The E-Type was I think the last Jag to have knock off wire wheels but I was wondering how the modern XK would look with them. Some cars looked good with wires but as body shapes changed the change to mag/alum style wheels were the modern update. Has anyone seen a modern XK with true knock off wire wheels. If so are there any pictures. Just curious.

 

The inter net is a wonderful thing Jaguar XK8 2000 with Wire Wheels

 

forum member mrplow58 added wires to his XK8 (X100) as well - not too bad of a look!

 

It's not just a bad look, it's probably the worst look possible for this car.

 

Was a fan on the original definitely not a fan on anything since. One of my criteria of buying cars is that the wheels need to be as easy to clean (low # of spokes) as possible! My last Porsche wheels had a lot of spokes I HATED that so can't imagine the upkeep on actual spokes. Real spokes on a current model equals YUCK

 

After looking at the picture of the X100 body with WW I could live with the look. That body style flows more like the lines of an updated E-Type . I recall seeing a new Cobra back in my youth and the 1st ones came with WW's. It looked OK as it was born from an AC but when the body started to bulge the wheels didn't fit and knock off mags looked great. The same comes to mind as I look at the evolution of the X100 to the X150. Just my opinion.

 

I think wire wheels need a certain "classic" look for the car to look good. I don't think it looks bad on the x100, but I think the x150 has to modern of a body style to look right with wire wheels. Not to mention the additional maintenance, and factory tire size that would be a whole lot of spokes to check and tighten.

 

That's like putting these wheels on a new Mustang:

 

I have to go with 'Looks pretty good!'.
Another member (Rick Padilla) has them on an X100 (2000 XKR).
See a picture in post #5 in this thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/u...e-area-133414/

But I have to agree, I'd hate to clean them (but with ceramic pads, you wouldn't have to do it quite so often).

 

that pic just confirms my mental picture was every bit as nasty as reality. yuck! I think it looks like a salvage yard bought a car then added JC Whitney hub caps just to move the car cross the yard or paint shop. Now add to that the more modern lines of the X150 that would be just awful to see. There's no way I could drink those wheels cute

 

Here we are a company that can supply them, not sure though.

Borrani Technologic Wheels - Gallery - A&M Garage Official Dealer

 

My buddy converted a late model XJS (manual with inline 6) to a super charged V6. He put wire wheels on it and it looks like crap IMO. 20K usd on engine conversion and it looks like the wheels are from Compton.

 

delete

 

Back in the day I put a set of 15" Dayton genuine knock-off wire wheels on my 1960 Corvette. Although they looked great, they were a royal PIA.

First, I had to install a heavy adapter (I think it was cast iron) that bolted onto the wheel studs with the OEM nuts. Adding unsprung weight didn't help the handling, which was lousy to begin with (C1 had a '53 Chevy pick-up truck chassis). That adapter had a splined shaft with a threaded end that the wire wheel slid onto and was then secured by a 3-lobe chrome knockoff nut that was whacked with a lead hammer until it was tight. Lead, being heavy and soft, did not damage the knockoff.

It was necessary to use radial-ply tubes (because I switched from tubeless bias-ply Firestone 500's to Michelin X tubeless radials) since the wire wheels were not air tight. I kept several radial-ply tubes in case I got a flat. And then there was the ordeal of truing and balancing. To get zero run-out, individual spokes had to be tightened or loosened by trial and error. And balancing had to be done on the car since the Dayton wire wheels didn't fit on a Hunter machine.

I was happy the day I bought them, and overjoyed the day I sold them.

Wire wheels on an X150 are, IMHO, a big mistake. Heavier than OEM alloys and not worth the cost and trouble.

Stuart

 

Wire wheels on an X150 are, IMHO, a big mistake. Heavier than OEM alloys and not worth the cost and trouble. Couldn't agree more!!

 

Its all a matter of taste/preference……. personally, not my cup of tea. Wire wheels are associated with an era that was a bit more 'classic' and distinguished than todays modern cars which exude more aggressiveness and power.

 

Cleaning them today is very simple. You simple spray on Eagle One Wire Wheel cleaner...wait a minute and hose off. That's it - done.