I have acquired a set of nearly new H & R lowering springs. I know my car would benefit from a spring refresh anyway but before I fit these I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has lowered an STR, especially using these springs, and what they thought of the results. From my limited research, it has no effect on electronic suspension.

 

HI
You may find it does not lower at all, they can sag quite a bit over the years and the new springs may lift it slightly, even though there lowered
post some before and after pics, also measure the height before and after
cheers
Joe

 

Your ‘2004 (facelift)' description is a bit confusing.

If it has the later facelift it is a 05MY year car. The vin number will tell you. If it is 41N***** at the end it is a 04MY pre-facelift car. If it is 51N***** it is an 05 (4.75) model year car.

The vin number change is given as N13089 onwards.

See my vin number details below for an example of a 05 (4.75) model year ‘facelift’ car that was built in early 2004.

My guess would be you also have a 05 (4.75) model year car that was built in 2004.

There is a 5mm difference in the ride height, the later cars were lower. See this official jaguar specifications book, the S-type ride heights you need are on PDF page 85 and 86.

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto..._2007_2004.pdf

 

It does get a bit confusing, as JLR releases different model years at different times in various markets; my 2003, X202, is a 2003 MY here in the States, but would be a 2002.5 in GB. With these cars the VIN is always the key for getting the correct parts and technical knowledge.

It would also helpful if you would indicate your general location in the world in your profile, thus not requiring the readers of the forum to "guess"...

 

I'll check the V5 but I'm pretty sure the VIN starts N14*** and first registration was March 2004 so your guess is probably accurate. Car has the obvious facelift features - no washer jets on bonnet, bootlid spoiler that doesn't overlap the rear wings, no front fogs, slotted rather than solid alloys, etc.

 

With the speed hump nightmare around I would not want the car lower!!

 

It's one of my concerns too so it would be good to hear from anyone that has done it.

I'm happy enough with the ride and handling as standard but I've refreshed most of the suspension with the exception of the shocks and springs. With the car on 114K it's pretty certain the latter two items could do with replacement sooner rather than later. The H & R springs just fell into my lap along with a pair of much lower mileage shocks so that prompted me to do the job sooner rather than later. If I had waited I would almost certainly have stayed with standard.

 

I have an '05 STR and had H&R Springs added about two years ago with aprox. 60K on the odometer. My OEM springs were fine but for me the handling did not match the performance of the car. Bottom line is the car handles better, still rides comfortable but now in a more predictable manner, and looks better. It's probably the best mod I've done on the car and felt it should have come this way from Jaguar. The CATS shocks are very good and well integrated with the car so I would not touch those unless they are worn out. As far as speed bumps, you might have to slow more than you do now over the worst speed bumps as the car will sit lower. Crummy pic but the only one I could find quickly.

 

That looks like it would not actually clear humps around here

 

Wings -- firstly that car does look way nice and i love the ride hight .
+ you guys are so lucky to not have a front no# plate messing things up at the front .
it looks so clean .
though as stated above , nor would it clear our speed humps here , or the curbs around our car parks in NZ.
i have a 25mm rubber lip on my STR and it scrapes almost to the painted bumper on some driveways .
i have always wanted to close the Gape on my STR's arches .
but this rubber lip has made me too weary .
maybe mine has succumbed to saggy springs too?
these springs are stock.