So I have been through it with steering wheel shake and finally I think I have that resolved...but. What is the ride quality on other XF cars? Mine seems a bit harsh (2015 xf portfolio awd) as in even on a very smooth road I can still feel the vibration. I am wondering if I need new shocks or maybe it is just a frim ride? I don't know what do other late model ZF owners say?

 

The XF is a "sport sedan" that Jaguar admittedly designed to go after BMW's market share. Like Cadillac, they were so anxious about all the old people who'd been buying their sedans going off to nursing homes that they forgot that young people are where old people come from and that there's a whole nother generation developing arthritis and bad backs who will eventually wish for a smooth riding luxury sedan. The plan hasn't worked near as well for Jaguar as sales spiraled down the drain with the move toward "sport sedans".

Luckily, with the XF, there is something you can do. I purchased the Comfort Suspension package from Spires which includes 15% softer springs and custom-valved Bilstein dampers, downsized the wheels from 19 to 18 inch and installed some 235/50r18 touring tires which gives me a 3/4 inch taller sidewall (it even looks much better too). It has transformed the ride quality. Tho its still nowhere near the purpose-engineered magic carpet ride that was the old X308, it is now reasonably tolerable on our US roads that were last maintained in the 1970s.

 

As Pdupler said, the XF is a sport sedan. The ride is not a S-Type "Luxury Sedan" which was much more compliant. One of the major complaints which many discuss on the forums is the 20" wheels which have little rubber and stiff sidewalls for handling performance. Many have reduced their size to a 19" or much more compliant 18" wheels to get that softer ride. You probably also protect your rims much from curb rash. I'd try that first before going with cushy suspension. Also, you have the aluminium frame and 3.0 engine which is not as heavy as the older models

 

If your shocks go bad, the car is bouncy and not harsh. I have had the rear shocks go bad on my gray car, but the white one still has the original shocks with no issue.

I find the XF is not a boat-like ride, but it is also does a very good job of gliding over bumps and road imperfections. It always felt to me what I thought a Landspeeder from Star Wars would feel like.

I did not want to get the supercharged version because I didn't want the harsher ride, nor the reliability issues with that setup.

Maybe they changed the car since my 2011 XF RWD Premium, or something is wrong with your setup.

What tire pressures are you running?

 

I can check my tire pressure but I just had then checked and rotated and balanced (that took care of about 99 percent of the steering wheel shake). I have 19" wheels not 20. the one thing that seems odd to me is the car seems low when I look at it. Like there is almost no clearance in the wheel well visually from the tire. Do you think it could be the springs??

 

 

 

Looks like normal ride height to me. One of two things could be happening. Either now that you've had a problem and fixed it, you may be temporarily having a heightened sense of awareness to road vibrations. Or two, like me you may just be getting older.

 

There is nothing wrong with your car. You just joined the club of those who thought they were buying a Jaguar, but actually what turns out to be a modern german sport sedan, plus a few style points.

 

Chiming in on the conversation, I have to say that the slightly harder ride is one key factor that made me pick the Jag over the boaty 5 series BMW that just felt like it wasn’t connected to the road at all. Then again I like to spend my time on B-roads smashing corners so that would explain it.

However, I do still like a comfy and especially quiet ride, and I must say - the most important thing you can do is pick your tires right. Living my days with constant tinnitus in my ears I’ve come to hate road noise, and road noise often relates to ride hardness. Solution? Read tyre reviews from reputable and independent sources you trust. Look for the quietest tyre. Just like was said in a previous post, pick the tallest sidewall you can fit on the specific rim size and narrower tires. It might take a few tries to find a good tire, but it’s the price you have to pay sometimes.

I just upsized from 18 inch to 19 inch summer tires, and you probably won’t believe when I say that my ride quality increased. Reasons: 18 inch tyres 235/45 Dunlop “sports tires”. Good for grip, horrible for comfort. 19 inch I’m running 235/45 Falken FK510’s and I’m shocked at the difference. They’re as quiet and almost as comfortable as my 17 inch studless winter tyres. And those things are soft as. If you don’t want to change the rims, try that tire model and size combination. Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with aforementioned manufacturers. This is my personal experience and opinion. Also, looks like you’re running sports tires. Trust me, they’re much harder than “normal” tires, as I stated previously.

Finally, don't run too much pressure. Only put what Jag recommends in the sticker on the door. Too much pressure really hurts the flexibility of the tire and accounts for worse comfort.

Tdlr.: Tire type has as much to do with ride quality as size. Downsizing usually helps with comfort, but good results are only achieved when correct type tires are used. 19 inch can be as comfy as 18 if the tire is right. Look for tires aimed at comfort, and read reviews.

 

To add, tire make and model, can also produce harsh ride quality. Also as tires wear they get harder. +1 on trying tires before digging into suspension work.