Tyres for 3.0 X-Type

[shiftydave]

Hi All, first time poster here so please be gentle!

I've just picked up a 3.0 X-Type and have had the misfortune of it coming supplied with tyres made by a company called "Wanli". A quick googling suggests that this company is Chinese, and I can only assume that it never rains in China as the car was all over the place on roundabouts this evening.

Does anyone have any recommendations on which tyres are best to go for on the X-Type? The handbook suggests Pirelli P Zero's or Continental ContiSportContacts (the Continentals seem to be better than the Pirellis according to some reviews), but figured I'd tap into the knowledge of everyone on here before deciding. Cheers!

[Simpo Two]

Pirellis seem to be recommended for many Jaguars but if the price is prohibitive, Falkens at half the price seem to be gaining a good reputation.

[effkay]

Simpo Two said:

Pirellis seem to be recommended for many Jaguars but if the price is prohibitive, Falkens at half the price seem to be gaining a good reputation.

I agree. Used to have the recommended Pirellis on my 3.0, but when I needed them changed last the place only had Falkens in stock - been very impressed with their grip and low noise since. I think they are better than the Pirellis and I had 4 installed for £405 compared to £475 for Pirellis.

[Straight6DOHC]

My 'other' car was fitted with Wanli's when I bought it. I can't really criticise their dry weather performance as a budget tyre, but in the wet they are not great (but perhaps not quite bad enough to warrant the 'chinese hedgefinders' tag). 2 needed replacing straight away and I've fitted Toyo Proxy TR1 after reading some great reviews about their fantastic grip in all weathers. I'll hold out on replacing the remaining Wanli's for now. As always with tyres, grip usually comes at a cost - the cost being that the tyres wear more quickly. Can't say I've noticed wear as they are fitted to the rear of a front wheel drive car.

[NormanD]

I haven't tried Toyo T1-R's on the X Type yet but on the XKR they are my first choice

[Jaguar steve]

If money were no object I'd put a set of Mitchelin - whatever they are calling the touring tyre in the range at the moment - on straight away.

I've got Falken ZE912s on my XJ8. Seem to be as good as the Pirelli P6000s I had before but a lot cheaper. IMO they suit the car well with a quiet comfortable ride. No idea how they perform right on the ragged edge - that's not the sort of thing a Gentleman does in an XJ...

But if you do want a really good performance tyre rather than a comfortable touring one then Toyo T1R Proxies are a good choice. Mrs JS and Baby JS has those on their GTIs and they really are stunningly good for B road hooning.
Wear rates are high though. JS Baby got through a set in less then 5k although those miles included several laps round the 'ring and a Vmax European road trip last year.

Have a look at the reviews on Black Circles and Pneues online. Camskill used to usually be the cheapest mail order but since our local tyre monkeys have started charging £15 each for fitting tyres they've not supplied themselves Black Circles often gives the best all in price.

[shiftydave]

Cheers for the advice folks. I've heard good things about the Toyo's so may well go for them, but if my budget will stretch a little further I've been recommended the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics. Compared to the Wanli's I imagine anything will be good though!

[Simpo Two]

effkay said:

I agree. Used to have the recommended Pirellis on my 3.0, but when I needed them changed last the place only had Falkens in stock - been very impressed with their grip and low noise since. I think they are better than the Pirellis and I had 4 installed for £405 compared to £475 for Pirellis.

Better for me (S-Type) - Pirellis £145, Falkens £75!

Straight6DOHC said:

'chinese hedgefinders'

I like that!

Actually mine did drift slightly alarmingly under braking in the wet but that wasn't the tyres, it was the donor rear axle that Mr Scumbag Usedcarsalesman had fitted. Now that I've lobbed out another £300 to get the upper rear wotsit rose thingys replaced it drives beautifully.

[FreeLitres]

Simpo Two said:

effkay said:

I agree. Used to have the recommended Pirellis on my 3.0, but when I needed them changed last the place only had Falkens in stock - been very impressed with their grip and low noise since. I think they are better than the Pirellis and I had 4 installed for £405 compared to £475 for Pirellis.

Better for me (S-Type) - Pirellis £145, Falkens £75!

Straight6DOHC said:

'chinese hedgefinders'

I like that!

Actually mine did drift slightly alarmingly under braking in the wet but that wasn't the tyres, it was the donor rear axle that Mr Scumbag Usedcarsalesman had fitted. Now that I've lobbed out another £300 to get the upper rear wotsit rose thingys replaced it drives beautifully.

For my 3.0 X-Type I have always used the recommended P-Zero Asimetricos. Although the list price is something like £160(??) my local place does them fully fitted for £100 a corner. Ring around, get your best quote and some of the big-boys match the price.

[jagfan2]

shiftydave said:

Cheers for the advice folks. I've heard good things about the Toyo's so may well go for them, but if my budget will stretch a little further I've been recommended the Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics. Compared to the Wanli's I imagine anything will be good though!

They the Vredestein Ultrac Centos, loving mine, slightly cheaper than the premium makes, similar to toyo, but premium level grip and performance

[Mon Ami Mate]

I found the P Zero Asymmetricos hard to find when I was shopping recently - even Protyre in Bristol couldn't get them. Eventually tracked some down at Bathwick Tyres in Bath and paid £220 for two. Not minded to mix and match on a (relatively) high performance 4x4 and I would worry about going for a cheap option.