hey guys, i'm in need of tires on my 2006 s type 3.0. $$$
i came across an ad for 04 XJR 19" wheels + new tires @ a good price. ( less than what new tires alone would cost me)
my current tire size is 235 55 17. The xjr size is 255 40 19. so a 2" larger rim.. Any chance these wheels would work on my s type without spacers or a sacrifice in ride quality? i tried a google search but havent found much.
i'd appreciate any input!
jamie

 

From tirerack you can get a set of tires shipped for under $500 for your 17" wheels. Add mounting and balancing and you are still under $600. The 19s (if they fit) aren't going to ride as nice, the sidewall is much smaller and the tires are wider and it will make your handling feel different and probably tram-line on the smaller car. What are you going to do when it comes time to replace the 19 inch tires? They aren't going to last long and cost about double what the 17s do for the cheapest ones.

 

thanks for the reply..i'm not crazy about my current wheels which is why i was considering purchasing a new set.4 New replacement Michelins @ 17" will run me $650 without mount/balancing. This set of wheels AND tires on craigslist would cost me only $500..so as you can see its tempting.. but if it will jeopordize the ride quality, then no good of course..
ive also found a set of 18" wheels/tires off a XJ8. would they workout any better? thanks!
the pic attached are my current wheels.( They are a NIGHTMARE to clean and keep clean)

 

Jamie,

I've moved this question from Wheels and Tyres section to S-Type section for you and put this post in to 'bump' it.

Graham

 

i appreciate it Graham!

i'm no longer considering the XJR wheels, due to possibly of not fitting or altering ride quality as "quatrzstype" mentioned. However the 2nd set of wheels i mentioned were off a 2005 XJ8L and tire size is :235 50 18. The price is right and i'm ready to call the guy tonight. Does anyone have any last minute input on this? as far as ride changes/or fit on the stype.
thanks again!

 

Any lower profile (here, 55 going to 50) is likely to be harsher. Less rubber!

Lower and lower profile... well it does what the above says...

55 to 50 isn't much though.

 

According to the tire size conversion chart Tire Size Conversion

This will fit and will be roughly the same size in the wheel well as the 17" wheels you are currently running.

You will definitely see a difference in ride / comfort as others have stated the bigger the rim the smaller the side wall on the tire.

For that reason I took the 19" wheels off of my STR and wwent back down to the factory 18". With the road conditions here in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan it was just way too harsh.

They 18" wheels seem to ride well but you still get some harshness on bumpy uneven roads...

So the real question is are you willing to give up a smoother ride for the cosmetics? Only you can decide that one! ;-)

 

thanks for the heads up guys! i'm assuming you both have s-type's(r)? Did your cars originally come with 18" wheels? Most i have seen came with 16" or 17"..I'm guessing the type r's are what came with the bigger wheels?
anyways, i dont know what to do..i would hate to lose the smooth ride of this car,but biggers wheels always look good. You say going from a 55 to 50 profile isnt much,so do you think it'll be a night n day difference? or at least a considerable difference in overall ride quality?

 

Hey man!

Yeah the STRs all came with 18" wheels as stock. There were factory upgrade options to a 19" wheel if I recall...

You wont loose too much of your smoth ride going from the 17 to 18" wheels just a little more bumpy, you will definitely feel the road a little more with the 18" wheels and tires.

I would say go for it if it gives you a better look and stance with the car, you can always run them until the rubber wears out if you dont like the ride after that next tire change revert back to the 17"s!

Cheers!

 

Yes, I've an STR. They came with 18 initially and later with 19 (maybe an option). Also uprated suspension.

The STRs needed min 18 as the Brembo brake calipers are quite big (365mm front rotors, too).

 

+1 on the harsher ride

My present XK8 on 20 inch Sepang is a lot harsher than the previous one on 18 inch Impeller.

Not enough to discourage but be aware it is a factor to consider. It is likely to be more noticeable in the four door models than it is in the two door ones.

Graham

 

what about acceleration & fuel economy? i can be wrong, but wouldnt 18" rims take a little more energry to spin ecspecially off the line? would it be noticable from a MPG standpoint? sorry for all the questions. i have a tendancy to over-think details...

 

I know this is an older thread but ive driven lots of 3.0's for extended periods of time and miles. Some with the 17" wheels and some with the optional 18"s. I felt no noticeable difference in ride quality and gas mileage/performance appeared to be identical.

Of course I did not go from one exact car with the wheels and tires switched so there might be a slight difference but I feel it would be marginal. Also, the 18s with near new tires might actually ride nicer then the 17s with worn rubber.

Hope this helps!

 

Ebay has the cheapest tires from real tire wholesaler with free shipping, I get my new tires there super cheap , i got 2 18" 255's for only 200$ shipped can't beat that!