I'm fairly new to the Jaguar Forum and not big on posting. But (3) years ago I bought a 1999 XK8 Convertible w/ chrome wheels, in carnival red metallic with only 33,000 miles on it (it now has 65,000 miles). For the last year the wheels have a very slow leak in them. Is there any way to have them repaired? If not, what is the best course of action? Which 17" wheels would look best on this car? Any recommendations?

 

Bob
I had an alloy wheel on my Ford Dually develop a slow leak. The tire shop down the road found slight corrosion between the bead and the mating surface of the wheel. he sanded off the corrosion and remounted the tire an it hasn't leaked since. Take it to a reputable tire shop and have them look at it.
Doug
2001 XKR Silverstone

 

I had a tire with a very slow leak even after the rim lips were cleaned. Turned out to be corrosion in the valve stem hole. The tire shop even had a tool to address that so it must be a relatively common issue.

 

If you really want some new rims, rims that fit Jags are hard to find. I found this website that sells factory Jag rims. Jaguar XK8 Rims, Jaguar XK8 Wheels at OriginalWheels.com You could buy a single replacement or a whole set of four. The prices seem very reasonable to me.

 

The chrome on my rims it pitting off, and rust began to settle thus not creating a tight contact. I started to ask the guy about new rims, he did say," hold on, when you are buying rims for a ford, or any other car, you can use just about anything, or even use after markett rims, but when buying rims for Jags, European, or exotics cars, you just can not buy anything because the vehicle will not drive the same". That said, has anyone tried different wheels for the 1998 XK8, and had the drive changed if any?

 

As long as that aren't outrageously large and so long as they have the proper backspacing, you shouldn't have any issues with any wheel.

 

I know for a fact that on BMW, if the center hole of the wheel is too large, the wheel will not center and you will get a vibration at 55 & over. you need special rings that center the wheel & then they are perfect. I would imagine Jags are the same. Just make sure wheels are factory specs.

 

I have 17" Coventry Hornets on my 97. Got them thru Discount Tires. Only difficulty I encountered was getting wheel nuts. Coventry use stock Jaguar wheel nuts which I didn't have from the PO.