XJR6 Tyre Options

[Broadsword]

I've read around about non-factory sanctioned tyre options for the XJR6 X306 Jag in a bid to calm down tramlining, which seems prevalent on the standard 255/45/17 tyres. I've seen a few suggestions of 235/50/17 tyres, which apparently can make a big difference. I've also seen some some cars with 245 width tyres and also a staggered setup with 245 front and 255 rear. I know the X308 XJR doesn't suffer with this issue since I've had one and it's rock solid accelerating in a straight line. Someone suggested that is partly down to subtle changes between the front end setup between X300 and X308.

If anyone here has experience using non-standard tyre sizes on the XJR6 to counteract tramlining, I would be interested to hear your experiences.

Thanks

[steve_m]

Good timing as I was about to post for information on tyres with decent traction; mine has Sport Maxiis with plenty of tread on but just spin up too easily when pulling away when it is wet or greasy.
I never got the tyres to spin on the XJR-s unless I deliberately tried to.

[Broadsword]

Fantastic, I look forward to reading your tyre recommendations!

[steve_m]

As soon as someone recommends something I'll let you know!

[Broadsword]

Sorry, misunderstood you there. I was hopeful you might have had a list of other tyres you might have had experience with. Well if we could get a discussion going here it would be good. I tried on a XJR user group on Facebook but opinions did not converge at all really. I might also see if I can get an opinion from any Jaguar specialists. If I hear anything, I'll post info here.

[PeterDavisX300]

Going down a size on the Tyre, and up 5% on the aspect ratio, will help a bit. I would be checking how worn the Tyres are, not just the amount of tread, but if there is cracks between the tread. I used to have a 911, and as soon as the Tyres were just half worn it would 'jink' over the centre-line of the road. You'll only get the performance from what you-pay-for when it comes to Tyres! In my opinion Maxiis are at the 'lower-end' on the Tyre-market. A Tyre needs to perform as good as when you bought it throughout it's life, and in my extensive experience of Tyres, (I used to work for Dunlop, and then Michelin, and was very conversant with all Tyres) the cheaper the Tyre, the less it is likely to perform well during it's whole life. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought all the XJR's had LSD? 'Spinning-Up' shouldn't be so easy with LSD, and also, an LSD will wear rear-Tyres very much quicker than non-LSD, and LSD does wear the centre of the Tyre more, (a common trait of 'tramlining'. Run your hand across the rear-Tyres, do they seem to 'dip' in the centre of the tread? If so, pressures could be too-high, and this will also cause 'tramlining'. Tyres should wear evenly over the whole width of the Tyre, and if this means 'slightly' dropping the pressures (by say 2-4psi) when the centre of the tread seems to dip, or increasing the psi if both the outer-edges of the Tyre seem to be 'shouldering' then you'll get the best performance from your Tyres. Finally, Tyres are a bit of a personal-choice, but you shouldn't go wrong with the car-manufacturers recommendation...............Although, personally I think Pirellis are shite!

[steve_m]

So, has anyone heard of Comforser tyres?
I know that they are Canadian but that is about it.

[PeterDavisX300]

Comforser Tyres are not Canadian, they are made for the Canadian market by the chinese. They primarily do off-road tyres, and have just branched into road tyres. In my opinion they are too-soft, and would probably wear quite quickly, and provide very little cornering support for a heavy car like the X300. However, "Horses-For-Courses" and all that. I think that Comforser Tyres, are Asda's brand make.

[steve_m]

Ok, thanks for that.

[PeterDavisX300]

Just for general info, all Tyres that are sold 'properly' in the UK, (other than imports) MUST have a 'Treadwear' number, with '400' as the highest, for hard-wearing. Starting at '150' for the 'softer' Tyre obviously for more grip and for high-performance, but less mileage. So, if you choose a Tyre with '300' Treadware for instance, expect a Tyre that is a medium-to-hard compound and will give you good-ish mileage but less grip if you like to corner hard. But also remember that the softer the Tyre, then generally speaking the softer the 'sidewalls', so you need to drop the 'aspect-ratio' form say 55, to 45 to not allow it 'flex' so much. It's all a wee bit complicated, but as I said, one would need to balance what you use the car for against how long you want the Tyre to last. Also remember that a Tyre is continuing to 'cure' throughout it's life, and if it's on the car too long, it will start to show signs of 'other' types of wear, like 'cracking' between the tread.

I could go-on forever about Tyres.

[steve_m]

I want the tyre to last forever, then I don't have to keep replacing the damn things.
I don't do traffic light Grand Prix starts (any more) and I don't hang the tail out everywhere I go.
I also want them to cost about 15p.

[PeterDavisX300]

I want the tyre to last forever, then I don't have to keep replacing the damn things.
I don't do traffic light Grand Prix starts (any more) and I don't hang the tail out everywhere I go.
I also want them to cost about 15p.

Ah yes. I live in the far-North of Scotland, and I want the sun to shine every-day, and the temperature in summer to be 35 degrees Centigrade......................

[steve_m]

Would you not have more mosquitoes if it was hotter?

[PeterDavisX300]

Would you not have more mosquitoes if it was hotter?

Only towards the West. I'm in the 'Middle' so fairly 'Midgy' free. Anyways, I've had Malaria pe, and always have a wee supply of Mepacrine. So Midgy / Mossie bites don't bother me!

[steve_m]

Ok, so a bit more research done and still no conclusions!
Mine is running 255/45/R17 tyres; a favourite option seems to be to go for 235/50/17 ones.
i am probably going to go for Toyo TR1 tyres (which my brother-in-law swears by, even on his track day car) as they have excellent wet grip.