The system is designed very well and typically operates without issue for at least 8 years before the compressor piston ring seal is expired and/or the air springs begin to leak. But these are all wear parts and cannot be expected to last forever on any vehicle. I've had to replace similar parts on Audis, Mercedes and GM products with similar systems.

The X350 air suspension gets a bad rap, but Wabco and Bilstein were and are a vendor of choice of Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Volkswagen, Volvo and many others. Some of those systems do have advantages over the Jaguar implementation, such as thermal sensors on the compressors and separately replaceable air spring bladders, which, to me, is the most significant shortcoming of the Jaguar implementation. But I'm currently repairing a Mercedes-Benz S430 with similar integral air springs and the entire unit must be replaced.

When worn out components are replaced, the Jaguar system will operate very well for many years.

Yes, replacing some of the components can be expensive, but these are luxury-performance vehicles, and that is an inevitable consequence of ownership.

Cheers,

Don

 

Hi DAFF,

The best option I know of are the Bilstein B4s, which are the comfort version but work great on an XJR. Rock Auto had them for awhile at $675.00 each, but they no longer offer them. The best price I know of right now is at Parts Geek at $1,074.00 each plus shipping and tax.

I do not believe the Arnott units preserve CATS functionality - check with Arnott.

RMT (Rebuild Master Tech) rebuilds OE Bilstein units with new air springs that retain CATS functionality and their current price on Sport units is $285.00 plus tax and shipping.

Cheers,

Don

P.S. I realized after typing this that for some reason my browser had taken me to DAFF's 9-month-old post, but I'll leave this reply in case others have similar questions.