So I am thinking about getting an XJ series but keep coming across these troubling litle posts concerning the air suspension. My question is that since the air ride was introduced in '04 and most times the little gremlins are worked out with each new year, will an '05 or an '06 be more reliable? Or are they just as faulty?

If you are familiar with the Lincoln MarkVIII they had the same problem. When the compressor went out on my '96 I just replaced all 4 corners with a coil/strut setup. Is this possible with the XJ?

 

I have never heard of anyone on the forums doing a successful conversion to a coil/strut setup.

 

There is a vendor in Texas? who is offering a conversion kit. We have yet to see a report on this forum on how it works out in terms of ride/handling quality.
We do know that the price may be an issue because you must change over all the shocks at once. Can someone confirm that?

Go tp www.motorcarsltd.com . and The Air Suspension conversion thread of 5/10/11. You will find all you ever wanted to know except how it works.

 

Thanks for the replies. But what about my first question? Would an 05 or 06 be more reliable than the 04 since they would have had a few years to work out the bugs in the system?

 

My 04 has not had a problem with the suspension.
I assume earlier is better but did they really modify the system after 04...I think not.
I think you roll the dice with this issue.
I would never do a coil over swap, i had a Range Rover that had been switched and it was nowhere near as good as the original.

 

Agreed with DB6 about the suspension conversion. But I would go with as late a model as possible.

 

At some point Jaguar deleted one of the front ride height sensors as having two when the front is controlled as one, not the two individual air springs was pointless. Apart from that, I don't thing there were any changes. Note that the later XJ from 2010/11 only has air suspension on the rear, the front is back on steel springs and dampers, which says something to me - all that 2003 nonsense from Jaguar on why the full air suspension was "essential".

Later or earlier car, eventually a suspension air compressor will be needed, as they don't last long. Service exchange units are available from Jaguar dealers, (at least they are in the UK), and not too expensive. This indicates to me it is the seals that eventually wear out, and the compressor is built to allow repair (thank goodness !). If Jaguar can repair them, an amateur should also be able to, but where does one find the parts ?

 

I have an 04 XJ8 and haven't had any of the problems that some have mentioned here. Just remember that the topics brought up here are about problems with the cars. If the car is functioning fine it isn't an issue here. Yes there are some areas that are worse than others, but for the most part it is a very reliable car.