ok fellas: my Pirelli tires need to be replaced and they don't make them anymore. I need tires asap but want to make sure that I get the right ones since this is such a heavy car and a cheap tire could be throwing money into a fire. what should I look for??

 

Your XJ6 weighs in at about 4100 pounds. Heavy, but not unusually so. Lots of cars weight that much. Don't be *too* worried about the weight situation

Anyhow......


If you're interested in a performance-oriented tire your choices are very limited....almost non existant in the original 215/70x15 or 205/70x15 size (both sizes were used on Ser IIIs but yours should've been built with 215/70x15).

Looking at Tire Rack there are many choices in the 215/70x15 size with a 97 or 98 load rating, which is certainly sufficient. Some of the 205/70 choices drop to 95 or 96 load ratings which is removing some margin.

Nobody offers either size in the original "V" speed rating. (Well, you can't still get the Michelin XWX 215/70x15, as used on older Ferraris, for about $450 each. Gulp.

The Michelein Defender usually gets good reviews and Michelins generally have a very strong casing and long tread life. That would probably be my choice.

If you drive gently almost any 215/70 will get the job done.

If you're interested in a performance tire you'll have to go with a 16" wheel

Cheers
DD

 

Well, we are lucky in that we still get to chose our poison. I hear that in some countries, a car that came with performance rated tires must be reshod in them. WOW!!

I got over running on junk tires decades ago. But, not so long ago, I got realistic. My Jeep seldom sees any dirt. so why shoe it in off road rubber. Nope, shod it ion a nice set of Yokohama touring tires. Just fine thanks.

Then, came time for new rubber for the Jaguar. Much chance of sustained riving at 125 mph? Nope. So, T rated touring tires are just fine.

Shopped and found B.F. Goodrich at a good price. 215 x 70 x 15 on XJS 7" wheels look good, ride nice and handle quite well.

Got it right on both.

Gone are the days when my 85 Ford 4x4 was shod for far more tire and rubber than it needed. It's 5.0 could just pull OD!!

Match the tire to the driving habit and it works out.

Carl

 

so it looks like it either bf Goodrich advantage or Michelin defender.

 

I've had great luck with both BF Goodrich and Michelin but there are many other choices out there. What are your priorities? Quietness? Wet traction? Tread life?

I suggest going to Tire Rack and looking at all the choices.

Cheers
DD

 

im just looking for a smooth ride. whether im doing 25 or 85

 

wet traction is important as well

 

BF Goodrich "Advantage T/A" is available in 215/70x15.

I'm on my second set of "Advantage T/A" tires on my XJR. Quiet, smooth, and good wet traction plus 40K-plus mile tread life.

Good tire for the money, about $100 each from Tire Rack

The Michelin Defender is about $20 more per tire. The only advantage, likely, is the famously long tread life you get on Michelin (non-performance) tires.

Cheers
DD

 

im going to contact a few places and hopefully be able to have a new set by the end of the week.

 

I actually just bought a set of tires today off Ebay.. 215/70-15 Goodyear Integrity. After shopping around, I found this brand new set on Ebay for $306. FREE shipping. Can't beat that IMO. The name is "ATMW Tires" or something like that.

Edit: I will add, because I work at a dealership I have access to a tire machine and lift so I can save on labour fees.. But either way, $306 is a nice price.

 

nice-hows the ride?

my wife is buying me 4 for birthday. im still trying to.decide. i think my budget is 450 beans.

 

Just put on those Goodyear Integrity's today at work.. Lovely ride, smooth tire. Doesn't make any noise. I highly recommend them they are very inexpensive. Hopefully they last... My old tires were 12 years old, dry rotted and about to fall apart! (I didn't drive it like that, don't worry.)

 

I got Kuhmo Solus from Tire Rack. $347.64 including shipping. Great ride, good traction, drove through a supercell on a rally, 55mph winds, several inches of water running down road in spots, no issues at all. Look right, too.

 

how is hankook? a tire guy I know swore by them??

 

im running goodyear assurance 205/70/15, the place i went to also had eagle gt's in that size but for about twice s much

 

i had the tires put on this morning and so far so smooth.