Jaguar 2003 XK8 4.2 - Tyre advice

[mickcousins]

Advice needed - I am looking at getting some winter tyres for my 2003 XK8 but because of the sizes (285/30/R20 rears and 255/35/R20 fronts) the cost is excessive - £1100 for the set. Instead I was thinking of getting a set of tyres and alloys but with a smaller tyre size to try to save on overall cost. Does anyone know the smallest standard size tyres the car will take? Thanks in advance.

[flying-banana]

I think the smallest wheel & tyre combination fitted to an X100 XK8 as standard was 245/50 x 17, which should be ok unless your car is fitted with upgraded brakes - Brembo's were an option, but I'm not sure what years...

I imagine it wouldn't be difficult to find some early 17s in the classifieds, either online or in something like Jaguar World

[johnxjsc1985]

At £1100 you must be able to find a set of wheels refurbed with decent tyres for a lot less.
Try Blackcircles you should be able to get a set a decent tyres for less than £1100 My 04 has Dunlop Sport Maxx GT's and they seem fine.

[P700DEE]

the 17" option has very limited options on tyres. Far better toget a set of 18" wheels as there are loads of tyres available. If you have Brembo brakes you will need either spacers or wheels post 03. Flutes and D5 need spacers. Impellors fit over Brembos.

[johnxjsc1985]

Had a quick look on Ebay this morning found a few 20 inch Pirelli's for around or below £200 each which is less stressful than £1100

[CharlieAlphaMike]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Had a quick look on Ebay this morning found a few 20 inch Pirelli's for around or below £200 each which is less stressful than £1100

£200 for a 'brand new' Pirelli Winter tyre? That's cheap to the point where I would be suspicious