[kms1990]

This is the initial review of these tires after a week and about 500 miles. The tires are Cooper RS3-A 205/50/17 93w 500aa a tires, after a week, initial impressions are very good, dry grip was an immediate improvement over the firehawks on my car previously. Wet grip is just as good if not more noteworthy than dry (off and on rain through my week of ownership) the sidewall treatment is awesome looking (a cosmetic plus) they respond great to turning and braking response has gone way up over the firehawks. steering got lighter feeling but more direct and responsive over the firehawks, ride quality seems good for a uhp tire. way less bouncy then the firehawks. noise level thus far is not even noticeable, the firehawks where horribly loud (reason i got rid of them with a bunch of wear left, could not take it wih no grip to boot) time will tell how they wear 40k mile warranty, i will update after a rotation and periodically as they wear to see if they last like they say they will, and how they feel after mileage on them and rotations etc.

so far these feel very similar to Michelin pilot sport a/s 3 i have used many times before. time will tell if they really are as good

UPDATE 1500 miles on tires: After 1500 miles the tires are still fantastic, my mpg has seemed to go up just a tick from 26-28 average to 27-29 average now (have not averaged under 27 since I have put these on) They do ride noticeably rough but not out of the ordinary for a stiff sidewall performance tire, I was not looking for ride comfort, but grip so if you want a buttery ride look elsewhere. the ride on these is a little worse then Michelins a/s 3 I had before on an 08 3 but nothing unbearable. The rough ride does get you a lot though, they ive great road feel and feedback and grip in every situation I have been in from slamming on the brakes in the rain to 90+mph in the rain to dry going 80 around a 35mph rated turn the car feels planted and nimble with these tires, the steering nice and direct, braking feels smooth and much stronger then the firestones on this car prior. They are nice and light and feel as such when driving. noise is still not noticeable and wear is none so far with my own measurement device still at right above 10/32nd just where they started out in middle and inner grooves (outer one is an odd v shape that's not as thick as it goes down and will give a misleading wear reading so don't use it to measure tread depth) they hold air nicely (as if many tires don't) I still enjoy the sidewall treatment nice sporty look. My statement above is still holding true these are just as worthy as Michelin a/s 3 so far, maybe even a hair better on grip, ride is a downfall but not to be unexpected from a light uhp tire and nothing I am actually complaining about (just the only shortcoming thus far for me)

 

[kms1990]

Another Update well after having the motor mounts changed (passenger under coolant tank and driver under car towards the firewall) (the 2 that commonly have issues) the rough ride is completely gone, so i resend my previous update part where i stated they ride rough. these tires so far are great, quiet, grippy, good looking, good ride. lets see how they hold up.

 

[Road Trip]

Glad you figured out that your motor mounts were causing a problem, had them fixed. Hope your Cooper's continue to work well for you!

 

[kms1990]

UPDATE: 6,000 miles on tires so initial buying aura gone and purchase is now a few months behind me, boy do I drive too much at my job, in my car. oh well mileage is reimbursed at a great rate.

These tires just had their first rotation at just under 6,000 miles on the tires (I do oil change and tire rotations at the same time) they still grip very well and handle nicely, braking modulation is still acceptable though I think my pads are more the issue then the tires as I have autozone mid grade pads and am looking to upgrade once these wear. they are still much quieter then the firehawks where and handle much better wet and dry, wet grip has not deteriorated any noticeable amount nor has stopping distance.

They had 8.5ish-9/32nds wear (started at just over 10/32nds) when measured right before rotation indicating they should last at least until the warrantied mileage of 40,000 (if maintained, which I am anal about, so they are) I did pick up a minor moderately high speed vibration (70-85ish mph) but had them rebalanced when they did the rotation, but have yet to go on the freeway to see if this remedied it, again I think its warped brake rotors from me cheaping out a little on the brakes when I first got the car, if this did not remedy it, as the hubs and cv axles have no issues and it was a very minor vibration that could only be felt in the wheel and slightly in the brake pedal if used at those speeds to slow down with much effort, with no accompanying noises to indicate a mechanical issue. overall still very pleased with these tires and if they last will definitely buy again, or buy their replacements if these are not available, still stand behind what my prior posts said about them being on par with higher priced tires as they still seem to be.

EDIT: rebalancing at discount tire fixed the minor vibration recently picked up (last 1,000ish miles) mentioned above, i thought my rotors where warped but appeared to be one of the ties threw a weight or ntb did not balance them 100% right when they installed them, long story, but never using them again. Bought road hazard and lifetime balance and rotation from discount for them since discount gets it right, the stoe i visited just had new road force balancers installed too.

 

[kms1990]

UPDATE 7500 MILES ON TIRES still no major changes, I do note the tires need the air pressure adjusted more often then the firehawks, but not anything major, tires still very quiet, handling good and ride good for a uhp tire.

 

[don77]

I do note the tires need the air pressure adjusted more often then the firehawks, but not anything major, tires still very quiet, handling good and ride good for a uhp tire.

Firehawks the Wide Oval or Indy500s? I'm about to pick up a set of the 500s and read they are much much improved over the WOs.

 

[kms1990]

Firehawks the Wide Oval or Indy500s? I'm about to pick up a set of the 500s and read they are much much improved over the WOs.

this one: https://simpletire.com/firestone-p2...pe=passenger&gclid=CKzW-rjN1tMCFYUvgQodOrMJVQ

but firestone generally rates near the bottom overall anyhow. personally I would steer clear, literally and figuratively. oddly though bridgestone (owns firestone, but makes their brand the premier obviously) are usually not bad.

so far im going to say cant go wrong with these cooper rs3-a they have been above expectations especially at only $100/ea plus $50 mail in rebate! or Michelin pilot sport a/s3 those are wonderful too, just cost an arm a leg half your foot and your first born son but the coopers to me feel and act very very close and many times better then my previous experiences on a/s3 tires