XJR tyres

[CHJ]

My 2001 XJR has 255/40/R18 Pirelli Pzero Rosso tyres all round. One of the tyres and the spare is quite low and I want to change them. I see there are a few different types of these tyre around - is there any real difference between them and are the `Jaguar` ones any different?

The local fast fit tyre place can fit me the Pzero Rosso xl 99y (?) for about £180 each. I presume these tyres should be well suited to the car, or can anyone recommend anything different?

Thanks,

Chris

[Jaguar steve]

CHJ said:

My 2001 XJR has 255/40/R18 Pirelli Pzero Rosso tyres all round. One of the tyres and the spare is quite low and I want to change them. I see there are a few different types of these tyre around - is there any real difference between them and are the `Jaguar` ones any different?

The local fast fit tyre place can fit me the Pzero Rosso xl 99y (?) for about £180 each. I presume these tyres should be well suited to the car, or can anyone recommend anything different?

Thanks,

Chris

I'd do some research on 't web. When I needed tyres for my XJ, I didn't bother and just bought P6000 Pirellis which were the OE ones fitted to the car - assuming that if Jaguar chose them they must be the best available.

Not so, they have attracted a lot of criticism on this and other forums, and my own experience is they have a poor ride quality and are very noisy on some road surfaces. Not only this but I've also read they tend to go out of shape if left standing for a long time, which has since actually happened to one of mine.

Another comment is the wet grip is poor with sudden breakaway, which is not really what you want in an XJR. nooooo....

The same applied to the admittedly worn P Zeros that the car had when I bought it.

Have a look at the Black Circles site, there's a section of tyre reviews that should help you make a choice depending on what you want to match your driving style.

The "Jaguar" ones have a different load factor to the normal, otherwise identical tyre, but I think this only applies to the Pirelli P4000 on 16" rims.

If I bought again I'd probrably buy Mitchelin Pilot's. They are expensive, but I've since found out they last for a long time and have a good all round performance.

Personally I wouldn't believe anything the Tyre Monkeys tell you, they have stock to sell, and will unload whatever makes them the most money. If you're really unlucky they'll your alloys too.

[GavinPearson]

Jaguar have all their tyres custom made to suit the vehicle. The DOT code is unique for the application. The owner's handbook has a list of approved tyres, I would use these as they complement the rest of the vehicle setup.