Standard tire on the XK8 is a 245/50-17. Will these work on my 87 XJS, or do I need to go down to a 235/50-17? I've see mixed opinions, but no hard facts. I currently don't have any tires on the rims.

 

Not sure about rub, but the XJS can run 235s stock, so unless there is a significant financial difference or someone chimes in saying 245s will fit, just grab the 235s.

Word from other XJS owners with bigger wheels is that 245s can fit, people run them, but tires can vary in design and cause a rub. Not sure about turning since these things don't turn much anyway, but the 245s can actually rub on the rear fender lip, some people do some trimming to make it work, some don't have any issues apparently.

I would try going on craigslist and getting a really cheap used tire to fit to one wheel and see how it fits with the 245. Again, a different brand may yield different results, but you can then see how much room you have to play with, or how you may need to trim the fenders.

Funny how people use these wheels, I probably would for autocross, but I just think it is interesting, especially when I see an XK8 with wire wheels!

 

Thanks for the info. I'll order 235s.

 

My XJS is a face lift car, so I'm not sure if your car's wheel wells are of the same dimentions. If they are, then I can share with you that I have XK8 Revolvers installed with the original XK8 tires on them, 245/50-17 Pzeros and they do fit fine, albeit a very close call.

Cheers,

 

I must apologize, Jon. I was wrong stating that the Pirelli Pzeros on my '94 XJS are 245's because they're not; they're actually 235/50-ZR17 and a fairly close fit at that, so, from my personal experience I'd say that 245's are out of the question for the XJS, at least with Revolver wheels and Pirelli Pzero tires; they wouldn't fit.

Cheers,

 

Good thing I ordered 235's!

 

Useful info here
http://bernardembden.com/xjs/rimtire/index.htm

 

For future searches, I ordered 225/50/17 for these wheels.

Can't recall why I chose the 225, I think it was because I wanted tire to be shorter to lower the car (though this difference is microscopic.

 

I've got 255's on the rear of my car with no rubbing, mounted on XJR wheels with a 5mm spacer.

 

FWIW, I got 235/50-17's on my XK8 Lamina rims. Had to use a 3/8" spacer on front for hub clearance, but the wheels still engage enough of the hub to center. No tire rub front or rear. Hankook Ventus1 Noble 2's for tires. I've used them on two other cars with good results.

Jon

 

I have 245 50 16 on 8" rims all round on my XJS with no rubbing at all.

The offset is the important part here, mine are 33 rear and 20 front

 

While the section width is 245, you are running on 16" wheels vs 17s on mine. That means the rolling diameter is shorter, which may be enough to give additional clearance.

 

I just noticed you are looking at 245 50 17 not 45 17

My 245 50 16 give very close to the same rolling diameter as the OEM tyres so the 245 50-17 will make your speedo read slow, Just bear this in mind, I know the cops here in my state only give you 3km/h before they give you a ticket.