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I searched this XK8 forum and found threads about wheels but nothing specific about tires in the last year. I found some good recommendations in the F-type forum and inadvertently posted my question there, not realizing the thread was not about XK8 tires. So here is my question in what I hope is the proper place:
It is now tire time for me. I have staggered wheels with 245/40-19 in front and 255/40-19 rear. I have only driven on the Continental Extreme Contact tires that are now worn. These are now sold as Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus or Sport 02. Anybody riding on either of these? I welcome any insights you have sharing good or bad results with a particular brand of tire. Summer only tires are okay as I have other vehicles for cold. The prices on Tire Rack for a set of 4 are all over the map, from $2,100 for Dunlop Sport down to $641 for Kuhmo Majesty. What would you put on your XK8? Thanks for your help.
I’ve had sets of the Michelin, Pirelli, Goodyear.tires on my 2002 XKR. They all have about the same wet or dry traction, with the Pirelli tires slightly better. The Michelins last a little longer, but not substantially. When the current set of Michelins wear out I’ll probably go back to the Pirelli tires. They are more fun and Inspire more confidence at speeds over 90 mph.
Over the past 5 years and 61,000 + miles I have found out that tire pressure has a substantial impart on tire wear. On the XKR the tires are prone to premature wear when inflated to the “sport” recommended pressure in the owners manual. The wear out in the center which is the classic wear pattern for over-inflation.
The “comfort” setting (recommended in the manual for speeds under 100 mph is a little too soft and in my view the car feels a little vague in the corners. I set my tire pressure between the two settings and get even wear and the car handles better too.
I have Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on mine at the moment and wouldnt' fault them. I haven't lost traction once, I had Dunlop Sport Maxx before and those where pretty bad in the wet. When I next get tyres I will probably look at the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 not the S on 18" wheels instead of 20" wheels. My 4S's are wearing very well and they do very well in the wet and the ice/snow. At least with my specific tyres I have found it's best to keep the tyre pressure exactly to what Jaguar recomend in the center arm rest. If you go under the pressure the ride isn't as comfortable which is weird. That's for the 4S though.
Last edited by Kuddlesworth; Oct 24, 2022 at 01:34 AM.
The old saying is that any new tire is better than old ones. I haven't driven mine enough to wear out tires. The Wintrups, which I never heard of, were worn in the middle on the rear as mentioned. I cheaped out (shouldn't have) and put only 2 Continentals on the rear. That alone made a big difference. I will put 2 more on the front.
I'm happy with results so far, longevity isn't an issue. TM
I installed a set of Barum Bravuris 5HM all-season tires on my wife's 2006 XK8 Victory Edition convertible back in January and really like them (245/40/19 front, 255/40/19 rear). Barum is a European brand owned by Continental, and this tire is proprietary to Discount Tire here in the states and therefore only available there. I saved considerable money going this route as opposed to the Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus (which would have been my choice if I had not researched the hell out of these Barum tires and decided to go with them instead)....
I have these in the 18" size, 2005 xk8 conv.
I have no complaints, if I had more discretionary income the Michelins would be my tire of choice because they are always 'round'.
Once again, no issues with the Contis and I do push them pretty hard.
wj
I "settle" for the Continental extreme contact DWS06, why?
1. Very sticky!! Its really hard to get them to slip - at all.
2. They cost less than 2/3rds of the Pirelli Zero Asymmetrico
3. They last 2 or 3 times as long as the Pirelli Zeros.
Otoh the way those Pirelli feel when new, with little loss of that feeling until worn out - is just thrilling, confidence inspiring handling at ANY speed.
Let me put it this way. When you get in the "no traffic! Good! let's see how fast i can take this curved exit ramp" mood. We've all heard how accelerating, while in the turn, will shift weight to the rear wheels increasing friction, allowing you to go faster safely. . .
Honestly I found this easy to guage with P Zeros, maybe its me but the Continentals just don't inspire that kind of confidence/ control. Or provide the feedback.
As I recall the Pirelli had slightly stiffer sidewalls too (which probably explains the previous statement).
If I could justify spending several thousands more over a 5 or 6 year period, it'd be a no brainer.:-)
BTW I should recognize that these two specific brand/model tires are all I've had the pleasure to try. Hope it helps.
+1 on the Michelin PS4, although I think they're already superseded. Like zray, I too run them somewhere between 'comfort' and 'normal' pressures at 28/30 F/R.
Wow, thanks so much for these very informative replies. This helps greatly in tire choice. I have two more questions to add to my OP if I may:
1. I cannot find any info on which tires will protect the wheels from curb rash. I intend to get my wheels trued and painted, a $700 job, and I would like a tire that protects my rims. My BMW Z4 came with tires that did that nicely but I forget what was on it. I had Bridgestones on a Taurus that did not have the protective lip and just one high curb trashed what were nice attractive wheels.
2. Has anyone put 265/40R19 on the rear 9 inch wide wheels, replacing the OEM 255/40R19? It is only a 1.1% increase in diameter and the 10.4 inch width should have better wear and maybe better/worse grip? Rear tire sizes, thanks for your ideas
I would love to see a photo of those “29 inch” wheels. Z
I do not wish to drift this thread, as my Q about rim protection is a big one for me. However, I honor your request for a pic of 29" More comfort and better passing ability are desired on the Jag. An interesting mod, eh? Theoretically possible on a modified Jag
not really. My Z4 wheels were like new when the tires were fully worn. The sidewall extended beyond the wheel rim, so the sidewall was always the first point of contact. I am looking for info on tires with sidewalls that are wider than the wheel itself. It might be achieved by a wider tire, an extended hump wheel, or maybe it is a run-flat design. I do not know. As prior noted the OEM tires on my Taurus did not have the extension and the curb rash was really grim.
I have the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 summer tires. Try as much as I have, I can’t get them to slip, not even in the wet. These tires just grip and grip. They offer 9/10” the performance of a Michelin Pilot Sport 4s at a fraction of the price. Reportedly, they wear out faster than other tires. I haven’t experienced that yet.
aside from my own meager anecdotal experiences, For my comment I am mainly relying on the experience and wide corporate tire manufactures education of my friend and owner of the local Firestone store.
He mentioned to me that he has sold “curb protecting” tires of nearly every make. And with examples of every one of them he has “run-ins” with the customers who, after dinging their wheels wanted a refund on the tires based on “lack of wheel protection, as advertised”.
Some people can break an anvil, others are more careful.
aside from my own meager anecdotal experiences, For my comment I am mainly relying on the experience and wide corporate tire manufactures education of my friend and owner of the local Firestone store.
He mentioned to me that he has sold “curb protecting” tires of nearly every make. And with examples of every one of them he has “run-ins” with the customers who, after dinging their wheels wanted a refund on the tires based on “lack of wheel protection, as advertised”.
Some people can break an anvil, others are more careful.
Z
I never understood how people curb their wheels? Just park further away from the curb? Granted there aren't any curbs where I live just grass and mud.
New Tire Recommendations: Best or Worst?
