Best Tires
#61
There are so many variables of type of car, driving style, personal preference, application & goals (e.g. performance, long life, multi-season, etc) ... that many different makes and models of tires might work out.
I leveraged Tirerack's tests and buyer reviews quite a bit to help make my choices, and of course price and longevity is a major factor for me, but may not be for others where a $300-400 high performance and low mileage tire may be just fine.
Specific to my experience, I've used Kumho tires for many years on a several cars and they generally have worked out well, but I have experienced that they very often wore out well before their advertised treadwear. This was particularly true on the XJR6. I've had one Kumho fail somewhat catastrophically (not a blowout, but rapid deflation), but that is out of probably 20 tires.
I've had great luck all around with Michelin tires, wearing great and performing very well. I was convinced by Tirerack reviews and feedback from friends about Michelin, but for a long time I had avoided Michelin tires due to their higher cost. But they are starting to pay for themselves by outliving the Kumhos by a large mileage margin.
On the XJR6 the Kumhos were completely worn out by less than 20k miles, and the Michelins have 30k on them and look nearly new.
I also have Michelin Defenders on the Riviera, and they have about 40k miles on them and still look nearly new too and have performed well.
Unless I discover some unwanted surprise with the Michelins, I'm sold on them for all my cars going forward.
.
I leveraged Tirerack's tests and buyer reviews quite a bit to help make my choices, and of course price and longevity is a major factor for me, but may not be for others where a $300-400 high performance and low mileage tire may be just fine.
Specific to my experience, I've used Kumho tires for many years on a several cars and they generally have worked out well, but I have experienced that they very often wore out well before their advertised treadwear. This was particularly true on the XJR6. I've had one Kumho fail somewhat catastrophically (not a blowout, but rapid deflation), but that is out of probably 20 tires.
I've had great luck all around with Michelin tires, wearing great and performing very well. I was convinced by Tirerack reviews and feedback from friends about Michelin, but for a long time I had avoided Michelin tires due to their higher cost. But they are starting to pay for themselves by outliving the Kumhos by a large mileage margin.
On the XJR6 the Kumhos were completely worn out by less than 20k miles, and the Michelins have 30k on them and look nearly new.
I also have Michelin Defenders on the Riviera, and they have about 40k miles on them and still look nearly new too and have performed well.
Unless I discover some unwanted surprise with the Michelins, I'm sold on them for all my cars going forward.
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Michelin's tires do last -- because the compound is harder ...they seem to be fine on MB's. They are quiet ... being in the mid-atlantic with a lot of rain I tend to go the Bridgestone route. I just don't like Michelin tires in the rain.
#62
"I just don't like Michelin tires in the rain"
The Michelin Premier A/S are incredible in rain. So much so, there's hardly any difference between wet and dry handling, or so it feels like. Testing confirms it - the typical all season tires, like the Bridgestones, stop in 20-25 ft longer, in the wet. With the Michelins, the difference is only 13ft. And tests with worn tires shows that the difference only gets broader. The worn Michelins are way better than any other worn tire. (the worn tire testing was done by Consumer Reports and I don't have the link)
Link :
Tire Test Results : Testing the Michelin Premier A/S: Is it the New Benchmark Among Grand Touring All-Season Tires?
What the Premier A/S does is trade off a little dry grip, for a whole lot more wet grip, making the difference between the two really small.
The Michelin Premier A/S are incredible in rain. So much so, there's hardly any difference between wet and dry handling, or so it feels like. Testing confirms it - the typical all season tires, like the Bridgestones, stop in 20-25 ft longer, in the wet. With the Michelins, the difference is only 13ft. And tests with worn tires shows that the difference only gets broader. The worn Michelins are way better than any other worn tire. (the worn tire testing was done by Consumer Reports and I don't have the link)
Link :
Tire Test Results : Testing the Michelin Premier A/S: Is it the New Benchmark Among Grand Touring All-Season Tires?
What the Premier A/S does is trade off a little dry grip, for a whole lot more wet grip, making the difference between the two really small.
#63
I have a set of the A/S on a Lexus -- they are fine. I agree .. they are the best Michelin's I have driven in the rain ... They don't handle as well as the MXV4's that they replaced.
The XJ has the suspension to use summer tires -- I'm just biased against all season tires on the car. I have a long drive way at my weekend place and we get occasional snow -- I did not want to switch out to winters on the one XJR.
If you drive the XJR with proper summer tires -- all seasons are a let down.
The XJ has the suspension to use summer tires -- I'm just biased against all season tires on the car. I have a long drive way at my weekend place and we get occasional snow -- I did not want to switch out to winters on the one XJR.
If you drive the XJR with proper summer tires -- all seasons are a let down.
#64
#65
#66
I have them on my 98 vdp. Absolutely terrible tire. Grip is ok I guess, but mine are showing a lot of camber wear in the back. Road noise is less then great, and the ride is terrible. You might as well be riding on concrete cylinders
#68
I have a few tyres here .....
I note PIRELLI P1 at 102V for a good price.
here are my options, 2 pages there (click on page 2 link at bottom)
https://www.tyresales.com.au/search?...&rim=16&page=1
pirrellis p1 cheaper than kuhmos
whats your choice form these?
Peter
I note PIRELLI P1 at 102V for a good price.
here are my options, 2 pages there (click on page 2 link at bottom)
https://www.tyresales.com.au/search?...&rim=16&page=1
pirrellis p1 cheaper than kuhmos
whats your choice form these?
Peter
#69
I have a few tyres here .....
I note PIRELLI P1 at 102V for a good price.
here are my options, 2 pages there (click on page 2 link at bottom)
https://www.tyresales.com.au/search?...&rim=16&page=1
pirrellis p1 cheaper than kuhmos
whats your choice form these?
Peter
I note PIRELLI P1 at 102V for a good price.
here are my options, 2 pages there (click on page 2 link at bottom)
https://www.tyresales.com.au/search?...&rim=16&page=1
pirrellis p1 cheaper than kuhmos
whats your choice form these?
Peter
#70
Different Jag, but it perhaps applies the same.
A few years back I upgraded wheels on my face lift '94 Jaguar XJS, from the stock 15" Lattice wheels to the XK8 17" Revolvers with Pirelli Pzeros mounted on them. Needless to say, the far more aggressive, lower profile tires improved handling, but at the expense of ride comfort and I've lived with this condition for about ten years until it was time to replace those old, worn out Pzeros.
To offset this condition created by the lower profile 17" rims, I wanted new tires that rate high in comfort and somebody recommended that the Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 tires were some of the best tires available in regards to ride comfort. In addition, I've also been told that Pirelli tires are not exactly known for ride comfort, so I guess that I was in for a most welcome ride improvement on my XJS.
Well, this was, indeed, one of the best shopping tips that I've received in a long time because my XJS now has a very comfortable ride by comparison to the old Pirelli's.
Then, and without knowing of any possible tire culprit, I have always complained about the lack of steering power assist in this car that makes my wife struggle with it at lower speed or from a stopped condition steering, as in curb parking between two cars. Nothing wrong with the system, or the P/S oil level after careful inspection, but, believe it or not, the moment I drove off with the new Continentals the car steering effort issue totally went away and now is perfect, no different from that on my XJR. Killed two birds ...... I believe the latter was helped by the new tire's partially criss-crossed tread pattern, which probably offers less resistance to wheel turning. I couldn't be happier with these results from just tire switching. Not only that, but I love the way my XJS looks with that sexy tread pattern.
I don't really drive this car hard. It is a GT car and not a sports car and definitely not in the performance class as my XJR, that's for sure. Plus, as I get old, ride comfort starts to climb and to catch up with the sharp handling priority and these Continentals appear to fill the need better while allowing me to keep the Revolver's awesome looks. But, this is the X308 forum segment, which includes the performance XJR and some members may not necessarily want or need what the Continentals have blessed my XJS with. But I think for an XJ8 these tires may offer similar benefits.
Just some good reasons for a different tire alternative.
Cheers,
A few years back I upgraded wheels on my face lift '94 Jaguar XJS, from the stock 15" Lattice wheels to the XK8 17" Revolvers with Pirelli Pzeros mounted on them. Needless to say, the far more aggressive, lower profile tires improved handling, but at the expense of ride comfort and I've lived with this condition for about ten years until it was time to replace those old, worn out Pzeros.
To offset this condition created by the lower profile 17" rims, I wanted new tires that rate high in comfort and somebody recommended that the Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 tires were some of the best tires available in regards to ride comfort. In addition, I've also been told that Pirelli tires are not exactly known for ride comfort, so I guess that I was in for a most welcome ride improvement on my XJS.
Well, this was, indeed, one of the best shopping tips that I've received in a long time because my XJS now has a very comfortable ride by comparison to the old Pirelli's.
Then, and without knowing of any possible tire culprit, I have always complained about the lack of steering power assist in this car that makes my wife struggle with it at lower speed or from a stopped condition steering, as in curb parking between two cars. Nothing wrong with the system, or the P/S oil level after careful inspection, but, believe it or not, the moment I drove off with the new Continentals the car steering effort issue totally went away and now is perfect, no different from that on my XJR. Killed two birds ...... I believe the latter was helped by the new tire's partially criss-crossed tread pattern, which probably offers less resistance to wheel turning. I couldn't be happier with these results from just tire switching. Not only that, but I love the way my XJS looks with that sexy tread pattern.
I don't really drive this car hard. It is a GT car and not a sports car and definitely not in the performance class as my XJR, that's for sure. Plus, as I get old, ride comfort starts to climb and to catch up with the sharp handling priority and these Continentals appear to fill the need better while allowing me to keep the Revolver's awesome looks. But, this is the X308 forum segment, which includes the performance XJR and some members may not necessarily want or need what the Continentals have blessed my XJS with. But I think for an XJ8 these tires may offer similar benefits.
Just some good reasons for a different tire alternative.
Cheers,
#71
forcedair
thanks for your input on that.
I have an XJ6 S3 which would have a similar suspension system with your xjs.. I know from my experience that the s3 XJ has a NICER suspension/ride than my x308 Sovereign LWB.
I always thought that the steel wheels on my xj6 gave this result, the x308 having alloys. BUT now with your input , maybe the wheels can improve the x308 ride. (x308 suspension all fully rebuilt, new OEM shocks etc)
I have never driven a car with better ride quality than my xj6. its suspension system was MAYBE rebuilt 20 years ago when I got it by previous owner, but I havnt even touched it since. No wonder all the HOT ROD fellas love this xj6 suspension for their contraptions. A design masterpiece.
peter
thanks for your input on that.
I have an XJ6 S3 which would have a similar suspension system with your xjs.. I know from my experience that the s3 XJ has a NICER suspension/ride than my x308 Sovereign LWB.
I always thought that the steel wheels on my xj6 gave this result, the x308 having alloys. BUT now with your input , maybe the wheels can improve the x308 ride. (x308 suspension all fully rebuilt, new OEM shocks etc)
I have never driven a car with better ride quality than my xj6. its suspension system was MAYBE rebuilt 20 years ago when I got it by previous owner, but I havnt even touched it since. No wonder all the HOT ROD fellas love this xj6 suspension for their contraptions. A design masterpiece.
peter
#72
It's the wheel size -- as I said above .... Jaguar had to bend to the style wave of larger wheels... and did the best they could with the suspension setup they had. Even the XK8 wheels on the X300 are an issue .. and that is only going from 16" to 17".
Forcedair -- it's all the size and weight of the larger wheels/ tries... the unsprung weight increases -- the cars don't like it.
osiris: My S3 has 14" .. with ugly alloys - style of the time.
The OE tire was Jaguar specific. People used to put P4000's on them due tot he OE's cost The tire said Pirelli .. they were only OK.
Forcedair -- it's all the size and weight of the larger wheels/ tries... the unsprung weight increases -- the cars don't like it.
osiris: My S3 has 14" .. with ugly alloys - style of the time.
The OE tire was Jaguar specific. People used to put P4000's on them due tot he OE's cost The tire said Pirelli .. they were only OK.
#73
yeldog
well I do know my s3 xj6 has 15 inch wheels as opposed to the 16 inch on the x308
I had falkner on the xj6.. RUBBISH.. now I have Michelins on the front and brodgestone on the back.. the ride quality is amazing with the Michelins on the xj6.
don't know if 15 vs 16 makes a huge difference.... I thought it was the heavy steel wheels on the xj6 (chrome hub caps wonderful)
peter
well I do know my s3 xj6 has 15 inch wheels as opposed to the 16 inch on the x308
I had falkner on the xj6.. RUBBISH.. now I have Michelins on the front and brodgestone on the back.. the ride quality is amazing with the Michelins on the xj6.
don't know if 15 vs 16 makes a huge difference.... I thought it was the heavy steel wheels on the xj6 (chrome hub caps wonderful)
peter
#74
#76
I have the DWS on my 02 XJR -- as I stated above ... it is a very soft tire. They call it extreme summer all season ... it's a very soft, squirmy tire.
#77
DWS 06 is a Ultra High Performance All-Season.
DW is a Max Performance Summer.
And they also have the CONTISPORTCONTACT which is a Ultra High Performance Summer.
Regular DWS a previous generation?
From Continental website-
"The ExtremeContactTM DWS06 marks the debut of SportPlusTM Technology. Another one of Continental’s innovative technologies, SportPlusTM Technology is designed for precise handling; security on wet, slippery roads; and excellent tread life. Additionally, all-season traction is enhanced through the use of Traction Grooves and X-Sipes. Traction Grooves improve snow performance through increased pattern edges while X-Sipes improve braking, cornering and acceleration in wet, snow and ice."
Continental Tire Launches ExtremeContact? DWS06 | Continental
I don't find them to be "skirmy". Just my opinion.
But i can say it's hard to get them break loose..
DW is a Max Performance Summer.
And they also have the CONTISPORTCONTACT which is a Ultra High Performance Summer.
Regular DWS a previous generation?
From Continental website-
"The ExtremeContactTM DWS06 marks the debut of SportPlusTM Technology. Another one of Continental’s innovative technologies, SportPlusTM Technology is designed for precise handling; security on wet, slippery roads; and excellent tread life. Additionally, all-season traction is enhanced through the use of Traction Grooves and X-Sipes. Traction Grooves improve snow performance through increased pattern edges while X-Sipes improve braking, cornering and acceleration in wet, snow and ice."
Continental Tire Launches ExtremeContact? DWS06 | Continental
I don't find them to be "skirmy". Just my opinion.
But i can say it's hard to get them break loose..
#78
It may be due to the different suspension geometry on the XJR, but on my XJS the DWS 06 ride comfort improvement from the Pzeros has been pure heaven in my experience.
I also own an '02 XJR and, based on what you are saying, I may not choose the Continentals when the current Pilots wear out, however, Convincor appears to have them on his 2002 XJR-100 and he doesn't find them "squirmy" either.
Cheers,
Last edited by Forcedair1; 07-22-2016 at 09:09 AM. Reason: Spelling
#79
Better handling, too
In bringing out the Continentals' ride comfort improvement, I left out mentioning that there was also a noticeable improvement on the steering and handling feel. The car now feel more agile, with far quicker reaction to steering corrections. Plus, like I mentioned before, the old heavy steering problem when parallel parking went away like by magic with the new tires and, finally, the wife no longer complains about the heavy steering that was really starting to get old. It's hard to believe how many different things these tires have improved.
Cheers
Cheers
#80
Looking at my Tirerack invoice -- they are DWS XL .. they have the same basic tread design as the 06. Mine are from early 2015.
This is the first set of all season tires I have ever installed on any of my Jaguars ... I often use this car in the winter at my weekend place. Both the summers and winters needed to be replaced -- buying 8 expensive tires for 2k worth of miles per year? Figured I would try the DWS.
The DWS have soft sidewalls .. there are numerous negative comments regarding both the lack of feel and sidewall damage. I understood this going in. I figured .. How bad could they be vs the Dunlop withers that I like. Well within 1 month I had a blowout getting to my weekend place in PA -- Thankfully TR gives free road hazard on all tires -- cost me $22 .. and a tow truck driver tip.
The tire is smooth and quite (so far) -- it's very good in the snow. But the handling vs the OE Pirelli's -- not even close.
The XJS -- did not like larger tires. I had a late one as well as one of the first x300. I was able to get a set of early XJ8 rims that I used as summers on my x300 -- I was able to get them to work. They just would not work on the XJS.
This is the first set of all season tires I have ever installed on any of my Jaguars ... I often use this car in the winter at my weekend place. Both the summers and winters needed to be replaced -- buying 8 expensive tires for 2k worth of miles per year? Figured I would try the DWS.
The DWS have soft sidewalls .. there are numerous negative comments regarding both the lack of feel and sidewall damage. I understood this going in. I figured .. How bad could they be vs the Dunlop withers that I like. Well within 1 month I had a blowout getting to my weekend place in PA -- Thankfully TR gives free road hazard on all tires -- cost me $22 .. and a tow truck driver tip.
The tire is smooth and quite (so far) -- it's very good in the snow. But the handling vs the OE Pirelli's -- not even close.
The XJS -- did not like larger tires. I had a late one as well as one of the first x300. I was able to get a set of early XJ8 rims that I used as summers on my x300 -- I was able to get them to work. They just would not work on the XJS.