Discussion
My XJR tyres are around 3/4 worn & I`ve been thinking of going for something a tad wider, especially on the rears to increase grip (I find the traction control too primative so I automatically turn it off, leading to occassional wheelspin, especially exiting sideroads in the wet...), improve ride (its just too harsh in Londons potholed streets) & protect the rims (as I live in a narrow road with high kerbs).
I`m on the original 255/40 18`s & was thinking maybe 275/40 or maybe even 285`s out back & 255/45 or 50 on the front.
Anyone done this before? I obviously dont want rubbing, & the speedo is currently around 10% out according to my sat nav.
Thanks!
I`m on the original 255/40 18`s & was thinking maybe 275/40 or maybe even 285`s out back & 255/45 or 50 on the front.
Anyone done this before? I obviously dont want rubbing, & the speedo is currently around 10% out according to my sat nav.
Thanks!
Google TRC Tyre calculator for a comparison tool that'll give you subjective values for different tyre sizes and profile comfort rating. Playing around with combinations of the comfort and full load pressures makes quite a difference to ride quality too.
Pneus Online and Black Circles are helpful for tyre reviews and you'll see the Toyo Proxie T1R gets a lot of positive reports. We've got these on two warmish hatches - one of which has been V maxed round the 'ring on both the original rubber and a few months later on the Proxies - IMO they are a really good all round tyre and there's quite a few other PHers who rate them too.
Pneus Online and Black Circles are helpful for tyre reviews and you'll see the Toyo Proxie T1R gets a lot of positive reports. We've got these on two warmish hatches - one of which has been V maxed round the 'ring on both the original rubber and a few months later on the Proxies - IMO they are a really good all round tyre and there's quite a few other PHers who rate them too.
Zippyworld said:
I'm back here again on about tyres, would you rate the Toyo Proxes over the Pirelli then ? For the front ?
The only direct comparison I've got experience of between the two is on a Fiesta Zetec S, comparing the original P6000s with the replacement Proxies, so that's maybe not too relevant to an XJ. But I'd certainly think about them for a performance car, they have massive levels of grip in the dry and give a very good ride too.Mrs JS has Proxies on her GTI, fitted as replacements for the Goodyear F1s, and again they are better. Turn in is sharper and they don't squirm about so much under hard braking either.
The only downside is wear rates, Baby JS mullered his fronts in less than 5k on his Zetec, but that included several laps of the 'ring and a Vmax hoon round western Europe. He had them on a Saxo VTS and VTR too previously and found even with - mostly - sensible driving they didn't last well.
LondonItalian said:
Thanks steve, my main concern is rubbing, I was wondering how wide other people had safely gone without rolling arches etc.
Sorry, really got no idea how much clearance you'll have if you start increasing rolling width. Even if you measure the available gap with the car standing still it'll change considerably under heavy braking or hard cornering. I think the largest diameter wheel you can physicaly fit to a X308 is 19" but no idea of what profile or width tyre you'll need to fit to it.Why not try asking some of the aftermarket alloy suppliers? They'll maybe have some info as to what width tyres will go under the arches
Zippyworld said:
Hells teeth, why can't there just be one make of tyre !!!
I'm taking the Toyos I reckon, don't do a great deal of mileage so I'm cool with the wear, again thanks for your input JS.
Do you have an opinion on replacement brake hoses ?
I think you'll like the Proxies - we've bought 4 sets now, 'tho since our local tyre monkeys have started charging £15 each for fit and balance on tyres from Camskill or any other mail order supplier Black Circles with an all in price are usually the cheapest.I'm taking the Toyos I reckon, don't do a great deal of mileage so I'm cool with the wear, again thanks for your input JS.
Do you have an opinion on replacement brake hoses ?
The general mushiness and dead pedal feel you get with an XJ, or for that matter any car with ABS, is not necessarilary going to go away by fitting newer or reinforced hoses. I did fit braided hoses on a simple servo, single brake circuit, non ABS car decades ago and yes they stiffened up the pedal a bit, but the general difference between ABS and non ABS brake pedal feel is much greater than you'll get by changing hoses.
Sure, if braided ones are cheap enough and if what you have fitted you need to change anyway then why not, if not I'd just stick to some Jaguar OE ones.
Have a good look at the ones you have - maul them around and check for any signs of perishing or cracking. With the engine running get sombody to press the brake pedal as hard as they can whilst you hold each hose and and look and feel for any bulging. Any of those symptoms then get them off ASAP.
TurricanII said:
Not wanting to derail, but how do you turn the traction control off on an x308 XJR?
Push the button on the instrument cluster marked TRAC. A warning light should come on. Floor the pedal and wait for the fun :-)TRAC will be re-enabled by default next time you turn the ignition on.
Jim
Zippyworld said:
Just ordered the proxes from Camskill, Incidentally they were not the cheapest, however I put my patriotic hat on as the cheaper quote came from the country that bombed my mums chippy !
Will report back !
So it was you that got the last two was it? Tried to order them from Camskill yesterday to be told the last two were sold literally 1 minute before they got my order!Will report back !
Ah well, going to try the Vredesteins now.
Speedracer329 said:
Zippyworld said:
Just ordered the proxes from Camskill, Incidentally they were not the cheapest, however I put my patriotic hat on as the cheaper quote came from the country that bombed my mums chippy !
Will report back !
So it was you that got the last two was it? Tried to order them from Camskill yesterday to be told the last two were sold literally 1 minute before they got my order!Will report back !
Ah well, going to try the Vredesteins now.
NormanD said.
I use www.tyretraders.com
Thanks for that, I didn't know of them. I have already ordered now but will give them a try when the fronts are due to be replaced.
I use www.tyretraders.com
Thanks for that, I didn't know of them. I have already ordered now but will give them a try when the fronts are due to be replaced.
Yes, (good natured ha ha), I got the last two ! I did get a phone call from mytyres.co.uk offering me the same for £30 cheaper, just after I ordered. I stuck with the original oreder as the others were coming from Germany and I thought lets keep the dosh in the UK. Specifically Cumria where the local economies need all the support they can get.
On my XJR8 I've had the Pirellis PZero Rosso, Goodyear Eagle F1s and Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta.
Didn't like the PZeros due to tramlining and `wobbles` - got approx 8k miles off rears. Good grip initially but tailed off badly.
Didn't like the F1s due to much worse fuel consumption (at least 10% less than Pirellis) - got approx 9k off rears. Tramlining/wobbles not an issue though. Good grip levels.
Vredesteins still on at the moment - much better fuel consumption than both F1s and PZeros. No tramlining and really excellent grip. But, noticeably noisier at speed. Done about 6k on them so far and still about 6mm tread left, so wear rate looks very good.
Not sure what will go for next, but definitely won't be F1s or Pirellis.
Chris
Didn't like the PZeros due to tramlining and `wobbles` - got approx 8k miles off rears. Good grip initially but tailed off badly.
Didn't like the F1s due to much worse fuel consumption (at least 10% less than Pirellis) - got approx 9k off rears. Tramlining/wobbles not an issue though. Good grip levels.
Vredesteins still on at the moment - much better fuel consumption than both F1s and PZeros. No tramlining and really excellent grip. But, noticeably noisier at speed. Done about 6k on them so far and still about 6mm tread left, so wear rate looks very good.
Not sure what will go for next, but definitely won't be F1s or Pirellis.
Chris
Well, the Vredesteins are now on the back. Early days but road noise is much reduced & the ride seems even smoother than before. As a matter of interest, does anyone know the recommended pressures for the tyres. I have looked but most list the size as 245/45/18 and not 255/40/18 as is fitted to mine. Pressures range from 32 to 34 rear, and 28 to 30 front, so if anyone can confirm I would be grateful.
Speedracer329 said:
Well, the Vredesteins are now on the back. Early days but road noise is much reduced & the ride seems even smoother than before. As a matter of interest, does anyone know the recommended pressures for the tyres. I have looked but most list the size as 245/45/18 and not 255/40/18 as is fitted to mine. Pressures range from 32 to 34 rear, and 28 to 30 front, so if anyone can confirm I would be grateful.
Also 255/40/18 fitted to mine. You should find a pressure chart under the armrest."Maximum comfort" 26 f , 28 r
"Normal" 32 f, 34 r
With just me in the car most of the time I quite like 32 all round and tyre wear is even at those pressures. Anything softer I personally find too squidgy
IIRC the manual says something like 40 or 45 psi if non-pirelli tyres fitted - I don't know who would fall for that one!
HTH
Chris
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