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New Tyres for my 1995 XJS Celebration Convertible (Recommendations Appreciated)
Having decided to Sell my 1995 4.0L XJS Facelift Convertible, I would like to fit a set of Brand New Tyres
When it comes to buying Tyres, I know the 'Sky's the Limit' but the ones I might choose if I was going to keep her would be very near to the top of the range and even then may not be everyone's preference
But as I am going to sell this Car, I thought I would fit Budget Tyres, and make an allowance in the price, so the new owner could upgrade them, should they wish to do so
So what I would really appreciate is your Recommendations for Budget Tyres that would be most suitable
There are loads of Tyre deals on ebay, where I am thinking of setting my Budget to £250 for 4 Tyres (although I know that non Budget Tyres) could cost that much each and well beyond!
First of all, I'd fit 225/55, as were fitted to the UK Coupes, and Convertibles with Sports Suspension, rather than 225/60. Most of us moved across to this size many years ago, as there are far more tyre options available in that size.
I'm not an advocate of budget tyres, and you might want to think how much it will really enhance the selling capability of the car. Most owners will not want to fit really budget tyres on an XJS, so you may not be doing yourself any favours at all. For just a little bit more money, you can move up to the next level of quality, including Kumho, or spend a bit more and go up to Hankook, which is my tyre of choice on a couple of my cars. See the Black Circles summary here for 225/55 tyres:
Your speed rating will be absolutely fine on any of those tyres. Most are V, W or Y. Even a "V" rated tyre is a 149mph max. And as you say, you could argue that the UK only needs a 70mph max!
More important is the weight rating. I wouldn't go below a 95 for the 4 litre XJS.
I followed Paul's advice and went for the 225/55/16 for my 3.6 coupe and they are fine. I was swapping from 235/60/15 (replacement wheels also) so I do notice pot holes a little more but handling is much improved. I went for 99 load rating, W speed rating.
If you want to save some money and still get a good tyre, suggest you consider Kumho Ecsta HS52 which it is what I fitted. Bought mine from Camskill but they don't seem to have any at the moment but Black Circle do. Purchased mine mail order and paid £18 per wheel at a local tyre shop for fit and balance.
Pirelli Cinturato 225/60/16 for my 96 celebration vert. Looks right, is right. You couldn't pay me to put 55s on there - looks wrong and why sacrifice the magic carpet ride for negligible "turn-in" feel or whatever. These Pirelli 60 series tires will stick like glue and are all the tire this chassis needs. The OEM size is almost never wrong. All cars should come with 60 series tires IMHO - we drive on public roads not race tracks. Drive your jag like a gentleman and ye shall be rewarded. Someone stuck 50 series tires on my wife's ML350 and what a sorry state of affairs that was - I swapped out for 55s and what a difference that made to the ride and as for handling it was as good if not better too.
Last edited by bigcatrescue; Apr 6, 2024 at 07:53 AM.
That is Interesting! I was also thinking that 55's might be a bit 'Skinny' but what do I know, so that's why I'm asking on here
I will have a look at whether or not Khumos are available and in what size Ecsta HS52 if Greg and Yourself (Leep123) are using those, then that is a really massive recommendation
Greg/Leep123 would you happen to have a Photo of the Tread Pattern and Sidewall of your Khumos
If I was going to keep the Car either Pirelli or Hankook (Paul ptjs) would be at the Top of my list
225/55 was the Jaguar OEM size in the UK for all Celebration Coupes, and also for Celebration Convertibles when spec'd with Sports Suspension. That's why they look fine, as most late XJSs had them fitted from the factory. See the pic below of my Convertible. And they still look huge compared to most modern tyres!
Pirelli don't supply 225/60 R16 in the UK at present. And they were £275 each when last available! I'm not sure that Pirelli do them in any country in the right speed rating any more.
In the 225/55 size, the Kumho Ecsta is about the cheapest you'd want to fit at £107 fitted. Then it's:
I put Vredestein Hi-Trac 225/60R16 98V tires on my 1996 and have been happy with them. I paid $138.00 each from Tire Rack. They don't have many miles on them and I'm not an aggressive (performance wise) driver so I can't speak to that aspect of them. They are smooth and quiet.
Hi OB, good decision with the Kumhos and the original size!
I like the tires I'm currently using. It’s a Michelin Primacy 3, a very comfortable ride and I also kept the original size 225/60 R16.
However, I’m not planning to sell my car, so I understand your optimization approach for a more affordable solution.
Period correct, manufactured by a German company in the 80s.
Remotec primarily manufactured rims for Mercedes and Porsche, but they also sold one model for Jaguars (XJ, XJS) back in the 80s.
8x16 with 25mm offset, these rims fit without any modification.
Hi OB,I bought my car from a friend in the US and it came with the original “Celebration” chromium wheels.
The chrome plated wheels were quite common in the US in the 90s, but it was a little too much shine for my taste.
That’s why I started to look for an alternative solution and finally decided to go for the Remotec wheels.
Remotec was a company here in Germany providing aftermarket wheels in the 80s, 90s, similar to the BBS wheels. They were less sophisticated, but much more affordable, compared to BBS.
I think the BBS rims are a bit too sporty for a convertible. Luckily, because they would cost me three times more than the Remotec …
New Tyres for my 1995 XJS Celebration Convertible (Recommendations Appreciated)
