TIRE UPDATE:

After replacing my failed rear damper, the long ride home Friday night was much better. Missing was a near constant small vibration in my steering wheel and my seat cushion. I was almost satisfied with the ride... almost.... until I hit those pavement sections with cross sectional ripples where the Pirellis still produced totally unacceptable noises. It got me to declare; "this is just unacceptable".

So, I went ahead and did the tire change from the stock Pirelli Zero Nero to the Hankook Ventus V12. I was worried a bit that I may go backwards as I expected the "Y" speed rated V12 (186MPH) to have even stiffer sidewalls than the "H" speed rated (130MPH) stock Pirellis. My comparison at the tire dealer confirmed this "fear" as the Pirelli sidewalls and thread were far more compressible by hand than the V12s. But, still went ahead with the change in pursuit of a quieter tire.

I have the V12s on my '08XK and it is very quiet with a good ride. I remember when they were brand new I actually dropped the tire pressures to abut 26 psi to get a more compliant ride. Once they "broke-in", the ride was just fine and I could up the pressures back to 32 psi with no negative ride effects.

So, last night I completed my 150 miles long commute over one of the most heavily traveled freeways in the US, HWY 80. I set the tire pressures to the standard 32 psi to get a direct comparison to the stock tires. I am most satisfied with the results. While the new V12s do feel a hair stiffer than the already broken-in Pirellis, the noise difference is very significant. There is one section of this freeway which resembles more to an old western wagon trail and less to a major freeway. The surface is cross-rippled in front of you for 20 miles with ripples ever few feet, setting up a constant frequency of vibration. With the Pirellis the noise over this section was particularly punishing. The V12 filtered out probably 80 percent of the noise, the XJL gliding over much of it without drama. Very significant difference.

Having said that, do not expect miracles. It is still a 19" tire/wheel combo and as such you will never be able to get a truly "Royal" luxury ride out of them. But, as far as I am concerned I settle for this setup. My lowered stated goals were to get a ride as good as I have in my XK. I think I am very close to it and, given a 1000, or so, break-in miles on these V12s I'll be right there.

As far as the handling comparison between the Pirellis and the V12; I still have not pushed the V12s hard, being brand new and potentially still having mold wax in the very outer layer of the thread but, I can already tell that the handling is at least as sharp as the Pirellis but, likely better due to the superior construction that goes with the "Y" speed rating. On TireRack a number of reviews claimed that the sidewalls of the V12s were too soft; I have no clue what they are talking about, I can assure anyone that those sidewalls are just fine and they will be more responsive than the Pirellis.

So, in conclusion, I am satisfied with the outcome of replacing one damper and the set of tires. I can fully recommend the V12s for anyone wishing to reduce the tire noise and to get a decent ride out of the XJ(L).

Albert

 

Awesome...and did you determine what the 2013 change was?

Bruce

 

I asked but, the Service Manager did not even realize that changes were in the works. When I asked the shop Foreman who seemed to be more qualified to answer such questions, he figured that any changes would have to be to the dampers. At the end, he did not know either. The 2013s have not yet made it into the area dealerships yet.

Albert

 

Bruce

I've found this in the 2013 release regarding to suspension changes to the 2013s:

"For the 2013MY, Jaguar has continued to improve
suspension refinement and performance. All models in the
range benefit from recalibrated spring and damper tunes
offering enhanced ride isolation and occupant comfort on
all road surfaces, with no impact on the model’s acclaimed
dynamic ability. The new suspension tune was first
introduced on the range-topping XJ Ultimate."

http://newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com/...technology.pdf

So, both springs and damper tuning will be changed.

Albert

 

Regarding "wheel size" and "ride comfort", I have had my 2011 XJ a little over two years riding on the original 19 inch wheels/tires, and I have to say the car rides great. I had a 2002 745i prior to this, and it also had 19 inch rims, and did not ride as smooth or quiet (granted, regarding handling, the BMW's drive much differently than the Jag). I don't think you can argue with the basic "physics" of the issue regarding the amount of rubber between your wheel and the road...the more narrow the sidewall of the tire, the firmer the ride...but...better handling. How does the old saying go.."you have to give up something to get something...".

 

I change my types from 245/40 r19 to 255/40 r19 and the ride quality improved a lot

 

You certainly didn't pickup much extra sidewall height to account for the better ride. Did you change brand of tire also? Full tread tires will also always cushion and improve the ride compared to old and worn tires.

 

I change the brand from hankook v12 (extreme Sumer sport) to kumho ecsta le sport (extreme Sumer sport ). On 255 the car Is taller, I feel much less road deformations

 

Hi all,
I've just bought my first Jaguar - a dream I've had ALL my life and I do love it, but have gone through a "wake-up" in these last 6 days that I've had it. The tires (I finally discovered) had not been reduced from the shipment psi from England and were still set at 60 psi. But this I didn't discover until after a road trip which left my back in bad shape. So it's helped a lot reducing it to 30 psi. However, in researching better tires for a more comfortable ride, I found your discussion thread and feel very disappointed. The wheels are 20" and I was just told by the dealer that they cannot be changed... From what I think I understand here, they could be and it might make more of a positive difference. My current tires are the Dunlop 245/40ZR20...
Any suggestions?

 

Sorry to hear about the rough ride on your car. And I thought they had corrected the issue with the 2013 model year software update?? (Not that they ever admitted it was an 'issue' with the earlier model to begin with.)

I have the older (arguably classier) X350. Although the shape of the new XJ has started to grow on me, I won't be getting it anytime soon due to the many reported issues. My XJ8L has been near bullet-proof in the 4 years that I've owned it.

Cheers,
Wolfy

 

The 20" wheels may look good, and provide better handling on smooth, even roads and tracks (which car reviewers typically use) but the resulting shorter sidewall tires mean a rougher ride and less resistance to pot-hole damage, and poorer handling on everyday roads with grooves, crowns, ripples, bumps, rough surfaces, etc.
Secondly, the OEM tires Jaguar provides do not provide the best ride, lowest road noise, nor best traction in all conditions, including temperatures below 40 degrees F., rain, snow, ice, etc. Again the OEM tires specified are those that give the best performance on the smooth, flat, dry, warm roads on which car reviewers test vehicles, not under the "real world" conditions most of us deal with year around.
You might want to check out Tire Rack's web site, and/or talk to their advisers.

 

Can't argue with that John, speaking from someone running 20" alloys inherited on my XJ
They look great, really make the car stand out in that respect, but probably 18" with more tyre would improve many aspects.

 

Thank you all for your thoughts on this. I've calmed down a lot since I posted this and am happy to say that lowering the tire pressure to 30 psi in each tire has helped tremendously. However, I am so glad to know that it wasn't just my faulty imagination!

 

Not sure about 18s but mine are 19s as below:

245/45ZR19
275/40ZR19

Both Dunlop Sport Maxx GT, combined with the air suspension, I've always had rear passengers say its like a plane, really comfy ride. The wider tyres at the back make the rear ride better, the front one is pretty awesome too.

 

Has anyone tried BF Goodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S tires on their 2012 Jaguar XJ, if so any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks.
scottjr1

 

Have you tried BF Goodrich G-Force Comp-2 A/S tires on their 2012 Jaguar XJ, if so any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks.
scottjr1

 

I recently replaced the UHP Summer Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tires on my 2013 XJ 5.0L SC with UHP All Season Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06. So far, I'm pleased with the ride comfort, wet and dry grip, handling, lack of tire noise, and fuel economy. For details, see https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-06-a-153244/

 

A little update on this thread. Mine is a 2013, but an unusual one in that it came from Asia and does not have the 2nd battery / stop start unlike normal MY 2013's etc. It must have the upgraded suspension as even with stock size Pirelli Zero run flats on bad roads on 19 inch wheels, I have a very good ride. I am stunned. (It rides so well and quietly that I am looking at getting sport tires rather than the quietest tires I can get and normally obsess over) Now part of it may be it is only a 35,000 mile car and when my tech dug into the car / engine to replace the valve cover gaskets under the supercharger etc. he found it was all in mint condition; all clean and no carbon build up. So it may be related to being a) 2013 model, and b) still in very good condition, and possibly c) it says suspension fault occasionally (which I had thought was a potential false flag electrical but maybe not) - could that be helping? .

 

I don't think the suspension is any different?
The only differences that have been published are the armored car versions (I guess because of the added weight of the armor?) and at the very end of the XJ production (2019) the collection edition mentions a softened suspension but no other details?

Do you have different part numbers for the suspension parts?

If you have a suspension fault you should have a code? It will be well worth it to find out exactly what that codes is?
.
.
.

 

Agreed on the latter, I am hoping to get a decent OBD this week and take a look. On the former in my in my exhaustive reading of threads I have found written up that 2013 onwards had better ride and amended suspension? But I am no tech; just reporting what I read.

I did not know they had an armored version, now that sounds very interesting... In the S classes that I knew well it was called a GUARD". What is it called in the insane Jaguar? THAT might slow the car down. :-)

They launched it.... in Moscow! (up to B7 level, no less)
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...es-armoured-xj