Hi everyone,
I have a, new to me, 2011 XK coupe. Time for tires. Could you recommend a good tire for me? There are a lot of choices so it’s a little confusing. I live in Florida so all season tires are not needed. I’m a modest driver who sometimes likes to give the kids a hole shot at the lights, LOL. A QUIET tire would be my choice. Good wearability is important too.
Thank you for your opinions,
Bill
245/40ZR19 275/35ZR19

 

Here we go again!

Listen to Dirty Harry and don't trust anybody's opinion.

Do your own research and start here: TireRack Online

If you're a Costco member, I'd see what they have in stock.

 

I tried COSTCO no joy but then I was looking for Ps, Ms and Cs. dont think they carry those brands.

Edit : The carry Ms (Michelin) and Bridg prices are so-so

Edit : $1700 Mich Pilot Sport set of 4 -150 rebate Still ouch

 

Those Michelins are expensive because they're Ultra High Performance tires. You don't need UHP tires for the modest way you drive and your priorities, including a quiet ride, long treadwear life, and low price. Look for Touring instead of Performance category tires.

 

Another xK here (2012). These continentales are excellent tires and I pay less than 1000 in tire rack. I purchased them with installation included te. They send them to the tire shop you want. I hope you find this info useful.

 

Yes, Sir John. Thank you. I’ll go with these.
Bill

 

With manufacturers bringing out updated products all the time it’s a worthwhile question to ask. I have been running Michelin Pilots 4S’s on my Dynamic R and previously 4.2 XKR and found them to be a very capable tyre, in performance and durability. They have just bought out a 5S but hasn’t had much in the way of reviews, in the meantime Continental Sport Contact 7 seem to have taken top spots https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/...-Tyre-Test.htm

 

As you say, it is a valid question but so is Stuart S's suggestion that one has to do one's homework. Most of us will recommend what we bought and may well miss the latest and maybe better or better priced products. Objective tests illustrate differences that help make an informed choice whereas user reviews only provide a general opinion with little in the way of reference to really be of any help.

In absolute terms, I couldn't actually tell you how good or bad the Dunlops on my XKR were - I don't have much to compare it to and I'm no expert driver - typical user review. They always did what they should within my limitations. However, personally, I found them a bit numb. I put this down to a Jaguar being a bit aloof. I've been expecting to have to replace this set for a while now as they were old but wasn't sure what to go with so have read a lot about the available options. Michelin PS4S, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport or the Bridgestone Potenza Sports seemed to be the ones that regularly test well. However, The Continental Sport Contact 7 came up at the right time and I went for them hoping that they would at least be a little more talkative than the Dunlops while being technically as good as tyres get today. In this sense, they transformed the car. They really are a nice tyre to use. They feel right, they feel like they are gripping instead of just gripping. They are fun. Best tyre upgrade I have ever experienced. This just confirms that the reviews were worth following, especially the one in the above post.

The other problem is what sizes are available. The Contis were new production and available as a matched set. The Goodyears weren't. The PS4S are in short supply in some sizes. The PS5 is a lower spec tyre and the PS5S isn't out yet. In Europe, we have a huge range of products. Tire Rack didn't seem to offer much in the OP's sizes, and most were expensive UHP/UUHP tyres or run flats! From the decent brands, there are few really bad tyres these days, but to get something that has a good chance of matching what we want, we need to do our own research. I'm very glad I did

 

@BillC You might want to wait for some guys that live in Florida to weigh in as they know the roads as well as you. Regarding the Conti's, you said you you didn't want all season. Continental DWS06 are all season. You also indicated you don't need high performance given your driving habits. The Continental Extreme Sport are ultra performance summer tires.

You money, your car, your choice but the Conti's seem to be opposite of your ask.

 

Thank you Sean.

 

I moved a year ago from Florida. The continentals are great tires. I used them in my XKR x100 and in my XK x150.

 

think someone ought to point out real quick that these are not mutually exclusive, but firmly at odds with each other. quieter tires tend to be softer rubber with a lower treadwear rating. also, you want a tire that has straight ribs/grooves all the way around. glancing real quick at tirerack i see a couple cheap options: general g-max rs, firestone firehawk indy 500, and maybe a little louder, the yokohama advan sport a/s+.

my most recent tire is yokohama advan apex v601; these are a bit softer than any of those three, but they've been good performers, i'm definitely sold on the brand.

 

Thanks @SirJohn . I see you have the Conti Extreme 7's. Those are UUHP tires. Again, may be perfect, I don't know Florida roads or the OP's driving habits and not disagreeing with you. I'm only pointing out the Conti's may not be to his liking based on his driving style. I have the Conti DWS06. I find them a little rolley on hard cornering compared to my Potenza's which one would expect, but they are quiet and the ride is soft(er).

To Stuart's comment of doing your own research (I think opinions and input from others is important but I get it), here's a good link for what to look for in a tire:
https://www.utires.com/articles/an-u...t-to-look-for/

 

It would appear that the three most effective ways to engage multiple people in spirited discussions are to: 1) Openly display a political opinion and ask for commentary 2) Openly discuss a specific religious point of view as the "true" path 3) Ask Jaguar Forum folks which tire, oil, gasoline addictive, wax, leather cleaner, et al they think is best! The mind boggles!!

 

they are -- and when they give up, they give up completely. i left them on too long after too much winter cracking, but it was the dws06 that gave up on me in a corner, spun off the road over the curb into a field. and it was a corner i was used to, that i roll through often. with the advans i have been able to feel the degradation over time but the dws06 just kinda gave up all at once. i would still recommend them, they're great, but just wouldn't ever test them like that again.

 

I've recently fitted Turanzas and am happy with them. Hopefully I should get decent lifespan.

Richard

 

My car had the factory Hankook Ventus V12 EVO2 tire. I ended up re-shoeing the Jag last year due to tire age and stuck with those, performed well in every condition here in Florida. Saw no reason to change when they have been so good. Right around $1,000 for a set. I am not as passionate about selling my selection as some, it is a tire and did it's job well in my opinion so that is all.

 

Are you sure about the Michelin Pilot Sport 5S?
Coz I have been watching out for it's release for a few months now and still zero trace on the interwebz.
Yes the PS5 came out in Jan 2022 but it is not the 5S and not in the same class as the 4S. The 4S is far superior to the 4 (and costs a lot more!) so I suspect the same would apply to the 5S vs the 5.
I am currently running PS4S but will need new tyres in a few months time, and so far I am leaning to the Conti Sport Contact 7 but I am hoping/waiting for the 5S to come out before then and be compared with the 4S and the Conti.

 

I live in Florida and just put a set of Michelin PS AS4’s on my 2011 XFR (same size wheels and tires as my 2011 XK) and am very pleased. They replaced a set of PS AS3’s and the difference is dramatic. I wish I had them on my XK, but it had nearly new off-brand tires on it when I bought it. Torrential rain is a factor here and I appreciate the security of all-season performance tires.

 

I was not aware that Hancook was ever a factory supplied tire.

I’m a bit of a kook and keep 3 sets of tires for the car. Let’s be clear, there are significant differences in the handling of AS tires as compared to ultra high performance tires.
And between AS and winters.

If I were living in a warm belt and “cruising” my car, I’d stick with quality AS tires.
But truly in warmer weather, my ultra high performance tires kick the sh&$#@+ out of the AS… Even in the heavy rains, following a dry spell, when the roads have that slippery film.

(needed to feel included, lol)
Cheers.