Tyres. Tyres. Tyres!

[Heuer]

I know this is an old chestnut of mine but events over the last few days have brought it into focus.

If you are fitting, or have fitted, tyres and wheels other than specified by Jaguar you must inform your insurance company. Vanity apart, fitting wide wheels and non standard tyres are regarded as a 'modification' by UK Insurance companies. So anything other than 185 VR 15 is a modification. Telling your insurers won't affect the premium but could affect any payout. Nothing to do with how fast you may drive - Jaguar said "150mph" so VR tyres are required.

Check out the news today as insurance companies are saying they will not cover cars fitted with winter tyres (yes, beggars belief!) as they are a "modification" from standard.

[SESH]

I am currently semi-restoring an otherwise reasonable series 3 V12. Now on the question of tyres which must have come up before. Currently the car has the correct tyres but they are Avons and are getting on a bit age wise but still good tread. Trying to get 205 70 15 V rated tyres is difficult unless you want to pay very high prices for period style Dunlops through a specialist vintage tyre company. What are the workable alternatives on wires? Will I need to advise my insurance company of a change if they are still V rated? Cheers Mike.

[Heuer]

Best tyres for the S3 are Michelin XWX 205/70 but they are indeed expensive. You could try the Vredesteins at half the price but still VR rated: http://tinyurl.com/27w7ldy

[JEP41]

I have a set of Vredestein 205-70 15's on my MK2 and they are excellent :)

[GSR 54D]

Having mentioned on the forum about my research into this subject a few people have recently pm'd me for info. Probably worth mentioning my basic answer for those who are interested:

Lancaster insurance services (front desk) originally said verbally any tyre would be OK as long as it passed an MOT, a year later when I asked for this in writing they said they made a mistake. Bottom line was: "their legal department said the car must be fitted with what the manufacturer advises, nothing less" and so currently the Jaguar service bulletin (produced after my series 1 handook) advising V rated tyres to be fitted to all e-types technically stands. However I said my original handbook (series 1) quoted H rated tyres, no V stated anywhere and I wanted to buy Dunlop SP sport (which are now only HR rated) for originality. On that basis Lancaster Insurance produced a letter confirming HR rated tyres were OK because my old Jaguar handbook specifically "advised" HR. The service bulletin was not mentioned in the letter deliberately.
So I now have an insurance letter saying HR is OK for my series 1 car even though we know this isn't what Jaguar retrospectively advised!
Against my wishes to keep originality and for piece of mind I opted for V rated so then I'm covered should I insure with a different company in the future.

As you can see overall my insurance company were not willing to state in writing against a manufacturers specification and in my case I believe the legal department were not aware of the service bulletin.

John H
(Michelin XVS 185/15 VR)!!