Replacement Wheel Implications

[Blue Verl]

My 2.2D, which I bought earlier this year, currently has 17" wheels with P6000 225/45 17 tyres.  The wheels have a number of scuff marks and show evidence of curb contact over the years and the tyres will need to be replaced in the not too distant future.  With this in mind I have been looking at internet sites offering 18" wheels and various fitted tyre options plus fitting kits.  This raises several questions.

 

1) What are the implications of switching from 17" to 18" wheels?

2) What is the fitting kit these sites refer to?

3) All the "packages" offered are for 4 x wheels and tyres, what about the spare?

 

I would be interested to hear if anyone has made this switch and what the implications were.

[Old Peter]

Hi Brian,

 

I had a 2005 X Type [2.5 AWD Petrol] with the same specification wheels.

 

The X Type came with two wheel options, 16" wheels and 17" wheels, and I have not come across an 18" wheel option, so I would not be inclined to go along that route, and remain with 17" wheels.  

 

There is much opinion about the more comfortable ride, and some say the smaller wheels give a better ride.

 

You can get the wheels refurbished and thee is a company which gives a discount to JOC Premium members.  There are also several mobile wheel refurbishers and a bit of googling will throw up  one in your area.

 

The X type is a very nice looking car and personally I think, that as Jaguar has designed a car with 16" & 17" wheels, I would stick with what Jaguar thought was best.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

[Willber G]

X-Types were also sold with 18" wheels as an option.

[Blue Verl]

Peter,

 

Many thanks or your response, but I don't entirely agree with you.  I checked the original X-Type brochure and it lists the 18" wheel with 7.5J tyres as standard on three models.

 

Brian

[Old Peter]

Hi Brian and Wilber G,

 

I have never seen the x type with 18" wheels, I am afraid.

 

Bur bigger wheels do not always give the best ride.

 

Peter.

[Willber G]

1) What are the implications of switching from 17" to 18" wheels?

2) What is the fitting kit these sites refer to?

3) All the "packages" offered are for 4 x wheels and tyres, what about the spare?

1) The ride will likely be harder due to the lower-profile tyres although the handling should be sharper.

2) I imagine they are 3rd-party wheels that include spacers to adjust the offset. I would avoid these and stick to genuine X-Type wheels.

3) It's up to you if you choose a new spare, I wouldn't bother as it's for occasional use.

[knightsmith]

Peter,

 

My 20" wheels on the XKR give a fab ride .

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[Old Peter]

Yes, Trevor, but they are on an XKR with 5 litres of supercharged power, and not an X type with a 2.2 litres diesel engine at the front.

 

Peter.

[knightsmith]

Peter,

 

But why should the size of the engine make any difference ?

 

ATB,

 

Trevor

[Old Peter]

Power to the wheels, Trevor.

 

The chassis design is also taken into account.

[Blue Verl]

I played golf at Bletchingly Golf Club (near Godstone, Surrey).  In the car park there were a couple of other X-Types which I had a good look at - both were fitted with 18" wheels and 7.5J tyres.  Certainly looked the business.  Unfortunately neither owner was around and by the time i ha finished my round both cars had departed so I didn't get any opportunity to ask about them.

[Alheoh]

No matter whether you use 16"/17"/18" wheels, as long as your tires are the correct size the outside diameter stays roughly the same. Thus, you don't need to find a new spare wheel+tire unless you want to put a matching wheel on it for vanity.

 

I have 16" X10 wheels for the winter and 17" Bermuda wheels for the summer, both Jag OEM, and the ride is noticeably better with 17". I wouldn't want 18" wheels on this car...

 

Anyway, here's a list of Jaguar's OEM wheels for the X-Type, you can use the names to google some photos to get a better idea.