Hi Everyone. Just purchased a gently used 97 VP. It currently has Pirelli P4000’s that need to be replaced immediately. I have called a couple of places and they are recommending H rated tires. I found a great deal at costco.com and wanted to call to verify if they could I stall and the manager told me the load and tire rating had to match what was listed on my car. I knew this, but was surprised when other, reputable tire shapes didn’t blink an eye.

My main concern is that the car drive smoothly and quietly, but not loose too much agility. I would appreciate hearing your recommendations, experiences, etc. Thanks.

 

I use the Tirerack.com reviews and recommendations to pick tires and have never had a tire that didn't meet with expectations. Even if you don't buy from them, the onlline rankings in the various categories lets you pick a tire that will best fulfil the characteristics that you want.

I would always match a load rating, but not necessarily a speed rating. As an example, one of my cars came with a V rated tire ( 149 mph) and I replaced it with a H rating ( 130 mph). I'll never be able to do those speeds legally, and I'm not even sure my car is capable of 130 mph. I don't want to find out if it is either.

 

If you just want a quality tire with good all-round characteristics I had great luck with 2 sets of BF GoodrichAdvantage TA, 225/60x16, 98 load rating, V-speed rating. No vices, no problems, last about 40k miles, good wet and dry traction, quiet. About $105 each from Tire rack...but that was a few years ago


Cheers
DD

 

Thanks, checked on Tiretack and not too many option with the ZR rating and W. Personally, I think it’s overkill as I can’t imagine the car going anywhere near that fast, but I’m definitely a newbie.

 

Thank you Doug, I will look it up. You mentioned the exact qualities things I am looking for.

 

Getting ready to put some michelin defenders on my car. Have had pirelli p4's on the car for probably the past 4 years and 30,000 miles and have been pretty happy with them and they still have good tread left, however the rear right tire went out of round, or should I say there is about a 6 to 8 inch raised bubble in the inside tread close to the sidewall. If that tire was still good I could see these tires lasting another 30,000 miles.

 

I have the Pirelli P4’s on my car as well. I am considering the Bridgestone Quietrack.

 

you didnt say what size tyre you need.
If 16", I would recommend the Michelin Primacy 3ST 225/60 x 16. I have them on my Daimler 3.2
Quiet, stable, 120km/h feels like 90.
a premium tyre, but they wear very well I think.

on my XJR I have 18" x 245/45 Bridgestone Potenzas . Awesome grip even in the wet. I wear through them, but I do drive it hard.

 

Thanks. The tires are 225/60ZR 16W. I found some great tires at Costco for a great price and they will not install due to the speed rating.

 

"I found some great tires at Costco for a great price and they will not install due to the speed rating."
- What exactly about the speed rating would give them pause to install any tires?
Basically the Speed Rating doesn't mean it is unsafe to drive above that speed. It means that up to that speed the tires are rated to maintain consistent stability, mainly temperature, over a long period of time. You could drive a S rated tire (112 mph rating) to 200 miles per hour safely if your car could do it, but you couldn't sustain speeds above 112 safely very long before the tire would become compromised from overheating.

That said, there are more factors involved that would determine your tire choice:
1) What type of environments do you drive in, as a percentage of the time on the tires?
- Snow/Ice 5, Wet 20, Dry 75 (my personal example)
2) What are your priorities in order from most important to least?
- Snow traction, Wet traction, Dry traction, Reliability, Comfort/noise, Price, Treadwear, Appearance
- My priorities ended up with this choice: Michelin X-Ice Xi3
- I know I only drive snow 5 percent of my year TOPS, but I needed to be able to drive my Jag in the snow during that time, so it was my top priority.
- These tires have progressive compounds that make the tire life quite acceptable year round (37,000 miles so far, expect another 8,000) and the wet traction is also superb. For an ice tire, they are also pretty quiet, and soft riding enough.

Remember that the only thing between your car and the road is your tires. They are very important to get right for you and your car :-)

 

Bridgestone or Pirelli. I have both. The new pirelli's are cheapest and I like the ride the best. But the bridgestones are nice as well. Mine are H rated.

 

Costco will only install a tire with the same speed rating as the original vehicle specs. The 97 VP spec'd ZR rated tires. I tried to explain this to the guy at Costco and they wouldn't budge.

 

I put the my car registration into one of the online tyre places over here in the UK and it recommends:



Are there more options for you at 225/55 ? I've been using them for years and especially since I replaced the kaput steering rack it all feels fine.
The tyre firm offer me these:
https://www.blackcircles.com/order/t...loadratings=99
I'm curious how the range and prices compare in the USA

 

I ended up purchasing a set of Goodyear Weatherready and I am very pleased with how they drive. Discount Tire had two mail-in rebates totaling $160.