Sportfans.

Has anyone tried running more tyre on the N american market 1999 XK8 convertible?

l currently run 245/50 x 17 , has anyone tried 245/60 x 17 or 65s?

Theres plenty of room under the arch, it arguably needs it aesthetically.

 

Hi, Markle, Handsome automobile! Just my $.02: A quick check of a tire comparison chart shows that a 245/60-17 tire is 1.94" larger in diameter. It will raise the car about 1" ground-up, (= softer ride), but also means 1" higher in the wheel well, too (no biggie, but stay out of potholes). Footprint (width of tire) remains the same at 9.65"; no bumping against the wheel well lining but no grip advantage there, either. My 3 biggest considerations would be that 1) your speedometer would only be reading 65mph when you are actually going 69.7mph. (Probably not a ticketable issue if you never exceed 13.83mph, when the error will then exceed another 1mph indicated per each 13.83mph increase), 2) Your car won't be quite as quick from a start due to reduced torque, but this is not always noticeable. And 3) Not sure if your car's computer would take umbrage at the perceived difference in rotational speed vs expected feedback, but it might take a few miles of hickups to get the adaptations getting everything synced again. (Just stirring up fear and trolls; I really have no idea if it would or not, but I do try to walk the straight and narrow, always park inside, and even occasionally light a candle where my car can see it, just to be safe. Seems to be working. so far...) Also, there might be an addition in tire weight, which increases unsprung weight, adversely affects handling, and increases suspension parts wear. (You want them to be good quality, but lighter than heavier). Other research indicates larger tires equate to lowered gas mileage and more work for the brakes. Is it worth it? Stay safe, P

 

Many thanks Redline.
l noticed that a 82 XJS has a fatter tyre than a 88 XJS, i havent gone any deeper to see what/if anything else was changed, hence the question. Time for new shocks anyway so i will start there.

Yes, XK8 looks very good in black&black, and has come far from the valve seat dropped , dozen code + barn find it started out as. Thanks

 

Markel, Something to consider: Larger tires might not give this car the look you'd like to achieve, and would not improve handling of this clean and sleek Grand Tourer. Check out this earlier forum thread of 24" and even 30" "ghetto" and "Conestoga" rims and tires: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-tires-94156/ Be sure to check out Post #21....

I think one of the reasons that the wheels/tires look a little small for the wheel wells is that the bright aluminum rims take up a lot of visual real estate. (They look like new in your picture so I'm guessing you went to a fair amount of trouble to clean and/or recondition them.) I took the liberty of adding black rims (of the existing tire size) to see how they might look if they didn't attract the eye so much and they seem to compliment the low profile of the tires. I believe that they add to the graceful lines and mystique of this beautiful car. What do you think?

 

Awful.

 

l have no interest in improving the handling its a GT car!! lf i wanted similar era a drop top that handled i would have brought a M3 convertible. l didnt, i brought a GT car l want it to feel like a proper Jag thats all, not some Nuremburg ring pretender. lm European, coming up i had fast Audis, Lancias and others, cars that actually did handle, this just is not a car for that kind of driving.