XJS Tyres

[PaulE]

The Pirelli P6000 is now defunct I am told, so what to roll on next? The recommended replacement is the P7, but that is listed at a breathtaking almost £200 each fitted, so what about some cheaper alternatives. I am reluctant to buy anything which originates in Asia, but when the same spec tyres can be got from the likes of Toyo and Kumho for about £85 a change of attitude may be indicated.

Their tyres are well tested in racing and the WRC so they must be capable of getting me down a scenic country lane at a restrained speed?

Anybody any opinions or experience of cheaper brands?

[ptjs1]

Paul,

I know that others moved to some of the cheaper brands, but you can get the P7 Cinturato at much less than £200. For example Black Circle tyres are currently advertising at £124 fitted. I will probably look at the P7 or the Continental Contact Sport 2 (good on my x350) when my P6000s need replacing.

Paul

[PaulE]

Black circles prices tonight - P7 £168.13. Kumho KH31 £97.70. Conti Contact 2 £139.36. Some fitters will charge extra for balancing and disposal of old tyres which can be another £15 or so.

[ptjs1]

Hi Paul,

I wasn't aware that some fitters charge extra. I guess I've been lucky with the two that I've used in Kent for Black Circle fitting who didn't charge me any extra.

Bit confused about the prices. I checked again and P7 Cinturatos are £124.26 fitted, the P7 Blues (better wet weather but not dry performance) are £128.27 fitted, and the Contis are £126.12 fitted. There seem to be quite a lot of premium make tyres for less than £130. I guess it's a personal choice whether to go premium or the newer cheaper makes. I confess I don't know enough about tyre construction to know if the cheaper brands are worth saving £40 per tyre? Maybe we could persuade Nigel Thorley to do some research and magazine article? As you said it would be good to hear members' experience.

Paul

[ng4xjs]

I’ve gone for the P7 option and paid about £130 fully fitted. They are good but unless it’s my imagination seem to be tramline affected more than the P6s ever were.

Nick

[ptjs1]

Nick,

There are 2 types of P7 in 225/55 R16 95W. One is the Cinturato P7 which was specifically designed for the Mercedes E-Class, and one is the P7 "Blue" which is a general tyre that apparently is better for economy. Do you know which ones were fitted to your car?

Paul

[ng4xjs]

Hi Paul

Really not sure. I'll have a look tomorrow. You say blue, is that the clue or does it have a "M" stamped somewhere in the way the P6s had a "J".

Nick

[jBlackwell]

Hi,
Might be worth giving Vredestien a go.

They are offering Cost Price to members with a valid membership number

01933 677 770

Regards

James

[PaulE]

Thanks James - that looks like something worth knowing. Will give them a try.
Paul.

[PaulE]

Have found out a bit more about the Vredestein contact. First, the phone nr. is now 03303 331294. I asked about 225/60 ZR16 98W and was offered their Ultrac Cento at £96.66 each inc VAT plus delivery at £18 for two plus VAT. You then have to get them fitted locally which will probably be about £15. The warehouse is in Derby so delivery cost would no doubt vary depending on where to,.
"My tyres" are listing this tyre at £144.10 delivered plus fitting locally, so there is some saving. Thank you James for the onfo-can it be put in the Mag so we all know?

[ptjs1]

Hi Paul,

Do you know which of the Ultrac Centro tyres Vredestein were selling for that price. They don't make a 98W so I guess they were recommending the 95Y or the 99Y ?

I'd certainly consider Vredestein as I've heard good things about them, particularly their winter tyres, but have no experience of their XJS-equivalent tyres.

Paul

[PaulE]

My car has 225/60 ZR16 98W size tyres which explains the price differences shown for the P7 and others.
Vredestein Ultrac Cento are 98Y and are £117.60 plus fitting online in that size. Were some XJS supplied with 225/55's?

[ptjs1]

Paul,

From mid-1993 with the fitment of the big bumpers, the tyre size fitted to XJSs was dependent on which type of suspension was fitted.

All 4 litre Coupes were fitted with Sports Suspension as standard. The tyres fitted to Sports Suspension cars were P600 225/55 ZR16.

All 4 litre Convertibles were fitted with Touring suspension and with P600 225/60 ZR16.

It was possible to order the cars from the factory with the alternative suspension setup (although Jauar charged a premium for this!).

If standard, your car would have left the factory with Sports Suspension and 225/55 ZR16 tyres. Of course, the original owner may have ordered it with Touring Suspension as an extra.

Over the years, many owners have changed the tyres for different sizes. Many years ago, I moved to 225/55 for my Convertible to make it a little stiffer.

About 2010 (I think) the Pirelli P6000 (replacement for the P600) 225/60 ZR16 became obsolete. At that point, the P6000 225/55 ZR16 became the natural alternative. However, as from this year, the Pirelli P6000 225/55 ZR16 has also become obsolete leaving us all in the current situation.

I hope that helps clarifies things!

Paul

[lance320]

Unfortunately it's time for a re-shod of my 1984 XJS Eventer. Current tyres are 235/60/R15 and as far as I can tell from the various tyre supplier sites (entering model or reg no.), this is indeed the correct size for my vehicle, although a few have queried this?
I also checked with current insurers who accepted the tyre size as appropriate but advised that I must stick with a speed rating of 'V' or above (to avoid compromising my cover in event of a claim) which has limited my choice to the Pirelli P600 235/60 R15 98W J now at 206.50 each! That's the price from Mytires.com which just went up by nearly £20 over the weekend!
Has anyone any other suggestions, must get these replaced soon as rears are only just legal.
Cheers
lance

[poprivet]

It depends on what wheels you have, I don't know what Lynx specified when new or if your wheels have been changed. If you have a look at the alloys it will tell you the width. On standard cars, the Pirelli P600 only came in around '87 from memory with the wider wheels.