Segment
1. Michelin Primacy 3 Premium2. Cooper Zeon CS8 Upper-middle
Comparison: Cooper Zeon CS8 vs. Michelin Primacy 3
Table of contents:
| # | Cooper Zeon CS8
| Michelin Primacy 3
| Add to comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  | ||
| Dimensions | R15 - R19 | R15 - R20 | |
| Price | |||
| Remove | Remove from comparison | Remove from comparison |
The Cooper Zeon CS8 and the Michelin Primacy 3 are both summer tyres aimed at mainstream passenger cars, but test results place them at very different levels. Below we compare their measured performance across major magazine tests, summarise cumulative strengths and weaknesses, and give a concise verdict on which tyre performs better overall.
Quick facts: Cooper Zeon CS8 (summer, made in GB) — profile and full details at /cooper-zeon-cs8. Manufacturer page: Cooper. Michelin Primacy 3 — details at /michelin-primacy-3; manufacturer page: Michelin. Note: the Primacy 3 has been superseded by the Michelin Primacy 4 (see /michelin-primacy-4), which explains why the Primacy 3 shows no active percentage rating in our current database.
Test summary (key results):
- ADAC: Michelin Primacy 3 — 1st of 16; Cooper Zeon CS8 — 14th of 16.
- AutoBild: Michelin Primacy 3 — 10th of 52; Cooper Zeon CS8 — 19th of 52.
- Our site rating: Cooper Zeon CS8 — 34%; Michelin Primacy 3 — recorded as 0% in the database (model archived/replaced).
What this means: Across the two major comparative test runs we have, the Michelin Primacy 3 consistently placed significantly higher than the Cooper Zeon CS8. A 1st place finish in ADAC is a strong indicator of balanced performance — notably superior braking, stability and wet/dry behaviour — while good AutoBild placement confirms the tyre's all-round strengths. By contrast, the Cooper's ADAC rank near the bottom suggests clear shortcomings in the specific components ADAC emphasizes (safety-related criteria such as wet braking and handling), though its mid-pack AutoBild placing shows it can compete on value or certain dry/comfort metrics.
Strengths & weaknesses:
- Michelin Primacy 3 — Strengths: top-ranked in ADAC and solid AutoBild results indicate excellent overall grip balance, consistent behaviour and reliability. Weaknesses: this exact model is now discontinued in favour of the Primacy 4, so prospective buyers should consider the newer model for current production and up-to-date test coverage.
- Cooper Zeon CS8 — Strengths: reasonable AutoBild placement suggests acceptable value and usable summer performance in certain conditions. Weaknesses: low ADAC ranking and our modest site rating (34%) point to inferior performance where it matters most — wet braking, high-speed stability or emergency handling — compared with class leaders.
Verdict: If test performance is the priority, the Michelin Primacy 3 clearly outperforms the Cooper Zeon CS8 across major independent tests and should be regarded as the superior tyre in this comparison. However, because the Primacy 3 has been replaced by the Primacy 4, buyers should look to the newer Primacy 4 or current Michelin summer ranges for the latest improvements and availability. The Cooper Zeon CS8 can offer a budget-oriented alternative, but it falls short of the safety and handling benchmarks set by the Michelin in independent tests.
Number of sizes available
Number of tests
Best position in test
Worst position in test
Average position in tests
2. Cooper Zeon CS8 19.71
Year of the last test
Best rating in test
1. Michelin Primacy 3 Exemplary2. Cooper Zeon CS8 Satisfactory
Worst rating in test
1. Michelin Primacy 3 Recommended2. Cooper Zeon CS8 Sufficient
Wet
(Overall rating)Wet braking according to EU label
Dry
(Overall rating)Offroad
(Overall rating)Costs
(Overall rating)Fuel consumption according to EU label
Comfort
(Overall rating)Outside noise accoring to EU label
1. Cooper Zeon CS8 70 dB2. Michelin Primacy 3 71 dB
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Dimensions and prices
Mutual Tests Available
These tyres were tested together in 3 test(s). Click to view detailed head-to-head results.
3
Mutual tests
| Name | Wet | Dry | Noise | Wear | Fuel consumption | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best values in test | 2,0 | 1,6 | 3,0 | 1,0 | 1,7 | ||
| Cooper Zeon CS8 Rating: Satisfactory | 3,2 | 3,2 | 3,2 | 2,5 | 2,3 | ||
| Michelin Primacy 3 Rating: Good | 2,5 | 1,7 | 3,1 | 1,0 | 1,9 | ||
| Show test details | |||||||
| Name | Wet | Dry | Running costs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best values in test | 1- | 1- | 1 | ||||
| Cooper Zeon CS8 Rating: Satisfactory | 2- | 2- | 2- | ||||
| Michelin Primacy 3 Rating: Satisfactory | 2- | 2+ | 1- | ||||
| Show test details | |||||||
| Name | Stopping distance on dry | Stopping distance on wet | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best values in test | 34,1 | 34,6 | |||||
| Cooper Zeon CS8 | 37 | 39,2 | |||||
| Michelin Primacy 3 | 34,6 | 38,58 | |||||
| Show test details | |||||||
