Tyres

[andypryce]

Hi,

Tyres on my 2006 2.7 TD will soon need replacing. Currently has Pirelli P Zeros on, anyone any thoughts on the best tyres to use?

[J44EAG]

My understanding is that the S was designed on Pirelli tyres. Rather strange as the car was built at Castle Brom and the Fort Dunlop tyre facory borders the Jaguar production line. One would think Dunlop could throw their tyres over the fence!

Most you see will be fitted with P6000`s. These are rated by the tyre industry as performance tyres.

In my opinion and experience, the performance rated tyres may last rather longer than budget brands. However, before condeming the cheaper brands one must concider that tyre technology has become very advanced and industry control of manufacture and specification has improved greately over the years and cheaper tyres whilst perhaps not lasting as well as performance brands , do indeed warrent consideration.

I changed from Pirelli`s to Dunlop MXX when I needed new tyres on the front of my S. I`d become a little tired (pun) of the harsh ride and high wear rate of the Pirelli`s. I have to say that the Dunlops exceeded my expectations, having great grip in the wet and have lasted well. The ride also improved. The 245/35/19 tyres cost £340 the pair, fitted and balenced with VAT.

More recently whilst on an economy drive, I had to replace rear tyres. I elected to fit cheaper Nexon tyres which as a comparative cost a humble £200 fitted, balanced with VAT. These to have never given any cause for complaint and have worn well.

At the end of the day, it really is a case of buying what you can afford or want to spend. Other than fitting dodgy remoulds, my opinion is that most tyres "do what it says on the box". The only real issue may be one of longevity visa via performance tyre against cheaper tyres.

I think it is a case of you pay for what you get. I would not expect the Nexon tyres to last as well as the Dunlops, but then they were only half the price.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[andypryce]

Yes, thanks Mike, I was veering towards Dunlops anyway as they seem considerably cheaper, so that's very helpful. Avon seem even cheaper, anyone experience of them?

andy

[J44EAG]

No experience directly with Avons, Andy. Top brand mark so you can be assured they will be well made.

Have to say I`m very happy with the Dunlops on 9.5J 19" rims. The only cautionary is the 35% profile which makes them very susceptable to pothole damage as I found out in Birmingham when I attended the S-type Seminar in March.

As I said previously the cheapo Nexons are doing well also. At less than half the price of the Dunlops, I really can`t grumble.

There we go.

Mike

[andypryce]

Thanks Mike, really useful, will let you know which I go for.

[daven]

Having just done 25,000 miles the front tyres on my 2006 2.7 Sport were just about done for. Not wishing to continue with the standard fit Pirellis largely due, in my view to excessive road noise. I decided a change was in order, having done some research I have chosen and fitted 2 x new Falken FK 452 245-40-18, these were a very reasonable £224 delivered (have a look at www.camskill.co.uk). They have only been on a short time so far, but I am pleased to say they have improved the feel of my car with no more tramlining which the old tyres were prone to and I am enjoying reduced road noise along with a more sharper response to steering inputs. So far I am very pleased with these Tyres and would have no problem in recomending these as an alternative to the original Pirellis. I will up provide further updates as the mileage racks up.

Dave

[andypryce]

Thanks Dave, that is useful, am putting off replacing mine at present, but soon it will be inevitable !!

[humbrol]

Hi Guys,

I have had a long running thread under the new members section about the appauling handling of my 07 plate S type 2.7d. Have spent a small fortune on various suspension components, tracking, re-tracking and having the suspension geometry checked twice sad to say that it still handles like a tea trolley.

On the motorway or uneven roads it tram lines something wicked and is very, very unpleasent to drive at high speed because of this I even got out dragged by a Mondeo of all things as I could not keepthe car in a straight line and had to finally back off. Very embarrassing.

I am now thinking that tyres may be the issue. When the car was purchased 3 months ago it was fitted with and is still shode with the following

Front 245x45 ZR18 93y Good Year Eagle F1
Rear 245x45 R18 93y Continetal

Now I have never been a fan of mixing tyres nor am I a particular fan of Pirelli because of road noise, tyre life and above all the cost. But their asimmetrico tyre does have a good write up.

So having just got an Oh My God quote for 4 Pirelli tyres (£216 each fitted) I was wondering if any one has any comments about tyres. I have read all the above but was wondering if there are any other comments especially as winter if just around the corner and frankly I am not looking forward to driving mr car in the snow and ice.

My X type was a breeze in last winters weather but rear wheel drive and auto with a dubious traction control system?

Any comments well received. BTW has anyone any experience with snow socks?

Cheers

Iain

[J44EAG]

Hello Iain,

The Nexons I have on J44 were awesome in the snow. They just munched the car out of trouble on several occasions with the traction control and gentle throttle controlling proceedings.

I have to say that I was quite astonished with the Nexons under the most appalling conditions earlier this year. I thought I`d get stuck. I didn`t!

I have concluded that an S should have a ten star rating when it comes to snow handling. As you know I`m a stickler for S-type suspension maladies and shortfalls. I am as critical as it gets when it comes to this kind of thing and it would be unfair of me not to give credit where it is due. So the Nexon 6000`s that I`m running make a great snow tyre in my opinion. I cannot fault them and I regard J44 as the best car I`ve ever owned in slippery conditions. It just will not be provoked and I think I`d have to be pretty crass with my technique to upset the old brute.

Some tyre combinations do combine to upset handling of a car. I am sorry to hear this car of yours is still unruly. I wonder what would happen if you swapped from back to front and vice versa? Perhaps you do have a problem with the tyre combination. I had this once on a 2.9 4x4 Sierra and the car became lethal in the wet. Same tyres on all the corners transformed the car. So it can happen that a mix can cause issues.

Your handling problems are curious. I`d love to get that car on a ramp and see if I could find the fault. Assuming all bushes and ball joints are still serviceable, I am curious to know just what the problem is.

I believe in Europe it is a legal requirement to change to winter tyres for the period. Most owners therefore have two sets of tyres for their cars. To us in the UK, the idea does I think seem a bit extreme. There is no doubt that winter tyres are more grippy in poor conditions and I`m assuming Europe has brought legislation in to help reduce accident statistics. That the measure has not been introduced in the UK is we are part of the EU is an oddity. I would have thought tyre companies would have applied pressure to get that idea steam rolled onto the statutes. Heck, you could make some dosh on the back of that!!

Horrible Jenner lives in the middle of nowhere in Scotland and during the winter has country lanes to negotiate. When the snow arrives in Jennerland, it stays for weeks and Rob maintains one car permanently fitted with snow tyres to combat the problem.

I`m afraid that I`ve no direct experience of snow socks. They appear regularly on eBay but do they work?

Snow chains are another option but I`d be loath to have them thrashing around against my alloys! They are however great in snow but as soon as dry road use occurs, you have to take them off and will get covered in road muck in the process. As I`m now highly arthritic, such grovelling around changing chains would not be an option for me. By the time I tried to get up again, I`d be frozen to the floor! My riga mortice is bad enough as it is!!

Can anyone else tell us about using snow socks?

Mike

[humbrol]

Hi Mike,

So do you use the Nexons 24-7-365?

Are they a particular model number or name etc?

cheers

Iain

[J44EAG]

Yip, sure do. All year round. The best upper budget tyre I have yet used.

Nexon 6000`s. 245/35/19. £120 a throw. Cheap as chips which is just as well because low profile tyres get damaged so easily and it is rare for me to get a carcass to run its full life before a pothole has it for breakfast.

Mike

[humbrol]

Hi Mike,

Just had a look on Camskill for a Nexon 245x40 r18 they only do a 97Y not a 93Y but delivered they are £106 each almost exactly half the price of a Pirelli.

This is a bit like buying Golf clubs. Once you have them if you don't like them you are a bit stuck. Are these a good all round tyre. I know that you car will be set up different to mine and I intend ot keep my 18 inch wheels because of the problems with the 35 series sidewalls and potholes.

I have taken my car to Dave Marks in Nottingham he could not find anything wrong with it. But i loved looking around some of the cars in his workshop including an Aston Martin Lagonda WHAT A CAR!!!

He suggested Nottingham Tracking and a quick phone call got me booked in and the tracking checked and re-aligned so in the absense of any OBVIOUS problems,tyres must be the next route. A trip to HA Fox today in Nottinham and a very knowledgable lady in service said that tyres are critical on S types and suggested a complete set of Pirelli P Zero at £206.58 each fitted.

If the Nexon is as good as you say then they seem a good option to try without spending a fotune. I have to say that I am finding the whole situation a little tiresome(get it!!! tiresome) but I need to tread (yep another one) carefullybefore I shellout anymore money.

Thanks for your input though I will take th info on board

Cheers

Iain

[J44EAG]

No grumbles at all as regards overall performance, Iain,

I`ve run them for three years now and value for money is grand. I like new tyres every eighteen months or so. Usually I replace two a year and at £120 a go, that is more than acceptable. Remember these tyres are less than half price of a Pirrelli.

When worn right down they get a bit skittish but so did the Pirelli 6000`s fitted as original when they came to the end of their life.

I`ve never liked the Pirelli`s. Sure they have a reliable carcass but I found them harsh, noisy and unpredictable when pushed hard on corners. When they did let go eventually, the breakaway was wicked. In standard factory rim and spec, I found they under steer terribly. Just my opinion though. Others may disagree.

The Dunlop Mxx is a great tyre but expensive. Difficult to get flustered, wonderfully quiet with high mileage possible, this is in my humble opinion the one to go for if you want serious rubber. One hell of a nice tyre but three times the price of a Nexon. For me it is the pick of the bunch. If I didn`t knock tyres out so frequently, that is the one I`d fit. It is a great big softy with the grip of a leach when pushed hard.

By comparison, the cheapo Nexons just start a nice rear end slide which is perfectly controllable and progressive. They do break away sooner but there are no sudden nasty surprises. On the limit, the Nexons just let the tail slid slightly instead of suddenly letting go and that makes for a fun car. Just a tad tail happy.

Look at it this way. Most cars are driven without gusto. They just plod along and high performance issues couldn`t matter less. Frankly, under those conditions almost any old rope on the rims will suffice for everyday driving conditions.

The matter is rather more important for cars that are driven hard for long extended periods or are thrown around by their driver. In such circumstances, handling characteristics and ability to shrug off high speed stresses and heat becomes vastly more important. Push on driving places a much larger strain on tyres and other components and my view therefore is that one chooses tyres from ONES OWN personal experience and gain advice from those who have first hand experience of components in an everyday situation.

With all due respect, I don`t consider tyre quality to be any more critical to an S-type than any other car. Sales hype is one thing. Practical experience is another. Bluntly, ask the sales person to justify the reasons for the recommended tyre being any better than a P6000 or any other tyre..............regret to say that I`m a shocker for getting people to substantiate claims. But then I am closely related to Victor Meldrew.

I believe that next year, it will be mandatory for tyres to be marked for values of wear, grip, speed. economy factor etc etc. In effect a tyre will be sold with similar specs to that now found on washing machines, fridges and so on. That will make tyre selection much easier as you will know exactly what you are buying. That is a situation which currently does not exist and we therefore all take pot shot guesses when we buy tyres currently.

Mike

[Montana5]

Iain...when you say you took the car for tracking, did you mean a basic tracking or a proper 4 wheel alignment using the latest Laser Alignment kit.
Rather than go for a complete and expensive change of tyres, you could consider buying a set of Goodyear Eagle F1's for the rear and see if the same tyres all round made any difference, I have used Eagles on my Mx-5 (which is very tyre dependant) for many years and found them to be the best tyre I have ever had, and yes the Mx-5 likes to get its tail out coming out of roundabouts, not so with the Eagles. Unfortunately Goodyear have decided to replace the 15" Eagles with their new eco friendly efficient grip, which are totally unsuitable. My own S Type has Dunlop Sports fitted and I would consider these again or Goodyear Eagle F1's come the time to replace.

I have a set of Snow Socks for my day car, though as yet unused, by the time they were delivered earlier this year the snow had gone. They require you really to get down on your knees to fit, so a bit of carpet is needed, you also have to fit them 75% to the wheel then roll the car back to fit the last 25%, other downside is that you have to remove them once you get to clear roads, otherwise you wear them out. There are loads of vids on Youtube and they are pretty impressive.
Snow Tyres are definitely the way to go, though some Manufacturers are milking it, BMW for instance will sell you a set of Snow Tyres fitted to Steelies, store your alloys and Summer Tyres on a special secure customers rack in their workshop, just when you think they can't charge you any more... they further charge you a large amount to alter you ECU, restricting your top speed to the Snow Tyre manufacturers spec.

[humbrol]

Hi Montana,
Thanks for your input.

Yep 4 wheel laser tracked. I have considered the eagle f1 route for the rear as the rears are close to replacing. I have used them before on my Escort Turbo series 1 and on all 3 of my Volvo 850 R's They did the job well even on the front wheel drive 300BHP volvo 850 r auto that I had which was a real beast of a car.

Snow socks seem a great idea if you don't want to store a complete set of winter wheels and cheaper too

I will keep exploring the possibilities

Cheers

Iain