Aftermarket Tyres For XJR
Discussion
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I started the thread linked to above in General Gassing a few days ago but had little response. Basically, my X308 XJR needs a full set of tyres. It's currently running on the standard P Zeros, but I've never been massively impressed by them and have read great things about the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanto - which is not only a ten year newer design, but also significantly cheaper.
Has anyone got any experience of running non-original tyres on an XJR?
Will be phoning tomorrow to sort out unless someone convinces me otherwise.
I started the thread linked to above in General Gassing a few days ago but had little response. Basically, my X308 XJR needs a full set of tyres. It's currently running on the standard P Zeros, but I've never been massively impressed by them and have read great things about the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanto - which is not only a ten year newer design, but also significantly cheaper.
Has anyone got any experience of running non-original tyres on an XJR?
Will be phoning tomorrow to sort out unless someone convinces me otherwise.
Edited by groomi on Tuesday 19th February 22:10
Sorry, not familiar with this tyre. But a very saucy tread pattern! http://www.ityre.com/en/tyres/catalog/vredestein/m...
I had an intersting conversation with a local tyre fitters recently. I had not realised that the "J" in the tyre model number meant it was a Jag approved tyre. I asked why this was better but they could not give a very convicing arguement (they are independant, good blokes, not Kwik-fit), simply saying "they are approved". So I got the Jag approved Dunlops on the front of the XJR anyway to match the rears and the price was very good. Compared to the *worn Dunlops* the new tires gave wet / moist grip that wass noticably better with way less understeer on tight, wet mini-roundabouts being particularly apparent.
Regards Pirelli, I really do *not* like them. I ran them on my 330i and they tramlined like something chronic from new in a very unpleasant and unsettling way and they did not improve with wear. Wet grip was not at all impressive. And jeez, they lasted forever on the front, I couldn't wait for them to wear out so I could replace, but they never did before I sold it 20k miles later! On the rear I replaced them with Michelin Pilot Sports which in my opinion were excellent - plenty of grip, decent wet traction and just predictable. Accelerating out of wet corners was where the difference was most noticable.
Regards the Jag, when I replace my Dunlops on the rear I expect I will go Michelin (or maybe Vredestein?!) - I am not concerned about the car manufacturer's approval, I feel it is being overly cautious as long as the product is well respected.
I had an intersting conversation with a local tyre fitters recently. I had not realised that the "J" in the tyre model number meant it was a Jag approved tyre. I asked why this was better but they could not give a very convicing arguement (they are independant, good blokes, not Kwik-fit), simply saying "they are approved". So I got the Jag approved Dunlops on the front of the XJR anyway to match the rears and the price was very good. Compared to the *worn Dunlops* the new tires gave wet / moist grip that wass noticably better with way less understeer on tight, wet mini-roundabouts being particularly apparent.
Regards Pirelli, I really do *not* like them. I ran them on my 330i and they tramlined like something chronic from new in a very unpleasant and unsettling way and they did not improve with wear. Wet grip was not at all impressive. And jeez, they lasted forever on the front, I couldn't wait for them to wear out so I could replace, but they never did before I sold it 20k miles later! On the rear I replaced them with Michelin Pilot Sports which in my opinion were excellent - plenty of grip, decent wet traction and just predictable. Accelerating out of wet corners was where the difference was most noticable.
Regards the Jag, when I replace my Dunlops on the rear I expect I will go Michelin (or maybe Vredestein?!) - I am not concerned about the car manufacturer's approval, I feel it is being overly cautious as long as the product is well respected.
I've got Pirelli P6000s on my XJ.
They are nice and quiet on most surfaces, but agree with previous posts they tend to tramline, and the wet grip / feel is pretty poor.
Much more of concern is that one of them has gone out of shape in less than 10000 miles. I had a moan about this on another forum and found that I'm not the only one to have this problem.
I wouldn't buy them again and might fork out the extra for Mitchelins next time.
They are nice and quiet on most surfaces, but agree with previous posts they tend to tramline, and the wet grip / feel is pretty poor.
Much more of concern is that one of them has gone out of shape in less than 10000 miles. I had a moan about this on another forum and found that I'm not the only one to have this problem.
I wouldn't buy them again and might fork out the extra for Mitchelins next time.
Jaguar steve said:
I've got Pirelli P6000s on my XJ.
They are nice and quiet on most surfaces, but agree with previous posts they tend to tramline, and the wet grip / feel is pretty poor.
Much more of concern is that one of them has gone out of shape in less than 10000 miles. I had a moan about this on another forum and found that I'm not the only one to have this problem.
I wouldn't buy them again and might fork out the extra for Mitchelins next time.
When you say 'gone out of shape', what are you experiencing? X308s (paticularly the XJRs) are quite prone to wheel wobble. Mine does this but intermittently, so it's not something as simple as tyres going out of shape, or mis-balanced. Never been able to properly cure it and know of many others the same.They are nice and quiet on most surfaces, but agree with previous posts they tend to tramline, and the wet grip / feel is pretty poor.
Much more of concern is that one of them has gone out of shape in less than 10000 miles. I had a moan about this on another forum and found that I'm not the only one to have this problem.
I wouldn't buy them again and might fork out the extra for Mitchelins next time.
PS: Anybody fancy adding their tyre experiences to this wiki I've started: PH Tyre Review
groomi said:
Job38 said:
Hi Groomi 
I was never happy with the Pirellis either.
I don't know if they do an XJR size, nor have I tried them on a Jag.
However, give Falken 452 a try.
I'll be using them next on 405 lb/ft of (German) torques.......
I was never happy with the Pirellis either.
I don't know if they do an XJR size, nor have I tried them on a Jag.
However, give Falken 452 a try.
I'll be using them next on 405 lb/ft of (German) torques.......
You've gone to the dark side!?so I was forced to the Dark Side.
Come, the force is strong here
groomi said:
Jaguar steve said:
I've got Pirelli P6000s on my XJ.
They are nice and quiet on most surfaces, but agree with previous posts they tend to tramline, and the wet grip / feel is pretty poor.
Much more of concern is that one of them has gone out of shape in less than 10000 miles. I had a moan about this on another forum and found that I'm not the only one to have this problem.
I wouldn't buy them again and might fork out the extra for Mitchelins next time.
When you say 'gone out of shape', what are you experiencing? X308s (paticularly the XJRs) are quite prone to wheel wobble. Mine does this but intermittently, so it's not something as simple as tyres going out of shape, or mis-balanced. Never been able to properly cure it and know of many others the same.They are nice and quiet on most surfaces, but agree with previous posts they tend to tramline, and the wet grip / feel is pretty poor.
Much more of concern is that one of them has gone out of shape in less than 10000 miles. I had a moan about this on another forum and found that I'm not the only one to have this problem.
I wouldn't buy them again and might fork out the extra for Mitchelins next time.
No it's visibily bulged around the circumference - almost like a flat spot but in reverse. I know it's never been kerbed or damaged, but have heard the P6000's can suffer from this problem if left standing for a while. Different to the tempoary flat spots you can sometimes get from doing so as these usually dissapear once the tyre warms up.
I've had the same wheel wobble I think you're describing (56-58 MPH?) - and finally cured it by firstly having all the wheels balanced on a machine with an adaptor specially designed for Jaguar 5 stud wheels - not all tyre centres have an 5 stud adaptor sufficently accurate apparently.
Then I cleaned up the flanges of the hub / disc / and wheels and put a very thin smear of Copperslip on the flanges and then while supporting the weight of the wheel so it's not hanging on the studs, very carefully tightened the wheel nuts in a cross pattern to exactly centralise the wheel on the hub. Sounds a bit anal I know but it worked a treat - not a hint of wobble now where it was really noticable before.
PS: Anybody fancy adding their tyre experiences to this wiki I've started: PH Tyre Review
hi guys i recently went to purchase a new set of p zeros for my xk8 17 inch ones and boy what a shock alomst a grand for a full set so on skiping around e bay as u do i found a scotish company who do a lovely 19 inch rim complete with falken tyres so decided to investigate further and i went to their depo and took a look and i was impressed indeed so bought them sliped them on and i can say that they are every bit as good as the p zeros for every day use without a question and also it makes future tyre replacement a lot cheaper
ok the rims are not original jag ones but boy do they look good on the car i have pics and details if anyone is in the same boat
ok the rims are not original jag ones but boy do they look good on the car i have pics and details if anyone is in the same boat
The Editor of the JEC magazine had a set of Verdestien tyres fitted to his XJ recently and reported he's pleased with them. They're available through the JEC at discounted prices - but that might be a bit late for you if you're having them fitted on Wed. 
Interested to hear what you think 'tho..
Interested to hear what you think 'tho..
Jaguar steve said:
The Editor of the JEC magazine had a set of Verdestien tyres fitted to his XJ recently and reported he's pleased with them. They're available through the JEC at discounted prices - but that might be a bit late for you if you're having them fitted on Wed.
Interested to hear what you think 'tho..
Ah, interesting! I have allowed my membership to JEC to lapse for some time now, perhaps I should sign up again. However, I doubt they'll be able to get them any cheaper than I'm getting them for.Interested to hear what you think 'tho..
LoudV8 said:
I've got 17" P Zeros all round on my XJR6. Worst tramlining I've ever experienced. I'll definitely be trying something else when the time comes.
That's what I had on my XJ before I bought the P6000s. You're right, they wriggle about like cut worms on some surfaces. There's sections of the A12 in north Essex that are badly worn by trucks that I have to drive quite slowly on to avoid tramlining.Intrestingly though, my Daughter has same profile P6000s on her 1.6 Fiesta - actually on the Fiesta they seen pretty good grip and handling wise in the dry - which are fine at any speed on the same roads as I have the problems on, and Mrs JS has a GTI with very low profile Goodyear tyres and she has no problems with tramlining either. Both are light, quick cars with very firm suspension, lots of feedback from the steering, and wide for the body weight tyres. That's the combination I'd expect to experience tramlining and wandering with, not a heavy XJ with its comparatively soft suspension.
Thought I'd better post an up-date to this thread. I did go ahead and have the Vredestein's fitted - and they're great! I've done a good few thousand miles on them now so feel able to give genuine comments.
They are significantly quieter than any other tyre I have ever used. On good, modern road surfaces I can't hear any road noise at all. I mean that seriously. No road noise - incredible. Tramlining is greatly reduced from the Pirelli's, not completely eradicated but much more confidence inspiring on narrow lanes. Traction seems at least as good as the Pirelli's although I have to admit the lateral grip threshold is slightly lower - but you really have to be pushing to notice. I don't find this a problem to be honest. Wet weather grip however is massively superior to the Pirelli's.
The infamous wheel wobble has been reduced although I can't really atribute this to the tyres as it could be the way they have been fitted or balanced, however I've been through three sets of Pirelli's each fitted at different places and never had any improvement so I'll leave it to you to decide.
All in all, a really good tyre and well suited to the XJR.
They are significantly quieter than any other tyre I have ever used. On good, modern road surfaces I can't hear any road noise at all. I mean that seriously. No road noise - incredible. Tramlining is greatly reduced from the Pirelli's, not completely eradicated but much more confidence inspiring on narrow lanes. Traction seems at least as good as the Pirelli's although I have to admit the lateral grip threshold is slightly lower - but you really have to be pushing to notice. I don't find this a problem to be honest. Wet weather grip however is massively superior to the Pirelli's.
The infamous wheel wobble has been reduced although I can't really atribute this to the tyres as it could be the way they have been fitted or balanced, however I've been through three sets of Pirelli's each fitted at different places and never had any improvement so I'll leave it to you to decide.
All in all, a really good tyre and well suited to the XJR.
I have fitted Dunlop Sports MAXX to the front of my XKR vice Pirellis. The tramlining has stopped and as you say, a lot quieter. I still have Pirellis on the back but as soon as they need replacing I will be using Dunlops.
Interesting that the guy who carried out my MOT last week actually made a note that I had Dunlops fitted and not the recommended Pirellis.
I find this strange as the new aluminium XK's are fitted with Dunlops as standard.
Interesting that the guy who carried out my MOT last week actually made a note that I had Dunlops fitted and not the recommended Pirellis.
I find this strange as the new aluminium XK's are fitted with Dunlops as standard.
welshbikerduck said:
I never got more than 10k miles out of my P zeros on my XJR. They never felt that great either if i am being honest, but the wear rate was shocking.
I got over 25k out of my last set - although that may have contributed to the most frightening tank-slapper I've ever experienced on a mildly moist A road! Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff