Old question... Looking for current recommendations. There are very few good tires in the 235/60VR15 size. The Pirellis are no longer made.
So, what is good today? I don't want white lettering, and I'm not going to put chinese tires on a Jaguar!
Thanks for any help...

 

It is best to buy some facelift 16 inch rims, there are loads more tyre choices in that size.

 

tires have white lettering on only one side. Just face the lettering inwards.

 

Hi Greg,
Never thought of that.
Is there any issue with the rear rims regarding inboard / outboard brakes i.e will a facelift (outboard) rim fit a pre-facelift with inboard brakes? Also what tyre sizes does the facelift use?

Cheers,
LeeP

 

Hi Lee,

Any of the facelift 16" rims will fit fine on your car. The original tyre sizes on the 16" rims were 225/60 (Touring Suspension) or 225/55 (Sports Suspension). The 225/60 is more restrictive to source now, with many more options on 225/55 tyre. I changed to 225/55 many years ago and currently run Hankook Ventus Prime on my 4.0 Convertible.

Cheers

Paul

 

Regarding Chinese tires. Some are already very good ( others are junk, just like the rest of tire industry)
Realize too that it’s extremely unlikely that your tires will wear out before they age out. By the time they are 5 years old the rubber will have hardened enough to decrease your cornering ability and increase your stopping distance.

 

Right, thanks. My car is very original, and my first choice is to keep it that way.

 

Yes... Not ideal, but I have done that on other vehicles.

 

Avoiding Chinese tires isn't a political choice. They are as capable as anyone of making good products, and sometimes do. But without a solid recommendation, I wouldn't bet on it.

Indeed, my Pirelli P600's are like new, but they are over 15 years old, and I know better than to drive far on them!

So is anyone using anything specific that they can recommend? I see two proper V-rated candidates in 235/60-15... Cooper Cobras and Kumho Ecsta PA31s. I have no experience with either Cooper or Kumho. Can anyone comment on either?

Thanks...

 

I have them on mine, they fit no bother, as they were standard on all facelifts. Look good too:

I use 225/60s as I prefer a decent ride; and properly set up with good suspension rubber etc. the cornering is superb.

 

Kumho, Sumitomo, Falken, Toyo, Hankook....

Over the years I've had all of these on various cars, including some of my Jags. I've never had any issues with the quality of the tires. That is, nothing bad has ever happened. Nothing to make me think they were sub-par tires, or unsafe tires. No balancing problems, no failures.

But each of those manufacturers, along with Pirelli, Michelin, Goodyear, et al, offer a variety of different tires for different purposes, each having different characteristics. So, besides choosing a brand, you need to choose the right tire for your car, your driving habits, and your driving conditions. It's quite possible to buy a very high quality, very expensive, prestige brand tire that's totally unsatisfactory for your intended usage. And it's possible to buy a modestly priced, non-prestige brand tire that suits the car and your needs perfectly well.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Greg, yes that does look good. My dilemma is that my Pirellis are over 10 years old but look brand new with no cracking as few miles covered, so considering options.

Apologies to jdt40 for hijacking his post.

Cheers,
LeeP

 

The Kumho Ecsta PA31 235/60VR15s are $112 on Amazon. I haven't paid that little for a "performance" tire in... well, forever.

Should I jump on that? Or be afraid?

 

Oops... Sorry. I was looking at 16's, not 15's on Amazon.

 

Leep
I have used Kuhmos, or Hankooks or similar for years, all been excellent. Ditch the Pirellis, they will be absolutely past it!