Pirelli CN 12-205 70 15 on S1, any feedback?

[mtnjag]

Wondering if anyone has direct experience and feedback on running Pirelli CN 12-205 70/15s on a S1 E?

Not interested in the discussion on 185 vs 205….I understand this aspect of the two sizes.

I have 6” wires and have been running 205 65/15 V modern tires, which i know are slightly small and are now 7 years old, and 205 70/15V previously when i was able to get them.

Now the CN12s are available here in 205 70 and i am interested in knowing if they offer beneficial driving characteristics of a “classic” design/shaped tire over a modern tire, albeit with considerably higher cost.

For example, among others characteristics you may mention what do the Pirellis have to offer over a modern tire in terms of:
-More progressive handling
-Easier steering effort
-Fit
-Ride
-Looks-I’ll answer that one=Pirelli

Thank you

[chrisfell]

I have always stuck with Vreds. They are good tyres, they grip well cold or hot, and wear well enough for most E-Type owners to have to replace them due to age.

I wear mine out, but then I am a little odd.

Interestingly, today I was at a very local classic car event (linked to our Platinum Jubilee celebrations - another post coming in a few minutes) with two other E-types. One wore Dunlop 205/65s, the other wore Vredestein 207/70s, both were on 5" rims, neither looked like the tyres were stretched any more than my 185/80s, also on 5" rims.

[mtnjag]

So are you running 185 15 Vreds? No feedback on 205 Vreds?

The 205 wouldn't be stretched on the 5" rims, they would be constrained and bulge the sidewalls more than the 185.

I do see some similar posts from an acknowledged expert on tires referenced in the bottom page suggestions. But they have been out a while and it would be nice to have some comments from regular drivers of the cars who have some personal experience.

[nichmoss]

As you ask about experience with other tyres...

I can't comment on the Pirellis but, I have 205/70 Blockleys on mine, and have for four or five years. They are V or W rated and suit my rims (6 inch, as I recall). I don't have any issues with use and they don't tramline plus the steering effort is not unduly high. I used to have 185 tyres on original width wheels but prefer the wider wheels and tyres combination - I've switched between configurations about every five years and think I'm settled on these after 20 years. I understand that Blockley offer a refund if the tyres are not as good as they claim.

I've run different tyres on my car's from R5s on my XK120 (now sold) to Avon's, Pirellis and other types. The Blockley tyres are easy to live with, have good feel and grip plus, I feel, suit my S1 well. I liked the R5 setup on my 120 but they were awful when cold - I have never used them on the E as they used to be H rated - anyway, they are not the tyre size you are considering.

I wouldn't fit 205 on 5 inch wheels as they balloon too much and would probably lead to unpredictable handling.

Good luck, Chris

[mtnjag]

So I assume the Blockley's are a "Vintage" type tire in design as is the CN12.

Thanks for the feedback on the Blockley but I am really looking for a comparison of the "Vintage" design to the Modern which is pointed to in some of the tire videos recommended on this site.

A CN12 or I assume Blockley to a Yokohama for example. Does the vintage design result in better performance in any of the characteristics I list at the end in my starting post?

[nichmoss]

It's hard to be specific about advantages or disadvantages of any tyre as it depends on the car, the conditions and the driver. I've never managed to do back to back tests of different tyres on my car and, of course, when you change them then the tyres have aged so it's easy to be impressed with a new tyre that doesn't really offer any advantage over the one replaced.

If you wanted to try the Blockleys, then they are available in USA as I understand it. Their website for the 205/70 is specific in one claim:
Scrub them in (ie drive normally for say the first 50 miles) and then use them for 1,000 miles or so - if you are not convinced these Blockleys are the best tyres you've ever driven on (ride, handling, steering etc.) we will give a refund.

This might be a help to you as you can drive for a while without being completely committed if you are unhappy with the tyres. I don't know of any other company offers this but, it's unlikely that anyone else does.

I would say that the R5 tyres I used on my XK120 had the most progressive handling. They did have low steering effort but the R5 in a size for the E-Type is not road legal so not of any help to you.

Good luck, Chris

[gtjoey]

Layne, I understand your question.
I run the Michelin XWX , IN THAT CLASS They are the best.
They are now 400 dollars a tire BUT they are constantly made FRESH and Ive driven them in 30 degrees F to 105 degrees F, rain, snow , its the real deal, OLD SCHOOL.
My last Pirelli tires were what you are looking into but for another etype with 185.
Those did flat spot and needed to warm up a couple of miles to get grip.
Again I did not try the 205 version at that time.
VRED are nice, I swear by them on my 1962 mark 2 but they are NOT cold weather tires and wear pretty fast if you drive like me
The Michelin and Pirelli play the sports car part. The Vreds as well but the best quality , quality control and durability goes like this IMHO
MICHELIN XWX ........ Hands down
Pirelli cn ......louder, harder, flat spots.
VRED.......Cheaper , good quality , but less grip , not to loud but over time the quality shows up with shifting inner cords and kookie bulged in the side wall out of the blue?
Hope this helps....
GTJOEY1314

[Simonpfhc]

I run CN12’s in that size on my 62. Fantastic tyres. Driven about 10k miles now and they’ve performed beautifully.

One of the reasons I chose them is for their uncluttered sidewalls that look stunning.

[mtnjag]

Thanks. Nice reviews of the Vintage tires. And I appreciate it. But not what I am looking for.

Has anyone run a Modern 205 70 15 and switched to a Vintage 205 70 15 (or vice versa) and noticed differences along the lines of what I ask in my first post.

In other words are they worth the expense and inconvenience of going Vintage over Modern?
Again, I have seen the videos but am looking for someone who has been there done that kind of experience.

I restate here:

“For example, among others characteristics you may mention what do the Pirellis or other Vintage tires have to offer over a modern tire in terms of:

-More progressive handling
-Easier steering effort
-Fit
-Ride”

Simon, Chris, what were you running prior to the Blockleys and Pirellis?

[Simonpfhc]

Sorry Layne, can’t really make a comparison as these are the first tyres on this car.

[gtjoey]

Oh
Well the new tires feel more Swuare like the old pirelli 4000
Also modern tires won’t DANCE as much in the turns
Imho
Gtjoey1314

[nichmoss]

I've run, as I recall:
Cross-ply, possibly Avons on standard wheels (when I bought the car).
185 Dunlop SP Sports on standard wheels.
Pirelli P4000 205/70 on 6.5 wheels.
185 Michelin XVS on standard wheels.
Blockley 205/70 on 6.5 wheels.

None of these are modern low profile tyres so I can't make a meaningful comparison for you, sorry. The ones worst suited to the car, in my opinion, were the P4000s and these sent me back to 185 profile.

I used my car to go to work, holidays, track days etc so, more as a daily driver than most. Having worked a lot in Europe, the typical distances/speeds were higher than in UK where I now live.

Cheers, Chris

[mtnjag]

I thought the P4000 205 70 an example of the modern tire shape and format vs an XWX or CN12 in 205 70, no?

[nichmoss]

I couldn't say for sure but, I believe the P4000 is a 1980s design so certainly not a modern tyre as I would understand it. I was not impressed.

To be honest, the only way you will know for sure is if you try these tyres. If I were you, I would buy the CN12s if you want to try them and I'd be very interested in hearing what you think. I don't know how you use your car so it's hard for me to read across but any feedback always helps.

Good luck, Chris

[mtnjag]

an 80's 205 would be a modern squared off tread surface, flat sidewall tire I believe.
So I would think the P4000 fits that mold.

You had the Blockleys in the 205 which I think are a vintage design.
So you have a Vintage vs Modern comparison I am looking for.

How did the 205 70 P4000 compare to the 205 70 Blockley in the terms I have mentioned in my first post-

Fit, Steering, handling, ride?

You see a difference in these characteristics generally between the two or were they similar and it was just a 205 problem you felt?

[nichmoss]

Hi Layne

I didn't like the P4000 on my car and there was about 5 years between me taking them off and fitting the Blockley set. During that time I was on the Michelin tyres which were just 185. I think any thoughts I could relay would be unreliable at best. Sorry.

Best, Chris

[mtnjag]

Ok, yeah I see what you mean. Thanks for the feedback though.

I think I’ll throw this over to Jaglovers and see if anyone has something there.

[politeperson]

Very confusing.

The 2022 XWX is a modern tyre and very different from a 1969 XWX! It just looks old in terms of profile.

It might look old, but it gives modern performance as Joey says. The sidewalls are just rigid enough not to mess up the e type suspension and give good comfort.

I think what you are asking is-whether a low profile square shoulderd tyre feels different than a high sided round wall tyre?

Since "square" low profile tyres have now been around for 30 years, that is now not particularly modern either!

The main thing for me is that flat sided tyres look plain wrong on an E type.

CN12s, XWXs and Blockleys are excellent. That is the way I would go. Not 4000's.

If you want the ultimate "period" modern tyre, feast your eyes on the steam punk Michelin Pilot E below! Those magnificent men in their flying machines rides again.
Fills the wheel arches like a hot air balloon form the 1930's, however the manufacturing process makes it a thoroughly 2022 tyre in terms of reliability, speed rating, weight rating, side wall stiffness and durability. Eye wateringly expensive though but worth every penny for those whole like driving.

[mtnjag]

Well yes, but modern in terns of that's how they make tires now vs then.

Got it on the looks, I agree. The vintage rounded look looks better.

But I am interested in the actual characteristic of the tire as I noted.

You note differences in shape and look, and state correctly what I am asking but veer to the looks side on your comments.

Do you have a comparison to make between the Vintage design so highly touted to the 30year old modern tire? Is there a difference to the driver in characteristics?

I quote my original post:

"For example, among others characteristics you may mention what do the Pirellis have to offer over a modern tire in terms of:
-More progressive handling
-Easier steering effort
-Fit
-Ride
-Looks-I’ll answer that one=Pirelli"

[gtjoey]

Layne , Lets cut to the chase....................
Do you drive your ETYPE?
Have you driven your ETYPE?
Has it started in 20 years?
I plead these forums to set up a BENCH RACER SECTION , For dreamers of the dream that never take out the car or its been in a million pieces for the last 30 years.
Love you but your asking the same thing over and over....
What tires are on the car now..
Thanks, I was falling asleep.
GTJOEY1314 DRIVING NOT DREAMING.
P.S. On Jag Lovers the answer will be the CHEAPEST BIAS PLY TIRES FROM WW2....
Except for my buddy running Michelins XWX :)
Double P.S. The Michelins are better than the Pirelli IMHO