E-type Jag Tyres

man · Post by **man** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:02 pm

I needed new tyres for my Series 3 e-type and Vintage Tyres said they had the original spec Dunlop ER70 R15 93H. As they were original spec I bought 5 of them. The garage that fitted them said they were wrong spec as I should have V speed rating. Vintage Tyres say the H speed rating is now the same as the old pre 1990 V rating as tyres are now steel belted? On the face of it however, as I live in Spain and the ITV (MOT equivalent) look at these things, I now am driving an MOT failure as I have the wrong speed rated tyres. Does anyone know of the official change in speed rating by the EU that meant H rated tyres were the same as the old V rated?

Post by **Heuer** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:41 pm

My understanding is all E-Type's require V rated (up to 149mph) tyres based on the published Jaguar specifications of the car i.e. it is a 150mph sports car. The rating applies to the tyre's maximum speed and the capability of the car. The original tyres were downrated to HR (130mph) so they are, in theory, no longer appropriate. In the UK this means you should inform your Insurance company you have modified the vehicle by fitting lower speed rated tyres. It is not an MOT failure as far as I know.

http://tinyurl.com/mz9qxg

Suggest you give Dougal at Longstone Tyres a call (+44 (0)1302 711123) as he is very knowledgeable and always ready to help.

man · Post by **man** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:16 pm

Vintage Tyre Supplies have provided me with a letter from Dunlop stating that V testing of 30 years ago is the same as H testing now and specigically stating that todays H is at least as good as a V was 30 years ago and that Dunlop 185R15 H SP is the correct and authentic fitment for the Jaguar e-type. I wondered whether anyone had anything else supporting this. In spain it's a ITV (MOT) failure

Post by **Heuer** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:33 pm

From Longstone Tyres web site:

"The first E-Type Jaguar was fitted with a 640H15 Dunlop RS5 cross ply tyre until 1965 when the factory offered the E Type with a Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet 185HR15 radial tyre as an alternative. This, now classic, tyre became standard fitment to all series one Jaguar XKE's and series two Jaguar E-Types.

1971 saw the introduction of the series three Jaguar XKE in 5.3 litre V12 form fitted, as standard, with Dunlop ER70x15 (205/70HR15) radial tyres on 6"x15" steel wheels (wire wheels were optional). The series three Jaguar E-Type also had the benefit of power steering as standard equipment. This overcame the problem of otherwise heavy steering gained by the fitment of wider tyres."

If your vendor recommended 185R15 H SP tyres for your car, assuming it is an S3, he got it wrong on all counts! Longstone recommend Michelin XWX 205/75VR15 for the S3. I would just take it through the MOT process making sure you have the original owners manual to hand and do a lot of pointing and shrugging if they pull you on it. Usually they are so interested in the car they over look this sort of thing.

e-bygum · Post by **e-bygum** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:09 pm

David
Are you sure Longstone recommend a 75 profile tyre for the S3? Or is it a typo?

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:54 pm

Heuer wrote: 1971 saw the introduction of the series three Jaguar XKE in 5.3 litre V12 form fitted, as standard, with Dunlop ER70x15 (205/70HR15) radial tyres on 6"x15" steel wheels (wire wheels were optional).

In 1971 that should have been 205/70VR15 not HR. The ER70x15 tyres were fabric radials but VR rated and the 205/70x15 were steel radials were also VR rated (also a tad wider in real life). My series 3 with 205/70s rubs the rear guards where the ER70s do not.

Garry

Post by **Heuer** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:14 am

e-bygum wrote:David
Are you sure Longstone recommend a 75 profile tyre for the S3? Or is it a typo?

Typo - is should be 205/70VR15

e-bygum · Post by **e-bygum** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 12:00 pm

man wrote:Vintage Tyre Supplies have provided me with a letter from Dunlop stating that V testing of 30 years ago is the same as H testing now and specigically stating that todays H is at least as good as a V was 30 years ago and that Dunlop 185R15 H SP is the correct and authentic fitment for the Jaguar e-type. I wondered whether anyone had anything else supporting this. In spain it's a ITV (MOT) failure

The only issue I have with the above is the statement that "Dunlop 185R15 H SP is the correct and authentic fitment for the Jaguar e-type" as it does not specify which series of e-type. It may or may not be correct for the s1 and s2 cars (I don't know) but it is not correct for the s3. No aspect ratio is shown in that tyre size which means that it is about 80 ratio. The original fitment tyre ER70 VR 15 has an aspect ratio of 70. The earlier series e-types had narrower wheels than the s3 which has 6inch ones. The 185 size is appropriate for the s1 and 2 but the s3 should be 205 if we are talking of modern equivalents.
The oe tyre had a speed rating of 150 mph (V) therefore the correct modern day replacement should have the same speed rating. If the tyre specification for what constitutes a V rating has changed since these cars were new that does not mean a lower rating is now appropriate. It just means that a V rated tyre then was not built to the same spec as now.

MarkG · Post by **MarkG** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:35 am

On a related issue, I changed my tyres this year for Pirelli P4000s 205/70. They replaced some old Avons which had a similar tread pattern to the OE Dunlops. The fitter reckoned could have been as much as 20 years but certainly 10 years old.

Anyway, the difference in handling is AMAZING.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:09 pm

Hello

back on the debate as I am considering to buy new tyres...( 6 years old now)

I have read on Jag Lovers archives and other sources that the recommended size is indeed ER70HR15 or 205/70VR15

The original Jaguar reco for the S3 was :
E70VR15 SPORT in Dunlop and for Winter:185 X 15 SP M&S in Dunlop

Still from the Jaguar Lovers archives some are driving with 215/65-15 or even 225/ 65 -15.

FYI my reserve tyre (car came with it) is a Goodrich 195 75R15 and I drive with GoodYear 205-70-15 (very satisfied but sometimes rubbing on right rear wheel arch in cornering to the left).
I read that the 185HR15 SP SPORT would be close to the ER70HR15.

Does anyone have experience (or advice) with a 185 or 195 for the S3 (instead of 205 to save some space and limit rubbing?) ? any impact on speedo reading?

NB: still considering to find one with the white wall if possible...

best regards

D COUPE · Post by **D COUPE** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:07 pm

Just to add my '2 penneth'. S3 V12 ROADSTER 74 running 215 70 15 Pirelli P4000.

No catching No rubbing. Just right really.

I am running the chrome pressed steel wheel.

DC

jonhall88 · Post by **jonhall88** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:18 pm

Just fitted Pirelli p4000,s x 4 on wires (205 x 70 x 15) superb, the difference in handling is noticable (better) no rubbing and managed to get them for ?136 each, fitted, balanced etc.
On one note I was running using my spare for a week and it wasn't until the change that the fitter noticed it was a Goodyear but the rating was far below the V spec and in fact would have rendered my insurance invalid !!!
Strange how most tyre suppliers who advertise 50% off 4 tyres say that the size required for the E type is a 'special' and does not come under the offer.
jon

Malk · Post by **Malk** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:41 am

I've had verey similar discussions with Vintage tyres about 'having' to fit the Michelins when in fact the Pirelli P4000 is an exact match on rolling radius to original Dunlops and for the money an excellent option. I'm sure they are a lot better for modern day driving, current road state than the Dunlop but he doesn't like the 'look'. I feel safety is more important I will fit these.
For the record Micheldever were the cheapest for these - have several sites around uk.

dougal · Post by **dougal** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:40 pm

Hi

Series 1 & 2 E-Types fitted initially 640H15 Dunlop RS5 tyres but soon the 185R15 radial tyre was soon offered as an option. Series 1 & 2 cars did not have 205/70VR15 (or ER/70VR15) tyres fitted because the 70% profile tyre had not been invented yet. In 1968 Dunlop in conjunction with Jaguar devbeloped the first 70% profile tyres which were fitted to the XJ6 cars. The Dunlop ER/70VR15 is now a V rated tyre and if originality is important to you that would be the choice, but the Michelin XWX has a W speed rating and is the best handling tyre.

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk have just made a new video about the tyre choices for Series 3 E-Type Jaguars that is hopefully an honest opinion of what tyres are available http://www.youtube.com/TheLongstoneTyre ... riwudJRipw

Regards

Dougal

Post by **Heuer** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:17 am

Nice one Dougal - any chance you could do a similar review for S1/S2 tyres?

dougal · Post by **dougal** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:04 pm

Hi

I will do an S1 and S2 video in the near future.

The intention with the video's i am doing is to be informative. My recommendations are based on what i genuinely believe would be the best tyre for a car regardless of price. i believe it is my customers responsibility to look after his own bank balance. i don't recommend the most expensive tyres because of their price however the best tyres are usually the most expensive.

Sadly my XJ12 in the background has now been sold.

dougal · Post by **dougal** » Tue Aug 05, 2025 7:30 am

I have just stumbled on this old thread through a Google search and thought it might benefit from an update.

We do have videos about the series 1 and 2 e tyes on here.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classi ... -type.html

And importantly since this post was current Jaguar have asked Itelli to make the P5 again in the size 205/70VR15. The 205/70VR15 Cinturato P5 is now the best tyre for the series 3 E-Type. Jag requested it going back into production because it is a tyre they themselves were involved in developing in conjunction with their power steering so it suits the car, and today’s production is produced with Pirelli s modern compound adding extra grip.

Good news for classic Jag owners.

chrisfell · Post by **chrisfell** » Tue Aug 05, 2025 2:43 pm

Seen at Goodwood Breakfast Club on Sunday

Vredesteins, but not the usual. These were Sportrac 5 in 225/60 VR15 mounted on centre laced wheels. The car was a 66 FHC.

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