60/16 (yes, I used the oppurtunity to upgrade) Purchase Price: Rs.8250/Tyre (I could have bargained more but I was in a hurry) Ride Comfort: Far better than Bridgestones (now I understand how crappy the Bridgestones were even though they had less than 15K clicks on them) - Coopers glides over the moon-craters on BLR roads way too well. Could be because of Cooper's wider profile also but the difference is HUGE. Tyre Noise: Very silent when compared to Bridgestones (which were real howlers at high speeds). Road Grip: Excellent!!! I can carve corners much faster and no nervous wallowing which was there with Bridgestones in huge amounts. Braking seems a lot more assuring but Bridgestones were not too bad either. I haven't tried it in slush but anyways these are not off-road tyres to expect any magic there. The tread pattern is definitely deeper and sipes wider. Steering Response: Though these tyres are bigger and heavier, the high speed steering feel is in fact better. There is a mild rumbling feeling at the steering at close to zero speeds. The vehicle feels faster to reach 3 digit speeds but it could be a placebo effect. Dealership Experience: Below Average. Typical of most JC Road dealers I guess. The wheel alignment is best dismissed as a ritual. I have to get the Wheel alignment checked elsewhere since there seems to be a minor left pull. Goof up: I purchased 5 tyres but these tyres are directional .I dunno what I was thinking even though I was well aware that the tyres were directional types days before purchase itself. Tyre rotation (every 5K kms) is going to be a real PITA Last edited by Digital Vampire : 3rd December 2010 at 17:28.
	() Thanks