Wheels,tires and performance
#22
I've seen a number of different wheels on X-Types in here or on the road and I still think the stock 18" Arubas look best. They fill in the wheel well nicely and the 40 series tires still show enough rubber ( I personally like a little rubber showing and not just all wheel). Ride is defintely firm, but not punishing. I can't imagine anything bigger than 18" looking good. I think the look of balance and symmetry get thrown out of proportion. And I agree that unless there is enough to show behind the wheels (calipers/rotors) having some 20+" wheels also just looks off. But, that's just me. Everyone is different, but sometimes just because something is aftermarket doesn't mean it's an improvement.
#24
Check out coventry wheels you can get them in 18 or 19", they're manufactured only for Jags so fitment and rub shouldn't be an issue at all:
http://www.coventrywheels.com/
Or if you have money to burn then order these:
http://www.eurosportdesign.com/pc-33...ed-wheels.aspx
If only I had $4400 to spend on rims...
http://www.coventrywheels.com/
Or if you have money to burn then order these:
http://www.eurosportdesign.com/pc-33...ed-wheels.aspx
If only I had $4400 to spend on rims...
#25
#26
If you want to find a wheel that is sporty tirerack.com has lots of decent looking wheels to fit the x-type. Keep it to a 18 or 19. These are oz leggera 18" rim (not sure which one I bought them used for $600 with a couple thousand miles on them.)
Here are pics. Tire size was 225/40zr18. I have more pics if you want some more.
Here are pics. Tire size was 225/40zr18. I have more pics if you want some more.
#27
#28
Thanks.
#29
I'm pretty sure that a few people had 235/35 or 40 18's on a lowered car and the things were rubbing. IIRC they couldn't put anyone in the back seat either.
To be honest though my sport with stock springs rubbed with 225/45zr17's and 225/40zr18. My tires were sliced in in the front but I think it was mainly while turning or more than likely hitting dips while turning. My 17's rubbed worse than the 18's???
It doesn't take much for the x-type to sag when things/people are in the back. Personally I wouldn't go any wider than 235 in the rear.
To be honest though my sport with stock springs rubbed with 225/45zr17's and 225/40zr18. My tires were sliced in in the front but I think it was mainly while turning or more than likely hitting dips while turning. My 17's rubbed worse than the 18's???
It doesn't take much for the x-type to sag when things/people are in the back. Personally I wouldn't go any wider than 235 in the rear.
#31
Personally the 18's look perfect. Some 17's look good. If it were me I'd buy no bigger than 18 with a 225 tire. It's not worth worrying about bottoming out, rubbing and an even rougher ride. IMO my 18's and the sport suspension and that was stiff enough for me. Try and find a 5 spoke or 10 spoke that in general look like 5 spokes doubled up. My konig theory rims were horrible to clean and the oz's were barely any easier.
Ideal is 18 with 225/40/18 tire. Keep in mind the bigger the rim the less rubber to protect it and the harsher the ride.
Bear in mind my 17's with 45 series tire were ruined by MI roads so the more rubber the better.
17"
Here's a pot hole-ruined 3 rims
My OZ 18's on a non-sport model (guy I bought them from's car.)
Crappy cell phone pic of broken 17's with 18 sitting in front
Ideal is 18 with 225/40/18 tire. Keep in mind the bigger the rim the less rubber to protect it and the harsher the ride.
Bear in mind my 17's with 45 series tire were ruined by MI roads so the more rubber the better.
17"
Here's a pot hole-ruined 3 rims
My OZ 18's on a non-sport model (guy I bought them from's car.)
Crappy cell phone pic of broken 17's with 18 sitting in front
Last edited by aquill1; 05-12-2009 at 11:51 PM.
#35
As long as they aren't chrome or polished you are fine. If you could I'd get some snow tires on your stock rims and use the aftermarket rims/tires for when the weather is better.
Make sure that if you do use them during the winter, get them in silver paint and don't get anything with a polished lip. The 17" rims were cleaned at least once a week in the winter and still became ruined quickly. If you got a rim like the moda I have in my link, you'd be good to go. Those rims wouldn't tarnish or become beaten up unless you left them on all winter long without ever getting the brake dust off all winter. When salt, water and brake dust get to mingle with each other bad things can happen. When the rims heat up and cool off it makes it even worse and kind of bakes it into the rim.
Make sure that if you do use them during the winter, get them in silver paint and don't get anything with a polished lip. The 17" rims were cleaned at least once a week in the winter and still became ruined quickly. If you got a rim like the moda I have in my link, you'd be good to go. Those rims wouldn't tarnish or become beaten up unless you left them on all winter long without ever getting the brake dust off all winter. When salt, water and brake dust get to mingle with each other bad things can happen. When the rims heat up and cool off it makes it even worse and kind of bakes it into the rim.
#37
Only reason I've ever heard anyone use different rims/tires is because you want to preserve the finish of the rim and different tires have different rubber compounds that make the rubber harder/softer depending on the temperature.
#38
#39
I was saying have a separate set of rims/tires for the summer.
But I guess you could ruin the tire bead swapping them too much.
I've never personally owned winter tires and for me all seasons were fine with the awd. The winter tires improve starting, stopping and stability vs. an all-season tire and could be worth it if they save your deductible just one time.
But I guess you could ruin the tire bead swapping them too much.
I've never personally owned winter tires and for me all seasons were fine with the awd. The winter tires improve starting, stopping and stability vs. an all-season tire and could be worth it if they save your deductible just one time.
#40
It is much easier to get a cheap set of rims with winter tires mounted. Then all you have to do is swap rims in fall/spring. Having to remount tires onto 1 set of rims twice a year will get expensive very fast.
Just run your stock rims in winter with winter tires and get larger wheels with performance summer tires for summer. Then you are set. Smaller winter tires work better than larger ones.
Just run your stock rims in winter with winter tires and get larger wheels with performance summer tires for summer. Then you are set. Smaller winter tires work better than larger ones.