I’ve been waffling for months on a daily driver choice and believe I’ve found an 07 XK I’m going to make a play on. My question pertains to rims/tires for winter. While the Philly region doesn’t suffer bad winters (mind you I grew up in central NY with REAL winters...), I still run a winter package on my lil ole VW Rabbit. I run smaller rims for winter for the superior performance on snow and ice (that whole physics thing).

While the XK I’m looking at has the staggered 19’s, is there any reason I couldn’t run non-staggered 17’s or 18’’s for winter? Thanks!

 

No reason at all. You can run a square setup.
It’s been done before.

 

Awesome! I’d likely go down to 17’s. I’d have to figure out the correct dimensions to go to for proper fit.

 

Not sure if you’ll find a 17 that fits, but maybe.
18 was the smallest factory wheel.

 

You'll probably have problems fitting 17s over the brake calipers on the front.

 

I've had 18 inch, 19 inch and 20 inch rims on my XK8's and XK's. As a compromise for comfort and pothole damage resistance, I prefer 19 inch. However, if I was looking for a second set just for Winter use, I'd definitely go for 18 inch on the XK.

Graham

 

I use non staggered 18’s. Actually, the rims are the winters from the xjr.
Your thinking is accurate, under aggression, the wider profile in the rear promotes instability and hydroplaning.
Get the most aggressive winters you can afford. You won’t be disappointed. Car handles like a dream.

you mention NY. I’ve taken the xkr on occasion to Lake Placid in the winter. And through to Manchester VT and Mt Washington, NH. I like that part of the country very much.

 

My Audi A8 is my daily. The performance package came with 265/40/20 that have dedicated UHP summer tires. I purchased a set of OEM 19" rims that I shod with a 255/45/19 dedicated winter tire. The diameter of both setups is roughly the same, so my speedo readout is only mildly affected. The reasoning for the change in size is more sidewall can help absorb winter mishaps like sliding into curbs or nailing that unseen pothole. This is my second season with this setup and I couldn't be happier and/or safer.

 

Me, too!

 

I'd be more concerned on finding an appealing OEM set of wheels vs the diameter. All size wheels offered in the XK will have a winter tire option.

 

So for the winter, if choosing 18’s non-staggered, is it for example, 235/35/18 like from the XJ8 all around?? And yes, the northeast is beautiful, the great lakes, NH, etc., though I do not miss those winters! I checked Utica NY yesterday (my ole hometown) the high was 20 and the low 0! Brrrrr.....

 

correct, non staggered implies same size and aspect tires all around.

 

I would go with staggered wheels just like OEM. Not all winter driving is going through inches of snow. The XK can be quite enjoyable in the winter and why give up its handling dynamics? I really like how my Blizzak tires drive in cold temp's.

 

My concern in winter (actually in all seasons) are the local drivers. Having lived in central NY, Chicago, Cambridge MA, Pittsburgh (my favorite) & Champaign IL, drivers in the corridor DC-NYC are without a doubt the most aggressive I’ve experienced (20+ in 55 mph zone, 10+ in residential areas, run red lights routinely, rolling stop signs is the norm and forget understanding merging, etc.). Keep in mind I’m not Mr. Magoo, I’ve tracked my cars (NSX’s x 2, Comptech SC S2000, 550 Porsche Spyder), but on a TRACK....So whatever keeps me safest, I’m in, non-staggered or staggered!

 

You should not be driving at all then if local drivers are that concerning to your safety. People die every day on roads, be their fault or someone else's. It's not worth the risk to drive on any public road.

 

I have 18’’ setup for winter. Using non staggered now I’ll go for staggered next time I need new tyres. Icy roads in Norway makes the driving a bit scary😅

 

Do they plow the roads or pack the snow down in Norway?

 

Good point, It’s a matter of picking and choosing when to drive. I worked from home for 15 years so fortunately didn’t have a commute, retired years this summer. During the day, if needing to run errands I will venture out between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. or after 7 p.m. to avoid the zombie apocalypse. If driving for leisure, which I very much enjoy, it’s backroads along the Delaware, most people out of the same mindset. Deer are the biggest concern and one just takes care when line of sight is diminished.

 

Holy cow, Norway! I can relate to icy roads, no that central NY compares, but growing up I remember many roads with that white sheet of glossy ice/snow for weeks on end and we all had RWD vehicles. The only people who had 4WD were the guys with plows on their trucks! Most at least put on winter tires in the rear, sand bags in the trunk, or when they were legal, chains and studded tires! My car had zero torque (77 Mustang II - 4 cyl, 0-60 in 10 minutes so wasn’t bad handling, I couldn’t imagine driving the XK in those conditions, good for you!

 

They plowing, and on high trafficated roads they plowing and salting. The scary thing is when you drive from salty roads to only plowed roads wich makes your tires slippery because of the salt on your tires.
I also have a Land Rover Defender wich I use most of the times in winter👍🏻😉