XJ40 1989 Arriving Next Week

[Freebird Paul]

Evening All,

I have a rather nice new to me 1989 XJ40 arriving early next week, the seller told me the tyres on the car are still the original tyres supplied new with the car in 1989! He reckons they are still in great condition but really i dont think i should be considering using them at all.

So, i tried all the usual online tyre sellers plus our local tyre dealers only to find that replacements for the originals still on the car are just about as scarce as rocking horse.......

The originals on the car are DUNLOP 220 / 65 / R390

Can any of you good people out there help in trying to steer me in the right direction to find some replacements.

Thanks, Paul.

[Jimbov8]

15 hours ago, Freebird Paul said:

Evening All,

I have a rather nice new to me 1989 XJ40 arriving early next week, the seller told me the tyres on the car are still the original tyres supplied new with the car in 1989! He reckons they are still in great condition but really i dont think i should be considering using them at all.

So, i tried all the usual online tyre sellers plus our local tyre dealers only to find that replacements for the originals still on the car are just about as scarce as rocking horse.......

The originals on the car are DUNLOP 220 / 65 / R390

Can any of you good people out there help in trying to steer me in the right direction to find some replacements.

Thanks, Paul.

Hi Paul, this website may have the information you need or even the tyres; https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/jaguar/xj40.html

[N6 JMX]

Hi Paul, your problem is the fact that your "new" car is fitted with metric sized wheels, which was somewhat of a failed experiment back in those days - mostly affects BMW.

As the other "Jim" has outlined above, you should be able to get replacements from Longstone, although you may have to wait on incoming stock. Quite rightly though, you should not be driving on tyres manufactured in the late 1980's.

N6 JMX

[Big John]

Hi Paul

Given those tyres are likely to be north of £600 per corner (when you can get them!), unless you are desperate to keep the original wheels I would be looking to replace with a set of 15" or 16" alloys which will probably cost a lot less that the R390s.

https://iconicalloys.co.uk/

https://www.imagewheels.co.uk/

Good luck

John

[Freebird Paul]

EVening Jimbov8 / N6JMS / Big John

Thanks to you all for your helpful replies. The end result i wanted was to keep my perfect condition Teardrop wheels at all cost.

After several days trawling the web it all came down to a big Zero.

However I eventually searched the correct size AVON Turbo Speed 200/65/390 used but having 5-6mm left on them. So All well that ends well.

Thanks again to all

[LairdScooby]

If memory serves, Jaguar made some Imperial (normal) size wheels for the XJ40 in the same style. If you keep an eye on ebay for a set of 16" Jag wheels, you should eventually come up with a set. Then you can have them refurbed and new 16" tyres fitted.

Check the manufacture date on your Avon tyres, if they're over 5 years old i wouldn't use them at all. I had a brown trouser moment in my S Type not long after getting it when the steering failed to respond due to the (near new in terms of tread) Pirelli P6000 just did not grip - they were ~10 years old at the time.

I now run a set of new Maxxis Premitra HP5 tyres, similar to the P6000 in tread pattern, feel and probably better in grip having driven on new P6000s some years back. Would definitely recommend them!

[Big John]

Hi Paul

Personally I would be moving to 15" or 16" as those tyres will simply become less and less safe the older they get, until at some point they will fail........ :(

Found this which appears to be the 15" version of your metric wheels. Might be worth a try and see if they will ship to UK....
https://susuperdeals.shop/product/75661006133/?cid=803cf2e9053a846b4d3f76833657f3ff

Good luck

John

[LairdScooby]

49 minutes ago, Big John said:

Found this which appears to be the 15" version of your metric wheels. Might be worth a try and see if they will ship to UK....

Thanks for confirming my memory John! Searching the part number on ebay UK, i found these :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157386222514

Probably less than the cost of one metric tyre! Bit of a hike to Brum to pick them up but often people have networks of friends on various fora that can offer a pick up and delivery by passing to various people along the way or there's even Shipley.com.

It works out that 225/65/15 tyres are very close to the original size (overall diameter 676mm original, 674mm is diameter of 225/65/15) and i daresay a set of 225/65/15 tyres plus the cost of the UK 15" wheels from ebay would be close to about 2 of the metric tyres without the need in a few years to repeat the hunting exercise.