Tires

[william]

My GTE has the Michelin XWX they are like brand new, however they were mounted when the car was restored in the mid 90's. They have those little cracks on the side wall from age and no use. Next summer I would like to replace them. I called Coker Tire they only have the XVS in 185HR 15. the XWX they have are 70 series. I know the cars originally came with Cinturato. Is the XWX a correct tire? They info Coker gave me says it's a tire for cars of the 70's. Whats everybody running. I see Tom's running Pirelli 4000s.

Thanks

[Greg Brendel]

I just replaced my XWX's on my 330 GTC with Perelli P400. The ride is significantly better and I think they look great as well.

[william]

Thanks Greg,

I'll check them out.

[Art S.]

William,

How do you drive your car? Concourse (little actual driving); Sunday drives; or all out/track?

Concourse - get XWX repros, thats the standard at present as the correct Pirellis are NLA.

Sunday driving/regular use - Modern tires, I have Michelens of approximately the correct size work very well (if you search the old threads here, sizing was discussed and debated in great detail previously).

All out/track driving - be careful with tire selection because the increased tire performance may overstress the spokes of the Boranis (this is not from experience, just what I've heard).


Regards,

Art S.

[william]

Hi Art,

I plan on nice weather weekend driving.

What kind of michelins do you run? What size?

Thanks

[whturner]

Pirelli P4000E (E for European) have just become available at the tire rack - and maybe other Pirelli sources. They are a summer performance tire, and they have a tire which almost exactly matches the original XWX tires for dimensions. (0.3 inches wider): diameter the same.
I cannot tell about the performnce yet - my wheels are not back yet. But other rests give them good ratings

[Michael Bayer]

I HAVE P4000s ON THE 330 AND THE GTC/4 AND AM VERY PLEASED, AGREE THEY ARE NOT THE BEST IN THE WET, THERE ARE FAR BETTER CHOICES FOR THE TRACK BUT FOR VIGOROUS STREET DRIVING, THEY WORK WELL, M

[whturner]

The P4000 ( been around for a while) and the P4000e are different tires. Which do you have?

[Yale]

Tire Rack told me that the "E" stands for "enhanced - better rain control." Plus the 4000E's only come in 225 65 15's (at TireRack at any rate.) Is that what your sporting Warren? Most people I have seen with Pirelli's are running the 4000's which look pretty good on the cars and come in 205/70/15, 215/65/15 and 215/70/15. There are also Pirelli P 6's in a good selection of sizes and these are all season so all you snow drivers won't have to change over. Hah. Yale

[whturner]

Hi Yale:

Don't let that 225/65 size throw you - the actual published dimensions (Tire Rack) are closer to the 205/70 XWX than any other I could find. They have identical rolling diameter (for those worried about speedo error) and are only 0.3'' wider.
The P4000 is rated as a Standard Touring All-Season, whereas the P4000E is a High Preformance Summer Tire. The tire tests published by the Tire Rack seem to bear this out.
I opted to go for performance - rather than the softer quiet ride. I suspect they will be on the track at least once. 328 DRIVERS WATCH OUT!.
But this is all theory - until my wheels get back from Cork Adams and the tires put to the pavement.

Cheers
Warren
.

[PETER GABRIEL]

I,ve had a couple of Jags that used theP4000E tire, and it is a ZR rated tire, as opposed to the P4000. In addition to having a higher speed and heat rating, a ZR tire has stiffer sidewalls, to counter cornering forces, especially for you over 100 MPH Hot Dogs. I also recall buying a set for about $180.00 a piece, not cheap, there are several ZR tires much cheaper, and maybe better rated.
I checked out Continental Extreme Contacts, very good ratings, this is a VR rated tire, same as the XWX. Probably a more technically advanced tire, since the xwx is pretty old, but great looking with that dog biscuit tred. They come 205/65/15, and as I recall, there should be no problem, maybe some side rubbing. The good news is the last time I checked, they cost about $80.00, or less a piece, which is terrific for high rated tire.

Peter Gabriel

250 GTL 4419

[whturner]

Hi Peter:

I looked at them - as you say, great price, and I have used Continentalswith satisfaction on my Turbo SAAB. But the 15" tire was nearly 1" smaller in both diameter and section width then the XWX or P4000E, and I wanted something closer.

Cheers
Warren

[PETER GABRIEL]

Warren:

My car has 3801 wheels 15x6.5, as I recall the original tires for these wheels, were the old metric 185/15, at least that's what my car originally had. I believe they were Dunlops. My records show that tire was 25.5 dia.,[ same as the Conti} and 6.1 width. However, your's is a later car, and might have some changes. I currently have 205/70/15 XWX's, 26.4 dia., 7.9 width, and I do get some rubbing, on the side of the wheel well. Your wheel wells migh be different. My point is, if your going to spend up to a G, [spare], make sure you don't run into any problems. Good luck.

jimmyr???

Peter Gabriel

250 GTL 4419l

[whturner]

Warren:

--- I currently have 205/70/15 XWX's, 26.4 dia., 7.9 width, and I do get some rubbing, on the side of the wheel well. Your wheel wells migh be different. My point is, if your going to spend up to a G, [spare], make sure you don't run into any problems. Good luck.

Peter Gabriel

250 GTL 4419l

I hope not - I compared the dimensions listed by Coker for the XWX which many people with a 330GT are using, and those listed by the Tire Rack for the P4000E, and the width difference was 0.3".
By the way, how would you characterize your experience (on a Jag) with P4000E tires, with respect to turn-in, transient response, steady state cornering grip, and other handling issues.

Thanks and Cheers
Warren

[donv]

I have P4000s on my 365 2+2, and they're great.

My problem is the Boxer-- other than the XWX, I can't seem to find a reasonable tire which will fit the rear wheels.