I'm looking to buy new shocks for my 2005 S Type 6 cyl. What are good shocks for this car for a smooth ride? Please note that road conditions where I live are not smooth as silk. Some rough pavement here and there. Speed bumps. Road repairs here and done by patching.

 

Do you have adaptive damping....if not bilstens are good....there are others....depends on your price range too....also kyb

 

Bilstens are the OEM, so why not stick with them?

 

On a 95 vette I changed from the stock Bilsteins to KYB replacements and the ride was softer overall. Especially on large expansion joints.

Technically the shock is a device with a specification. OEMs perform and last as intended by the OEM engineers. High quality aftermarkets will generally have higher limits of temp (foaming), strength, and life span.
Sorry but I have no experience w/S-Type shocks

 

So you are saying that OEM maufacturers are rubbish and aftermarket are better engineered - that is a massive generalisation. Anyway, KYB is a massive OEM, just not for Jaguar, so do they sell rubbish to their major customers and better stuff to the aftermarket?

On the other hand, the car engineers wanted the car to ride and handle in a particular way. Sticking with stock retains these characteristics, which is a major part of a Jaguar. Also, the Bilsteins seem to last rather well, so again, why change?

Just to prove I have nothing against KYB, I'm refreshing the suspension on our FIAT Coupe and the shocks and springs we have chosen are from KYB.