I purchased a new 2018 XJL Supercharged sedan in February. It was an impromptu purchase after seeing it advertised by a dealership two hours away. I traded in my 2015 XJ on the 2018 XJL. During the test drive, I noted the ride was not smooth, and we discussed that possibly the tires had developed flat spots from sitting for a long period of time. I was told to put several hundred miles on the tires to see if they “reshaped” themselves. The ride never improved. There was constant high frequency vibration/undulation through the steering wheel and chassis at highway speeds no matter how smooth the road surface was. I took the car to my local dealer and they balanced the tires, the problem continued to exist.
I was told tire issues are handled by the selling dealership, so I have been working with the dealership two hours away where I purchased the car. The original Dunlop tires were switched with a new set of Dunlop tires, problem still existed. The tires were road force balanced, car still vibrates. I have now had the dealership replace the second set of Dunlop’s with the Michelin tires I had on my 2015 that is still on their lot. The vibration seems slightly less, but is still present.
Now that I have ruled out tires as the issue I am working with my local Jaguar dealer to address the problem.
Both service departments have driven the car and claim the ride seems “typical” to them. I am being told changes such as going from power steering to electric steering and changes to the suspension between my 2015 model and the 2018 model can make the new model more susceptible to “road surface feel”.
I can drive my F-Type on a road and have no vibration, driving the same road in the XJL I feel vibrations. I am completely frustrated with the XJL ride.
I’ve searched the forum for others experiencing this phenomenon and see where at least one other person has had issues with constant vibrations. Am I being fed a line by the service departments? Am I going crazy?!
I have purchased two XFs (2009, 2012), 2015 XJ, and 2016 F-Type. All four previous vehicles had incredibly smooth rides. If the ride of this 2018 XJL is the new “normal” I will be looking for another brand to purchase in the future. I am very sad that such a beautiful car is so disappointing in the driving experience.

 

Pursue your remedies under the Lemon Law.

If the dealer is in Alabama:
https://www.yourlemonlawrights.com/alabama-lemon-law

Otherwise, Google "Lemon Law" for the dealer's state.

 

Why don't you ask the selling dealership to let you test drive other 2018 XJ's to determine if the vibration is unique to your car.

 

Oddly I have a similar issue (2010 SWB sootchucker). Even more oddly, I was once resident in Huntsville Alabama! My issue is, I am sure, due to an incident where I hit a pot hole at somewhere north of sixty miles an hour and broke a wheel - the impact also rearranged my bodywork, so I believe that something must be bent, somewhere. Garages tell me that the drive is normal, and that ends their investigation. If I was inclined (or able!) I would change everything that connects that corner of the car together, but I’m not, so I haven’t. Good luck with yours!

 

I had at one point a lot of road feedback and vibration and after the lower control arm fluid filled bushings were replaced the ride smoothed out. Just my experience.

 

I did test drive a very similar 2019 model (XJL 5.0 with 20” wheels) outfitted with same Dunlop tires. It also had some vibration issues. After this test drive is when I requested my Michelin tires as a replacement for the Dunlop’s. Ride has improved some with the Michelin’s but still nowhere close to the smoothness of my previous Jaguars.

 

2017 XJ SC here, 20" wheels with Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres - ride is like butter, no vibrations.

 

2012 XJ 3.0 SC with 20“ on Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT. Smooth ride, no vibrations.

 

I am thrilled to report my ride issue has been solved. My local dealership continued to investigate the problem. The car was out of alignment. Once aligned properly, the car now rides like a Jaguar is supposed to. I have no idea how a brand new car could be could be delivered with the alignment out of specification. This experience tells me the dealership I purchased the car from never believed me about feeling a constant vibration. I am thankful my local dealership took the time to help resolve the problem.

 

It's great to hear you are now a happy XJ owner. It is a shame that there are poor dealers who have service writers and mechanics and then there are a few great dealers that have Service Advisers and Technicians. I'm happy to report i have the latter.

 

That’s great news.

On a related note, you might want to purchase a lifetime alignment from Firestone or at least a multi year alignment from another tire shop. I align mine every couple months.

All the best.

 

+1 and their lifetime balancing.

 

And a big thank you to you for reporting back!
We have so many dead threads with complaints and then nothing. You will for sure help a future Jaguar guy out with your experience.
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This is what scares me about "dealerships" - in many cases I've seen the staff aren't really experts of anything, they are just people with jobs.

 

Long shot but have you had the front wheels checked for buckling?

 

Hello Jim,

We bought our 2014 XJL supercharged in August on the internet from a used car dealer near Dallas. It has an incredibly smooth and quiet ride.
Moreover, I just put on some Pirelli soto zero snow tires and they seem just as quiet and smooth as the summer tires. When the heater fan is turned
down you can't even hear the engine when cruising on the interstate. Two weeks ago we made a 730 mile round trip in one day to visit a small
town in southern Illinois. Crusing at 75 and 80 on the interstates, we got 26.9 mpg for the trip. We also like to think the car and its stable
mate, a 2010 XF, are the prettiest and best cars in our part of Illinois. I urge you to get your 2018 fixed. You have a remarkable Jaguar there!

 

Hi James,
Fortunately my issue was resolved (see my response earlier in this thread). Once aligned properly, the Jaguar rides like a Jaguar should. Like you, I travel long distances in the XJL regularly. I put almost 700 more miles on it last Friday, and averaged almost 30 miles to the gallon. I’ve racked up over 15,000 miles on it since buying in February and loving every mile!

 

30mpg on the 5.0 Supercharged?? That's truly impressive. Did you have cruise on the whole time? I got 30mpg on my old X350 non-supercharged V8.
I want to get a short-wheelbase XJ. Hope the ride is just as smooth!

 

It's surprising what these DI 5.0L V-8's can do mileage wise.
I had a 3 day 2500 miles trip from Texas to Oregon and then 6 weeks later a return trip.

Over the entire trip my 2014 tuned XJR delivered 27.8 mpg with an average speed of over 78 mph.
I don't baby the car and drive aggressive.

I certainly did not expect anywhere close to that type of mileage.
I have lower back pain and this is above everything I have driven for comfort and after a 750+ mile day. I am still feeling fine.
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Jim, that is good to hear. Glad to know that an aligned smoothed out the ride. The XJL is a joy to drive!