I apologise for the delay. As I mentioned, I've had several jags, and I,ve used Cobra gtx, Perrelli, different Michelins. They were all high performance tires, and all satisfactory, except for one of the Michelins. So you can imagine things start to blur. Regarding the P4000E, It was
an excellent tire in all respects. I would assume, that Jaguar, in building a high performance luxury sedan, would opt for the correct tire for the car, as opposed to high volume cost effective, purchases that the big car companies contract for.
I,m currently using Turanza LSZ's, on the Jag, the're an extremely high rated tire, steering, cornering, grip, are all great. Don,t remember wether they have sizes for the old Ferraris, Tire Rack would list the sizes.
The problem with tires is, I believe, is that what is great on one car, might work as well, on an other, due to suspension differences. And, of course, there is always the imput of ones own personal senses.
Your experience is reassuring - since I bought the 4000E on the basis of published specs. I have not driven the car yet with the tires, but I am going to pick it up this weekend, if the weather permits. A 300+ mile drive home should be a good shakedown cruise. It is worthy of note that listed tire size and actual dimensions do not track very well across different brands, especially if older tires are concerned. The 4000E 225 x 65 are the same size as the XWX 205 x 70.
I jut put on P4000 (not E) 215/70s, no idea in this 20 degree weather what they are like yet. The tire store also had Vredestien Sprint Classics at 205/70-15's (and 205/70 14s for all you GTC owners) both V rated and looking very cool. By the way, my tires were big type 4000s apprently the small type version stopped being made 5 years ago.
The Vredesteins were $200 each and the shop owner said the XWXs have gone up to almost $300.
Best, Yale
Ex - 1964 330GT #6097
1963 Abarth Monomille
1970 Porsche 911S
1974 BMW 2002turbo
205/70x14 is not the correct size for the GTC. Originally 205x14 which I think is around an 82 aspect ratio. The 70 series looks a little awkward on the car as it does not quite fill out the wheelwells fully.
I need to put new tires on the 512 BB. Currently it is running Michelin XWX's 215/70/15 front and 225/70/15 rear. One option is to move to Pirelli P6000 215/60/V 15 front and 225/60/V 15 rear. Does anyone have any experience doing this ?
Yale wrote:I jut put on P4000 (not E) 215/70s, no idea in this 20 degree weather what they are like yet. The tire store also had Vredestien Sprint Classics at 205/70-15's (and 205/70 14s for all you GTC owners) both V rated and looking very cool. By the way, my tires were big type 4000s apprently the small type version stopped being made 5 years ago.
The Vredesteins were $200 each and the shop owner said the XWXs have gone up to almost $300.
Best, Yale
Yale, you are going to like them. I bought my car with the P4000's already mounted and some wear on them and over the last couple of years put an additional 7K miles on with no problems. They have performed well both wet and dry. You may have a 1/2 point removed in judging, but for price/performance there may be no better.
Just remember when putting new modern sticky tires on our old cars that they weren't built for them. The OEM tires of the 60s and 70s would lose grip and let the car slide before the suspension broke. I know of a 330 GTC that had modern sticky tires installed and then the owner tracked the car. The front suspension broke. Now maybe there was a problem in the suspension, but the loads can end up much higher than it was designed for.
Well luckily the P4000's are crappy new tires. I had them on a Mercedes wagon and was shocked at the fact that they let me slide around turns. So they are perfect for that dated slippy-ness. The Vredestins are also old style tires as are those Michlin racing tires. Yale
Ex - 1964 330GT #6097
1963 Abarth Monomille
1970 Porsche 911S
1974 BMW 2002turbo
