NEW TYRES FOR S-TYPE

[wonderbecks]

Hi new member and appreciate any help available.

Recently purchased 2005 2.7D Auto and need to replace tyres which are 235/50R17 96Y.
The present ones are GT Radial Champiro HPY and they are awful. After checking lots of info and tyre reviews, I do not want to put Pirelli's or Dunlop on.
Welcome any suggestions please particularly for something that is good in the rain. Can only afford to have the one set of tyres.

Also, I move around quite a bit but will be mainly in the Micheldean area on edge of Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. Can anyone recommend someone for the servicing in that area please?

Bernie

[Montana5]

Hi Bernie and welcome. Some good reading in the tyre topics below this one.
Although I'm sticking with Dunlops for my STR, If I were looking to purchase tyres for the 2.7, I'd be looking at these probably in this order, some I have had on other Cars and others are on friends and hearsay recommendations ...

Eagle FI GSD 3
Avon ZZ3
Continental Sport Contact 3
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2


My all time favourite of these is the Eagle F1 GSD 3, ran them on my Mx-5, fantastic cornering grip, sadly no longer available on 15" rims, though still available for 17's the replacement Goodyear is the Eagle Assymetrical, available in all sizes.
Now this is where Tyre reviews can fall down, although the new Goodyear Eagle Assymetrical has good reviews and I very nearly bought them myself, until I read some of the car club forums, which absolutely slated them.
The other one which I would avoid is the Toyo Proxes, had both the T1s and T1r, great tyres in the dry and absolutely wonderful on the track, however their wear rate is not too good and they can let go on you far too easily in the rain, even when not pushing on, I found that happening with only about 1-2mm off the tread.
Hope this helps and let us know what you settle on.

Doug.

[J44EAG]

Hello Berni,

Good to chat this morning.

Tyres then. Jaguar fitted Pirelli as standard on the S-type. Personally, I found they gave my S-types a rather rough ride. My favourites for the car are the Dunlop Mxx range which I found a huge improvement and longer lasting. They also grip well in the wet.

I found Continental Cinturatos very good on a 4x4 Sierra. Quite superb in fact. You might consider the latest products in that range.

Nowadays, I`m quite happy with the Nexen range for which I pay about £120 each for 245/35/19 sized tyres. They wear rather quicker that a premium brand but at that price, I`m not bothered. I like new tyre carcasses on a car every couple of years so these tyres do it for me.

As regards servicing, as I recall from previously living in the Bristol area, choices are somewhat limited as regards independent operators. Easy for you would be to use Auto Classico at Downend in Bristol which is just a few miles of the M4/M32 junction on the Chipping Sodbury and Yate road. Further south of the M4/M32 just off the Bristol to Bath Rd on the A431 at Longwell Green is PJG Autos. These guys used to look after my car when I lived in the area. Highly recommended men who know their stuff.

Just read Dougs post and agree fully. Most tyre types get skittish when worn down towards the 2mm tell tale bars, so worth getting new boots on for the winter.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[wonderbecks]

Dear Mike & Dave
Many thanks for the advice but I'm afraid economics won out in the end.

I ended up getting Nexen N8000XL 235/50R17 100W for the grand total of £340.03 including valves and wheel balance, and disposal of old ones, which seems incredible value. Wear is not the best but at that price, I can afford to replace when needed.

I used Chris Mullins Tyres in Gloucester, very impressed with them. Smashing little cafe area for customers to wait with coffee machine and big screen TV. Chris himself very helpful and rest of staff. They also checked my tracking but that was OK and there was no charge for this as no work needed.

Seems to have a good selection of wheels as well which I may check in future.

Bernie