Having just bought my first Jag this week I have noticed that bumps in the road seem to feel and sound a little more than I would have expected. There is no mechanical noise - clunks, clicks etc and the car feels quite normal and "springy" when you push down when parked. It passed the MOT this week and I would have thought if there was anything really wrong it would have showed up. Am I expecting too much as I have not had a previous Jag to compare it with, or is there something I should be looking for?

 

Howdy,
Have you checked which Shock Absorbers & Tyres are fitted to your car ?

eg;
Sports Shocks; (marked on each strut) are stiffer than standard ones.

Low Profile Tyres; provide less comfort factor than deeper 16" Tyres.

 

the sport version is a very hard ride...its designed that way, some people dont like to drive a comfy armchair, some people like to "feel" the drive...the sports handling characteristics could not be maintained with "old man" suspension :+)

My friends who drive in my jag are very surprised at the hard ride, they expect a jaguar to be an overstuffed armchair

 

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I have the sports suspension - trouble is I'm a bit old and arthritic to go under the car Does the SE stand for Sports edition or is it Special edition maybe that would help to identify the problem? The tyre size is 225/45 but I am not sure if they are low profile or not - they don't look particularly "thin". Sorry I can't be more help but I am not that technical.

 

I was surprised how much firmer the ride of the X-Type was when I first test drove mine, but as already mentioned, this car was built to have a sportier, tighter feel.

My XJ has a softer ride but still isn't the floating armchair feel of a Cadillac.

 

the 03 sport model has no chrome and has no designation of SPORT on the exterior just a chrome X TYPE emblem and a spoiler.They have a VERY stiff ride usually has 45 series tires.I tell my first time passengers that suspension was optional on this model.LOL.Mine has a large GPS screen.I think the SE is a standard X with perks.

 

Royston..I hope i didn't offend you with my "old man suspension" comment, t'was just a way to get my point accross, i'm certainly not ageist....and my number aint so low either...lol.
As Biljork stated, the sport version has NO chrome on doors or bumpers, and comes with a thinner profile tire, such as a 45.
It is also possible that your springs or shocks were replaced with sport version by a previous owner, either deliberately or by mistake

 

i found my suspension too firm in the beginning, but after learning it is set up that way for a reason, i soon got used to it, and now prefer it to a softer ride, in fact, when driving anyone elses car, i can't wait to get back in the X

 

Thats for true!

 

I think mine must be the standard X with perks, as it has a chrome front grill and the "leaping Jag" coming out of the bonnet - most of the other x types I have seen don't seem to have this. The trouble is I am waiting for some passing drunk or kids trying to snap it off!

 

No offense at all - one of the reasons I bought the Jag was so I could still turn heads easier than I can turn my own.
By the way, I have still a few questions, and as I am new on here, is it better to start a new thread with each one?

 

i thought the leaper on the hood (bonnet) was banned in GB due to nanny g'vment suggesting it may impail the victim you are running over.

Yes, start a new thread for each new topic

 

Can anybody confirm this?

 

Check your tire pressures too. I got a new set before the winter and found that they were all over-inflated by about 10 psi when compared to the factory recommendation.

 

Mine also has a firm ride, the rear shock are good but I think the front struts need to be replaced. My Maxima has a better ride than the Jaguar.

 

smitty...i highly doubt your "maxima" can handle cornering and high speed cornering better than the Jaguar....but whatever floats yer boat :+)

 

I owned a Porsche 928 which would probably out corner the Jag on a race track but under normal (broken, potholed, frost heaved) road conditions the more supple suspension on the Jag was a winner. The Porsche just bounced around on the bumps.
Having said that, my wife has a 2008 Audi A4 wagon which has 235-45-17 tires and is quieter and smoother on the road than my Jag with 225-45-17 tires and standard suspension. Maybe 5 years of development has made the difference.
Brian

 

I said my "Maxima" rides better not "high speed cornering better than the Jaguar".

 

Yes.... Thats my point...the only time jaguar and nissan should be in the same sentence is when someone says.."perhaps its time for u to sell the jag and stick with nissan"