hey all!

I have an '02 X-type, 2.5 w/ 5spd.
Shocks are DONE..... I feel like I'm driving a sailboat!
So I've been looking around, and I've come across the Eibach spring / shock kit. Has anyone had any experience with this kit? I know it lowers the car just over an inch. Will this be an issue if I decide to put on a body-kit like the one JaguarXP sells? What about tire / wheel fitment issues?

How about the Jaguar 'Sport' shocks and springs? Any experience there? DO they lower the car? What am I gonna pay for them, anyone know?

This is a Jaguar. I want it to be like driving a Jaguar.... but you'll notice my sig-line: twice the posted 'suggestion' should be attainable on any ramp in town, with any vehicle I own.

Installation: I'm thinking of letting the dealer do it, 'cuz it looks like there are some fairly Jaguar-specific tools required (mainly for the hub removal what do y'all think about that? I'm a good mechanic... but will I spend as much on those tools (that I'll only use once) as I would for the instal?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

stick with what the car came with if you want the "Jaguar" ride. The Eibach one's will ride stiff. They will also lower the car and you will need an alignment to avoid tire wear. The stock one's are cheaper as well.... i think.

 

I drive a 2002 xtype 3.0. I am riding on an eibach pro-comp, this kit comes with the lowered springs and compatible shock for the front and read, It rides comfortable close to the stock suspension but aggressive enough on corners and high speed.This was installed by a professional local shop for $500.00 with allignment included. I can not complain on the ride, I also running on an 18 " x 8.5 wheels with continental extreme contact tires and drive just fine.

recommended wheels 18 x 8.5 by coventry, ( this wheels are designed specifically for jaguars)


[IMG]local://upfiles/4346/1163912322FA4BDDA30FEAAC8968C26F.jpg[/IMG]

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More pictures of my 02 jaguar 3.0 on an Eibach suspension with 18" wheels.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4346/C92792119A3B45E4B7E3797B035C4FE9.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/4346/A300E6F38DD441C5A66538D3FDF46856.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/4346/02F5FEA8A5934ADAB7D59BDFD5693570.jpg[/IMG]

 

baguioboy: I'm liking those wheels. I can't tell, is that the factory center cap on them? Where did you get them? What tire profile? Is it close to factory diameter? Or will I need some kind of recalibration on my spedo?
So you think the ride is plenty smooth still? Mine right now is like driving a soggy piece of white bread.... I'm looking more for like a piece of buttered dry toast. (it's always about food for me.... )

jvegas: I aint skeered of no alignment...... [8D] but thanks for the reminder.

I am a true beleiver that a car should reflect what one WANTS.... not just the 'closest thing that somebody ELSE thinks I want'. Some of you require nothing to make your car perfect for you. That's AWESOME, and lucky. But some of us need to tweak a little.

 

Mcjaguar,

Those are jaguars center cap aftermarket you that you can purchase from jaguar xp for a few bucks. Yes I am satisfied of the ride, I suggest get the kit that comes with the lowered springs and shocks/struts that are specifically designed for the purpose. ( Eibach pro-comp). Try this web site www.coventry.com for proper fitment of your wheels, you will be surprised that you can actually install a wider tires 235 x 40 x 18" with out modification for these guys designed this type of wheels just for the jag.

 

well that IS good news.
I have a copy of the JTIS, and it shows at least 4 very 'specialized' tools. 3 of which I was pretty sure I could make do without, but it appeard that a special hub-puller was necessary. Not so? So an average mechanic with a heated garage could get this done in a weekend?

 

Not to be repetitive, but I'm just doing springs and struts. But as I go over the procedures in the JTIS, it shows a rather complicated puller for the front hubs. As if they were an interference fit to something.
The spring compressor is something i got... no worries... and if you're telling me that no B.S. the hub pops right off the half-shaft, then I believe ya, 'cuz that's what i would've expected anyway. But that contradicts the JTIS....

 

i'm told the car is a California car, though here i Utah, EVERY car used to be a Californai car..... or so they say.....
we'll see. I actually have not been under it yet. But with 108k miles, I'm expecting the worst.
Impact guns are great for breakin' stuff....

 

okay!
so..... late last night I finally overcame my indecision, and I ordered the Eibach kit with the lowering springs and the shocks / struts to go with 'em.

This afternoon I got a phone call; they've been discontinued from Eibach. [:@]

so back to the drawing board.
(unless somebody knows of a distributor in the USA that has a kit on the shelf?)

 

Call Eibach and asked whos ordered and then call those supplier to see if they either have, or customer changed their mind....special Jtis tools...lol most of those special tools sit in the special box at work. unbolt the lower control arm, sway bar link, and your best friend is an air hammer with punch driver to drive out the shaft as you pull the hub assembly out away, then unbolt the top and its straightforeward after that...oh other that those upper strut mounts normally mushroom from potholes and curbing so replace those with new upper bearings too.

 

If you can't find what you're looking for, i have the stock springs (front and rear) only about 5K miles on them before i switched them out with the lowering kit.

 

it appears that the springs can still be found in stock in some areas of the country, but not the 'kit', with the shocks.
the explanation i'm being given is that the shocks were no longer available, and so they quit making the springs that went with 'em....

Racerx: what shocks you using with them thar lowered springs? Any idea if the Billstein 'Heavy Duty" ones would work with 'em? Or maybe the Jaguar 'Sport' shocks / struts?

I'm afraid of them being too long when fully compressed. any ideas on compatability?

 

McJ, 1st as you probobly already know the shorter spring is gonna be stiffer, and harder to compress,soooo If you manage to bottom out the shock with a 1" lower spring youre gonna have bigger issues, like how to get home with the big hole in the oil pan. I think youll be fine and have had lowered X's in with the stock shocks before anyway.....

 

I'm with ya..... that all makes good sense.

thanks for your help!

 

Good point,
PM me if you need more assistance. Anything that has heavy duty is gonna give you a stiff ride....some like it that way and the response in turning corners/accelerating..etc is smoother...but after a while that stiff rides gets to be a pain in the arsh!

I used the stock shocks (sport) with my lowered springs. Worked very well and i had no issues (other then a firm ride)

 

i think I've decided i'm just gonna do the Jaguar Sport springs and shocks. I'm in the Rockies.... lower is not always better.....

Did I understand correctly though that you've got some Jaguar 'Sport' springs you'd be looking to unload? i'll PM ya.