www.jec.org.uk

My previous 4.0 litre XK8 had poor traction on the standard Pirellis and 18" wheels, a fact commented on when Classic & Sports Car used my car for a comparison with a contemporaray DB7. Now I have a 4.2 litre convertible with CATS and 20" wheels again shod with the standard Pirellis and the lack of traction has been magnified by the greater torque and larger tyre print. It's quite embarassing being held back so often by the traction control as soon as it's damp even with quite moderate throttle openings! Has anyone back to back experience of different tyre brands and their effect on this problem (ie new tyre to new tyre or old to old rather than old to new which is an unfair comparison) and the issue of comparative wear rates?

I've just changed my rear Pirellis to Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3 on my XK8. They seem much better to me. The pirellis still had a couple of mm or so before hitting the marker but unfortunately one had a screw in it at a place that couldn't be repaired. I've also got the Goodyears on my X300 and they are streets ahead of the Pirellis in the wet.

On the XK8 there's a place at the bottom of my road where I have to pull out onto a fairly busy main road on a pretty blind bend. You have to pull out pretty promptly. The traction control kicked in every time with the Pirellis and it hasn't once with the GSD-3's. At £140 a tyre inc fitting from Mytyres I think they're worth it if you want a very grippy tyre that's good in the wet.

It's down to personal preference and how much you're prepared to pay in the end, but I'll be getting them for the front too when they wear out.

John

Thanks John. Yours is a timely reply as I'm shopping around for two new rear tyres at the moment. Mike.

I replaced my 18" PZeros with Continental ContiSport 18/245/40's front and 18/255/40's rear. They were a vast improvement, giving better grip and less road noise. Since then I've had to go back to PZeros as I upgraded to 20" wheels.

Having done some more homework, it looks as if I might have to settle, reluctantly, for another set of P Zeros for my 20" wheels. There seem to be few manufacturers who supply the correct load rated tyres in combination with the reinforced sidewalls which lend a small element of protection to expensive Jaguar/BBS wheels. Still, the bright side to using P Zeros is that you don't have to wait long before getting another chance to choose an alternative tyre!!! I can see my bank manager rubbing his hands.

Know what you mean Mike Could only find Yokohama tyres of similar rating for 20" wheels and apparently they are rubbish for the XK plus they are even more expensive than the Pirellis

Just ordered 2 x rear Pirelli tyres from Black Circles.com for £454 fitted - weep, weep.

Try Micheldever ,Popham ,Hants. Approx £150 fronts ,£160 rears, P-Zero system.Fully fitted and balanced. Cheers, Peter.

Yes, I use Micheldever Tyre & Auto Services. Very good. 01962 774437
Their laser tracking stuff is impressive, too.

Michael 99XK8

An excellent recommendation for anyone local to Micheldever. It's a pity they don't have a branch in Yorkshire!

Hi Mike , OK how about, F.T.S. High Performance , Warrington 01925 242276. They were only slightly more expensive ,when I last looked around. They would also post,if you know of a caring firm to fit them ? Of course,you could always have the "excuse" to drive across "them there hills" (the pennines). Go on , you know you want to !! Cheers, Peter.

Next time perhaps. Funnily enough, I was trying to recall FTS's details (but failed) because they'd given me a good price a couple of years ago. For future reference I'll try and put them down somewhere handy. There's a distinct lack of competition among both manufacturers and suppliers for 20" tyres. Thanks. Mike.

I have found Bracknell Tyre & Battery Co Ltd (01344 411323) very competitive on price, even against Micheldever.

bcz

For those who need some, there seem to be some cheap 20" Pirellis around at the moment. Rumour has it that someone (Jaguar changing to Dunlop?) has off-loaded a large batch and they are being sold at reduced prices. Ebay has had a few lately and I've come across them elsewhere at up to half the usual internet prices! Mike.