Tires (Tyres)
#1
Tires (Tyres)
Need to replace tires on my -- European specs -- 1989 Daimler XJ40. The current tires are same as originals i.e. (Michelin) 220 65 VR 390 for which, so far as I can determine, there is now only one supplier whose prices are exorbitant . According to Automobile Catalog -- if I understand correctly -- it is possible to substitute 235 60 R15 which are available at reasonable prices (225 65 R15 are closer to original but, so far as I can ascertain, they are not available here in France). My local mechanic is adamant that the 235 60 R15 would not work because 390 metric of the current tires equates to 15.35 inches, not 15.He says the only solution is to change the rims. Either I am misunderstanding the Automobile Catalog data or, he is wrong. Can anyone help please? I scoured the forums but could not find this specific issue among the tire related posts.
Thanks.
3jags
Thanks.
3jags
#2
I have to say I agree with your mechanic, 0.35" is quite a lot, if it were 0.1 then, OK, you'd probably get away with it.
It should be fairly easy to do what loads of XJ40 owners with metric tyres have done, namely, find a set of reasonable condition 15" wheels on eBay somewhere, and get them refurbished.The money you save on the metric tyres should pay for most of this. The metric tyres were a total dead-end and Jaguar soon abandoned them, as did all other car makers. I suspect it was some EU devious plot from Brussels to stymie non-European tyre manufacturers.
It should be fairly easy to do what loads of XJ40 owners with metric tyres have done, namely, find a set of reasonable condition 15" wheels on eBay somewhere, and get them refurbished.The money you save on the metric tyres should pay for most of this. The metric tyres were a total dead-end and Jaguar soon abandoned them, as did all other car makers. I suspect it was some EU devious plot from Brussels to stymie non-European tyre manufacturers.
#3
Many thanks Fraser. Not the answer I was hoping for but, the one I was kinda expecting! I love my old Jags and, despite my limited technical ability, I do my best to keep them on the road -- which is not always easy given some of Jaguar's past decisions. As you suggest, I'll try to find some 15" wheels and install them.
Regards,
Peter S
Regards,
Peter S
#4
#5
Hi
A 93 XJ will be the same XJ40 model as your '89, so the wheels should just bolt straight on, I would think. Other wheels that may fit would be 16" with lower profile tyres. I think later cars went over to 16" but don't know the year, it might be the later models like the X300 or X308. Check the diameter of the tyres compared to those metric ones. You might get a very slight variation on speed shown on the speedometer.
Main thing is to get rid of those pesky metric wheels !
A 93 XJ will be the same XJ40 model as your '89, so the wheels should just bolt straight on, I would think. Other wheels that may fit would be 16" with lower profile tyres. I think later cars went over to 16" but don't know the year, it might be the later models like the X300 or X308. Check the diameter of the tyres compared to those metric ones. You might get a very slight variation on speed shown on the speedometer.
Main thing is to get rid of those pesky metric wheels !
#6
Hi
A 93 XJ will be the same XJ40 model as your '89, so the wheels should just bolt straight on, I would think. Other wheels that may fit would be 16" with lower profile tyres. I think later cars went over to 16" but don't know the year, it might be the later models like the X300 or X308. Check the diameter of the tyres compared to those metric ones. You might get a very slight variation on speed shown on the speedometer.
Main thing is to get rid of those pesky metric wheels !
A 93 XJ will be the same XJ40 model as your '89, so the wheels should just bolt straight on, I would think. Other wheels that may fit would be 16" with lower profile tyres. I think later cars went over to 16" but don't know the year, it might be the later models like the X300 or X308. Check the diameter of the tyres compared to those metric ones. You might get a very slight variation on speed shown on the speedometer.
Main thing is to get rid of those pesky metric wheels !
#7
Many thanks Fraser. Before I bought the Daimler I checked with Jaguar and was told that the parts were virtually interchangeable with the '93 XJ. But, it's nice to get some confirmation before swapping the wheels. Also, since posting, I discovered a post by someone in the UK who had fitted 16" -- spoked rims -- to his Daimler of the same vintage. The car was a real beauty. I have added a question on that thread asking if he encountered any particular problems with the change. Even the 16" are difficult to find but, I'll keep trying since I would like both Jags to be roadworthy.