J marked tyres for X350

[anonymous-user]

Having been rather unimpressed with the cold/wet grip of the 255/40 R19 Pirelli Pzero Assimetrico tyres on my X350 it has been suggested on here that it would be a lot better on the OEM Dunlop Sportmaxx tyres with the J marking. I used to buy J marked Pirellis for my X300s, but I'll be damned if I can find anything in the appropriate size from any manufacturer with that rating. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be grateful.

Also, I'm interested in picking up some 17" wheels and putting baloon winters on the car. Front brakes are only 388mm or so so 17" should clear them and the car lists 17" tyre sizes in the air pressure guide in the fuel flap (235/55 R17), but my 2004 brochure shows only 18" and larger wheels available. Is there anyone with a long and lustrous X350 beard who can tell me if there were 17" options in 2003? Otherwise am I correct in believing that S-Type or XF 17" wheels fit and have the correct offset?

[sjc]

Before you go to such expense of the tyres in question, have a read of this.I had my Pirellis on my Sepangs ( and on any car I've had) so I may go down this route, not much downside at the cost...
https://jec.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12315

[anonymous-user]

sjc said:

Before you go to such expense of the tyres in question, have a read of this.I had my Pirellis on my Sepangs ( and on any car I've had) so I may go down this route, not much downside at the cost...
https://jec.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12315

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2016-Test-World-Performance-Tyre-Test.htm

10th place in a review of 13 for the Jinyu YU64 (couldn't find anything for JU) 225/40 R18 tyres, however:

"Under wet braking, the winning Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 stopped the car from 50 mph in 24 meters, where as the worst tyre on test, the Jinyu, stopped the car in 27.4 meters. While this could still mean the difference of "no accident" and a "large accident" under emergency wet braking from high speeds, the gap is markedly closer than it was a few years ago, and the three budget tyres on test all performed all performed on par with the Toyo T1 Sport Plus, which is a well regarded mid range brand.

Under dry braking the results were even closer. The test winning Hankook stopped the car from 60mph in 33.5 meters, and the Jinyu finished in eigth place at 35.6 meters, beating the Michelin and Toyo and stopping the car just 0.2 meters behind the Goodyear."

That's a huge improvement on some of the ditchfinder test I've read where stopping distances were knocking on for 50% higher than a proper tyre. The Chinese have cleary been hacking all the righter computers at Goodyear, Pirelli, Continental, etc.

ETA This is an interesting read for anyone considering using cheap tyres
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/How-bad-can-t...

Appears that clever hacking might not be the answer - they just make the tyres out of soft rubber so they grip better but will likely wear faster and appear to drive more inconsistently.

Edited by dme123 on Tuesday 4th December 12:59