Parnelli

Hey guys, this summer I bought a 2006 Jaguar sedan Super V8 Portfolio Edition for my daily driver (see link below). The car has 20 inch wheels that look incredibly sharp but of course will be awful in the winter. I will be getting winter wheels and tires to put on during the snow season as it snows a lot here in Milwaukee.

Here is my question.....must I get 18 inch wheels/tires to navigate snowy hills (per suggestion by my Jag dealer/mechanic) or will 19 inch wheels work just as well? The car is very big and I'm afraid it won't look "right" w/ 18 inch wheels/tires given the fact that they have 20 inch on in the summer.

Would appreciate any thoughts. THX!

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/to...-Portfolio.htm

Linnm

It is usually not the diameter of the wheel that causes winter difficulties, it is the cross-section of the tire. The wider tires tend to "float" on the snow and ice.
I know this is not identical but--my first Porsche was an '87 with 16" Fuchs wheels. I lived in Connecticut and needed to drive in the snow. I got a set of 15" steel wheels, went down 2 tire sizes and had no issues at all with my snowy travel.

richardew

I've been running Blizzaks on my vehicles for the past 6 years. With my 911 I've used the same size tires (205/50/17, 255/40/17). They have been great. I've traveled through snowstorms and snow covered highways through the Appalachian Mountains with them and they are amazing. My FX45 has 20 inch wheels and I went minus 2 to 18 inch rims (265/60/18). With my BMW 335XI w/sport pkg (225/40/18, 255/35/18) I am using the same size Blizzaks.
I think that you'll have good results with 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels. The limiting factor is you ground clearance. Once it's up to your bumper you have to park it.

Parnelli

"I think that you'll have good results with 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels. The limiting factor is you ground clearance. Once it's up to your bumper you have to park it."
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will the 18 inch wheel vs. the 19 inch affect affect the bumper height? Wouldn't 18 inch actually lower the ground clearance?

syzygy

You still get tires that will give you the same outside diameter. That will eliminate any issues you may come up with.

DanQ

Get narrowest tallest winter tires recommened by the factory. I'd go with 18" wheels in your case. If for no other reason than 18" snow tires will be cheaper than 20", typically. Check your owners manual for factory specs, but your mechanic is correct IMHO