xke tires

Having owned a bunch of these cars it has been my experience to stick with the Coker Redline radials. The first set I bought transformed the handling and ride. I am completely sold on those tires if you intend to drive the car.

 

not sure if WW is available but

Pirelli is a more performance orieted option..
I believe 195 or even 205's are being used..
Think its P6000

Personally If I were to change brand/Tire..it would be Michelin XWX 205 on a D type aluminum wheel.

 

That would be my choice the Michelin,but with 15 by 6 wires ie Dayton wheels.

 

Original tires were 185/70/15 Dunlop SP sport, whitewall. Best looking tire for series 2 xke.
I think they are being reproduced. Check with longstone therein the uk. With shipping to USA, maybe cheaper than Coker.
Ed

 

My V12E came with Cooper Lifeliner whitewalls and they were awful. Otherwise known as ditchfinders it felt that the car was going to fall off the road at every turn. For a V!2 they were 205/70-15. Whitewalls look nice if it's a trailer queen but if you're going to use the performance I'd go for the Dunlop SP in 185 or Pirelli P4000 in 205.

Longstone don't list a whitewall but Vintage Tyres in the UK do.

The Cooper tyres are only rated to 113mph anyway so they are not suitable.

 

the dunlop sp 185's sport were thin whitewalls not thick.
go 195's
car will handle much better with a modern radial. michelin may have a thin whitewall tire in 195 size
if only a driver, no need to buy a 5th tire.
ed

 

Edward, I have a S1 car with Michelin 185 HR x 15. Car rides exceptional. I did buy these when they were much cheaper than current prices. My point is whichever brand you choose stay with the original size. I keep the original tire in the boot as the spare. won't ever use it though.

 

Whatever tire is in the boot, it should be functional. Check air pressure frequently.
Ed

 

Sorry Edward 96GTS; I just realized that you are not the person asking about the tires in the first post.

 

I have 185HR15 Veredstiens on both of my SII E-types. The oringinal Dunlop S/P 's were 185HR15 with 3/8 inch WW ( which is still on my spare for show only). Universal makes this size but the WW is 5/8 inch. I have not driven on these but have heard they may be hard to balance. Redlines NEVER came from the factory and while they look good on certain colors they are not orignal. As far as size, my OTS had 205s on 6 inch wheels (previous owner) and was a bear to steer. I switched to the 5 inch wheel and 185s and it drives great. Michelin makes great tires, but there advantage is long wear. Veredstien and Dunlop SP are preformance tires and although they have a shorter life, all tires on an E-Type will dry rot long before wearing out. There is alot on this at www.jag-lovers.org. Hope this helps.

 

I'm hunting for tires as well.. would you happen to have a photo of the Coker tires mounted on the wheel?


<Got tires from wallach tires in tx and now total aggravation! seems wire wheels require tubes and flaps to protect the inside of the tire and hold air but they dont stock them in jag size. i asked why didnt they tell me about this when ordered and they said i should have asked. ugh!>

You can find tubes at Coker.

 

I went with the Dunlop SP50's this weekend...
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old thread, am in need of one SP50 or any proper Dunlop , 205/70/15... any sources??

 

I got mine here.. you can check to see if they're still have any.

All Weather Tires Sales and Service | Huntington Station NY Tires & Auto Repair Shop

 

thx... no white wall dunlops there.. what do other XKEs use?

 

Hi,

Originally earlier cars did not have radials but cross ply 15" Dunlop RS.5's and later cars had Dunlop SP41 radials, 185VR15 also available from Pirelli & Michelin (Cinturato radials and XAS, XVS radials). That's the same size all 6-cyl cars used until the end of production in 1970. A popular replacement today is the Vredestein Sprint Classic.

All V12 cars came from factory with Dunlop Aquajets, 205 ER70 15" and these as well many other good tires, like Michelin XWX are available from most vendors.

Cheers,

Pekka T.
Fin.

 

I have a 1971 Roadster with Red Line Tires. They were popular around that time.

Joe