2001 with staggered 18s". What's the consensus on going to 19s or 20s? Does the ride and/or handling suffer? Reason for asking is I have the 18" impellers and I'm smitten with some 20" TSW Conventry wheels...thx.

 

Marshall - there are a few threads on the Coventry Whitley's (looking at those myself). Below are a few links that may give you some advise on 20's:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...itleys-106748/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...r-pics-102767/

Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum - Search Results

 

My thinking is that the 18's are better:

I prefer the look of the 18's as anything taller looks 'unbalanced' to me. I also prefer the ride comfort and the reduced chances of ruining a rim or tire. Tires and rims are cheaper. I suspect the lower profile of the 20's does not add much to the handling (just guessing there). Also the wider wheel reduces acceleration as it functions as a numerically lower final gear ratio.

 

I had occasion to try both 18" and 20" wheels/tyres on my previous XK8 while trying to run down a front end wobble. I could not in all honesty tell any difference in the ride quality or tyre noise, but the handling on the 20" wheels was noticeably superior.

I do however prefer a firm ride and taut handling over comfort (I prefer my current XKR '05 on adaptive suspension) so take the above in that light.

 

I found the ride better in my 2004 XKR on 20"s than the 17"s on my 2001 XK8. And no tramlining on the 20"s, either.

 

Marshall - saw these on e-bay still available yesterday -fantastic price with tires - not sure if they will fit your car - they don't fit mine. Just spoke with the guy - hypersilver excellent shape

20" Coventry Whitley Wheels Rims Tires Jaguar XK8 XJ8 XF | eBay

 

To me, any wheel larger than 19" on almost any car makes the now very visible stock brakes look like they belong on a golf cart. If you want to spend big money for harsher riding ultra low profile tires and heavy manhole size wheels please buy a big rotor brake setup to fill all that empty space that those big wheels brought to the party. It's a Jag guys, not a Donk.
To keep all the 'road racers' out there happy it's true that turn in on 20's will be slightly better but I doubt that 90% of the people out there with performance cars have ever plowed into their cars rev limiters let alone considered measuring their cars turn in while driving on public roads.
Look at a new Jag XKR-S. Huge wheels and tires and huge brakes. No wagon wheel look on those monsters.
RB

 

In recent years I've had a 2001 XK8 on 18" Impellar, a 2005 XK8 on 20" Sepang and now a 2007 XK on 19" Carelia.

I'm delighted to get away from the harsh ride of 20" and back onto 19".

Graham

 

My XKR came with 19x9 Moda wheels front and back ( with the ration adjusted to maintain the intended outter diameter). Upon discovering that the front wheels were bent I am now in the process of replacing them with double-five 18 staggered wheels and factory spec tires.


The car goes in Feb 10th to have the refurnished oem wheels put on. I am looking forward to seeing how the car handles afterwards.