Good Morning. I recently purchased a 2002 XK8 that has 18X9 wheels and 255/45 tires on both front and rear. Was this configuration available from the factory? Two of the wheels need to be replaced due to pitting so I'm wondering if I should buy 18X8s for the front or are the 9s acceptable.

 

A 255 crossection is OK on a 9" rim; but my question would be are you buying the wells used or new?

OEM wheels would cost a fortune. Have you researched having the wheels rebuilt/refinished. Most wheels can be repaired and repainted or rechromed for about half the cost of new wheels. I've had most done for around $125-150 per wheel.

 

what brands and tires are the best for high speed touring?

 

Look for the speed rating letter symbol on the tire you buy:

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service descriptions, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:

S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

 

Well, mine are in the Y category, and I SERIOUSLY doubt that I will ever get up to 186 mph unless I drive over a cliff, and then the tires won't matter anyway, will they?

 

May as well go out in style....

 

You all have reminded me of questions I've been meaning to pursue but never got around to. Here goes:

- My '01 came with 245/45 tires up front, and 255/45 on the rear. That's a width difference of 10 mm, or less than 1/2".

- Are the front and rear wheels different? (These wheels are the "impeller" variety. Looks to me like there is a different part number, but I've got a pretty fuzzy copy of a parts list.)

- Any problem with running a common size front and rear? 255s preferred, I think, since otherwise a speedo error is possible (the two sizes having, in theory, a different outside diameter). I do not drive the car near its limits.

TIA for any advice.

 

Dennis,

My 2001 XK8 came with Impeller wheels and the same tyre size combination as yours.

The front and rear rims were different sizes:

Front: 8.5 x 18
Rear: 9 x 18

Graham

 

I would run mfr spec tire sizes on a staggered setup like this. it is nice to be able to rotate front to rear, but if you have different width sized rims, IMO that precludes four way rotation.

 

Doesn't the speed rating also take into account the type suspension a car is likely to have? The higher speed rated tires supposedly can tolerate the stresses of higher performance suspensions as well? I was told this by a tire salesman, which is why I'm asking.

 

Obviously, any car capable of going over 150 mph is going to have a fairly sophisticated suspension which at or near the limit is going to stress tires along with all parts of the suspension.

However, I am pretty sure that tires are speed rated by a machine... not on a car.

 

9's up front are acceptable. I run the stock 18x8's up front with a 1'' spacer without issues. Would be nice too since now you can rotate!

 

I'm sure you're right. Anyway I'm probably working this problem the wrong way.

My real problem is that when I shop all-season tires for my '01, seems all that comes up are Michelin PS. These are crazy expensive for the performance and the tread life (low-to-mid 20s) they give.

So I should probably ask: anybody got an all-season tire recommendation for this 245 / 255 combination?

 

did a quick search on Tire Rack (one of our fine forum sponsors)

Tire Search Results


Try the hancooks, good reviews, check out the car & driver video comparisons

 

Thanks, Matt. Applying the all-season-only filter, as I must, knocks out most candidates, but we still have 11 ...

Search #2

I should have mentioned that I had also disqualified options like P-ZEROs, which I just don't like.

The Hankooks in this list seem to have gotten beaten up some in the ratings. Anyone had experience with these, or maybe with the Conti's?

 

I use Bridgestone Turanza LSVs on my Everyday Car (Acura CL Coupe) and am VERY Pleased with them.

The current equivalent for the Jag is the Turanza Serenity Grand Touring All Season.

 

I really like my hancooks, though a different model from the all-season. I think you'll find a few that love each brand, and a few who don't. The kumho's got stellar review in that video too. Then the p-zero - everyone doesn't like those, the only one in overwhelming agreement from members.

 

Thanks, Paul
Thanks, Matt

Yikes, some of these prices! I guess I better just get used to it.

I'm thinking the Turanzas, being GT tires, woul probably give a lot better tread life than the Pilots, those being "Ultra High Performance", which I am not.

So I think those and the Hankooks go to the top of the candidate list for more research.

At the rate rubber is disappearing from my Pilots, I better get on this.

[edit] Oops, forgot, the Conti's: anyone had experience with those?

 

After reading some posts on tire sizes, etc. on the forum a couple of weeks ago I took a closer look on my 2005 XK8 that I got 3 months ago. Had one brand on front, different brand on rear, all 245-45-18, slow leak on right rear. Measured the width of the rims and 2 were 8" and 2 were 9"... both of the wider rims were on right side. After researching tires decided to go with the staggered sizes and ordered Bridgestone Potenza RE970's which had some excellent reviews... as did several others. Will be getting them mounted tomorrow. Obviously PO had same sizes so he could rotate but never realized rims were different widths... surprised tire dealer/installer didn't notice???

 

resneed, you wouldn't be the first to have to 'fix' the staggered wheel mishap (from experience). I'm sure that item isn't on the dealer checklist and its not blatantly obvious unless you really look at the front or rear head-on, and even then, it may not be obvious to the naked eye. I doubt I could spot it when told to look for it now.