Just traded back in 2011 xf for 2011 XJ-L.

Love the car itself but driving it I was a little disappointed in how much I can really "feel" the road with this car, almost too sporty for me. The suspension feels very tight but you can really feel every little bump. You can also hear lost more road noise.

A friend who just bought a preowned xjl supercharged, had his tires replaced with Hankouk and said it made for a better ride, but he had Continental tires on his preowned.

Any thoughts on this or the OEm Pirelli tires?

 

I know this sounds stupid, but have you checked the air pressure in your tires? When I picked up my car, the tires were WAY over-inflated (50+ PSI). Once I dropped the tire pressure back down to the recommended level, it drove much smoother.

 

I have the Pirelli's on my XJ and it drives great. Very minimal road noise and just the right balance between cushy and sporty. Any you can control that with dynamic mode (less cushy). Which is what I prefer.

 

What is the difference in tyre aspect from your XF ?

The larger wheel diameters Jaguar are now fitting with their "skinnier" tyres have exchanged ride quality for looks, a very backward step in my opinion. I started off on purchase (2nd hand), with 20" Sepangs, with 40% aspect ratio and converted to 18" with 50%. Ride is still firm as the car is a Sport, but no longer harsh.

My old XJ6 Series 3 had 205/70 tyres and a boulevard ride to match. Rest of car was not very well made though !

 

just checked and ours were inflated to 40 cold. Not as high as yours but still pretty high (recommended is 32). I have deflated them, and on limited driving they seem better, but may be mental. I will know more with more driving.

 

Remember they generally overinflate a bit if they are filling with nitrogen. My car came with a NitroFill package as standard.

 

I keep mine at 32 all around. Ride is definitely a little firmer than say a Lexus, but I expected that. I like to feel the road.

 

but it shouldn't feel firmer than say an XF, which is the car I traded in.

 

I am seriously considering down grading to smaller rims and more comfy tires. The Dunlop on my XJL SC are just too noisy for this car and take away from the ride impression. Any ideas or comments on this?

 

I'm very satisfied with the Pirelli's on mine.......

 

I am very happy with my dunlops. I hear nothing with the stereo up. But even when I turn it down I hear more air than I do tire noise.