I decided to go with 225/60 15's. I got a set of Fuzion tires out the door for less than $400.00. They are 96 load and H speed rated. There was no noticeable difference in the ride but I was replacing BFG radial T/A s that were old and cracking. (Tires that were on it when I bought it). I do not like the smaller tire look in the wheel well. My son is 15 and this will be his car when he turns 16. He likes the look of the smaller tire.

Car was/is a father son project. We spent a year getting it on the road. I didn't want to invest too much in tires because we still have small issues to sort out and I'm not sure yet that a big issue won't occur. 500 miles so far on the tires and no complaints.

I will attempt to add a picture tonight.

 

This is quite useful:

 

Has anyone tried the P6000?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

 

i don't think i could convince myself to.
Compare to the P4.
$97 VS $243
Traction A VS A
Temp A VS B (p6000 higher speed rating)
Treadwear 760 VS 180 (P6000 destroyed)

My falken ziew 912s are about the same price as the P4 but with an AA rating and a typical 480 treadwear (65k miles) rather than 760

The Pirelli P4s are probably a bit hard if they last that long, but the P6000 costs $250 and lasts only 20k miles or so.

 

The P4's look like circus wheels on the XJS, I had them on for a day...very weird sidewall pattern. I went with Falkens.

 

Besides the low tread life rating (which might not even been important to you) also note that, in the size/example shown, the load rating ('94') is a bit on the weak side for an XJS

Cheers
DD

 

That might be a bit generous . I'll wager 10k-12k is more realistic.

Cheers
DD

 

Yeah im being optimistic.

 

Anybody recommend a decent tyre (tire) cleaner?
I've managed to blag a full set of part worn 235/60 P600's and they need a good clean up before I fit them to the refurbed Speedlines.
There are dozens of cleaners available, which gives the longest lasting shine? (I'm thinking Loreal or maybe Maybelline but I don't want my tyres to be too bouncy).

 

For tire *cleaning* I have very good results with ordinary [you pick the brand] household/kitchen cleaning sprays and a scrubber pad.....like you have in the kitchen with a sponge on one side and 'scrubber' on the other. Or, a fine mesh Scotch-Brite pad or similar. This works well to clean off dirt and built-up layers of goooey tire dressings. Be gentle, though. Let the spray do most of the work.

As for 'tire shine' products I'm no help as I don't like a tire that shines. I prefer a deep black look with little or no gloss. For that ordinary ArmorAll works well....used sparingly and then buffed-off with a dry cloth. If you want a higher end product I've found that Adams' VVT is the very best (all these things are a matter of opinion) but it is quite expensive...too much for a daily-driver, IMHO. It's a thick liquid but it leaves the tires very black and with just a bare hint of shine.

If you prefer 'the wet look' others can comment on their favorites.

Cheers
DD

 

Different brands over here, but Meguiers seems to be the best store bought stuff to me. Most of their tire shines and plastic shines are a good satin finish and don't look like some one sprayed WD40 on the tires like a lot of cheap brands do

Never looked up why, but my dad has always used bleach and a brush to clean tires and something like i mentioned to follow up

 

Thanks for the tips guys, will have at the tyres next week when I am home.
See 'Getting there' thread for update on the car.

 

Here are 3 excellent write-ups on the subject, with photos, by Bernie Embden:

Rim and Tire upgrade Decision

Installing 17 Rims and Tires

Hubcentric Adapter

 

I've the same problem to replace tires.

Here in Europe the P600 235/60 R15 is available again, but at more than 300 USD each one, very expensive. But the worst is that it is a bad tire, bad grip, so we are paying a lot for a bad tire.

Going to 225/60 have many advantages: there is much more variety, much better performance tires, and half exact price. Moreover, with a width of 225 is more than enough for the car (especially in 3.6 like mine, but even the V12 had 215 originally), it decreases slightly consumption, and modification of gearing is almost negligible (and not it hurts because originally gears are long).

But there is a problem, and to me it's important: aesthetics. Going to 225/60 the wheel arches maybe look empty due to the loss of height. And seeing picture from Peel86XJS have many doubts, because in fact the wheel is quite small, and clearly detracts from the appearance of the car.

However, if we compare with pictures of Doug’s car, in his car does not look so small. Yes, you notice that are smaller than the 235, but not as pictured Peel86XJS. This is what I don't understand if both they are the same.

More pictures of 225/60 in XJS are welcome in order to better appreciate the visual effect, especially given the car's side profile.

 

I put three total 215 70 15's on mine, Goodyear Eagles, Perelli P4 and Goodyear assurance...ALL in that size looked like an SUV tire on the car from the side. I went with a Falken 225 60 15 and couldn't be happier with the look.

Heres a great side by side tire size comparison calculator.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

 

yes, I think you're right about the 215/70...too much balloon, but the 225 may have the opposite defect, too small. I've found another picture of an XJ-S with 225/60, and see again Peel86's picture:






in the XJ-SC, front wheel arch seems to me too empty, right? or maybe are just my obsession...

In my opinion, the 235/60 looks great for the car's size and wheel arches. But sadly it's only available on the poor & expensive Pirelli P600's.

Another size with good look was the 225/65-R15, but it's currently unavailable, discontinued.

Going to 16" wheel is another option, but still more expensive than put news 235/60-15. The 16" Lattice alloys are hard to find and expensive too. More usual is the 16" 5-spoke, but I don't like in pre-facelift models like mine, and the TWR are not among my favourites.

So, to keep my 15" Lattice I've just only these three options: 215/70 (too big), 235/60 (too expensive) or 225/60 (too small?).

 

Posting more pics of my XJS for tire comparison. Not the best pics to see how the tires look. I need to get it into full sunlight and take some more.

 

Thank you very much, Peel86

Seeing again your pictures I think I'll go ahead with the 225's. Half price, better tires, and yes, they're a little smaller, but looks enough well

P.D.: sorry for my poor English to everyone

 

I'll have to check size (I stayed with factory sizing for my 92), but my last set of tires are BF Goodrich Comp TA, with a V speed rating. Don't recall the load rating. Took a couple of months to find a tire that would fit without buying new wheels. The next set may require an upgrade to 16" or 17", but definitely the 18's look wrong on the car.

Interesting article about hubcentric wheels, too, just something else to keep in mind (and pay for . . . ).

 

Nice looking car Doug, what is that paint color? or paint code? I'm considering going to a similar color (Rhodium Silver), my 89 is JEX, or Tungsten (grey).
Dick C.