Firestone Firehawks vs Futura vs BFG vs Cooper Cobras 255/60R15

[oldcarnut]

These are 4 brands I can get here in 255-60-15.  I will be running the black wall so lettering is not an issue right now.  The FS are $95 Futura's $98 and the others more.  I wanted some opinions from others who have used more than one brand of each to compare how they were.  I think the FS's are discontinued now but this place I found still has more left.  I read quite a few of non flattering reports on the BFG's but not so much on how these compared to each other.  Any thoughts

[68X426]

You need to decide on your priorities based on the way you will drive. Basically decide between performance or all-season.

You have to research each of the four choices based on these (very) general and relative factors:

Performance: lower wear, shorter life, lower gas milage, less wet/snow performance; but with more dry grip, smoother ride.
All-season: higher wear, longer life, better mpg, more wet/snow grip; usually with less or no dry grip, and a harsher ride.

None of which matters if you have an old suspension, weak shocks, poor springs, loose steering, etc. Tires can't make up for other under-performing components. Personally, I think the Cooper is a good compromise amongst all those tire factors.

[471_Magnum]

If you're going to be running letters in, you need to take a looke at each option. Not all are finished as nicely. You can't judge from the white letter side.

Mickey Thompson S/Ts are another option, but I tell you from experience the blackwalls are not finished as nice as the white letter side.

The BFGs are finished nicely on both sides.

[471_Magnum]

There is an extra step in the manufacturing process to buff off the "tits" on the side walls. Not all manufacturers do this. Some do it on one side, some both, some not all. Looks like shit if they aren't buffed.

[HPP]

All of these are S or T rated as all season radials. They will all work fine on a cruiser and none of them are really high performance tires. Of those four, it ma toss up of the  Firestones, although I would verify their availability as some of their sizes have been discontinued, and the Coopers. BFGs will tend to be the hardest and perhaps longest lasting, but they also have had manufacturing issues with slipped belts, out of round, etc. None of these have had any technological improvements applied to their design for at least 25 years.

Probably the best performing street tires in 15" are the Mickey Thompson SR (not the ST which is the same as a Copper Cobra) and the Maxxis Marauder SA1. Both of these are H speed rated with softer tread compounds and more aggressive tread designs that have been designed in the last decade.

There are V and Z rated 15" tires out there that could be considered ultra performance, but you need to get Hoosier or Avon d.o.t. race tires to get there and they are $200-300 per tire.

[twodko]

Just my opinion here.......BFG's with letters out look great but are a bit pricey due to popularity and aren't that great in wet weather/traction wise.

I have firestone FireHawk Indy 500 on my 69, letters inside, and they look fine, ride nicely and were a bit cheaper than BFG. I don't drive the car in the rain so I can't speak to wet weather performance.

I have heard good things about Cooper and M/T tires but have no personal experience with them. I have the FS 275 60 15 on the back of my car and will move up to 295 50 15 soon but FS doesn't make that size so I'll have  to run another brand.......295's on a 10x15 wheel is THE way the back of a 2nd gen should look IMO.

[471_Magnum]

I should also state I do like my Mickey Thompsons. I've put sevarl thousand miles in them in wet and dry conditons with no complaints.

I am actually looking to sell mine (along with the Centerline Telstars) to finance the purchase of some 17 inch Rallyes.

[oldcarnut]

Thanks. For the replies.  I don't see MT and sa1 were listed in 255 60 15 .  Really not to  much choices in that size :

[471_Magnum]

I've got 255 60 15s out back on mine. That size should be readily available in all brands unless they are back ordered.

[oldcarnut]

I checked a little more and found the Maxxis site. It's listed as an SUV/Truck tire but they do have them in that size so I'll see if a local dealer can get them and check them out.  Most of the places here list the only choices as the four I mentioned.  Otherwise it's ordering online for something different.

[bull]

I have Cooper Cobras but my only experience with them so far is a pair of 20-foot burnouts. I chose them for three reasons: The tire shop closest to my house carries them, BFG was not making 295s at the time and because they are made in the USA. Not sure if the others are US made or not.