I've read all of the threads on which is the best tire and why, and it's not my intention to re-ignite hostilities on the topic, so I'd like to just stay with the two tires I'm considering, which are the Pirelli Cintaurato and the Continental Extreme Contact DWS; both highly-rated by Tire Rack (if that means anything). No tires can be all things to all cars, so I'm hoping for some opinions on the above choices for my XK8. My priorities in descending order of importance are:
handling, road noise/ride and tread wear (I only drive the car 6-7,000 miles a year).

My current tires nearing the end of their lifespan are Michelin Pilot A/S 3's. I was considering them again, but there's been quite a bit of negative feedback on these tires in past threads.

Thanks in advance.

 

Just curious, did you like the Michelin's, how many miles did you get out of them?

 

The Michelins came with the car when I bought it, so I can't tell you how many miles are on them. I've not had any complaints about them after a few thousand miles; the car handles well and they're good in the wet. As far as road noise and ride comfort go, I have nothing to compare them with. Most of the negative comments people have made about Michelins seem to related to build quality on individual tires. Given their advanced mileage, that obviously wasn't an issue with this set.

 

I can't speak to the Pirellis. I do have the Continental DWS on my 97 XJR, and so far I like them (done about 2k miles). The car made it through a blizzard in upstate NY just fine, passing by plenty of spun out minivans.

 

I have had my '99 XK8 since 2009. It had Pirellis on at the time. The only road trip with those tires was Chicago to Boston and back. I then changed to Conti DWS before my next three road trips: Chicago to LA, then Chicago to New Orleans and again Chicago to Boston and back. The DWS were quieter, held a straight line better and were awesome in the snow.

They have been through an LA summer, a drive across the width of Texas in 100+ temperatures, 3 Chicago winters & summers and still work better in the snow than the Pirellis on my 2014 Mustang. (We just had 8 inches this past week!)

As for treadwear, you can still see all 4 Ss four years later. (The S wears off first, then the W.)

PhysicsGirl

 

I ditched my Perellis bercause they rode too hard and bought Continental Contact Extreme's last spring. I've been very satisfied with them. They give a better ride on the 20 Inch Wheels than Perelli did.

 

perellis are too noisy for my taste I had the Michelin pilots next and didn't get good wear from them switched over to toyos 2 years ago and outside of occasional flat spot thumps in the morning till they warm up if its cold am very satisfied and 1/2 the price of the contis and pilots .

 

I had pilots, lasted one season, Switched to the DWS Contis. Over 10,000 miles on the DWS and they still look new, very quiet, track nicely, and are excellent in the wet.