Tyre recommendations for XF diesel S please!

[JR Hartley]

I need to buy a couple of new tyres for my XF diesel S.

I understand that Dunlop Sport Maxx were original equipment on the car - I'm tempted to continue with these but have been intrigued by the debate on various tyre-related websites regarding the pros and cons of various premium/budget brands that other owners have fitted to their cars.

I drive about 18,000 miles p.a., so tyres that last a few miles are always attractive. Some people have made quite surprising claims for fairly cheap tyres, the use of which I would normally consider to be a false economy. However, I'm keen to hear what other owners have experienced with different tyre brands on their XFs.

Many thanks for your help!

[Hammerhead]

My XF-S had ContiSportContact 2s on the front & Falken 452s on the rear when I bought it. I replaced all four when the Contis were spent with Dunlop Sport Maxx Js. The Contis are good, consistent tyres in all conditions but are pretty soft so wear quite quickly. The 452s wear quite well, grip well in warm/dry conditions but turn to plastic when the temperature drops so get a thumbs down from me. No complaints with the Dunlops as yet, so I'd go for the Dunlops or some Michelins.

Edited by Hammerhead on Monday 1st September 17:23

[GilesGuthrie]

Different car, I know, but I'm running the Dunlops on my XJ. I've found that grip drops off quite severely below +10 deg C. On a warm day they generate huge grip, and they're good in the wet, but they're definitely a summer tyre.

I will probably look towards Michelin when I change.

Either that or I'll get a set of Winters.

[JR Hartley]

Many thanks for those thoughts.

The perfect tyre probably doesn't exist, although I suppose we're spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding what to put on the car - perhaps this is a good problem to have!