As I am not a speedster, and my highest average speed is 120km/h (~74miles/ hour), I would like to have a more comfortable (softer) ride by downgrading my wheel size.

My standard tire size is 255/40/ZR19, and I do not want to compromise on the qualities of the car, especially if I need to maintain a sudden overtaking speed of about 80miles/h or so. Would fitting an 18inch rim be a good downgrade option to my current 19inch rim size? At 18inches, I would be able to fit a thicker profile tire to ensure the speedometer reading and vehicle ride height are not negatively impacted after the change.

Has anyone ever downgraded their X350 XJR rims to 18inches, and what does the drive feel like?

 

I have 18" on my 2005 XJ8L VDP and I love the smooth ride they allow. Although my car does not have the supercharged engine, it just fly's anyway so I don't see a problem with you changing yours.

 

I'm no authority on this but it seems to me that most of the ride difference between an XJ and an XJR is engendered by the "sport suspension" of the XJR.
My guess is that changing the wheel size will not give you all you are looking for. However, switching out the sport suspension components on your car is cost prohibitive, for sure. So---- go with the wheel down size if you can live with limited results and do let us know how it turns out.
There must be some guys here who have tried it who can post their experiences. I do recall from my XJR days that an all day trip in the car was tiresome due to that sport suspension.

 

I too wanted a better ride so I did exactly what you are describing.

I am very happy I made the switch.

Before with 19"


Now with 18"

 

Rothwell,

Does your car have the sport suspension?

 

FWIW I downsized on my 1995 XJR from 17" wheels (255/45x17 tires) to 16" wheels (225/60x16 tires).

The ride was slightly smoother. The steering response was slightly softer. With either size I have to drive like a wild man with his hair on fire to even approach losing grip.

My motivation, however, was the ability to buy tires that would deliver decent tread life. Mission accomplished with very little sacrificed.

Cheers
DD

 

Seth
I have 18 inch winter treads and wheels that I just took off my 2004 XJR. The car certainly does handle better with the 20 inch treads, but not all that much different. For the matter of comfort and wheel and car preservation 18 inch wheels may be the way to go. I really like to look of 20 inch Sepangs though!

RyeJag

 

No. Mine is a VDP.

 

Rothwell, The 18" wheels on your XJ look great ... what wheels are they?

 

Keep the 19s and drop your air pressure down 6 lb and you will soften up the ride

 

Installing 16 inch rims on my 1999 XJR was as easy as installing the XJ8 rotors and caliper brackets. Has anyone been able find and fit 16 or 17 inch rims on a X350 (2006 XJ8) aftermarket or OEM ?
Thank you,
Mike

 

I had a set of 17" OEM forged alloy on my previous X350 for winter tyres. Same offset and PCD than my 18" Coventry OEM wheels.
Very nice, and light, wheels. And very comfy ride.
Sold them with the car

 

I have a feeling there were some Jaguar 17" rims available for the x350, cannot remember the name of them though, just done a google search and here is the part number on one for sale on ebay

Jaguar XJ X350 2004 R17 alloy rim 2W931007AA PCA3514 | eBay

 

oh gosh, between me starting to reply, then looking online for the type of wheel and then posting on here I have just noticed you posted a few minutes before haha

 

The 17" wheels in the photos are "Elegant 10 Spoke" 7.5 x 17 - used 235/55 R17 tires

OEM 18" wheel options include "Dynamic 8 Spoke" or "Tucana 15 Spoke" or "Rapier 20 Spoke". All are 8 x 18 and used 235/50 R 18 tires

Mine is a 2007 XJ8 SWB with standard air suspension with the Tucana 15 spoke wheels. (Tires are 235/50 ZR 18 97Y Michelin Pilot Sport Front 30 psi, rear 32 psi)

It looks nice, drives nice, but doesn't absorb speed bumps like the XJS

BTW - not sure if the XJR version has larger rotors than the regular XJ8. If so, make sure the smaller wheels will clear the XJR brakes!

HTH, Dave

 

My 2004 Super V8 has the Brembo brakes and for reference I can confirm that the 18" Luxury wheels will fit over the callipers as for a while I had winter tyres on a set of them and no issues with fitment

 

My 2006 Super V8 has the Teves brakes and 20" Callisto wheels.
I have 18" Luxury wheels for my winter tyres also.
Quite sure the 17" wheels won't fit (because of brakes), hence the reason why I sold my 17" wheels (with winter tyres) when I sold my 2004 XJ8

 

Thank you everyone

great to see to that there are 17 inch OEM wheels made for the 2004 X350, I'm guessing there will be some brake hardware to change (hopefully just caliper brackets and rotors) on my recently acquired 2006 Super V8.

 

Why take that risk and burden?
Just source 18" used wheels and voilą!

 

These are the elegant rims 17'inch very sturdy and light cause forged. They wout fit on x350 v6 tdvi 3.6 and 4,2 ... probably not on xjr cause of the brembo brake .
x356 and x358 one would have to try cause the brake discs are Ate and larger
p