Hello,Live in San Francisco Bay area looking for new tires,Brand and modle numbers? What are you people driving on? Should I have my original wire wheels replaced or worked on? they look pretty good few spokes missing Whitch would be more cost effective? What gas would you use and any additives? Top end spark plug wires? Do the hard core jaguar owners look down on powercoating,electronic ignition,polyurethane bushings?Thanks for your time.

Submitted by lhmtm@aol.com on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 22:54

Regarding the tires, How original do you want your car to be? Your car came with Dunlop Sport Radials ER70V15, most likely whitewalls since 95% of all Series 3 had them and 99% of the ones that came to the US had them. If you want to be 100% correct, I have a source for 100% correct tires with whitewalls.

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Tue, 11/01/2005 - 16:49

A few comments:

Wire wheels -- If you are missing ANY spokes, don't drive on them. Safety issue. Buy new ones. Daytons are excellent. Consider Pirelli P4000, 205/70-15's on them, unless you go to 16" rims (205/65-16's??). Either case, you want 6" wide rims.

I always used premium gas in my Ser. III ('72 2+2). You don't need any additives.

Spark plug wires -- Buy a set of Magnecor 8mm wires. Excellent. Check www.coolcatcorp.com. I think he sells them at a decent price.

Other stuff -- Your car already has an electronic ignition. However, an upgrade you might consider is the SNG Barratt system to change over to the HE ignition used in the later XJS's. Very worthwhile upgrade. Polybushes also, good upgrade. Consider changing to stainless braided brake lines also, and Koni Classic shocks all the way around. Powdercoating? Knock yourself out. As long as you're not trying to go 100% concours correct, do what works for you.

One more thing -- consider installing KoolMat under your carpets, especially along the fire wall and on the transmission tunnel. It will cut down the heat in the car considerably. (www.koolmat.com).

Steve Weinstein
Former '72 E-type 2+2 owner
'70 XKE FHC
'69 XKE OTS

Submitted by tomconnors@ear… on Tue, 11/01/2005 - 14:03

Don't waste good tires on bad wheels. Get a set of Dayton SS wheels
($1K) and a set of Dunlop D-65's. Throw the old stuff out.

Forget what other people look for (ESPECIALLY the snooty type) do it your way. You cannot possibly compete with the top cars for under $100K and why would anybody want to?

1972 2+2