Looking to buy new tires and discovered the Jaguar original equipment tire is the Pzero. That's the spare tire in the trunk. Totally out of my price range! The original size is 245-50-17 but the tires on the car are 245-45-17 BFG Traction T/A's. The 45's are generally much less expensive than the 50 series tires, so i assume that's why they're on the car.

I'm looking at Kumho Ecsta, Yokohama Avid, Nitto Motivo, Toyo Proxes, BFG G-Force, or Fuzion UHP.

I would like to buy the quietest riding tire, not the best performance tire.

Does anyone have experience with any of these tires??? They will be for summer use only.

My dealer wants to sell me Toyo Versados at $250.00 each installed, but that seems a little too expensive.

 

I just put a set of Michelin Premier a/s on my '99 in replacement of the Pirelli P Zero Nero (I did not like the tires and were noisy for 50k miles). The Michelin are a much better tire and have a 55k warranty. Only issue is tire size. The replacement Michelin are 235/55R17,
this is smaller than stock as the 245 are not offered by Michelin. The tires were $205.99 each installed. I had a set of Yokohama's on my XJS and loved them but they only lasted 15k.

 

I don't have experience with those exact tires. But, FWIW.....

I recently bought a set of Sumitomo HTR Enhance tires (235/50x17) for my XJR. An 'off-brand", I know, but all the specs looked good on paper (speed rating, treadlife rating, etc) and they were only about $100 each.

It's only been a couple weeks but I can't fault them in any way whatsoever. And they are quiet. They have a non-agressive tread pattern.

Just throwin' it out there as another possible choice....if you can get the size you want, of course.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug, I'll look at Sumitomos too.

 

I tried to save money and not buy the pzeros. the tire dealer recommended nexan, which were half the cost, so I replaced the rear two with those.

my trusted independent jag repair shop advised me to get them off the car before I drive it and replace with a quality brand like michelin.

 

So, did you follow the advice? If so, are you happy that you did?

Cheers
DD

 

Very happy with the Yokohama YK580 tires I installed on my wife's 2006 XK8 back in 2012. Quiet, great wet traction, long tread life if properly cared for, and a great warranty. Available only at Discount Tire and America's Tire. Check 'em out....

 

We have Escta 4xs on our x type. Nice all around tire, little road noise, expect around 30k out of them. Much quieter then the Conti Contacts that were on it when we got to car. Not so great in snow. On our XJR we have Escta LEs, best summer street tire I've ever had, silent, well mannered, excellent handling and performance although that all comes at a price. You're lucky if you see 15k out of 'em (I like 'em enough that we're on the second set). On our Xk8 we just got rid of the Michelin crap that was on it when we got it (all 4 were dry rotting so bad they wouldn't pass inspection at 3 years old and maybe 1/2 their tread. They simply sucked anyways around the turns. Have put on General AS-03s. Only drove once but the tires are a little louder then the LEs but track nicely and seem to be a very good deal esp. with a $70 rebate. the bad is they are a directional tire.

 

I replaced the original tires on my 04 XKR not because they were too worn but because I didn't like the way they ride. If your looking for a very reliable performance tire that rides smooth and quiet I would suggest Continental Extreme Contact. I have been very happy with them.

 

I went with Falken Ziex - 245-45-R18 front and 255-45-R18 on rear on my 01 XKR. I'm satisfied. They were $158 and $179 ea. Have a pretty good wear rating 440, better than most in this category.

 

My '98 convertible came with new Toyo tires installed and I find them to be quite adequate in performance and they are also quite quiet. I was driving behind a friend in his XK8 and I could hear his tires but not my own. I think he has Michelins.

 

I have kuhmo 245/45/18 on my 2000XK8 Pretty quiet but they're square when cold for abt 5 mi.

 

I have purchased

Front: HORNET Gloss Silver with Mirror Cut Lip wheels by Coventry®. 19" x 8.5", +20 Offset, 5x120.65 Bolt Pattern, 73.9mm Hub with VENTUS V12 EVO K110 Summer / Performance Tires (1009065) by Hankook 255/40ZR19,

Rear: HORNET Gloss Silver with Mirror Cut Lip wheels by Coventry®. 19" x 9.5", +20 Offset, 5x120.65 Bolt Pattern, 73.9mm Hub with VENTUS V12 EVO K110 Summer / Performance Tires (1008981) by Hankook 275/35ZR19,

Ready for install next spring when my restoration project is done on my 99XK8

 

im glad you guys are on this subject. I was thinking of putting 17x10 on the back and 17x81/2 on the front . like the new jags. what do y'all think

 

Heartily agreed. Continental ExtremeContact DWS. I run them on both of my cars- great handling and quiet all-season, under $200USD a pop, and 540 tread wear! Beat that. With a respectable brand name, I mean (Fuzion?! Sumitomo?! these aren't Hyundais! just say no to cheap-o tires).

 

Couldn't disagree more. The Contie Contact DWS that came on my X type were the worst handling tire and one of the loudest street tires I've ever owned. Won't even go into how bad they were on an autox course. I had trouble buying my last set of tires (Generals which are a Contie company) because of the crappy experience with the DWS. Just say no to crappy tires living off their brand name. Just goes to shop the difference in priorities in tires.

 

I just put a set of General G-max AS-03 on my 02 XK8 and love the way they ride. Nice and quiet with a good road grip and firm enough to corner well.

 

and cost just $86 each!

My wife will be happy with them.

John S.

 

Regarding two different size tires front to rear: the Michelin tire mileage warranty is cut in half if you have two different size tires on the car. So a 40,000 mile tire becomes a 20,000 mile tire! Supposedly, the two sized tires cannot be rotated so Michelin reduces the tread wear mileage by half. See the Michelin Tire Warranty website and read the fine print. I don't know if other tire companies do the same.
I don't buy their reasoning, but that's what the warranty says.
Also, I bought a set of Dunlops (former OEM tires supplier to Jaguar back when Dunlops were an English tire company) for my 1999 XK8 coupe from Tire Rack for less than $500 including shipping and local mounting and balancing. They are quiet and seem to handle well, (but I seldom drive my Jaguar flat out and never in the rain if I can avoid it.)