My tires are starting to show some wear on the front edges. Feels like an alignment might be in order as well, but while not urgent, I'm thinking its time for a new set of shoes for the 2011 XKR Coupe.

I've read some threads on the topic but was wondering if there were any new developments or opinions on what the best tire for our cars is.

My criteria: Performance, silence, wear, cost. In that order.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so no extreme climate issues. I rarely drive her in the rain, but don't want pure summer tires as we do get stuck in unexpected downpours occasionally and I lost a CTS-V years back to hydroplaning on absurdly summer-biased tires, so safety (not performance) in rain is a priority as well.

Any strong opinions?

Thanks,

Skeeter

 

I'd say go for some round ones.

 

You need to study up on tires a bit to know what you want. I agree that round ones are the best choice!

Your area does not require an all season, so summer tread is what I recommend.
Hydroplaning is not a function of compound, but of tread design, so make sure the design has adequate evacuation channels for water dissipation.
A good sticky summer tread will grip better on wet roads than any all season out there. Even up here in the rainy north, I have no problem with summer compounds till temps go below freezing. The problem with sticky tires is they are purely performance oriented, and do not last very long.

If your funding is solid, and want the best, the Michelin PSS still tops the charts. I run the second ranked Bridgestone S0-4, at a pretty good savings (Just bought my rears for $300/pr) but I am an aggressive driver and demand a lot of my tires at all times, and to heck with wear.

BOL
Vince

 

Just been researching this.

If you're on 20" wheels, the PSS will not be available for 8 weeks+.
Apparently, this is because of the manufacturing schedule at Michelin.

I'm going down the S04 route, as mentioned by Vince above. They are the second best rated performance tyres according to the best group test info that I could find.
(Unfortunately, I need the tyres now..)

There are good, cheaper, less performance-orientated tyres available.
FWIW, my view is that of all the places to spend money on maintaining the car, this is it..

Cheers,

Rob

 

They are all expensive in this sizes we need, but I have had great luck with the Pilot Super Sports. They work on the track, way to work, rain and still have thread on them after being pounded on relentlessly for the past 9 months.

 

Good stuff... I'm on 19" rims, fwiw.

I take it Pilot Super Sports are better that the Pilot Sport PS2's? Those were my old standby tires...

Skeeter

 

Michelin PSS are the best summer tire for this car. Have had both Pirelli and these PSS and the Michelin last a bit longer, stay quiet longer and have better grip overall. Pirelli get noisy well before the tread is worn down.
Lawrence

 

I'm n 19's as well.
Everything I read says the PSS pretty much dominate the market. I admit to pinching pennies with the S0-4, as I feel I get near the PSS grip at half the PSS cost. I believe the PSS will wear longer.

I get about 15K miles off a set of Bridgestones. Keep in mind I actively hunt down twisty roads as a hobby, and have been know to take four day road trips just to drive a famously know piece of winding asphalt. Grip and feedback are my top priorities. My recommendations are always biased to performance. As a side note, I also prefer the RE-11 (which will eat the PSS for lunch) over the S0-4, but the road noise is not suited to the Jag. RE-11's are good for about 10K miles.

BOL
Vince

PS. To drive this road, head up to Red Bluff!

 

So PSS's are the hands down favorites, I'll place an order @ tirerack Monday... No more Ps2's for me.

Thanks all!

Skeeter

 

Good call.

Be sure to check your local Michelin dealer or even Costco.
When you add in shipping from Tirerack, most local business will meet the price. (Do not try to get them to match the price before shipping.)

I always give my locals a shot at my business first, and they appreciate it. I have not ordered from tirerack in years because my people here know and take care of me every time.

BOL
Vince

 

So the XKR-S can get Michelin PSS's i believe through tirerack...what about the XKR.. has anyone heard? Is that the 8 weeks statement above?

 

Yes - its alwaya good to support the local economy when possible! When you need someone to lay eyes on your car for help - Tirerack will not be signing up to help!

 

The out of stock issue was for the rear size 285/30 ZR20.
The front are in stock - didn't check other sizes!

Cheers,

Rob

 

+1 on the PSS. They work great in the rain and the dry. The PSS are the replacements for the PS2s so... that's what we're after. Supply in the rear size is indeed tricky right now, I had a puncture last month and it took Discount 2 weeks to track one down.

 

Wow.... Makes me even more glad for my 19s"!
(That and the fact I just paid $155 each for my S-04 285-35/19s !)

Another thing, should the OP choose to buy from TireRack. I believe they are a JaguarFourms sponsor, so be sure to let them know where you came from!
Vince

 

Discount Tire did well -- they had a spare Pirelli in the right size that they mounted for me for free in the mean time. Not really a big deal for me though -- I just used the Z or the Roller in the meantime. /cough

 

Been going to Seattle a lot lately for work.... not many Jags arount out there!

 

I love the Hankook v12 evo. Super cheap but handle great and good tire wear. I use 20" though.
Anyone else have good luck with Hankooks?

 

Just the opposite. I had a set on my Z once. I will agree that they were cheap. But they were hard, stuck poorly, and as soon as a drop of water was on the road it went from bad to worse. I will go as far as to say they were the worst tire I've ever purchased. Oddly enough, they didn't last any longer than any other summer tire either. It's one of the main reasons for my new found love and devotion for Pilot Super Sports.

 

i've had good luck getting on "tire rack" website. i look at the ratings and feedback. clearly, michelin leads the pack, but i decided on the hancook because of $ and good feedback