Hi,
i have a 2002 jaguar x type and i am looking at replacing my set of tires soon. Right now the tires i have a 205 55 R16. I noticed that the sidewalls on the tire are somewhat bigger compared to my friend BMW. Im wondering if i can get smaller and?or wider tires to make my car look better. Also i have the stock 5 spoke rims.

Thanks,
Jim

 

You might be able to go one size bigger, like 215/50/16 and use the same wheels, but I am not 100% sure. If you want to go with a larger wheel Jaguar has some nice wheels in 17" and 18" sizes. Pretty much the widest you can go without having rubbing issues seems to be 225. Mine came with the 18" Auba wheels and the stock size tires are 225/40. They seem to fit the wheels wells nicely, yet don't look like rubber bands.

 

ok, does anyone think i can run 225/50/16?

 

You mean with the same wheels that are on the car now? If so, that seems like a big jump. If you get aftermarket wheels that are a bit wider that would not be a problem.

 

yeah, the same wheels. basically what is the biggest i could go without risking any problems?

 

The 225/50/16 should cause you no problem. They are basically the same rolling diameter as what you currently have. The extra 20 mm width should be okay as well. BUT, you will still have the approximate same size sidewall height. If you really want the "all wheel and no rubber" look though, you should be thinking of bigger wheels like 18" with 225/40/18 tires at most, that reduces your sidewall height by about an inch while keeping the rolling diameter of the entire wheel about the same as what you have.

 

alright sounds good, thanks mohrd

 

if i were to get 225/50/16 tires would the speedometer be off at all since the side wall is smaller and there for the diameter of the wheel will change?

 

Not at all. The change to the width with a lower height ratio should actually produce a side wall that is within about a hundredth of an inch of your current tires. 205 mm = 8.07 inches with a sidewall ratio of .55 that gives a sidewall of 4.44 inches and a total diameter of 4.44 x 2 + 16 = 24.88 inches. At 225 mm = 8.86 inches but with a ratio of .50 the side wall is 4.43 inches so total diameter is 24.86 inches or, no significant difference.

The only way you are going to adequately satisfy your original wish, and get the "look" you want, is to go with a bigger wheel and lower profile tire. 225/45/17 is a little less sidewall and 225/40/18 is less again all keeping pretty much 25" as an overall diameter.

 

2004 X type with standard 225/45/17 tires.
Looking to put the widest tire possible on the stock wheels. I'm pretty sure I can
go at least 1 size up but would like more.

Any suggestions?

 

alright thanks again mohrd, I think the wider tires will look great on my x.

 

alright thanks mohrd, the wider tires will look great on my x.

 

sorry guys for some reason it did not let me post the first time, so i posted again and now both are showing up.