Anyone drive their new XJ in snow yet?
I found that I did not like driving the car on snow and in wintery conditions. And I learned driving in the Bavarian Mountains with mostly real wheel driven cars.
I am not saying that the XJ has bad winter performance. With good tires is is acceptable. But if winter performance is an important part of the purchasing decision, I would not choose the XJ. I LOVE the XJ but in winter conditions I opt to drive one of my other cars. Just my 2 cents.
I am not saying that the XJ has bad winter performance. With good tires is is acceptable. But if winter performance is an important part of the purchasing decision, I would not choose the XJ. I LOVE the XJ but in winter conditions I opt to drive one of my other cars. Just my 2 cents.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
From: Lake Forest, IL
I agree that I would make sure I had an SUV or some sort of 4WD in snowy climates. Our other car is a Land Rover LR3 and this really helps in the winter time. On a related note, I thought everyone would get a kick out of the attached photo. When we had the huge winter storm in Chicago when many motorists were stranded on Lake Shore Drive, I was able to get home safely but could not fully pull into my driveway (the Land Rover was in the garage). My XJSC was stuck near the curb overnight before our plow service arrived the next day. The car was buried. I have never seen so much snow surrounding a car!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
looking for opinions on XJL snow tire set up
I realize it is spring but I just traded my XFSC in for a base XJL and have been doing some research for next winter. I did not drive the XFSC in winter but I am planning on driving the XJL all winter. I live in Michigan so snow tires will be necessary. I want a wheel/tire package to avoid the extra step and wear of mounting tires twice a year. Here are the options I have found:
Barmats previous post - BBS wheels ($1,720) and 245/45/19 Blizzaks ($984) from tire rack.
OEM Tobia wheels - I have found some of these for sale in the after market for about $2,000 for a set of 4. The dealer wants $4,400 for a new set, so forget that. Pirelli winter Sotozero tires in OEM size ($1,288 from tire rack).
So, the OEM/Pirelli set up would be about $500 more than the BBS set up but would maintain the look of the wider rear tires. Pirelli is the only choice for a winter tire set up in this size so if they stop making them I could be screwed.
The BBS set up has the advantage of more winter tire choices (Blizzaks, Michelin, Pirelli) and is a little cheaper.
I am looking for some feedback. Are there any performance issues with using the smaller than OEM wheels? I would hate to go with that option and find out it caused some problems with traction control or something weird like that.
BTW, I love the XJL!
Barmats previous post - BBS wheels ($1,720) and 245/45/19 Blizzaks ($984) from tire rack.
OEM Tobia wheels - I have found some of these for sale in the after market for about $2,000 for a set of 4. The dealer wants $4,400 for a new set, so forget that. Pirelli winter Sotozero tires in OEM size ($1,288 from tire rack).
So, the OEM/Pirelli set up would be about $500 more than the BBS set up but would maintain the look of the wider rear tires. Pirelli is the only choice for a winter tire set up in this size so if they stop making them I could be screwed.
The BBS set up has the advantage of more winter tire choices (Blizzaks, Michelin, Pirelli) and is a little cheaper.
I am looking for some feedback. Are there any performance issues with using the smaller than OEM wheels? I would hate to go with that option and find out it caused some problems with traction control or something weird like that.
BTW, I love the XJL!
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis, MN
I wouldn't recommend a staggered setup for winter tires - this can cause stability issues in snow especially with a wider tire footprint at the rear. You'll also save some $$ keeping the rear tires the same width as the front ones.
There was a recent post from someone advertising wheel and tire prices - may be worth looking at. The BBS setup worked extremely well for me this winter, and looked pretty good. I had several compliments on the wheels from my friends. I ended up using 30 mm spacers on the rear to achieve the same offset/look as the stock rear rims, and overall was very pleased with the performance in snow. We had record snowfalls here in Dec and Jan so it was definitely put to the test.
Keep us posted on what you end up doing.
There was a recent post from someone advertising wheel and tire prices - may be worth looking at. The BBS setup worked extremely well for me this winter, and looked pretty good. I had several compliments on the wheels from my friends. I ended up using 30 mm spacers on the rear to achieve the same offset/look as the stock rear rims, and overall was very pleased with the performance in snow. We had record snowfalls here in Dec and Jan so it was definitely put to the test.
Keep us posted on what you end up doing.
) but you need to remember that the brake rotors and calipers are fairly large so a smaller wheel may not fit.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis, MN
It is sometimes possible to downsize (-1 or -2) for a winter wheel setup and there are usually cost-savings for the winter tires (I don't think this would work on any of the XJs due to caliper size). It's important to remember to keep the overall diameter the same as stock so there's no odo/speedo error. The only way you'd run into stability or traction control issues is if you run different diameters on the fronts vs the rears. Definitely not recommended.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
BBS Wheels
Thanks Barmats - that is a good point about the staggered wheels in snow. Narrower tires probably help in snow too. Tire Rack still does not have any wheel options on their website. I called and gave them the part number for the BBS wheel that you mentioned in your earlier post to get a price.
Where did you find the spacers & do you have a part number? I am leaning toward the BBS. I agree that they look really nice on your XJL. I have called my dealer about wheel options but the person I spoke with was pretty clueless.
Where did you find the spacers & do you have a part number? I am leaning toward the BBS. I agree that they look really nice on your XJL. I have called my dealer about wheel options but the person I spoke with was pretty clueless.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis, MN
Thanks Barmats - that is a good point about the staggered wheels in snow. Narrower tires probably help in snow too. Tire Rack still does not have any wheel options on their website. I called and gave them the part number for the BBS wheel that you mentioned in your earlier post to get a price.
Where did you find the spacers & do you have a part number? I am leaning toward the BBS. I agree that they look really nice on your XJL. I have called my dealer about wheel options but the person I spoke with was pretty clueless.
Where did you find the spacers & do you have a part number? I am leaning toward the BBS. I agree that they look really nice on your XJL. I have called my dealer about wheel options but the person I spoke with was pretty clueless.
My car is the XJ, not an XJL. I don't think it makes a difference, but I think the Supercharged models have larger calipers so my wheel may not fit on that model.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 6
From: USA
The car is a joke in the snow. If you are someone like me, who does not have time to be swapping out tires every winter, do not get this car. Winter mode does nothing except start it in 2nd gear. It's not just the tires, but the weight distribution that make the car downright dangerous in the snow. This is another reason why this is an old man's car. Younger guys just don't have time to swap out tires. In fact, they like to do as little maintenance on the car as possible. Expect sales to dip over the next year as the younger males buyers back off from this experiment.
And for all those comments of "what did you expect", well you would expect much more than this. This is not an AMG or M. It is marketed to compete with a S or 7 series, and while no rear wheel drive does as good in the snow, those two do not have the same level of pathetic peformance in the snow as the XJ.
And for all those comments of "what did you expect", well you would expect much more than this. This is not an AMG or M. It is marketed to compete with a S or 7 series, and while no rear wheel drive does as good in the snow, those two do not have the same level of pathetic peformance in the snow as the XJ.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 49
From: Heidelberg Germany
The car is a joke in the snow. If you are someone like me, who does not have time to be swapping out tires every winter, do not get this car. Winter mode does nothing except start it in 2nd gear. It's not just the tires, but the weight distribution that make the car downright dangerous in the snow. This is another reason why this is an old man's car. Younger guys just don't have time to swap out tires. In fact, they like to do as little maintenance on the car as possible. Expect sales to dip over the next year as the younger males buyers back off from this experiment.
And for all those comments of "what did you expect", well you would expect much more than this. This is not an AMG or M. It is marketed to compete with a S or 7 series, and while no rear wheel drive does as good in the snow, those two do not have the same level of pathetic peformance in the snow as the XJ.
And for all those comments of "what did you expect", well you would expect much more than this. This is not an AMG or M. It is marketed to compete with a S or 7 series, and while no rear wheel drive does as good in the snow, those two do not have the same level of pathetic peformance in the snow as the XJ.
And there is a reason it drives different than a S or 7 series and its because its sportier hence the summer performance tires. All I am saying is don't blame the car because of something YOU choose not to do. That's like saying my BMW sucks because it lets rain through the sunroof when I have it open and cant be too bothered to close it. It should sense water like the Mercedes does and close it's self.
Last edited by ExpatJag; Jul 13, 2011 at 02:33 PM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 16
From: greenville,SC
Just a quick heads up for you guys that may be interested in a set of winter OEM wheels and tires. I can do a set of 19" Aleutian wheels with new TPMS sensors and Pirelli Winter SottoZero 240 tires mounted and balanced for $3159.86 shipped. 
This IS a staggered fitment, which is what Jaguar recommends for snow applications. The wheels are currently in stock and the tires I can have in my hands in 3 working days.
Let me know!
This IS a staggered fitment, which is what Jaguar recommends for snow applications. The wheels are currently in stock and the tires I can have in my hands in 3 working days. Let me know!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I think you can't drive with summer tires on snow you need to change them.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
I have 19" Blizzak LM-60 winter tires mounted on a dedicated set of BBS rims and it's been very good in the snow. We've had a record snowfall here in MN this month, and I drive the XJ about 70 miles to and from work every day. The electronic nannies do a great job of keeping things straight, and the only real shortcoming is acceleration on snow or ice when pulling into traffic. On the plus side, I can stop much faster than most vehicles equipped with all-season tires, including my wife's new BMW 535xi GT.
There are no wheels available yet from Tire Rack or Discount Tire that are known to fit this vehicle, but I'm sure that will eventually change. My only option was to go through the dealer, but the price for OEM 19" wheels with the Blizzaks and TPMS was almost $6k, which I didn't want to pay. They spent a couple of days trying various wheel combinations and found a BBS wheel that cleared the calipers and cost a few thousand less overall. So I'm running a non-staggered set now with 245/45/19s on the front and rear. Because the rear wheel is narrower than the OEM rear wheel by 1", and the tire is slightly narrower, its tucked in a bit more than I would like (about 1-2"). This wheel is not available in a different offset, so the dealer is working with me to install rear wheel spacers to push it out a bit.
Overall, I find the XJ to be quite stable and capable in the snow, assuming you're rolling on good rubber. A full tank of gas also helps!
There are no wheels available yet from Tire Rack or Discount Tire that are known to fit this vehicle, but I'm sure that will eventually change. My only option was to go through the dealer, but the price for OEM 19" wheels with the Blizzaks and TPMS was almost $6k, which I didn't want to pay. They spent a couple of days trying various wheel combinations and found a BBS wheel that cleared the calipers and cost a few thousand less overall. So I'm running a non-staggered set now with 245/45/19s on the front and rear. Because the rear wheel is narrower than the OEM rear wheel by 1", and the tire is slightly narrower, its tucked in a bit more than I would like (about 1-2"). This wheel is not available in a different offset, so the dealer is working with me to install rear wheel spacers to push it out a bit.
Overall, I find the XJ to be quite stable and capable in the snow, assuming you're rolling on good rubber. A full tank of gas also helps!
Would you post the exact BBS wheel with offset that you used and maybe a pic?
I see that your model is an XJ.
Does anyone know if the rotor diameters and calipers are different on a Supercharged?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
OEM snow setup
I ended up purchasing a set of oem rims with Pirelli Sotozero 240's from Nalley Jag (who posts on here) at a significant discount from what my local dealer was asking. Of course, since I was prepared for winter we have had hardly any snow this year in Michigan. I have had a few chances to drive my XJL in moderate snow and ice and have been happy with the results. No really deep snow or major storms yet. For normal winter conditions the car performs well with this set-up and I could drive confidently. I'm still waiting for the big storm. Nalley Jag was great to deal with btw.
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Edmonton
The car is a joke in the snow. If you are someone like me, who does not have time to be swapping out tires every winter, do not get this car. Winter mode does nothing except start it in 2nd gear. It's not just the tires, but the weight distribution that make the car downright dangerous in the snow. This is another reason why this is an old man's car. Younger guys just don't have time to swap out tires. In fact, they like to do as little maintenance on the car as possible. Expect sales to dip over the next year as the younger males buyers back off from this experiment.
And for all those comments of "what did you expect", well you would expect much more than this. This is not an AMG or M. It is marketed to compete with a S or 7 series, and while no rear wheel drive does as good in the snow, those two do not have the same level of pathetic peformance in the snow as the XJ.
And for all those comments of "what did you expect", well you would expect much more than this. This is not an AMG or M. It is marketed to compete with a S or 7 series, and while no rear wheel drive does as good in the snow, those two do not have the same level of pathetic peformance in the snow as the XJ.
haha let me correct you. I am 23 years old. own a XJ-L Supercharged White on Beige. Blacked out, 22's for summer customed. and Currently driving in the winter as we speak. not for young guys? haha are you kidding me? people glare at my car and take pictures ? young guys dont have time really? what do you have time for then...? also i owned 3 amgs. ML63, S63, CL65 all 2008. Let me correct you once again. my XJ-L pulls harder then my S63. i also drove my S63 in the winter which didnt have snow mode. So does snow mode help CORRECT. if you havent owned the cars you speak of dont give an opinion
