Currently on stock Caravelas 19 x 8.5 with 245 40 19 for my 2012 XF Portfolio. Need your opinions on tire size options.

Generally I like lower and wider stance for cars so prefer something on those lines. Discount tire guy suggested 265 35 19 which will make the following differences compared to stock size. Diameter 26.7 to 26.3, Width 9.6 to 10.4, side wall 3.9 to 3.7. This will fit into stock rims without any issues but with lower side wall ride comfort could go down.

Other option could be 285 35 19 for a wider stance which will make the following differences Diameter 26.7 to 26.9, Width 9.6 to 11.2, side wall 3.9 remain the same. It will be wider but a tad higher than stock height. Do you think these 285’s will fit in with stock 8.5" rims without any issues?


Any other suggestions? btw there are are good close out deals on Tirerack for 285's

 

Fairly sure 285 is too wide for 8.5" wheels and they won't fit on the front without massive rubbing of the wheel well liners.
If you want a wider lower look then upgrade to XFR spec wheels and tyres 285/30ZR20 rear and 255/35ZR20 front and fit 20 mm spacers on the rear and 15 mm on the front.

 

Would like to stick with current wheels and same size tires at front and rear.

Agree 285 will not fit. Anyone tried 275 35 19 on stock Caravelas 19 x 8.5

 

i think if you want a "square" setup with same width tire front and rear, you'll be limited to a 265 width tire. if you want it to look wider, you can play with 1'' wheel spacers to push the rear out but you may have to use a smaller spacer in front to prevent rubbing while turning. for improved grip on "only" a 265 tire, but a dedicated summer tire with the resultant lower treadwear

 

Yes spacers can be one of the options

One of the discount tire guy said 275 35 19 can go in a 8.5" wheel but others say it wont. I think I will go with 265 35 19. Michelin Sport A/s 3 +

 

Hey, I installed a set of Jaguar Kasuga rims (From the XJ, look very similar to Caravela) With 255/35 R20 FRONT and 285/30 R20 Rear. The rims are staggered measuring 9 inch front and 10 inch rear. The front offset is identical to all (Most) Jaguar XF rims at 49 mm front and rear is 46 mm (help them stick out a tiny bit).

Here is a chart t help you get a better understanding of tire width in reference to what the wheel can accomodate.


Based on this chart, Kasuga rims can accomodate up to 285 (Max) in the rear on a 10 inch width wheel. Reason for going 255 as opposed to 265 which is max the front wheel can accomodate is due to the rolling diameter difference which would disturb or potentially damage the AWD on my 3.0l XF AWD.
No there is no rubbing or fitment issue, but a larger side wall would pose issues given my current set up. Mind you the ride is rubbish but handling is very planted, and fuel economy is atrocious.

I don't have a decent picture of my car presently, but this was taken by my sibling prior to the car going on a flat bed for a coolant related issue.

 

Just a suggestion as I've done this for tire/wheel fitting when I couldn't find somebody online who'd installed that exact size combination before. Prior to buying a $1,000 worth of NEW tires, go to one of those "used" tire places and for $30-50, have them mount just one cheap used tire the size you are considering and offer it up to the car front and rear and see if it will fit without rubbing. The rear is easy to figure out usually just looking at it, thankfully because you don't want to drive very far with mismatched tire sizes acting on the differential. Front is usually where you are going to have issues. If you can turn the steering lock to lock without it touching anywhere and still have ample clearance from the fender lips, then try driving "very slowly" at first around the block, making tight turns, listening for any rubbing. If you hear any rubbing, you've found the limit, so drive back while avoiding hitting that limit again. If you hear nothing, then try going in and out some steep driveways where the incline changes abruptly with the wheels turned, again slowly and cautiously. Try going over a speed hump in a parking lot. Hearing nothing, you can try these movements a little faster, but not so much that you're going to scrape the bumper cover. Its really hard to simulate every extreme of suspension movement, but that's the idea. If the test drive with one cheap used tire is successful, its safe to go ahead and order the whole set of new tires. Oh, and to help fully compress the suspension, you'll want three of your "biggest" buddies with you.

 

I had a different experience...I mounted a set of 19 Inch XJ rims on my XF last year. Tire of choice were pirelli sotto zero III measuring 255/45 R19 front, and 285/40 r19 rear. The fronts rubbed against the fender liner on full lock ever so slightly. The rear didnt rub at all, drove on uneven pavement, no issues. One day I was driving the highway at about 120 km/h and there was a sudden pavement elevation difference (from fresh tarmac to old, about an inch and a half difference in height), i ended up pushing the rear tires against the fender arc and cutting into them (against very slightly) but the whole rim (edge) of the tire was sliced off.

Its better to figure out the maximum wheel and tire height a car can accommodate, as far as I've learned the XF can accommodate up to 27 inch rolling diameter, that is the height of the wheel (metal part) AND the tire (rubber bit).

I ended up getting rid of those tires even though they weren't damaged, I should admit the ride was brilliant, it soaked bumps very well.

 

yeah, i had to roll the lip of my rear fenders for my 295's on 10'' wide wheels (unsure of the exact offset). I stuck with 255 front when i increased rears from 285 to 295 as the overall rolling height was then best matched at 27''. i don't have awd, but it still bothered me that the fronts were taller..

 

Interesting, my 19 inch set up measured to 28 inch rolling diameter, my current set up is at 27 inch, and there is no rubbing what so ever. The current set up matches (as far as I know) to the XFR set up. The XFRS can accommodate up to 295 width tires, with 30 aspect ratio in its 20 by 10.5 inch wheel.

perhaps the chart I linked above is for ideal fitment since I was under the impression a 10 inch wide wheel can not fit a 295 width tire. You rolled you fender arches? Any adverse effects of doing that? A tire store mentioned that it compromise the structural integrity in case of a side impact or cause the fender liner to fit poorly.

 

i use the following to computer tire height (and each manufacturer can / likely does have variations) stated section width / 25.4 to convert mm to in. then multiply this answer x twice the sidewall as a decimal then add the wheel diameter.
a 255/35/20 front would be 255/25.4 = 10.04. then 10.04 x .7 (35 series sidewall x 2) = 7.03 which is inches of tire sidewall height plus 20'' for the wheel = 27.03'' height.
a 295/30/20 rear would be 295/25.4 = 11.61. then 11.61 x .6 (30 series sidewall x 2) = 6.96 which is inches of tire sidewall height plus 20'' for the wheel = 26.96'' height.

the 285/30/20 rear factory tire size was only a calculated height of 26.73''

re: adverse effects of fender rolling, go very slowly with a nice even heat gun application and paint will not crack. fender liner less than a perfect fit, but not bad. adverse effect of cut tires much worse than current .. regarding structural integrity, i think no difference could be realized on a side impact. this started and ended as a thin sheetmetal stamping..

 

of course whatever overall height the rears start at, they keep being reduced every time all of us nut jobs drive em, right??!!

 

Thanks everyone

Zereldo, Mine is a 2012 XF Portfolio with 19x8.5 rims. Planning to stick with those rims

Pdupler, Discount tire person was confident about 265 35 19. With Discount tires ordering the tires, if there are any issues, I guess they will help to sort it out. My experience with Discount tires have been great so far.
Adam J,In my case for rolling the fenders. Had to do it during my good old Auto-x, HPDE days

In my case, Rolling diameter will go from stock 26.7" to 26.3", Width 9.6" to 10.4", Side wall 3.9" to 3.7". Car will sit a tad low.

 

Hello everybody
I write from Italy.
Since I bought Zeus Alloy wheels (used in R performance as per brochure), I'm wondering if it's possible to install Front: 245/40 - 18 X 8; Rear: 275/35 18 X 9.5 in my X200 3.0 V6 2001 S-type.
In Italy you need an official document from maker that states all combination possible (usually a list of installed combinations comprehensive of standard and optionals) in order to legally use them.
I wasn't able to get it here in Italy so I was wandering if anyone has something which can help me with the issue...
Thanks a lot in advance anyway.
Warm regards
S. Sgroi