New Cooper Zeon RS3-A ordered

[Rkammer]

I just ordered 4 of the new Cooper Zeon RS3-As for my '03 MM. Front and rear are identical to OEM BFG sizes and the price is great. Here is the order from Treadepot.com:

COOPER ZEON RS3-A (http://www.treadepot.com/tire/22815.html)
235/50R18 ZEON RS3-A 97W BLK
Item Number: 22815 2
$0.00
$137.00
$274.00

COOPER ZEON RS3-A (http://www.treadepot.com/tire/22801.html)
245/55R18 ZEON RS3-A 103W BLK
Item Number: 22801 2
$0.00
$145.00
$290.00

Shipping (Ground): Free Taxes: $36.66 Total: $600.66

A bonus was free shipping and they have re-introuced the Cooper $75 rebate program until November. So, the tires will cost $525. My dealer will install and balance them for $90 plus the alignment so, the package will be just over $600. I'll post a review once they are on the car with a few miles on them. I notice that Consumer Reports rates them a top pick.

[DOOM]

Any pics of the tires?

[rayjay]

Any pics of the tires?

I posted a pic of them in another thread. They kinda look like OEMs.

Which tread hardness did you get?

[SC Cheesehead]

Interested in performance of these tires. Post up your impressions of them after you get them installed and have a few miles on them.

[rayjay]

Interested in performance of these tires. Post up your impressions of them after you get them installed and have a few miles on them.


When I looked them up, they come in two tread hardnesses. I would assume the softer would handle better and be more to Doom's liking.

[SC Cheesehead]

When I looked them up, they come in two tread hardnesses. I would assume the softer would handle better and be more to Doom's liking.


Good point, need to know which compound he's running to benchmark perfromance.

ANYTHING has to be better than the OEM tires... :cool:

[Rkammer]

Good point, need to know which compound he's running to benchmark perfromance.

ANYTHING has to be better than the OEM tires... :cool:

Actually Cooper makes them in 3 hardnesses. RS3 is 220, RS3-S is 300, and the RS3-A is 500 (even though it's called an all-season Ultra High Performance tire). However, only the RS3-A has both OEM sizes for our cars.

As for looking like the OEMs, they are a bit more aggressive looking IMO. (photo by Lone Wolf in another thread)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Raykamm/Cars/CooperZeonFRRR.jpg

[Phrog_gunner]

ANYTHING has to be better than the OEM tires... :cool:

I tried Kumhos on the rears and after about 20 miles of marshmallow sidewalls I went right back to stock. I'm VERY hesitant to risk any more money on something that won't handle as well. :(

[SC Cheesehead]

I tried Kumhos on the rears and after about 20 miles of marshmallow sidewalls I went right back to stock. I'm VERY hesitant to risk any more money on something that won't handle as well. :(

Which series Kuhmo's?

If they were an H-rated tire, that may have been the problem.

I just had my second set of General Grabber UHPs installed on the rear, got 40,000+ out of the first set, very pleased with their performance.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/general/size/viewProductDetail.do?pc=32454

[Phrog_gunner]

Which series Kuhmo's?

If they were an H-rated tire, that may have been the problem.

I just had my second set of General Grabber UHPs installed on the rear, got 40,000+ out of the first set, very pleased with their performance.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/general/size/viewProductDetail.do?pc=32454

Ecsta STX V rated.....should be SP rated for:
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRycAPX8Sh-TeZi0tB47l8et18D3TLf0rlYZZcVEC k2nrfX6PRX

I also want a matched set.

[Rkammer]

I just had my second set of General Grabber UHPs installed on the rear, got 40,000+ out of the first set, very pleased with their performance.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/general/size/viewProductDetail.do?pc=32454

I've also had the General Grabber on my rears for about the same 40,000+ and they are great! Only reason I'm going with the Coopers now is to get a matched set front/back. But the Grabbers are awesome. :)

[SC Cheesehead]

I've also had the General Grabber on my rears for about the same 40,000+ and they are great! Only reason I'm going with the Coopers now is to get a matched set front/back. But the Grabbers are awesome. :)

+1, that's what interests me as well, really looking forward to seeing your impressions of the tires after you've got 'em on.

Subscribing.

[CBT]

I tried Kumhos on the rears and after about 20 miles of marshmallow sidewalls I went right back to stock. I'm VERY hesitant to risk any more money on something that won't handle as well. :(
We had the exact opposite feelings, I loved/love mine. You still have yours? Sells them to me.

[Phrog_gunner]

We had the exact opposite feelings, I loved/love mine. You still have yours? Sells them to me.

I still haz them, luckily for you I didn't get mad and do any burn outs when I found out some jamoke gave me bad advice. ;)

[Bigdogjim]

You also need to watch the load index as well as the speed rating.

[Rkammer]

You also need to watch the load index as well as the speed rating.

Good advice. The speed and load ratings of the OEM BFGs and the Cooper RSC-A are the same:

Fronts - 97W = 1609 lbs & 168 MPH
Rears - 103W = 1929 lbs & 168 MPH

[Phrog_gunner]

The load index on the Kumhos is actually higher (109)

[CBT]

The load index on the Kumhos is actually higher (109)
......lol, you said "load"......

[Phrog_gunner]

......lol, you said "load"......

Jim started it....:alone:

[bolsen]

load? really? lol...

[rayjay]

Actually Cooper makes them in 3 hardnesses. RS3 is 220, RS3-S is 300, and the RS3-A is 500 (even though it's called an all-season Ultra High Performance tire). However, only the RS3-A has both OEM sizes for our cars.

As for looking like the OEMs, they are a bit more aggressive looking IMO. (photo by Lone Wolf in another thread)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Raykamm/Cars/CooperZeonFRRR.jpg

Your photo is better than their website! I'll be getting these down the road if you like them.

[Rkammer]

Your photo is better than their website! I'll be getting these down the road if you like them.

Just want to give credit again to Lone Wolf for the fine photo. :D

[ReefBlueCoupe]

I'm ordering some fronts today.. I still have a little bit of life left in the KDWS rears, and then I'll be ordering the matching rears.

Finally, a decent tire choice that's NOT backordered.

[Rkammer]

I'm ordering some fronts today.. I still have a little bit of life left in the KDWS rears, and then I'll be ordering the matching rears.

Finally, a decent tire choice that's NOT backordered.

Just to let you know, Cooper Tire has a $75 rebate going on until November but, you have to buy 4 tires at the same time to quality. It might be a good idea to order 4 and put 2 away for later to get the rebate. Just a thought. :)

[ReefBlueCoupe]

Just to let you know, Cooper Tire has a $75 rebate going on until November but, you have to buy 4 tires at the same time to quality. It might be a good idea to order 4 and put 2 away for later to get the rebate. Just a thought. :)

I'm hoping I can do it! I have a pair of new OEM rears that I'm putting on Craigslist right now, so hopefully I can get someone to buy those, and then I'll have the cash to get all four.

Thanks for the heads up about it expiring in November.

[Phrog_gunner]

I'm hoping I can do it! I have a pair of new OEM rears that I'm putting on Craigslist right now, so hopefully I can get someone to buy those, and then I'll have the cash to get all four.

Thanks for the heads up about it expiring in November.

I might be able to save you the trouble of CL. Unless you dont want to ship.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

I'd ship if you are willing to pay the costs..

Sending a PM now.

[willpelton]

I have the coopers on the front for a while now. they run perfect, my 275/40-18 came in yesterday. pep boys has a great price on these tires. according to my buddy who is a cooper distributor the 275/40's just hit the street. Pep Boys has these tires in stock in Indiana. they are the proper height to match the factory rears. I rolled the 275's out to my car last night in front of pep boys and they are perfect height to the inflated BFG's. I will take pics before and after. I sure wish it was easier to post pics on here. I had to have fronts to complete a trip out of town. I was not happy when I got back and started shopping for 275 rears to find cooper did not have them. 2 months later they have them. happy now.

[Rkammer]

I have the coopers on the front for a while now. they run perfect, my 275/40-18 came in yesterday. pep boys has a great price on these tires. according to my buddy who is a cooper distributor the 275/40's just hit the street. Pep Boys has these tires in stock in Indiana. they are the proper height to match the factory rears. I rolled the 275's out to my car last night in front of pep boys and they are perfect height to the inflated BFG's. I will take pics before and after. I sure wish it was easier to post pics on here. I had to have fronts to complete a trip out of town. I was not happy when I got back and started shopping for 275 rears to find cooper did not have them. 2 months later they have them. happy now.

275/40s? Are they Cooper RS3-As? Must be very new as this size isn't even listed on the Cooper web site. Do you know the OD of them? And are they OK for our 8 inch rims?

[ReefBlueCoupe]

I'm ordering some fronts today.. I still have a little bit of life left in the KDWS rears, and then I'll be ordering the matching rears.

Finally, a decent tire choice that's NOT backordered.

Well, I never bought them because I found a deal on some KDWS fronts.

Cya in two years!

[willpelton]

Rkammer, I think they will fit well on our factory rims. I am not the first here to put 275's on the back with factory wheels. I think I am the first to use this brand of tires. I am looking forward to having all 4 the same series on the car. I know the guys at pep boys so I will take some good before and after pics, side by side height pics. My buddy the manager swears these tires are going to be too short by over an inch. side by side unmounted to mounted they are almost even with the new tire being less than 1/4 inch shorter. As for the tires being new they just hit the street like last week I think. Pep Boys can go as low as $175 per tire for the 275/40zr18 and yes they have the stiff sidewall all the guys on this forum seem to complain about with other tires. I paid for them this evening (thursday) and plan to mount them tomorrow or saturday. I need to go video some nasty burnouts before I toss the old KDWS tires . My fronts were only $135 I think. FYI everyone pep boys has bought all the Big 10 tire and repair store in the country so no need to comparison shop between those two. I will post the exact part number for all 4 of my tires soon.

[willpelton]

pep boys SITE FOR THE REARS;
http://www.pepboys.com/tires/details/Cooper/Zeon+2XS/9978834/

[willpelton]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/cooper_275-40-18.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/20264)

[Rkammer]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/cooper_275-40-18.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/20264)

Very neat looking tire but I thought, reading your post, that they are the RS3-A and they aren't. Were you able to find a front tire in the same series as this ZEON 2XS?

[willpelton]

I bought the RS3-A first and was in a bit of a hurry because I had to run to a trade show in Orlando so I got the RS3's on the front. If I had it to do over I would have tried to get the 2XS on the front so they would truly match. As it stands I am content that front and back are both cooper zeon. I don't profess to be as particular as some of the owners on the forum about tires. I know a bit about tires from a lifetime of owning lots of cars but at the end of the day to me this is still a big 4 door car, LOL. I love it so don't get me wrong but it is not a mercedes CLS55 AMG or the like. So I am happy to experiment with different tires here and there. I will, like I said keep everyone updated as to the fit and finish of these tires. I think I should have gone wider on the front also but that may be for next time. I hope my post will help some other MM owner make a good choice for their car.

[JUST 1BULLITT]

Sounds good! Like others, I'm just happy they MAKE 'em again so we CAN have decent "all-four matching tires" on our cars without backorder hassles etc. :beer: :burnout:(ESPECIALLY since my Silver Birch is STILL Riding on the ORIGINAL BFG's!! :eek: Less than 30K Miles on 'em but still...well OVER 7 years old now and on borrowed time!)

[Rkammer]

I did receive all 4 RS3-As this week and they look really nice. I'll install them next week after having some "ding" work done on my Silver Birch. Looking forward to taking them on vacation to the NC mountains at the end of this month.

[dohc324ci]

Sweet gonna take a look at a whole set and keep my rears BFGs fronts are toast.

Thanks for Sharing.

[dohc324ci]

Cooper Tires Web sales slick on the Zeon RS3-A series tires. UHP All weather BFG Replacement.

Check it out its pretty comprehensive.
http://www.cooperzeon.com/

[Rkammer]

Cooper Tires Web sales slick on the Zeon RS3-A series tires. UHP All weather BFG Replacement.

Check it out its pretty comprehensive.
http://www.cooperzeon.com/

Everyone keep in mind that the Cooper website for the RS3-A has a wrong size listed for our rears. It says 255/45 x 18 but the tire is actually our OEM rear, 245/55 x 18. Someone was dislectic(sp) that day.

[dohc324ci]

Haha^^ good catch some nice reviews for the tire.

http://www.windingroad.com/articles/reviews/tire-tech-cooper-zeon-rs3-s-and-rs3-a/

[rayjay]

Haha^^ good catch some nice reviews for the tire.

http://www.windingroad.com/articles/reviews/tire-tech-cooper-zeon-rs3-s-and-rs3-a/

Thanks for that link. Yep, next tire time its Coopers. :up:

[jstevens]

Well I just got rid of my BFG OEM Fronts and Nitto 420S rears today for a matching stock size set of Cooper RS3A's.

Read alot of reviews. Got them at Discount Tire 843 OTD. Plus $75 mail in rebate through Nov 7.

Car seems to ride softer. Nice smooth ride home.

[Marsha]

Can Coopers be put on the rear and original BFG's stay on the front? Just wondering - I need new rears again (2nd set) with only 30k miles on the 2003 MM! Thanks!

[Rkammer]

Can Coopers be put on the rear and original BFG's stay on the front? Just wondering - I need new rears again (2nd set) with only 30k miles on the 2003 MM! Thanks!

Sure. Aside from the treads and sidewalls looking different, they will be exactly the same ride height as original. I've got about 2,000 miles on my set and still love them.

[71cyclone]

FYI- Generally speaking the HI speed tires have thicker side walls , all AMG Benzes
factory equiped hi-speed tires side walls over lap the wheel lip- like Marauder factory
BfG's. Most of your hi-speed tires are fair in as far as all weather [snow] usage [general viewers comment] " Big Dogs " -Quote watch the load index and speed rating

[Rkammer]

FYI- Generally speaking the HI speed tires have thicker side walls , all AMG Benzes
factory equiped hi-speed tires side walls over lap the wheel lip- like Marauder factory
BfG's. Most of your hi-speed tires are fair in as far as all weather [snow] usage [general viewers comment] " Big Dogs " -Quote watch the load index and speed rating

Good info. I thought I'd compare the Cooper RS3As to the OEM BFGs with regard to all the relevant specs and here's what I found. It's interesting to note that both the BFGs and the Coopers are classified as Ultra High Performance All Season tires meaning they are Mud and Snow rated:

BFG 235/50 x 18 (fronts) - Ultra High Performance All Season
Speed Rating - W = 168 MPH
Treadwear = 400
Traction = AA
Wet traction = A
Load rating = 1609 lbs.
BFG 245/55 x 18 (rear) - Same as above except load rating is 1929 lbs.

Cooper 235/50 x 18 and 245/55 x 18
Identical to all the above specs except treadwear is 500 instead of 400.

[rayjay]

I looked at a pair at the Mom & Pop tire shop around the corner from my house. I'll be going with the Coopers for my rear next set. The tread pattern is similiar. As far as snow, well it depends on how much snow you are talking about and where you live. I'm in a rural snowbelt of upstate NY and never even tried the OEM tires. I went straight for a snowshoe package the 1st winter. I got through pretty much everything once I learned how use the TC.

[Rkammer]

I looked at a pair at the Mom & Pop tire shop around the corner from my house. I'll be going with the Coopers for my rear next set. The tread pattern is similiar. As far as snow, well it depends on how much snow you are talking about and where you live. I'm in a rural snowbelt of upstate NY and never even tried the OEM tires. I went straight for a snowshoe package the 1st winter. I got through pretty much everything once I learned how use the TC.

I mentioned Mud and snow with tongue in cheek since I'm down here in Sunny Florida. I've been to upstate New York and snow up there is serious snow. :D

[jstevens]

I've been driving on my cooper RS3A for a couple of weeks. Nice ride and all. I''m figuring with the 500 treadwear versus 400 BFG that they'll be a tad more pliable in the winter.

Wanted a full winter set but found out with the big baer rotors that that was not gonna happen.

I'm happy with these tires overall. Smooth ride and all.