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Ridiculous

On the 23rd April I purchased a Jaguar XF Portfolio model at a cost of nearly £44,000. I have now covered approximately 700 miles and I find that the ride is very hard and not at all acceptable. The standard wheels are 20” with low profile tyres. (I have never liked low profile tyres.) The brochure indicates that alternative wheels are not an option, but they are on the lower spec cars: the Luxury and Premium Luxury. On consulting Jaguar UK I have been informed that I could have the 18 inch wheels fitted, with deeper profile tyres but they were not willing to assist in the cost and that I would have to pay for the substitution, at a cost of £1,880 (cost price I have been told). The Jaguar dealership from whom I purchased the car bettered that slightly, advising that they will supply and fit replacement wheels tyres at a cost of £1,000 in part-exchange for the 20 inch wheels and tyres. Do you think that I should be responsible for the cost of replacing the wheels and tyres as I was never given the option at the time of purchasing the car to have the smaller wheels and tyres fitted.

Asked on 31 July 2010 by AE, Looe

Answered by Honest John
Yes, it's down to you. Jaguar should compensate for its arrogance in fitting the unnecessary 20" wheels as standard in the first place, something that was my one criticism in my video test of the car at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/road-tests/jaguar/jaguar...t . But Jaguar is under no legal obligation to replace the wheels free of charge. 20" wheels are necessary on the XFR. On the
others they are nothing more than backbreaking bling that may appeal to footballer’s wives and girlfriends but to some owners ruin the pleasure of an otherwise wonderful car. The smallest wheel size with deepest profile tyres for the XF is 17” with 235/55 R17s.
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