tires for XJS

I might suggest, along with brand considerations, is the ÔÇ£width compromiseÔÇØ factor, sometimes mentioned when you canÔÇÖt get the brand/model youÔÇÖd like to have.

An example: 235 vs 225: Revs/mile: 773.0 vs 787

You can get additioal information at this site: www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Pete Forte
& the red 92 XJS Conv.

Art,

I would never complain about tire wear in competition events. However, if I have to get new tires every 10,000 miles, there is something fishy going on. However, I do like to drive my cat 'sporty'. Speaking of flying into curves, can you recommend a suspension upgrade to stiffen the ride? I don't mind loosing a little bit of comfort to gain better handling.

Martin
1995 XJS Convertible

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT "Silver"
Pacific Jaguar.ca
Hi Martin,
sounds like you drive like me, my Mother always used to hang on and say "Steady round the corners my boy", that is one of my slalom tricks I guess, thanks Mam.
Tire Rack are v good, they have great reports on all major brands of tyres and different applications etc.
Tyre rotation is a good thing if you wish your tyres to wear longer, unless the tyres are aysmetrical/ directional you can flip them inside out and vice versa to even out wear, actually even Hoosier asymetrical tyres can be flipped to even out wear.
A full 4 wheel align also is a good idea, you could also ask them to dial in a bit more negative camber on the front as well, this helps corner turn in ability as many autocross guy's are well aware of.(great for JCNA Slalom).
Just checked out the JCNA Slalom page, your name appears to not be on the list of competitors, sounds to me as you should try it next year, but please do not complain about the tyre wear, because it happens in the kitchen you know what I mean, when your Jag is cookin, them tyres will be getting a bit on the hot side. Your car with the 4.0 litre is a good candidate for a North American Award, if you don't believe me , just let me try it out for you,
Most Sincerely, Art Dickenson.

The wear pattern you describe is the same I experienced with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on a 1996 XJS convertible. These tires have three different compounds in the tread and the outside bands are the softest and wear first, especially on an XJS and especially if the car is driven with gusto. While they were good in terms of noise and grip, I found the excessive wear on the outside edge to be a problem. I am not a crazy driver but I do like to drive a constant speed in the face of whatever twists and turns the road has to offer.

I went to the Michelin's on this car because I did not like the Pirelli's that were on it when I bought it. The Pirelli's were noisy and did not offer much wet grip. I think they were OEM P4000's but I am not 100% certain of that.

I have Toyo Proxes on my 1993 XJR-S and love them. So far they are wearing very well (after about 8,000 miles). The have terrific grip in the dry and are nearly as good on wet pavement. They are exceptionally quiet, which is remarkable given how well they perform. I live in the South so I do not have any experience with them on snow. This is my first experience with Toyo and I have been pleasantly surprised.

Try using a tire recommendation guide offered as a service by online retailers like Tire Rack. These guides are very useful and can help you make a decision depending on your driving style and region where you live.

Don
1993 XJR-S

Whichever tre you buy, stay away from yokohoma's. They are very noisy. They make my car sound like a truck on the road.

Jim

Matin,

Not sure if your XJS has upper control arm bushings like my 1990 XJ-S but if it does have them checked out for wear (in addition to getting an alignment). Go to a shop that has a 4-wheel alignment system.

Dwight

2006 XJR
1990 XJ-S Classic Convertible