Thanks the tint definitly helps keep the inside cool down here when its creeping into the triple digits. I had about 2 summers in super triple digits so I like to stay cool when I can. Plus it does change the look especially when it has the blacked out window trim. My wife actually thought I lowered it when I brought it home. She was like I thought you were just getting the windows tinted why does it look like its lower. I was like I guess thats part of the look cause if I lowered it it would be taken apart in the driveway.

 

That's funny I think mine looks lower to. It was pretty low already that 1" of lowering makes a big diffrence. I think the tint somehow makes the car look longer and sleek and in effect also lower.

 

qwikcat, She wears H&R Sport lowering springs. I'm tossing the CAT struts and going with aftermarket performance struts. What brand do you recommend? I wish to avoid a harsh ride. Appreciate your wisdom.

 

My choice for just shocks/struts would always be billsteins. You just need to find some valved for the R and they should ride as well as the stock ones, maybe a little stiffer if yours are worn out.

 

What about your Billsteins? Are they incorrect for your STR? How would I go about selecting the correct strut?

 

Mine are made for the R but they are valved to work with the Arden springs which are extremely stiff. Let's say your H&Rs are 400# front and 275 rear ( I have no idea what they are but just for comparison sake) then the Arden springs would be 550# front and so on. So Arden had the shock special valved AKA the resitence between rebound, stroke etc...

A set valved less aggressive for a standard R set up should ride close to new stock ones. They will most likly also have better perfomance due to the technology improvements. If that all makes sense?

 

So does your STR not run CATS qikcat???

 

Vance, there aren't CAT struts available except for what Jaguar offers, which happen to be built by Bilstein. qwikcat, Bilstein offers a different strut for the 4.2 S-Type with regular suspension vs the 4.2 Sport Suspension package ($431 for front and rears= all four). I imagine the "Sport Package" Bilstein strut is more aggressive than the regular suspension strut? What would you recommend? I'm thinking your struts are for the 4.2 Sport Suspension package? And this is why you feel they are a bit harsh vs the CAT package?

 

Actually mine dose have CATS Arden offers it either way with or without. I would assume that means you can get it from Bilstine like that as well? That part I don't know?

The harsh on my car comes from the springs and shock combo. I know Arden springs are 20% stiffer (heavy) then any others out there. The shocks are then valved for the spring rate. I was told they are specially valved for Arden?

Look at German motorings site and they list the Arden with either cats or without. Btw I was told by the owner of my car that's where he got the suspention and had a good expereince with them.

 

Ahh ok I get it now. I know I had seen some Arden struts on a site before wasnt sure who manufactured them and god only knows how much they would costs.

 

LoL, yea I have the receipt for the suspention. WOW they are pricy!! I Just want the Arden floor matts but at $500 I don't think so!

 

I don't know why my auto
fill on the Iphone can't spell suspension!! Sorry

 

Must be how Steve Jobs spells it so that is the correct way for the Iphone. LOL

 

Wonder how much more Arden sells their CAT? The stock Jaguar CAT (Bilstein version) go for $400/each. I'll order Bilstein's replacement strut for the "Sport Package" 4.2 S-Type ($436 for all four). Car and Driver states in their 2003 road test of the STR; the stock CAT system is too soft.

 

That is what I would do. Get the sport replacment for 436$ and a killer chiller and still save 800 bucks! If I had replaced it myself I would have done coilovers or what your doing, H&Rs and bilstine sports. I think you will be really happy with that setup.

 

Though I should (and may) begin a new thread, I strongly feel I have the leaking coolant hose under the supercharger debacle. For the past 6 months I've been smelling coolant while at a stop. Tonight, on the way home from dropping my mom off at the geezer home, the low coolant light went on momentarily when speeding around a corner. The mechanic replaced the coolant recovery tank while popping on the Mafioso air intake elbow and 3 lb pulley, but to no avail. The tank is likely low on coolant. I'll drop her off at the mechanic soon, pop off the s/c and send it out for the port/polish while the hose is replaced. She's lucky I'm in love with her....

 

Maybe you will get lucky and its just some spilled coolant burning off and you had an air pocket vent causing the coolant to be low. Hey its worth a gander before pulling the blower which is something I am dreading if it ever happens to me. Knock on wood. When I replaced my overflow tank that thing stunk for about 2 weeks because it exploded everywhere and I just couldn't get it washed off. Plus I had it put away in the garage for 4 days till I got a new tank so it had time to dry and get sticky waiting to be heated up again to smell. My son for 2 weeks kept asking why the vent were blowing syrup. LOL.

 

Thanks Vance. I've had the car for a month now and one full coolant reservoir is empty...she's leaking. Now's the time to step up and yank off the s/c. I'll send it to Stieg's for a port/polish, thereafter an ECU tune...Unless one of us here comes up with one...? Don't forget to tell your wives "Happy Mothers Day"! Honor her...and stay on-her!

 

I am going to have my hose guys make a silicone rubber hose for the super charger problem and replace it when I have the charger off.

 

How long has it been since the coolant tank swap?

Mine did that for a while (smell of coolant, from a failed externally leaking DCCV), then it did the low coolant thing momentarily. If you look at where the coolant temp sensor is on the tank, you'll realize how high it is up in the tank. There may have been a tiny little air pocket that eventually got bled out.

Top it off and let it go, I bet you don't see it again.

Take care,

George