Anyone using dedicated winter tires on their XJR? anyone downsize their tires for the winter and using different wheels? thanks in advance- dmpsqrd with dedicated summer tires on 18" stock wheels

 

I ran dedicated winter tires (255/45/18 Blizzak LM60s on the stock Asteroids) on my 2000 XJR this past winter, and it was a very good move. We had an early dusting that I tried to go out into on my summer tires (Kumho Ecsta LX Sport), and I literally could not move on any appreciable grade. If there was ANY hill, I could not get up it. Contrast that to the 6" of slushy mess I got thorugh later in the year with little problem with the Blizzaks on. I have been a firm believer in running 2 dedicated sets of tires for each given season for years now. Dedicated summer tires just work so much better than all-seasons when it isn't ugly out, and dedicated winter tires just work so much better than all-seasons when it does get ugly. And I had the same idea as you with down-sizing slightly. I wanted to use up the 18" Blizzaks I already had, but next year I plan to go down to a 17" wheel/tire combo for winter. Already picked up a "Revolver" style wheel to test, and they fit great with a 1/8" spacer (to clear the caliper). They look pretty great on an X308 in my opinon, they're cheaper than dirt, and they are almost the perfect fit. Another good cheap alternative for a winter wheel is the front wheels off of the C5 Covettes, the "thin" 5-spoke ones. 17x8.5", almost the perfect offset (still have to run an 1/8" spacer), and they weigh a TON less than the Jag wheels, and reduced unsprung weight is great on basically every level. They're cheaper than dirt too. It's easy to find a pair for $200 or less.

 

yeah- my thoughts exactly- where did you find your wheels?

 

I found everything on Craigslist. My Vette test wheel came off of a wrecked C5 a guy was parting out for $50 and the Revolver came from a small local salvage yard that for some reason always has a few XJs and XKs on hand. It was $60.

 

I use a set of rims from an early model XK8 -- they are 17". Have used them on two of my Jaguars. They made a lot of them -- not too expensive

Years ago I bought the Blizzaks winters but I tried the Dunlop Winter Sports about 6 years ago and have now used them on at least 4 cars and like them better - they call them performance winters.

I only need have the winters on the car about 4 months --- The car is shockingly good in the snow with winters on.

 

I switched to a pair of 18" Sunny Winter tires last year for a trip to the French Alps and they worked fine for me, including in some light snow on a few occasions here at home. I have not yet switched back to the Summer tire, as a spare set of rims is out of my budget for now...I'm running the original asteroids and it is hard to find good used ones, which is a PITA as they look great.

The Summer tires are pretty useless in the snow. For the Alps trip I had to carry either chains of boots (legal requirement). No standard chains for the 18" on the Jaguar, so unless you can go for expensive spike spiders the boots are a good bet...they just don't last if you use them on a road without snow. The boots are simple to fit, weigh nothing, and don't take up much room at all.