New Car Guy

Zack,

When choosing new rims for your car you need to consider diameter, width and offset, in addition to bolt pattern. These variables affect the tire possibilities. The Tire Rack site has a very good section called Tire University - or something like that - which explains all this very well. They also explain all the arcane numbers and symbols that describe the dimensions of tires, the basics of which are diameter (of the wheel the tire is to be mounted on), tread width (in millimeters), and sidewall height, aka aspect ratio (a percentage of the tread width).

Your 1982 XJ6 was originally equipped with 15" diam x 6" wide wheels (probably the Kent alloy style, since it is a US car), with 205/70VR-15 steel belted radial tires (probably Pirelli).

The benefit of the Keisler website I suggested to you is that along with showing pictures of wheel designs (which might help you decide what style would appeal to you) it also keys in which Jaguar models each wheel can be used on, so you can pick up quite a lot of info here, whether you buy from Keisler or not. (However did we manage before the Internet?!)

This can all be pretty daunting -- I was a New Car Guy myself not too long ago -- but take it a step at a time and all will become clear.

As for trying to get new wheels to fit old tires -- as they say in New Yawk: fugettaboutit! Any tire older than about 5-6 years old, even if it hasn't been driven on, should be replaced. Rubber loses its qualities with age and exposure to light, and an old tire is a bad accident waiting to happen.

So I hope this is of some help. If you have more questions on this subject, why not start a new thread on the XJ6 Saloons Forum, which is where model-specific discussions like this one should be held.

Warren Hansen
70 E-Type FHC "Silver Bolide"
96 X300

Thanks for help but a few more questions....ok you gave me these sites that have lots of ideas. but when talking about rims...there is a picture and information but a picture is a steel or chrome wheel but does that come with a tire that will fit on my wheel or will that rim already fit on the original tires?

Warren gave you some good pointers... I would also suggest that before spending too much money on fancy chrome rims, you first make sure it is worth it. There is more to a car than the engine so make sure everything else is in shape and good working condition.

the last thing you want to do is spend a couple of thousand on wheels and tires only to find that the car needs a lot of work (brakes, electrical, AC, tranny, etc...). You can quickly sink in far more than it is worth especially one with a chevy lump, these greatly reduce the value of a jaguar...

Pascal Gademer
South Florida Jaguar Club
72 E-type 2+2
00 XKR Coupe
99 XJR

Zack,

Welcome to the world of Jaguar enthusiasts! The XJ6 was one of the most beautiful production cars ever made. You probably won't be able to buy rims from that car shop down the street; Jaguars have a unique bolt pattern which isn't compatible with many aftermarket rims. There are several sources for Jaguar wheels, however. On my XJ6 I had rims from a later XJ-S that looked great. A few places for your to investigate:

www.coventrywest.com/
www.keislerauto.com/ [This site tells you which cars a wheel will fit.]
www.motorcarsltd.com/
www.tirerack.com/

Good luck, and enjoy your car!

Regards,
Warren Hansen
70 E-Type FHC "Silver Bolide"
96 X300