Tyre Choice

[stevewarbs]

This is my first post since joining at the NEC Classic car show.

I have done a search on tyres in the forum but found nothing recent of any help.

I have a series 1 4.2 on 15" wheels. I can find period radials for sale at over £200 each but otherwise the choice seems to be brands I've never heard of premium brands but designed for 4x4 or vans.

I want a premium tyre (Conti, Bridgestone, Michellin preferred) but I am worried that a tyre designed for a 4x4 or van would ruin the ride the car is famous for.

Could you please post what tyres you are using and how does the car ride on them.

Thanks
Steve

[J44EAG]

See Nigel Thorleys article about his Mk9 in the December 2016 magazine. Page 65 refers. His tyre supplier (Longstone Classic Tyres) fixed him up with a new set of period spec tyres. No doubt they will be able to help you also.

Oh, yes. Welcome to the Club and the web site. Assistance is always readily forth comming and we have some very knowledgable people here who are only to pleased to share their experience.

Hope that is of assistance.

Mike K

[stevewarbs]

Thanks Mike

Longstones recommended tyres are £199 + VAT and £279 + VAT each and whilst I am trying to keep the car as original as possible (including the original radio) I am happy to utilise the improvements in tyre technology, especially if that means getting a premium tyre for half the price. I would guess that the grip levels from a modern 4x4 tyre are far superior to the period tyres but it is the ride quality I would be concerned about.

[davidr]

Take care. 4x4 and van tyres will have higher load ratings and lower speed ratings. The first will not help the ride quality and the last will invalidate your insurance.

[mike020150]

The unavailability of Pirelli's P4000 in 205/70VR 15 is a real loss for the XJ saloons. It was a good all round tyre which worked well at a reasonable price. At events this year, I have noticed an increasing number of series XJs fitted with VR rated Blockley tyres which are sold at much cheaper prices (~£150 each) than Michelins. Perhaps someone could who has fitted a set could comment on their experience of these tyres? Since most series XJs only cover low mileages these days, I suggest comments about noise, grip and the ability to resist going out of round whilst parked for long periods would be most relevant and appreciated by fellow owners. Mike.

[Tintin]

There is an interesting article on tyres in the latest edition of Classic Jaguar - contributions from both Longstone and Blockley. On the strength of that I will be seriously considering Michelin XWX/XVS and Pirelli Cinturato for my Series 1 4.2 Sovereign when I ditch my dreadful Bridgstone van/SUV tyres next year. Of the Michelin and Pirelli the article suggests "You get lots of the advantages of a modern tyre but built into a tyre carcass that is developed to complement the steering and suspension characteristics of a classic car".

Robbie

[jBlackwell]

Blockley Tyres are receiving good feedback from the members who have used them recently along with the previously mentioned Longstone.

James

[stevewarbs]

I have spent a fair number of hours this week researching the options.

Firstly, my insurers are happy to go for an 'H' rated tyre which gives the following options

Budget car tyre at around £70
Premium SUV/Van tyre at around £100
Blockley V rated tyre at £150
Pirelli Cintuarton at £240
Michelin XWX at £335

I have never used a budget tyre and I am not going to start now.

The van tyre is not an option as it would spoil the ride

The Pirelli and Michelin through Longstone are too expensive, I would be replacing them in 7 years time with half the tread still left

That leaves the SUV tyre and the Blockley. My inital thought was the Conti SUV tyre (I have put Contis on my last 3 cars including an XF and they have been excellent) but I spoke to the technical dept at Conti and they said the tread pattern may not be suitable.

That leaves the Blockleys which I am going to investigate further. I had never heard of them so thanks to Mike and James for their posts.

I hope to have the new tyres before Christmas and I will let you know how I get on with them.

Thanks
Steve

[Tintin]

I have spent a frustrating couple of hours researching this topic again and was disappointed with the feedback from all tyre firms I spoke with, including Blockley and Longstone. Classic tyres do not have to be/are not labelled, so there is no way the consumer can judge one against another for grip, fuel economy, road noise etc. The tyre firms I spoke with were unable to provide me with facts and data to help me make a technically based choice - they seemed focussed on the deal of the day, and their own products.

Nevertheless I have narrowed it down to a choice between the Dunlop SP Sport and the Pirelli Cinturato CN12 for my 205 70 VR 15 1971 Series 1 Sovereign. The Dunlop and Pirelli are both about £240 each. The Blockley is cheaper at £180 and whilst I could be persuaded by hard facts and figures Blockley were able to offer none and the make is an unknown quantity to me. Dunlop/Pirelli will probably therefore win by reputation of make and my past experience with them on cars I have owned over the last 40 years or so.

Before I click on "buy" does anyone have direct comparison information on Blockley v Pirelli v Dunlop?

Robbie

[stevewarbs]

Hi Robbie

I still haven't sorted my tyres out facing the same frustrations as you. I have been looking at this most of this afternoon as I want to get my car on the road shortly

What I have found is that a 215/65 tyre is almost identical in overall diameter but there is a lot of conflicting advice as to whether they would fit safetely on the 6" rim. I did use the live chat with blackcircles but the operator didn't have a clue so I am going to call e-tyres tomorrow

That size gives quite a few more options if they will fit but the Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco gets really good reviews on comfort and noise, my 2 main criteria. I don't plan on driving the car in the wet and my insurer is happy with the H rating. They are only £87 each as well.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/20 ... e-Test.htm

I also contacted Blockley earlier today and whilst he can't give the noise readings he did say that if I wasn't happy I could just return them so if the 215s won't fit I will be going for the Blockleys

[oldtimer]

I have been following this thread with interest as I have need of new tyres.
Reference above to a 215/65 - there is a bit missing - the rim size. Does it say anywhere that it is 215/65/15 ?
215mm refers to the tread width, 65 is the aspect ratio ( 65 % of the width of the tyre ) The correct tyre is 205 x 70 x 15
If the aspect ratio is reduced by 5%, either the rolling radius is reduced or the rim size is increased - which is it ?

The steel rim on Si and Sii cars is J 6 inch

My Series 2 XJ 12 is fitted with Pepper Pot alloy rims with 215 x 70 x 15 tyres , from a Series 3 XJ 12 Despite a quick look through my various books I cannot see the Pepper Pot rim width.

There is plenty of legislation governing the supply and sale of tyres so that Joe Public is well protected. If you find a round circle on the tyre wall with the letter E in the centre with a small number beside it, ( I believe 9 was Germany but don't quote me ) this will show the country where the test house and tyre approval was given . From memory , I don' think the country of Manufacture was necessarily in the same country as the Test House.

I think all will agree that tyre safety outstrips all other consideration

[stevewarbs]

Hi Oldtimer

Yes it is 215/65/15.

The aspect ratio is the ratio to the width so although the ratio has gone down the width is increased and overall difference is only around 7mm in the total height and is around 1% difference, well within the recommended 2.5%

Regards
Steve

[mike020150]

I have no experience of fitting 215/65 x15 tyres to an XJ so I can't comment on how they would perform or feel in operation. Nevertheless, my old Michelin data book (a trade tyre bible!) lists the ideal and minimum permissible rim widths for this size as 6.5" and 6.0" respectively.

Similarly, my bible gives the rolling circumference as 2020mm for 215/65x15 tyres (coincidentally, the same as a 195/70x15) and 2029mm for a Michelin 205/70x15. It's fair to point out that even within a tyre manufacturer's own range of tyres, any given nominal tyre size will have different rolling radii for different applications, dependent upon tread depth and sidewall flexibility. So, a 205/70x15 4x4 tyre is likely to have a different rolling radius from a 205/70x15 ordinary car tyre and so on. A 9mm difference would easily fall within such a range of rolling radii for the same size tyre.

In view of insurance companies' tendencies to reject claims for modified cars, it would be wise to get written proof of their happiness with any change from the standard specification of tyre Jaguar fitted originally. Mike.

[Tintin]

Well, the deed is done and I have four lovely new Cinturato CN12s sitting in the garage. All I need to do now is to collect the re-painted steel wheels from the refurbishers and I will be ready to roll!

I managed to secure a small discount from Longstone on the back of JEC membership. Longstones service was absolutely superb.

I swallowed hard when I paid the bill (just shy of a thousand pounds) but comforted myself that the size and rating is as per the manufacturers recommendation and therefore I am bang on with insurance. Their eventual replacement will of course be caused by age, not tread wear.

I will report back with any significant experience after I have run them in. In the meantime thanks for all the info and opinion in the thread.

Robbie

[stevewarbs]

I have no experience of fitting 215/65 x15 tyres to an XJ so I can't comment on how they would perform or feel in operation. Nevertheless, my old Michelin data book (a trade tyre bible!) lists the ideal and minimum permissible rim widths for this size as 6.5" and 6.0" respectively.

Similarly, my bible gives the rolling circumference as 2020mm for 215/65x15 tyres (coincidentally, the same as a 195/70x15) and 2029mm for a Michelin 205/70x15. It's fair to point out that even within a tyre manufacturer's own range of tyres, any given nominal tyre size will have different rolling radii for different applications, dependent upon tread depth and sidewall flexibility. So, a 205/70x15 4x4 tyre is likely to have a different rolling radius from a 205/70x15 ordinary car tyre and so on. A 9mm difference would easily fall within such a range of rolling radii for the same size tyre.

In view of insurance companies' tendencies to reject claims for modified cars, it would be wise to get written proof of their happiness with any change from the standard specification of tyre Jaguar fitted originally. Mike.

Thanks for that Mike, it backs up my own research which is always welcome to confirm you have got our sums right. I also spoke to Hankook technical this morning and they advised that the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation fitment guide lists 6.5" as the ideal rim size with 6" to 7" being acceptable which again fits with what you say above.

On that basis, I have ordered 4 tyres for £328 and can afford the new stainless steel exhaust from SNG with the savings