Finally bought an XKR

[jimattfield]

Not keen on the SportMAXX on my XK either but seriously considering the SportMAXX RT. Anyone care to venture an opinion on the difference between the two on an XK150 5.0L Dynamic R or something similar in 20" size? Not looking to start a tyre war BTW!

[popeyewhite]

jimattfield said:

Not keen on the SportMAXX on my XK either but seriously considering the SportMAXX RT. Anyone care to venture an opinion on the difference between the two on an XK150 5.0L Dynamic R or something similar in 20" size? Not looking to start a tyre war BTW!

Sorry I should have specified mine were the RT, however they were on a MB AMG, not a Jag.

[a8hex]

jimattfield said:

Not keen on the SportMAXX on my XK either but seriously considering the SportMAXX RT. Anyone care to venture an opinion on the difference between the two on an XK150 5.0L Dynamic R or something similar in 20" size? Not looking to start a tyre war BTW!

Before discussing tyres we need to sort out nomenclature.

In the front we have an XK150, in the rear we have an X150 5L XKR they take very different types of tyres.

I'll be interested in peoples thoughts on tyre choice for the X150, the dealer kindly forgot to tell me that they marked down a couple of the tyres at the last service.

[tony rigby]

I tried to purchase a couple of Sport Maxx RT tyres last year and was told by the supplier that Sport Maxx RTs are not to be fitted to XKs or XKRs.

He fitted a pair of Sport Maxx that, at the time were £25 a corner cheaper.

I have no issue with them.

[sly fox]

Another thread update.

My XKR may have taken a short detour to Tom Lenthall Jaguar, and is now considerably more sprightly, with a slightly louder voice.

The car just gets better and better.

And regards Tyres, i do Not think the Dunlop SportMaxx are up to the job. Aquaplaning at slow (sub 50mph) speeds as i mentioned before is just not acceptable, especially with 5mm of tread depth. I was going to get the new Continental SP6, but given supply issues expected for a few months as it is a new tyre, it's probably wiser to go for Michelin Pilot SuperSports.

[milu]

sly fox said:

Another thread update.

My XKR may have taken a short detour to Tom Lenthall Jaguar, and is now considerably more sprightly, with a slightly louder voice.

The car just gets better and better.

And regards Tyres, i do Not think the Dunlop SportMaxx are up to the job. Aquaplaning at slow (sub 50mph) speeds as i mentioned before is just not acceptable, especially with 5mm of tread depth. I was going to get the new Continental SP6, but given supply issues expected for a few months as it is a new tyre, it's probably wiser to go for Michelin Pilot SuperSports.

What you had done at Lenthall?

[sly fox]

milu said:

What you had done at Lenthall?

Supercharger pulleys, air filters, ECU remap, cat back exhausts.

Drives very well indeed now. Remap is particularly good, very smooth, have lots more torque lower down the rev range than before and it really wants to pull to high revs much more keenly. Just have to keep an eye on the speedo and braking distances.

[jimattfield]

a8hex said:

Before discussing tyres we need to sort out nomenclature.

Oops - my typo - however as Jaguar didn't make a 'Dynamic' XK150 and certainly didn't fit 20" rims I don't imagine many here would have been fooled.

[jimattfield]

tony rigby said:

I tried to purchase a couple of Sport Maxx RT tyres last year and was told by the supplier that Sport Maxx RTs are not to be fitted to XKs or XKRs.

He fitted a pair of Sport Maxx that, at the time were £25 a corner cheaper.

Name, please, and reasons! I was also told by TyreShopper that they would not supply anything not 'J' rated without a disclaimer, and told by a local supplier that fitting anything non-'J' rated would invalidate my insurance. Strangely, both suppliers just coincidentally only happened to have 'J'-rated SportMAXX in stock also 'slightly' cheaper although TyreShopper claimed to have RT stock on their web site until I actually phoned them to discuss their refusal.

I am now happy to have a pair of SportMAXX RT's courtesy of my German friends on the rear and no, they do not aquaplane at 50mph, or below, or 'a bit' above

[a8hex]

Bump

sly fox said:

And regards Tyres, i do Not think the Dunlop SportMaxx are up to the job. Aquaplaning at slow (sub 50mph) speeds as i mentioned before is just not acceptable, especially with 5mm of tread depth. I was going to get the new Continental SP6, but given supply issues expected for a few months as it is a new tyre, it's probably wiser to go for Michelin Pilot SuperSports.

Sly, did you get anywhere with tyres? What did you go for and how are you getting on with them.
I'll be needing to replace my rears soon, so looking for opinions. Like you I'm not that impressed with the stand fit ones.

[sly fox]

a8hex said:

Sly, did you get anywhere with tyres? What did you go for and how are you getting on with them.
I'll be needing to replace my rears soon, so looking for opinions. Like you I'm not that impressed with the stand fit ones.

I chose Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

In dry conditions they are hugely better than the Dunlops, slight delay on turn in but masses of grip through the turn. Immense traction as well. Full bore first gear acceleration in the dry without traction control kicking in. Impressive.

Not great in deeper water - have still had aquaplaning on the motorway (and can get wheelspin too) but few tyres are going to cope with over 450lbsft in the wet.

I'm putting my set of winter tyres (Nokian) back on in a few weeks, the PSS are noticeably worse in colder weather or damp conditions. I wouldn't run them over the winter months. I've done 9k miles on the MSS now, still got 6mm tread left. They wear well too.

So a thumbs up from me, but i've accepted their limitations for the cold season approaching.