I think it is time to put new rubber on my 2004 XJR. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will not be driving in winter weather. Rarely on wet roads. I would like a tire that is not excessively loud but have a high performance rating.

Not cheap, but Michelin Supersports.

What country are you in?

PigletJohn,

mvasko lives in Indiana.... :-)

mvasko, I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations for Michelins, Pirellis, Continentals, Dunlops and Bridgestones, all of which make some great tires, but I am a big fan of the Yokohama Ultra High Performance All-Season tires for sport sedans. I'm currently running the Advan S.4 on our '93 XJ40 and when the lousy non-speed-rated Pirelli Scorpions that the PO of our '04 XJR installed before selling the car wear out, the first tires I'll consider will be Yokos. Great handling, steering response, ride, attractive tread pattern, and typically quieter than the equivalent Pirellis and Michelins. They're not bargains in the 19 or 20-in. sizes, but they're very competitive pricewise with other major brands.

One thing I would strongly recommend is that you not settle for tires with a speed rating lower than Jaguar's recommendation, even if you don't think you'll ever drive at 150mph. Jaguar engineers tune the suspension for the heavier sidewalls of high-speed rated tires, and a lower-rated tire will not handle or steer as well (the Pirelli Scorpions on our XJR are proof of that).

Let us know what you choose!

Cheers,

Don

usa

ah, then conditions and compounds may not be the same.


Over here, the Michelins are certainly better than Pirellis, and probably better than Dunlops. There are other brands that I have not tried on such a heavy and powerful car. E.g. tyres that are good on a Porsche which is equally fast but much lighter.

+1 for the Supersports, I have them on both of my Jaguars and could not be happier, simply a great tire. Lots of grip, good in the wet, smooth ride, and quiet. Had a lot of different tires on the, much heavier, XKR and once I landed on the Supersports I was hooked. (See https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/w...0-x358-112850/ for more details on the other tires I've gone through on the XKR)


When I purchased the Super V8 it had Hankook Ventus V12s, which were absolute garbage in comparison. Yes, the Michelins are very expensive but it is quite possibly the single best handling upgrade for the price differential. *Note: Keep in mind both my cars have 20" wheels so sidewall flex may vary by application.

Not sure about varying compounds by market but the tires I have are all made in Europe and I doubt they would go to the expense of changing the structural and chemical makeup of the tire on the factory floor, then again do European tires have DOT markings on them? Raises some interesting questions.

20" Sepangs here too.

Surprisingly, roadstone used here is harder and shinier than in most of Europe, so our tyre compounds are (were?) softer to get equivalent grip in the UK market. It is also generally less cold in winter.

I installed Cooper Zeon RS3-A tires a year ago on my 04 xjr and love them. They are quiet, comfortable, durable and perform great wet & dry.
See review the link to their review.

http://m.motortrend.com/features/con...ires_zeon_rs3/

Love my Contisports. Not sure about the performance in the wet though as I live in Los Angeles!
Alan