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Re: Love the Continentals (archive)
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Posted by Jeff Cline on January 04, 2002 at 13:37:37:

In Reply to: Re: Love the Continentals posted by Mark on January 04, 2002 at 02:02:45:

Hi Mark,
Unfortunately I never paid much attention to the road noise from the Pirelli's because I usually have the radio on and/or the top down. This morning after reading your question, I had an occasion to drive 100 miles around the city of Houston, Texas (USA) so I left the radio off and top up to listen for road noise with the Continentals. The noise from the tires is about the same as the wind noise over the closed convertible top, at 80 MPH. This was on cement and asphalt freeways, without any grooves in the road. I don't know if that helps much but there you go.

Now, I've recently been told that the only tire available for the stock 17" wheels on the XK8 as a direct replacemente are the Pirelli's. After hearing this I searched Continental's web site and sure enough they don't list the size that originally came on my stock 17" wheels - 245/50. (my Continentals came on the optional 2001 XK8 18" wheels).

As far as what else I can say about the Continentals, well they ride softer than the Pirelli's even though I've got less side wall on the Contis. The car handles just as well in day-to-day driving - and I'm an aggressive driver, more prone to double-clutching and downshifting instead of breaking for a sharp turn (when in a car with a clutch of course) and I don't drive this car any easier. They seem to wear better than the Pirelli's so far, although I've only got 6,000 miles on them. I don't know how long they will last, as I only drive 6,000 miles a year anyway. I can tell you that even if I had to buy them every year, it would be worth it to me, they are that much nicer than the Pirelli's. (IMHO of course). I've always felt safely planted on the ground, rain or shine.

My best suggestion is to go test drive a 2001, since these tires come on the new Jags.

Jeff


Hi Jeff,

what's about the noise level of your Conti? Are they quieter than the Pirelli or louder? What else can you say about them compared together?

Mark




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