World Dealers for the Pirelli Collezione Range 
Michelin Collections UK Distributors For Classic & Vintage Tyres Jaguar E-Type Tyres
The best tyres for the Jaguar E-Type come from Pirelli. The 185 VR 15 CINTURATO CA67 offers the best handling for XKE models up to 1971, after which Jaguar introduced power steering and developed the 205/70 WR 15 CINTURATO P5 to suit.
E-Type Jaguar 1961–1974
- Original equipment tyres for a series 1 E-type up to 1968 was Crossply 640 H 15 Dunlop RS5, which is no longer made.
- Currently the only period suitable tyre for early XKE is the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67. This is the best tyre for an early E-Type/XKE.
- The 185VR15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 is the best handling road tyre for all 6 cylinder E-Type/XKE; these cars did not have power steering.
- Series 2 E-type in 1968 Jaguars came fitted with 185 x 15 Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet. Along with the series 2 the SP Sport Aquajet was developed in 1968.
- We still suggest that the best tyres for a MK2 XKE is also 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or the 185 R15 Michelin XVS.
- Many people want to fit a wider tyre to fill the wheel arches of an e-type, for which we suggest 205/70 R 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 or 205/70 VR 15 Michelin XWX for these 6-cylinder pre-power steering cars. However, we must say that earlier cars handle noticeably better on 185 tyres.
E-Type Jag Tyres
German Magazine Auto Bild Klassic ran a back-to-back tyre test with the E-type, and proved the 205/70 R 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 is the best low-profile tyre for a Series 1 and 2 6-cylinder E-Type without power-steering.
The Pirelli P5 was not produced at the time of this video. The P5 is the best tyre for Series 3 E-Type with V12 engine and power steering. The P5 was developed at the request of Jaguar for their power steering cars.
- In 1971 with the Series 3 V12 E type, Jaguar added power steering and fitted ER/70 VR 15 Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet. We suggest that the best tyres for these later chassis with power steering are 205/70 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO P5.
- The Pirelli P5 is a tyre that Jaguar asked Pirelli to make to improve their luxury cars with power steering like the V12 series 3 XKE, and its excellence is proven in the tyre test, though on a none power steering car.
- Most e-type Jaguars need innertubes. We suggest the Michelin 15F as the best innertube for 185 R15 or 205/70 R15 tyres.
- Some Series 3 V12 E-Type cars were released on pressed steel wheels and do not require innertubes.
- For information about the ideal tyre pressure follow the link to our E-Type Jaguar Tyre Pressure section.
- There is more explanatory information about our recommendations for Jaguar XKE tyres below.
- Here is some data from the original testing of the Pirelli P5 by Jaguar back in the 1970s.
- Longstone's own Dougal Cawley featured in Jaguar World Magazine, click the link to see the Jaguar World Magazine Longstone Tyres Article.
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Recommend Inner Tubes for Jaguar E-Type
Alternative Tyres for Jaguar E-Type
Obsolete Tyres
These historical tyres are discontinued
E Type Jaguar Tyre Pressure
Jaguar series 1 e-type recommendation for tyre pressure
Tyre Front (PSI) Rear (PSI) 6.40H15 Dunlop RS5 30 35 185VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; 36 38 185VR15 Michelin XVS 32 32 Jaguar series 2 e-type recommendation for tyre pressure
Tyre Front (PSI) Rear (PSI) 185VR15 Dunlop Aquajet 40 40 185VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; 36 38 185VR15 Michelin XVS 32 32 Jaguar 2+2 e-type recommendation tyre pressure
Tyre Front (PSI) Rear (PSI) 6.40H15 Dunlop RS5 30 35 185VR15 Dunlop Aquajet 40 40 185VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; 36 38 185VR15 Michelin XVS 32 32 Jaguar V12 series 3 e-type recommendation tyre pressure
Tyre Front (PSI) Rear (PSI) ER/70VR15 Dunlop Aquajet 30 30 205/70WR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; 28 30 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX 30 32 205/70WR15 PIRELLI P5 30 32
Jaguar E-Type Pirelli Advert
Jaguar E Type
Jaguar E Type Tyre Equipment
E Type Tyre Pressures
Jaguar XKE Tyres
Initially the Series 1 e-type fitted crossply tyres . However, Jaguar offered 2 radial alternatives at the factory: 185-15 Dunlop SP 41 which is no longer made, or the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; which is now being manufactured again.
We have calculated an all in special deal on sets of tyres for XKE Jaguar owners with the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™ CA67 tyre. We consider this to be the best tyre for an XKE. This deal includes a reduced price on the tyres and free carriage to most of the world, and subsidised shipping charges to the rest of the world.
We would suggest that the other best tyre for the S-series 1, series 1.5 or series 2 e-type would be Michelin's 185VR15 XVS because it is a tyre designed to make cars of this period more suited to the dual carriageways and motorways that were starting to emerge in the '60s.
PIRELLI also manufactures a 205/70 VR 15 P5, for series 3 e type's as this is the tyre that Jaguar asked Pirelli to make for its power steering cars.
Many people like a wider tyre to fill the wheel arches in the earlier 6 cylinder non-power steering cars (you must however adjust your rear bump stops on the earlier XKE if you want to fit these wider tyres). If you are fitting a 205/70VR15 tyre to a non-power steering car we suggest the 205/70VR15 Pirelli CN12 or 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX are more suited to these earlier cars, but a 185VR15 is a nicer handling tyre for the earlier XKE.
The other top option for a V12 E-type would be the 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX Because it's robust carcass offers excellent directional stability at high speeds and progressive handling need on these powerful cars.
E-Type V12 Jaguar fitting new Tyres at Longstone HQ
V12 E-Type Jaguar Tyres
It is important to note that when Jaguar fitted the V12 engine to their 3rd series XKE they also added power steering. This was to overcome the differences in the handling that fitting 205/70VR15 tyres caused. In 1968, they also fitted these wider tyres to the XJ6, but Jaguar didn't fit them to series 2 - X K E that was in production at the time, because a 6 cylinder XK E handles better on a 185VR15.
Pirelli Cintura, E-Type Jag Advert
E-type tyre fitment in more details
The first E-Type Jaguar was fitted with a 640H15 Dunlop RS5 crossply tyre. You could request the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; as a radial-ply alternative, at the point of purchase. This PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; would be the sporting choice of tyre today for series 1 and 2 e-type Jaguars as it was the best radial tyre for a sports car in the 1970s. In the period, the CINTURATO ™; was a very expensive tyre so when Dunlop developed their SP41 that was also offered as a radial alternative; now no longer manufactured.
In 1968, Jaguar moved on to the series 2 E type; at which point Jaguar moved on to fitting radial tyres as standard, predominantly fitting the 185VR15 Dunlop SP Sport or Aquajet, as it was also called. Dunlop had a long-standing relationship with Jaguar and of course, with them being local to each other the price of the Dunlop made it very attractive compared to the Pirelli and Michelin that were available at the time. All things considered, Longstone Classic tyres feel the best tyres to fit to pre 1971 non-power steering E types (series 1, series 1_, and the series 2) are the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; or the 185 VR 15 Michelin XVS which is an asymmetric tyre developed in the 60's to make cars of this period more suited to motorways.
1991 Daimler Double Six on PIRELLI P5 Tyres - Approved by the Queen
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.
The tyre size ER/70VR15 is now called 205/70VR15. There are a reasonably wide range of tyres in the size 205/70VR15, of which we would suggest that the fitting the 205/70WR15 Pirelli P5 as this is a tyre that Jaguar themselves asked Pirelli to manufacture for it’s power steering XJ6 & XJS.
Jaguar E-Type 9600HP - Thanks to Philip Porter
It is worth noting that we strongly encourage 6-cylinder e-type owners to fit a 185VR15 tyre, we are aware that many people want a fatter tyre to fill the wheel arches. A 205/70VR15 tyre will never handle as well on these cars, but if it is this wider look you are looking for then the 205/70WR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN12 or 205/70VR15 XWX Michelin are tyres that are designed to be used in this environment with a chassis from this period and will handle better on a non-power steering car than other more modern tyres in this size.
E Type Jaguar
In 1961, 12 years and 4 months after the launch of the XK120, Jaguar wowed the world again at the Geneva motor show with the Jaguar E type (XKE) coupe. This phenomenal car offered people 265bhp, 150mph performance with acceleration to match, and 18mpg average fuel consumption, all from a fully equipped touring/sports car that cost £2000. In its day, this was a feat that no other manufacturer had achieved and is quite remarkable even now! From its inception in '61 in 3.8 litre series one E Type form, through 4.2 litre series two Jaguar E-Type in 1968, to its death in '75 as the 5.3 V12 series three XKE the Jaguar E-type was a benchmark car, and some might say, the most beautiful car of all time.
Jaguar E-Type Videos
First we have the movie of The Tortoise and Hare - ⒸPIRELLI, then the next 3 films deal with the 3 different models of e-type Jaguar and hopefully demonstrate our reasoning behind our recommendations as to which are the best tyre for these 60's icons. After the films, are listings of all the best tyre options offered by Longstone tyres for your XKE.
E-Type Jaguar Series 2
Jaguar E-Type S1 Tyres Explained
E-Type Jaguar Series 2
E-Type Jaguar Series 3
E-Type Jag Tyre Test
Jaguar E-Type Wheels
Jaguar E Type with Borrani Wheels
Jaguar E Type with Borrani Wheels
The Most Famous Jaguar E Type in the World, with Borrani Wheels
Borrani Wire Wheels
Borrani wheels are available for your Jaguar E-Type. As agents for the iconic Ruote Borrani Milano company we are able to supply all wheels from their extensive range.
If your Borrani wheels require rebuilding, then please contact us at sales@borrani.co.uk
Wire wheels made by Ruote Borrani Milano are, without doubt, the best wire wheels available. Borrani wheels utilise aluminium rims, steel spokes and steel wheel centres.
Click the link for Jaguar E-Type Borrani wheels.
Wheels made by Borrani are available in the following styles:
- Painted silver finish, as per the racing wheels of the period
- Polished and chrome finish, highly polished rim, chrome spokes & wheel centre
- Painted finish with polished outer edge
