Any XJ8 owners ('04 and newer) have any good sources for after-market wheels? I recently bought a set on e-bay and although the bolt pattern fit, the wheels hit the brake rotors when mounted. We tried spacers and they got the wheels out far enought but then there was not enough exposed stud to get the lug nuts on far enough for a safe installation. Now we are trying to figure out if there is anyway to install new, longer studs. Any thoughts on a modification that would work in this case or another source for wheels that actually work on these cars without major modifications? I realize there are always OEM jag wheel upgrades, but they are limited in variety and extremely salty in price! thanks in advance for any info you may be able to provide

 

i personally really like the 19" style from Jaguar that was optional called "custom" actually. If I get a regular XJ8 instead of the R, I'm almost sure to put these on in chrome. Also, the 20" sepangs from the R look good as well. I have plenty of pictures of both, if interested let me know and Ill try to post some.

 

you can buy hub spacers.. that bolt on to your hub, then the new rim bolts to the spacer studs... i have 1 1/4" on my car. there made out of billet alumnium aircraft grade.
.

 

Jag_Genius:

My friend that's been trying to make these wheels work at our local Tire Barn mentioned something like this but ruled it out because he thought it would push the wheels too far out and ruin the ride. Do you have any personal experience using these that would indicate that this is not the case? How much are these and how can I get them?

Michael

 

Jag_Genius

Also is the 1 1/4 size thick enough to "bury" the original studs so that they do not extend out beyond them or do you have to cut off the exposed ends to make them fit flush?

Mike

 

I thought the price for refurbished OEM rims were pretty good. $200-$400 per wheel, on average is pretty decent. Check out my post in the Exterior Section.

$395 ea '08


$600 ea ($500 for silver)


Lots to choose from I thought??

 

THat bottom one, if it is the 20, is from the portfolio. They look GOOD on any XJ.....but the portfolio....mmmm

 

it depends on the offset of the rim your trying to put on... i sent you a pm for more info..
my original rims were domed outwards about a inch ... then i tryed to install my new rims.. and my new rims were flush(no dome).. and the rims hit the upper and lower ball joints.. so i pulled it of about one inch and it cleared so i ordered the spacers. so the hu spacers basically extende the hub.. and my new rims were flushed which put the rim back in it's original spot.. it worked out perfectly. if i were to put the original rims back on the new spacers then they wud be sticking out a inch and 1/4 .. you just gotta try the new rim on and take some measurements and estimate were your wheel will be.

 

With the offset of the new versus the old wheels, my Tire Barn guy said that the hub spacers bring the new wheels to just about the perfect postion. The only other snag I see is that since the old studs need to be cut back some, i would not be able to run the old set in the winter months like I planned since this would set them 1 1/4" out further than before. I imagine that would produce some serious handling problems, not to mention aesthetic and possibly rubbing issues! Thanks for the response, I guess I'm just going to have to see which route is most cost-effective since I'm on the hookfor the wheels! :0(

 

Show us what the new wheels look like at least.

 

Hey Matt:

The wheels are still at the Tire Barn waiting for my final decision on them and I haven't had a chance to even take a pix of them. They are 5 black spokes, with silver machined deep dish rims and exposed chrome lug nuts. they look quite elegant with my black jag. I thought I would rather have chrome rims at first but the black wheels seem more restrained and appropriate for the car. Hopefully I can post some pix on the car before long.

 

You know I started out with Tirerack and tried to order a set of wheels I liked and they only had two wheels left in stock because they were a discontinued style. I am familiar with tirerack because they used to have a retail store in Indianapolis which is only an hour away from me. But they have since closed that store. When they didn't have what I wanted I went to an e-bay seller (Nateswheels.com) to buy a set which they claimed would fit my car. Shoulda stuck with Tirerack :0(

 

You can always put them back up on ebay, then get the ones you really want.

 

Did you get the chrome or the silver? Would like to see some pics when you have them on. Also curious as to the sizeof the emblem insert (diameter). Thanks.

 

I ended up ordering wheels from coventrywheels.com which makes wheels specifically for Jags for TSW. They are distributed through a national tire outlet. Can't think of the name at present. I should get them in about 2 weeks and will attach pix as soon as I get them installed.

 

You can order the wheels through Discount Tire Direct.

[IMG]local://upfiles/2260/4A51E2ACB2D1487B8FA29E14C3C8D17C.jpg[/IMG]

 

should be nice!!

 

I certainly hope so!! Pix to follow

 

Are you getting the chrome finish and what size are you going? Looking forward to those pic's, when you get them on.