rothwell,

Many tire sellers either significantly reduce a tire's treadwear warranty or eliminate it altogether if the vehicle has staggered wheels (meaning the rears are a larger size than the fronts). Their reasoning is that with staggered wheels, the tires cannot be properly cross-rotated and will therefore have a much shorter lifespan....

 

I really don't know, Jon. But they've been running flat and true for 100,000 miles. Uniform tread wear until bald. Tires last forever. I had a set of Falken PT722s on the rear that lasted, .... I am not kidding, ... 80,000 miles.

I'm not touchin' nutin'. They will stay at 40 to 43.

 

When we purchased our 2003 XK8 it had expensive tires on it with very little wear. However, it also had flat spots from sitting, and they wouldn't seem to come out with driving, so the decision was made to replace them.


Since we don't race the car, or drive it hard some Tire Rack research came up with Kumo Ecstra 4X II XL at about $600 a set.
245x40 ZR-19 and 255x40 ZR-19.


When we raced we used shaved Kumo's for a while and found them an excellent tire.


My wife and I are amazed at how quiet the car is when on the highway.
Cost about $72 to have them mounted at a Tire Rack associated dealer.


Don't really understand why folks feel they need overpriced tires for normal driving.


Jack

 

I just put Kumho estca 4x II on my 05 and I agree they're pretty quiet for my taste and handling is not that bad...I don't race em but I drive spiritedly and carefully, we'll see how long the last...I put 32 and 28 now maybe I should try 28 and 26

 

Where were you guys when I was asking for recommendations? LOL

 

Sorry Mike. Was not involved with a XK8 at the time you made the initial post.

 

I will still stick with my recommendation for the Michelin's. I can't imagine another brand giving me better tread life. I'll get at least 35K miles out of the rears and probably 45K on the fronts. I've had passengers even comment on how good the ride is.

Mike what about the Michelin's is the issue? I get that you feel the ride quality is much worse than before but how exactly?
Is it noise?
Harsh feedback?
Have you felt this way since you installed them?
What is the wear like on yours now after a few months?
How many miles have you put on them?
What pressures? Nitrogen filled?

There are so many variables. Condemning without any specifics limits its value to the group.

 

rothwell,

On her 2006 XK8, my wife typically gets about 48,000 miles out of her front Yokohama YK580 tires (at 32 psi) and about 34,000 miles out of her rear Yokohama YK580 tires (at 29 psi). They cost considerably less at Discount Tire than the comparable Michelins. Great handling, great wet-weather traction, and often a better treadwear warranty depending where you buy. I've been running this tire on her car for nearly five years now and I still believe they are a much better bang-for-the-buck than Michelin....

 

For the life me I can not remember the make of the tires on it when I got it. I had never heard of them - maybe they were Kumho. The ride was quieter and softer, smoother. The Michelins are harsh. I'm running with nitrogen at the recommended pressures as on the car sticker. ALSO I put 4 new Michelins from Costco on my Land Cruiser and two of them have blown the side wall!