Hi All,

First-time posting in the F-type forums. I have been a Jaguar owner for a long time.

I am considering adding a manual F-type 3.0 (non-S, without the adaptive suspension) to my garage and hoping other forum members could guide me to alternative suspension setups that might improve handling. I found a few lowering kits but no B6 Bilstein shocks, just a few coilover kits. I am not sure I want to go down that path as I would imagine ride quality significantly decreases.

I apologize if this has been discussed in the past.

Thanks!

 

Improve handling? I have to ask if you have driven an F-Type yet…these cars “handle” superbly as they are (assuming that all suspension components are in proper condition). I can understand that if you want to track the car some modifications could possibly be desirable but for “spirited” driving they are far beyond adequate.

 

Hi Greg -

Yes, I have driven a F-type R RWD. I understand the V8 will change the handling characteristics and I agree the F-type is an adequate starting spot.

Even when I do a quick search through SNG, the standard cars (non-adaptive shocks, V6 non-S) come up as built with nonsport dampers. I am just exploring my options and seeking feedback on the aftermarket scene if I want to go after building my own setup or going after an S.

 

Ah…you drove the RWD V8…well, this model is acknowledged to have a less balanced weight distribution than the V6 and in addition the likelihood of a less controlled power application - “somewhat squirrely” comes to mind, which is a primary reason why the AWD version came about. I wonder if you will be as concerned once you have driven the V6. Professional reviewers who test both almost universally prefer the handling of the V6 version as being better balanced and more controllable (that is a reference to the RWD V8, not the AWD version).

 

Meh. Weight difference between a V6 and V8 is about 100 lbs, not a massive difference. I think it's more down to the suspension tuning and power management that makes the V6 feel a bit more agile.

I digress - I believe a few years ago I saw a KW V3 setup offered for the F-Type, not sure which flavor. If they still are then that would be a great way to go. 2 way adjustable to dial in whatever feel you need. Also I'd recommend dialing in a bit more camber, might liven up the front end a bit on an otherwise stock car.

 

I have an '18 v6 base and did two things that greatly improved the car's performance. The first was adding VAP's stage 1 tune which increased the HP from 340 to 416. This is a complete no-brainer and made the car MUCH more responsive. The other [which is just as significant] was fitting H&R sport springs which lowered the car by 1.2" and completely got rid of the body roll feeling, and [IMO] greatly enhanced the car's appearance. The H&R springs are considerably stiffer so the ride is rougher, but flatter handling was my main goal.

With these two mods, it's a different car. Really fast [for my purposes] and handles incredibly well...all for about USD2K. I also added spacers which finished the look.

 

In my very uneducated opinion, the best thing that you can spend money on with the V6 cars is forged rims (20's or 21's) and better tyres. The handling and ride is improved out of sight, in the v6S I would say dialled up 20%. You wouldnt believe how heavy the OEM rims are.

Mine has Vorsteiner 21's which I dont think are made any more, but there are plenty of choices. For tyres I went pretty fat, from memory 265 fronts and 305 rears, first I tried Pilot supersports which I loved, now I have PS4's and have only done about 1000km on them, to be honest I am not getting the same confidence with these that I did on the supersports which makes no sense as they are supposed to be a better gripping tyre. Maybe I am just more nervy as the previous had gotten a bit slippery and I did have the odd sphincter clenching moment while I waited for the new ones to arrive.

 

Well, the OP asked about suspension and the forum gives him advice to tune and wheels

KW has a V3 kit for F-Type, I don't think you can go any better for the price. Just know how to set it up. And I would corner-balance it as a cherry on top.

 

Wait until he asks about oil, although that could be on any car forum I've seen. Wheels and tires can noticeably improve handling, and the question was specifically on improving handling, not just suspension.

Stock shocks are Bilstein B4, which are pretty good. With springs that give a mild drop I'd expect a decent improvement in handling. I have the adaptive suspension and have not yet installed some VAP springs I got quite a while ago so I'm speculating as to the magnitude of the improvement. I do have alternate wheels and tires and they are an improvement, but I can't really quantify it.

 

Well I appreciate the reason for the dig, but the OP wanted to improve handling through suspension upgrades and having driven the stock cars on the track a number of times and then changed rims and tyres myself - and also having come out of an XKR which seems to also be the OP's pedigree - I think the suspension is very good in the F type to start with but the OEM wheels and tyres are not. Not that anyone is looking to recruit me as a racing driver or engineer, but fwiw I think that sticking with OEM wheels and tyres but changing suspension is just moving the deckchairs on the Titanic.

 

With the non adaptive suspension the setting is firmer than the normal with adaptive. I found it pretty uncomfortable in a new car, and I reckon that would contribute to the larger representation of low km bases in the used car market. Changing shocks to improve handling is usually going to give you a firmer ride, not softer, so that would be similar to running in dynamic all the time. That would be liveable on smooth roads but a bit jiggly on bad roads. Getting a bit off topic, ride (also part of the OP's question) improves with the softening of seat leather IMHO, so a car with 10,000km on it will have a better ride than a new one.

Anecdotally, I went from OEM 19's with P zero's to forged 21's with Psses and I can say with a fair degree of certainty that the ride was not adversely affected at all, in fact I think it improved, and I think the handling improved out of sight. So I would expect going in a base from OEM 20's with P zeros to forged 20's with michelin or continentals is going to improve ride and handling.

 

I run KW's HAS on a '16R (springs only, full kit not listed for AWDs) and compared a .5 vs .9" drops; the car was very bouncy and stiff at .9, probably as the active shocks firm up with decreasing ride heights. .5 is very livable, and KW's spring rates attenuate some of the stock system's bounciness.

 

I just drove home - with forged wheels, 265/305 dws06+ tires, stock adatptive suspension. Just for whatver reason a guy was in front of me going 20 under the limit and the person in the next lane was doing 15 under the limit. I decided to just pass the person in my lane and put 475hp (93 octane) into the process in dynamic mode.


No drama. Lean was actually just right. Un friggin believable passing (I probably started it as 3200 rpm in 2nd or 3rd...). I am quite sure it was as good as any car on the market....unbelievably good actually. I was saying "holy shXt to myself actually...it is that good."

It is easy to forget these cars are amazing....way understimated.... I'd love to see a really good driver take out a V6awd, so lighter than the v8, tuned to 550hp on e85 with the stock stuff in dynamic/adaptive on a track....my guess is it would be darned fast. With forged wheels like I and btq have. The v6 has slightly shorter gears no less...and with the tcu tune....voila, supercar with 3.0L.


I am leaving it alone. And I had motons on on a prior cara and later on a later subaru STI had Ohlins. These are equal to those....it is really remarkable. Jaguar's engineers nailed it.

Good tires and good wheels matter a lot more than people realize. I agree with BtQ.

jeff