Sorry but I dug around in the tire forum and couldn't find an answer to my question... My 1990 XJS has 16" wheels instead of the original 15" wheels. Currently has 225-60-16s on it but need to replace them do to age. What are my options? Maybe something with a little bigger foot print?

Thanks

 

225 section seems a bit small to me as I am running (original spec) 235 x 65 on 15" wheels so you should certainly be able to go up a couple of sizes.
I seem to remember having 245 section on one car but that might have been the Lister.
At least on 16" wheels you have much more choice than the 15" ones.

 

Thanks Steve... looks like the original according to the owners manual was 235-60-15s for this car. I want to make sure I don't get into a rubbing issue but these just don't look very good... look kinda skinny!!!!

 

You are right, they are 60 section, not 65, my mistake. The originals came out with 205/70 I think so they were real skinny.
The wider you go the lower the profile you will need but then the more tyre noise and less of a smooth ride results.

 

Interesting, the OE size for my 89 coupe is 215/70R15, which is also what's on there now. 26.9" diameter, 8.5" wide. I might be mistaken but that's the size that's on the spare as well and that tire is ancient, so I would think it's the correct OE size. I'll check the manual tonight.

For what it's worth though, with 15" Dayton wheels an 8.5" wide tire in front and back has no rubbing issues! Although I certainly would hope not with that skinny of a tire.

 

Lgreen,

Just a personal opinion, but I would stick with the 225s on the 16" rims. This is what the XJS ended up with by 1996 and there are lots more brands available in the 16" rim.

The original options were 225/60, or 225/55 if the Sports suspension was fitted. I've been on the 225/55 for some years now and the car performs very well and still with that Jaguar ride quality.

I know you're over the pond so I guess brands vary. I've moved from the defunct Pirelli P6000 to the Hankook Ventus Prime 2 which handles well in the dry and wet.

Paul

 

The P600/15's were available again recently but at £207 a corner I passed on that.

 

I changed to 16" for the better tyre choice

 

Put Michelin's Pilot Exalto on 225 / 55 R16 on runs smooth, no issues at low and very high speeds. Great dry or wet, flat corners at 50 !!!

ken in WV