Which tyres - X350 XJ

[cml]

My dad needs new front tyres on his X350 style XJ - it currently has Toyo Protex T1 235/50 R18 - don't know what the original spec tyre was.

What should he go for? Comfort is his only concern really, although I think he was shocked at the prices, as this is the first time he has bought modern fat tyres - £500+ for a pair!!

On a side note: the car was sold as a 4.2 V8, there are no badges to denote engine size. The diagnostic equipment the garage plugged in says it is a 3.5! As I understand it this is a non-UK only option. How can you tell for sure (sorry if this is a silly question, but the documention says 4.2 and the computer says 3.5 and if you look at it, well you can't really tell!) Is there a VIN number code or something which will indicate for sure?

Thanks all

[Jaguar steve]

A 3.5 litre V8 was available in the UK until around the time the 2.7 diesel was launched.

Unfortunately ride comfort is more determined by wheel size, tyre profile and suspension design than tyre choice, and the trend for sticking the biggest wheel that'll fit under the arches and suspension settings that'll shake your fillings out every time you go over a white line.

I'm guessing from the tyre spec your Dad's car already has the 17" wheels that were available for the X350 so there's not the option of ditching the wheels and going for a smaller size coupled with higher profile tyres which'll improve ride quality - Google TRC tyre calculator to see what a huge difference this can make.

Have a look on Black Circles and Pneues on line for tyre reviews, or you could try contacting Camskill for advice and very competitive pricing. I've got Falken ZE 912s on my XJ, which compared with the OE Pirelli P6000 and a change from 17 to 16 wheels and some time spent fiddling about with tyre pressures had improved the ride quality considerably.

[cml]

Thanks,

It has 18" wheels and he is not going to change all four and get four tyres though. If he had specced the car it would probably have had 17s.

The 3.5 was available in the UK then, gosh, I wonder if the car dealer has diddled him, Grrrrrrr.

[Simpo Two]

Jaguar steve said:

I've got Falken ZE 912s on my XJ

Same on my S-Type. No complaints and half the price of Pirellis.

[Jaguar steve]

cml said:

Thanks,

It has 18" wheels and he is not going to change all four and get four tyres though. If he had specced the car it would probably have had 17s.

The 3.5 was available in the UK then, gosh, I wonder if the car dealer has diddled him, Grrrrrrr.

Should state the engine capacity on the V5 - if it's wrong the dealer should have picked that up when he advertised it.

Don't write off swapping to smaller wheels, there's often 17" X350 sets on ebay. When I downsized mine I bought a set of 16" Starbursts in perfect condition for peanuts and made enough cash from the sale of the 17" ones to pay for a full set of new tyres for them and a couple of tanks of petrol on top. What's not to like

[NormanD]

cml said:

My dad needs new front tyres on his X350 style XJ - it currently has Toyo Protex T1 235/50 R18 - don't know what the original spec tyre was.

Sounds as if someone has fitted XKR wheels

[cml]

NormanD said:

Sounds as if someone has fitted XKR wheels

That's interesting to know, I'll get a picture next time I am over there.

Checked the V5 - it is a 3.5 - so the dealer was 'mistaken' and my dad didn't notice. Rats.