I am requesting some help from the experts. I currently have the OEM tires for my 2009 XF S/C which are Dunlops. The cost per tire is around $450 to $500. I am searching for alternatives.

Hankook Ventus V12
Kumho ECSTA SPT
Yokohama S Drive
Falken FK 452
NITTO NT 555

The above tires are in my price range. I know that it is an individual preference but if you have any experience with these tires, please point me in the right direction.

 

They are not on your list but I purchased the Continental Extreme Contact DWS, an ultra high performance all season tire, from the Tire Rack ($944 for the set, staggered fitment for my 09 XF SC) and think they are excellent!

 

The Hankook Ventus V12 is the cheapest Jaguar approved alternative and also a very good tire for the money. Check out this test of nine tires including the Hankook, compared against the high end Michelin PS2 (arguably the best summer tire made)
Tire Test: Nine Affordable Summer Tires Take On the Michelin PS2 - Comparison Tests

 

I'm using Michelin Pilot Super Sports and they are an excellent tire with a longer tread life. Rated #1 by Tirerack for handling performance and on sale for the S/C sizes at $1348 for the four tires plus a $70 rebate. That works out to an average of about $320 per tire.

 

You never go wrong with a Michelin!

 

No personal experience, but Disquay seems to like his Nitto Motivos...
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/w...od-tire-72179/

 

The word on the street is fit the new Michelin SuperSports. These are the current holy grail of performance street tires. They have no equal right now.

 

I went from the OEM Dunlops to Mich SS. Pricing was reasonable with the rebate and they are wonderful so far.

Quiet, grippy beyond the limits I have sampled with reputed great tread wear....perfect balance in my mind.

The Dunlops were so loud at the end of their life to be almost unbearable. The snows were significantly quieter.

 

Did the Supersports come with the 2012 or did you switch them out?

 

For those with OEM Dunlops ( I have the 2011 S/C), what is your experience in wet driving conditions? How about those with Supersports or other tires. I had my first experience driving in the rain and was on a country road with some up, downs and turns and hit a low spot with some ponding water and experienced some hydroplaning on the tire that hit the water (front driver side). Coming from an BMW SUV, typically wouldn't experience that with so little water.

Not to hijack your thread, but would definitely look for good performance in wet weather.

 

The Michelin SS is waaaay better than the OEM Dunlops and is usefully cheaper too. Far more grip in the dry and better in the wet, in my experience.

 

Four wheel drive cannot be compared to two wheel drive for hydroplaning. Front wheel drive is also very resistant to hydroplaning. Power at the drive wheel pretty much eliminates hydroplaning as the power spins the wheel as soon as it lifts, traction control probably actuates also on fwd or awd.

 

I dumped the Dunlops. I've had those on other Jags and they wore out fast and were extremely loud near the end of life.
I took the Michelin SS tires and rims off my 09 and put them on the 2012. They had about 6K miles on them and show no signs of wear. They are quiet with excellent handling either wet or dry. They are also much better than the Michelin PS2s that I also had used on the 09 and that wore out fast.

 

Have any pictures? I'm curious what those SC rims look like on the 2012.

 

I don't yet. To me, the Volans look the same as they did on my 09 SC. They are bold and seem to make the car appear visually lower then it really is. They are certainly waaaay easier to clean than the 10-spokers or 5-spokers with narrow slots.