Hi All,

Just acquired a 1985 XJ6 4.2 Sovereign, with what looks like original pepperpots - these seem to be 6j 15.

Not on the road yet as it's sat around a long time and needs recommissioning!

But I noticed it is running 205/65/15 tyres. These are all really old and all need replacing for age or wear anyway, but I don't think this size is correct?

I have a manual from a 1983 car, but presumably that will be the same all the way through - it says 205/70/VR15 for 6 cylinder cars and 215/70/VR15 for 12 cylinder cars, whilst Haynes' manual says 205/70/15 for UK, and 205/70/15 or 215/70/15 for USA.

I imagine my speedo is slightly wrong at the moment then as my understanding is the 70 is a % of the width and therefore my rolling circumference must be smaller than it should be!? But then what I just said makes no sense compared with the 205-215 above unless they changed the speedo calibration!

So, question is - am I right to go back to what the manual says and order a set of 205/70/15s?

And what are you all running as tyre sizes and makes and are you sticking with the factory spec? of squeezing the slightly wider tyre on? and are there any other compatible tyre sizes that are better?

Thanks a lot for your feedback, best regards, Al.

 

I use 235/60/15.

they lowered the car and gave it a cat prowling stance. Handling is amazing.

you can see the car's stance here:

https://jagupgrades.webstarts.com

you can also use 225/60/15 which is slightly less wide.

205/70/15 and 215/70/15 is the size these cars came with, but the car looks too tall and "dated" with those sizes. But it is your car and you use the size tire you prefer.

 

Right. At some point, I'm not sure when, the 6 cylinder cars got the 215/70 tires....for the USA market, at least.

Right. So your speedo will be reading faster than it would with 205/70 or 215/70

For the 6 cylinder cars I've never seen any published evidence that Jaguar changed the calibration for the cars with 215/70 tires. They apparently didn't feel the difference was significant? I dunno.

Tires (and engine oil) are like beer and sports teams. Lots of opinions.

The problem with 15" tires these days are the choices are becoming a bit thin, particularly if you want a performance-oriented specification or a high speed rating.

Cheers
DD

 

You can get the correct tyres (205 or 215) 70 VR 15 here in the UK, but they are expensive.
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/205...irelli-p5.html
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/er7...t-aquajet.html
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/205...helin-xwx.html
However this company sell similar tyres for a lot less, but you don't get a famous name on the side wall !
https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/205-70vr15
What is available in the USA I don't know.

 

Pirelli P4 205/70-15 on my '86. No complaints, wearing well, not expensive.

 

I've used both 205/70-15 and 215/70-15 and I don't think they changed the speedometer calibration. I think the 215s look a little better. I get Michelin tires at my local tire store; I call a couple days ahead and they haven't had any problem getting them. Not exactly performance tires but I think being a name brand they are sufficient for my driving style.

Jeff

 

to Iramphal:
here's my 1984 with XJ40 "Teardrop" wheels with 235/60/15 Dunlop SP Sport tires. No scraping of wheel arches during hard cornering. Suspension is completely stock. Elinor has the same wheels in her XJ-6.

 

Thanks Jose,
The rear clearance on your car using the 1.2" wider Dunlops appears to be larger than the clearance I currently have using the skinnier 205/70 R15 Pirellis. Seems all we are offered here in The Great White North are BF Goodrich and Cooper makes in your size. Problem is both have ugly raised white lettering!
Will keep looking. Pretty car by the way.

 

My car wears XJS sourced lattice wheels. 215 70 15 are fine. looks good, rides well, handles well. t rated, a bit lower rate than my car is capale of but far higher than I have any business driving...

 

Iramphal, Thanks.
yes I don't buy any tire with white lettering, the XJ is not a truck.

Note you can also use 225/60/15 instead of 235. slightly taller tire.
But yes, in the XJ there is plenty height and width clearance with the 235 size.
Dunlops are now made in China as far as I know.

If you search online using the tire size, you will find many brands. I understand Uniroyal All Season are pretty decent tires, not noisy or harsh based on reviews that people write.
In the US, Walmart has the best prices and free shipping.
I have been looking for 195/65/15 for my 1965 S type and found them at Walmart. I want wider tires than 75 and 70.

 

I used 225/60R15 tires on my former XJ6 with 'starfish' wheels from an XJS that are 6.5" wide. They handled well and I looked the look with the slightly lower profile a lot. Since the pepperpot wheels are 6" wide, I would probably not go any wider than 225 myself and may instead opt for 215 width, but opinions vary. Those 205/70R15 on Mkii250's car look good to me. Fill the wheel well nicely without being too tall.

 

TireAmerica.com has the 225/60/15 Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S for $93. each.
there are 14 positive reviews for them out of 21. you can't please everybody.

 

The 6" wide wheels do limit things a bit. If the sidewalls are pinched-in too much the you can get a bit of mushiness and the contact patch might not be 100%..

Ideally the 215/70s should go on a 6.5" or 7.0" wide wheels. And the 225/60 and 235/60 would be better on (at least) 7.0" wheels ....or even 8.0" wheels.

Cheers
DD

 

If the BFG and Cooper tires are not directional, can you have them mounted with the white lettering to the inside?

Dave

 

The guy I bought my 1987 XJ6 from was named Cooper. The car came with brand new white letter Cooper tires on it - he said he just couldn't pass up having tires with his name on them. Weird, right? As soon as I got home I had the tires turned around.

Jeff

 

maybe he was the Cooper who jumped off an airplane with a parachute after stealing a million dollars. They never found him.

 

Hi
my XJ6 1990 Sovereign original tier was Pirelli 205/70 R 15 95V M&S Super Touring P4000
i bought the MICHELIN 205/70R15 DEFENDER

I can send some pictures but i don't know how

 

QUOTE=shtekler;2373276]Hi
I can send some pictures but i don't know how[/QUOTE]

First move BLINKING CURSOR to a position under any text you have typed,

click on GO ADVANCED at the bottom of the reply-to-thread text box.
New screen opens.

Look for MANAGE ATTACHMENTS under the text box.
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Click on FROM DEVICE to find the pictures you want to upload.
Click on the picture to get it uploaded

Click on UPLOAD at the top right of page.

The photo will appear under the text you typed if you moved the Cursor per the first step. Otherwise the picture will break up the text.
​​​​​​​

 

Hi
Thank you Hope to remember it for the future

 

if they are directional, the description should say so.