These are the tires and rims worn by 2005 XK8. They're pretty beat up (cracks on sidewall) and appear to be older Michelin Pilots. The date code is confusing: DOT 4M BA 001X: I think that means 4th month but which year? 2011??

Anyways, I'm going to replace them ASAP, but the question is, which size? All four are currently 255 /45 R18. I'm not conversant on the rims/wheels but they appear to be Jaguar, or with a Jaguar emblem in the middle, at least. Should I just replace with 255/45 R18 all around or put 245s on the front tires. Would those wheels even take 245s?
Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Norm

 

Norm, l don't think what you reference is the date code. It is more likely the dept. of transport approval.
​​​​​​Date is generally a 4 digit number and may only appear on one sidewall of the tyre/tire. First two digits are week and last two the year.

 

Unless you have something else in mind, I would strongly recommend staying with whatever tire size the car had originally. This should be listed in the owner's manual, and possibly on a data plate on the car itself. A good tire shop (or the internet ---) should also be able to tell you, based on your and model. Do you believe the the wheels (rims) to be original? If so that wheel size (width, mainly) will be correct for the specified tires, and all will be well ---

BoiseBob ('99 XK* and '70 XKE)

 

I think I'm the third owner, but the door decal says the car should be wearing 245 in the front and 255 in the rear. Someone along the way must've swapped out rims or just decided to put 255s all around. Am I damaging the car by putting on new 255s all around again, or should I be looking into getting new wheels to go back to OEM specs? Or will these existing rims take 245s on the front and 255s on the rear? Does anyone know if these are standard XK8 rims?

Edit: OK a quick search shows that these are one of the standard 18x9 wheels (Aris) that came with the XK8. Looks like it's fine to go back to 245 on the front and keep 255 on the rear - as specified on the door decal. Any idea why someone might want to go 255 all around? Just curious at this point.

Cheers,
Norm

 

Norm, if you don't mind, I'd like to add to your question about this topic. Can any x100 do the same? Last time I looked at tires for my 17 inch factory rims, the dealer was putting together a deal on a similar set up, then he stopped and thought about it. "Are you sure your car won't throw traction or ABS errors with 2 different diameter tires?" He asked.

While I knew the X100s had sometimes come stock like that, I just couldn't be sure, so I passed. This is a perfect thread to ask the question. Would it be true to say different diameter tires front rear are ok?

Thanks, John

 

Interesting. I was going to comment that the rims appear too wide for the tyres, but if they are stock then perhaps it's my dodgy eyesight. The rims should be different widths (I *think* 18x9 and 18x8) - i.e. slightly narrower on the front to accommodate the narrower 245.

If the rims are all the same width then that would account for the same tyre size all round. If not, it may be the tyre fitter didn't know any different? My car came with 245 all round on 18" staggered rims

 

Just another Guy,

Your Wheels are called: "Aris" and they were made for the 2003-06 XK8...It's 18" OEM Rim...They do not appear to be Staggered, therefore they are 8" Wide Front & Back....

You may use whatever size Tire that is shown for that Wheel on the underside of the Armrest Lid.. If the Wheels are all 8" Wide....You could vary the size from Front to Rear using a Wider Tire on the Rear.....for more Traction...but that is up to you...You would not be able to "Rotate" the Tires if you do this! You will be fine overall by just using the same size Front & Back....It's up to you.....Look in your Book or Under the Lid....

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

My '03 came with those rims, they are Jag OEM's but I believe they are from an '05 so the PO of my car may have changed them. But the car should have 8" wide in the front and 9" in back, 18" dia. all around, plus the stagger of the tire sizes. Go with 245/255 combo if you have 8" wide in the front. Someone could have changed them in a previous life so check what you have. Take a wheel off and look at the inner part of the wheel. I am looking for an 8" front rim as I curbed it a good one, DOH!!

 

Thanks Billy this is super helpful. ! I'll take a wheel off to double
check the size but I'll probably end up sticking with the 255s all around to make rotations easier (possible!).

Cheers,
Norm

 

Thanks Tom! I'll give the inner part of the wheels a check today.
Good luck finding an 8" front rim!

Cheers,
Norm

 

I’d suggest getting the 245’s in front. Rotating side to side is enough to even tire wear.


Really though, in a well aligned car, the wear is so even there’s no benefit to tire rotation. Additionally, there is no performance benefit that comes using a 10mm wider tire in front.

I think you will like the handling and stance of the car getter by just going back the stock staggered tire arrangement. Sure would be a lot easier than trying to buy 2 matching wheels in the wider size for the front.

The Jaguar engineers knew what they were doing; second guessing them can be a exercise in futility.


Z

 

You'll want to put a tape measure to the rims to determine if two of them are slightly wider than the other two. Narrower ones go up front (with the smaller of the two tire sizes). My '05 XK8 has wider rims on the rear than the front and really requires the two different tire sizes. I only rotate them side-to-side.

As an aside, I have had to do a lot of suspension work to replace worn parts on this 83,000 mile barn-find beauty a little bit at a time, so I purchased a 5 year alignment plan from PepBoys for $150, which allows me to take it in for a 4 wheel alignment literally any time I want to (really great if you accidentally hit a pothole big enough for a family of four...). Just replaced rear wheel bearings on both sides so back to my local shop for a "free" alignment. I pay close attention to tire pressures, especially if the temperature drops (tires will lose about 1 psi per month anyway; more in a cold snap), and it's looking like I'll get excellent mileage out of them. Even though PepBoys has ceased selling parts, their service centers are still open and staying busy. I get my tires from Discount Tires (can't beat their prices, but it seems that they love to over-pressure all car tires to 35 PSI front and rear when you take them back for rotation...). Here's a quick tire pressure reference chart (in PSI) that I keep in my smarter-than-me cellphone:

 

Thanks Z! Will definitely take that under advisement. I usually go with stock specs whenever possible unless there's an aftermarket part is of better quality. As you said, OEM is 245 front, 255 rear. I'll take a look at the front wheel tomorrow afternoon to make sure they'll fit the 245s up front/255s in the rear.

Cheers,
Norm

 

Glad to have found this thread. Curious though, my 03 XK8 is set up with 255 40 19 and 245 40 19. Were the 19 inch rims part of an options package ?

Also curious if anyone has ever put uniroyal tiger paws on their xk8 ? I spent close to 2000 us dollars on a set of Michelin Pilot AS and they dry rotted in 2 years ( intense sun I guess) crazy to see great tread but threads coming through the side walls.

Anyhow, I had a set of the uniroyals on an old camaro and they held up great and for about 700 I can get a set for the xk8 so I'm real tempted. I'm buying them unless you all tell me terrible idea

thanks for the help and knowledge !

 

Regardless of the vehicle, today's Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires always get terrible reviews due to short treadlife and poor wet traction....

If you want a relatively inexpensive tire that may hold up better, take a look at the Barum Bravuris 5HM sold exclusively at Discount Tire. Barum is owned by Continental Tire in Germany. The last time I checked, these tires come with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty. When my wife's 2006 XK8 needs new tires (probably in 2022), I will strongly consider them if the price stays right....

 

Greatly appreciate your suggestion and thoughts on the uniroyals. Thank you

 

Morty,
After reading Jon89's note...I would say that Yes! Barum Bravuris Tires are sold by Discount Tire.....They are a less expense version of the Continental Tire, as I recall I had a couple on the Front sometime back ....I don't remember why, as I always use Continental.....guess they didn't have the size I needed at the time.....I've always used Continental Extreme Contact Sport on the XKR as it has 20" BBS "Montreal" Wheels....They cost around $250.00 for the Front to $300.00for the Rear, as those Wheels are Staggered. The one advantage that I like about the Tire is the Rubber protection Rim that sets up next to the Wheel...It does (2) things: (1) Protects the Edge of the Rim & (2) If you look straight down from the Fender at the Rubber Rim and it is straight: Then your Air Pressure is OK! This one thing is a great time saver with the BBS 20" Wheels....

Billy Clyde

 

[QUOTE=morty4185;2368410]Glad to have found this thread. Curious though, my 03 XK8 is set up with 255 40 19 and 245 40 19. Were the 19 inch rims part of an options package ?

There were optional rims available in 19", I'm not an expert but while searching the internet for tires a chart always asks which size I have. Mine are '18's.


BTW, do you know the proximity of Blanchester to Maineville??? I think I found a buddy, LOL. There is a new Discount Tire on Fields-Ertle Rd. Happy Motoring

 

I put a set of General G Max AS03 245/50 on my "97 about 6 yrs ago. Holding up very well.

 

MRomanik,

You certainly don't drive it much....do you? It may be 6 years but how many miles have you have on them?

Billy Clyde