At the end of this year, it will be my first time driving a RWD vehicle in the winter.

What does everyone find are the best winters to help manage the torque of their XF/XFR, and maximum handling/traction?

 

Nokian Hakkapeliitta, The Fins make great winter tires, Kal Tire in the GTA has them
Put them on my wife's car last year, amazing.
Michelin X Ice, second choice, Costco

 

I'm not up on XF/XFR wheel options, but see if you can fit narrower rims than stock to allow tires with a narrower tread. This will give a you a larger selection of tires to choose from and much better ability to push through accumulated snow.

Contrary to many assumptions, these cars can do quite well in the winter.

 

Thanks.

The feedback is very helpful. Nokian are proven. I have looked at a few reviews. Bridgestone Blizzaks and Toyo are highly rated also. Anyone with experience of those?

 

Mikey,

How narrow would you suggest? 20" down to 19" or 18"? What is the goal on width reduction? Rear: 285 down to 255; slip down to a 35-40 profile? Front: maybe 245 or 235; with 40 profile?

Looking at Nokian Hakka R2 and Michelin X Ice 3.

 

I was referring strictly to wheel width, not diameter. Not sure at all what alternate diameters might fit your car without interference or clearance issues.

The problem with choosing winter tires is that there's a pitifully small selection to choose from, I suppose because there's not many high end sporty cars to start with and very few that get driven in the type of winter that demands true ice/snow tires. This might be a beggars can't be choosers situation.

 

i ran kumho izen 22 on my xjrs and l;oved them

 

Nokian makes excellent winter tires... but as discussed, widths may be an issue for original XFR wheels... you could consider picking up a set of dedicated winter wheels though, possibly narrower as suggested...

Be sure to join our group if you have a chance! Would love an XFR owner to join!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/JaguarsToronto/

 

Don't want to dig up an old thread but I had Blizzaks on my 2012 xf and they were terrible. Found out later that run flat winters are not great in the winter despite their price.

Got a new set of Blizzaks and they are amazing. Night and day better. I no longer dread the winter like I did before.

 

I found Nokia are very good and now have Yoko's with the 'walnut shell' technology are very good as well.
Bought separate rims from 'coventry' and went from 20" to 19" with a taller tire for price and pothole protection.
Lawrence.

 

I thought you were going to leave your F-Tye in the garage for the winter? I had mine stored away with a battery tender but could not resist taking it out for a long drive today - nice day...

 

Yes, the snows where on my XKR and when I sold it and bought the f type I planned to use them on it as well... but changed my mind due to gravel.. etc... so I still have the tires and wheels, but not on the car.

I was surprised at how good the XKR handled with the snows, but living on a gravel road, plus the sand on the roads during the winter, it tends to sandblast the sides of the car.

The weather the last couple of days has been good, but I left the car garaged due to the sand on the highways up here. Maybe in the spring a few of us can meet up for a drive/coffee etc. that live within a few hours of Toronto.
Lawrence.

 

Sounds like a plan. I missed the last meet of the summer right after I got my car. Enjoy the winter...

 

quick question, do you think you could get away with just rear winter tires? My XJ8 seems to stop with no problem in light snow but has troubling getting going like any rear wheel drive car with all seasons.

 

Stopping and turning are important. Four proper snow tires is my vote.

 

Absolutely all 4 winter. World of difference. I'm selling this blizzak tire/wheel set if you're interested.

 

Precisely right. I haven;t found better than the Michelin Alpin's yet.

 

No way! Living in Ottawa and driving up to Mount St. Marie and Tremblant I'll tell you that 4 snows are best by a long shot.