space saver

[painter]

When reading through the JDIT spec. for 97 XK8's, it seems clear that there was no space saver at that time, the spare being an alloy matching wheel. Why then do I find the dreaded space saver in the boot of my 96 XK8. It looks like the original supply.

[GrandTourer]

Checking the Jaguar Supplementary Information System seems to confirm your statement that there was no space saver spare wheel available, but the spare wheel was a full sized 17" Revolver wheel.
I would have a guess, that the (or one of the..) previous owners has obtained a space saver wheel and replaced the full size one to gain the useful extra space that is to be had by doing this. Of course, this is only my assumption.

As you know there two possible height positions for the boot floor. When using a space saver wheel the boot floor panel can be placed in the lower position, providing that extra space.

[painter]

I think I've worked this one out, not being a Sherlock Holmes I hadn't noticed that the wheels/tyres are 18" (well I did know when I replaced two recently) and as you suggest a previous owner has gone for the later setup having wider wheels on the rear, hence I think the space saver. The original spec for 96 seems to have been 4 identical wheels. (Still like to know where my alloy is though

[GrandTourer]

I think I've worked this one out, not being a Sherlock Holmes I hadn't noticed that the wheels/tyres are 18" (well I did know when I replaced two recently) and as you suggest a previous owner has gone for the later setup having wider wheels on the rear, hence I think the space saver. The original spec for 96 seems to have been 4 identical wheels. (Still like to know where my alloy is though

You are quite right, the original spec was for for identical size 17" wheels and the 18" wheels could be specified at an optional cost or, if you ordered the CATS suspension option (Adaptive Damping) the 18" wheels were included in that option. The tyres where Pirelli P-Zero 245/45 front and 255/45 rear.
Anyway, part of your mystery solved

[mike020150]

I'm not sure where the size cut-off occurs but the XK8 spare wheel well cannot accommodate the larger size wheels. There's certainly no chance of getting a 20" wheel and tyre in the boot, let alone the well, which is why Jaguar supply a plastic bag to allow you to place a punctured dirty 20" wheel/tyre combination inside the car - a triumph of style over practicality! Mike.

[painter]

Thank's Mike, reading your post I was about to dash out and check that the space saver was in fact 18", but having passed two MOTs since in my possession it must be. Never considered the problem re: 20" wheels, but the boot space is a bit lean. And as for trying to reach into the back seat carrying a 20" rear wheel I think for me it would have to be a coach bolt through the boot lid

[Nik]

Thank's Mike, reading your post I was about to dash out and check that the space saver was in fact 18", but having passed two MOTs since in my possession it must be. Never considered the problem re: 20" wheels, but the boot space is a bit lean. And as for trying to reach into the back seat carrying a 20" rear wheel I think for me it would have to be a coach bolt through the boot lid

I'm not sure where the size cut-off occurs but the XK8 spare wheel well cannot accommodate the larger size wheels. There's certainly no chance of getting a 20" wheel and tyre in the boot, let alone the well, which is why Jaguar supply a plastic bag to allow you to place a punctured dirty 20" wheel/tyre combination inside the car - a triumph of style over practicality! Mike.

Hi Guys ,
When my car had 18" Flutes I purchased a 18" front flute for use as a spare , having recently bought 20" Sepangs and about to fit Brembo brakes I realised that my 18" Flute spare would not fit over the brembo calipers so I bought a "red" space saver which is intended for brembo braked cars (the black spacesaver won't fit brembo equiped cars )

The point I'm getting to is.................. My car has a 20" Sepang FRONT as a spare with a unidirectional tyre so it will go on all four corners (got to be better than a spacesaver)

Sorry to disagree with you Mike but I can assure everybody that a 20" Jaguar BBS Front wheel and tyre will fit the sparewheel well with no modifications whatsoever , the only downside is the boot floor board will only fit on the "high" setting ,

Hope this is helpful ,

Nik

[GrandTourer]

I would agree with Nik.
I have just been out measuring the boot-well has a clear width of 685mm (2'3") and the rear-to-front dimension is more than that.
I have a black space-saver in the well and 18" Flute wheels on the car. I just measured the outside diameter of one of my wheels on the car and it is ca. 670mm.
The larger 20" wheels would be fitted with lower profile tyres so that the circumference - and therefore the diameter - is similar to the original dimension.

[Nik]

The larger 20" wheels would be fitted with lower profile tyres so that the circumference - and therefore the diameter - is similar to the original dimension.

You correct Karl , the only minor problem is 20" front wheels are wider so you can only fit the boot board in the high position ,

All the best ,

Nik

[mike020150]

Apologies for creating some unintended confusion. As Nik and Grandtourer have stated it is possible to place a 20" front wheel in the well despite Jaguar's handbook advice that, "20 inch wheels cannot be stored beneath the luggage compartment floor panel". Some time ago I had occasion to take a rear wheel/tyre combination for tyre replacement and remembering the handbook advice, I attempted to carry it in the boot of my convertible which is fitted with the Jaguar plastic tray. I recall it wouldn't fit. Now, I'll trundle off and eat my hat. Mike.

[subo651]

This thread has promted my first post as I have the same set up as painter 18" wheels (flutes) and a space saver on my 97 xk8,a situation that concerns me as i do my big milages on a Sunday when repair or replacement could be a problem and I may have several hundred miles to go.
I have thought of doing the same as Nik and getting another front wheel as a better spare option.My tyres are the pirelli p zeros,so am I right in thinking there are 3 different configurations,2 rears the same and 2 directional on the front,so i would need 3 spares to cover all eventuallities,is that the reason for temporary spare wheel.
Another point is if the 17" wheels have 5 alloys,as stated are all these tyres the same,if they are then why do the 18" wheels have wider back wheels than the front and could you use 4 "front" tyres as it seems you can on 17" wheels,sorry i seem to have more questions than answers on your post painter.

[GrandTourer]

I have two spare 18" front flutes with 245/45 P-Zero directional tyres. The tyres are worn but legal (they are a used pair from when I replaced all four tyres some time ago).
I find this useful as a can also use them on the rear - like now, when I am having my two rear wheels refurbished.
The standard 18" rear tyres are 255/45 and the P-Zero tyre pattern on these is asymetrical, so I guess they should still go on the correct side of the axle.

However, I now have TOYO T1-R Precis tyres all round, which all have the same thread pattern and seem to do a great job ( no more tram-lineing) and, by chance also more economical. Of course, the V-shaped thread pattern means you still need to put them onto the right side of the car to ensure the water dispersal works effectively.

I am actually quite happy to carry my space saver, giving me the extra space in the boot. Although, I had 3 punctures (ie nails embedded without too much loss of air pressure) during the first 6 months from buying the XK (over six years ago), I have not had one since despite covering about 50K miles in that time (I wish I hadn't said that now ).

[NormanD]

First Flutes will fit over Brembo's Double 5's will but you will need spacers.

I run on Double 5's and have a front D5 as a spare in the wheel well

OK I agree not ideal if on the rear or the wrong side, but as a spare 100% better than a Skinny where you can't go over 50MPH or more than 50 miles with it

[Nik]

Have to agree with Norm here , I have seen an XK with a spacesaver fitted including one with 20" wheels , it looks frightening .

I regularly travel to Leeds and further , if I got a puncture there I could not drive legally home on a spacesaver , 50 miles/50 MPH ,

my Sepang spare has a omnidirectional tyre fitted so it will "fit" on all four corners and in my opinion has to be better/safer than a spacesaver any day of the week ,

just as a bynote , if any members have Brembo brakes on their cars ,
check you don't have a black spacesaver as it won't fit over the brake calipers
Make sure you pick up the red cast alloy spacesaver at the very least ,

Hope this helps ,

Nik

Not wanting to embarress Norman but check out the next edition of Jaguar World Monthly it features his car in great length and shows just how much BHP & Torque you can squeeze out an XKR