You actually have more wheel options because you don't have the "R" model. The "R" wheels have the same offset, hub size, and the wheel well opening is the same. CATs has no effect on the wheels. The "R" how ever has the bigger brembo breaks. What this means is you have to deal with what we call the X-factor when it come to wheels. The X-factor is the actual spoke design on the wheels. The spokes on the wheels depending on the design of the wheel will hit the calipers. If you had an "R" this would mean that if you wanted a wheel with a lip you would have to run a wheel with a higher offset and thicker back pad in order to clear the calipers. (this results in a smaller lip) That is why I went with the concave style wheels. You will not have this problem. You could run an after market staggered wheel on your car in 19" with a nice deep lip in the rear with a 35 offset. If the design hits the caliper on the rear you could run a small 1/4" spacer in the rear and still have enough room in the fender well. Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

Doubtful. Rule of thumb is that about anyone with hesitation for larger diameter OEM fitment will think spacers are unsafe and something the factory would not do/condone. It's somewhat correct, but given that the German Technische Ueberwachungs-Verein (aka TUeV) allows spacers to be used on their roads at unlimited speeds and the standard for roadworthiness there would deem a large portion of US cars unsafe, it is accurate to say that if designed and fitted properly spacers are perfectly ok.

 

I run spacers and have upto 145mph. Used properly, they are like anything else you put on your car.

 

The possible problem with spacers is when they're too thick that they prevent the all the threads from catching from the stud to lug...When that's the case, it's not the straight line top speed that's the problem but lateral torque such as autocross or taking your car to the limit around an onramp curve...

 

Nice Ride!, Reminds me of my jag's color scheme..i know this is the s-type/r side of the forums but i thought id share my jag as well...i think they would both look good side by side hah
Jaguar Xjr-6 (X300) - YouTube

 

Here's an actual reference:

"Eighteen-inch wheels have also been made standard; and 19's are now optional on base V6 and V8 models, and standard on the R."

2008 Jaguar S-TYPE Reviews, Expert Car Reviews on AOL Autos

So, the same V6 suspension manages OEM 16s, 17s, 18s & the wide/staggered 19s...Not to mention, after 03 there were 4 types S-Type rotors all differing in diameter and weight...All 3.0/4.2, sport, 03-05 R and 06-08 R...Jag engineers didn't tune for any of that...

 

Interesting article. Has some errors, such as that rubbish about Sport. Bit of an odd claim about the deletion of chrome and addition of leather steering wheel on the R, which were already the default for an R when mine was made (2004). Still, can't expect total accuracy from motoring journos!!

 

It's always possible that the US and UK markets had different specs across the S range. Certainly i think that's been the case with other Jaguar Models over the Years. Eg, the US got the VDP spec models of the XJ. We never did.

 

That doesn't excuse the rubbish about Sport. Take the rest with a bagful of salt.

 

Granted. Obviously written by a journo that has spent very, very little time in an S!!!