100% confident that this problem has been posted before, but sadly I have no idea how to word or describe it so here goes..

Just bought my first X350, I went for the 2.7d as I knew this particular cars history. It's lovely and so far I am happy with it,,,, except one thing.... the ride is not Jag like (Ive owned them for 30 years)

It feels like I am driving on rumble strips but without the noise. almost like someone has laid 1000s of pencils out in my path all the same distance apart.
I think its a dodgy alloy. It does have after markets on it at the moment, maybe I should go back to OEMs

Just thought I would post on here to see if its something else I am unaware of and hopefully save on needing 4 alloys

 

Are you saying the car shakes or vibrates, as it goes along? Is it related to the cars speed? Is it only at certain speeds. And by dodgy alloy, do you mean aftermarket wheels?

You may simply have a wheel balance issue, or you could have a bad tire, like a belt separating, even a flat-spotted tire (although that doesn't happen often with ABS.)

 

Sorry yes i meant after market wheels

Its not a vibration, but very close to what you would expect from a flat spot, and on both front tyres, but this remains the same regardless of speed, I have not had the chance to open it up fully and just pottered about in it so far.
Flat spot does make sense although this doesnt quite feel the same, it does genuinely feel like I am driving over painted lines in the road.

I will take into a tyre place and see what they say.

What are these cars like on tyres?

 

I don't drive mine enough to have needed tires in the year and a half I've owned it.

Remaining the same regardless of speed makes it sound like something other than tires or drivetrain, though. Even an issue with a hub or driveshaft would be speed-related in severity.

 

The problem with flat spots on steel belted tyres is you have to get the car up to a decent speed for a reasonable period of time to build heat and enough force to start to work the flat spots out.
Can we assume the car has sat idle for an extended period before you acquired it?

What rim size and tyre profile is fitted......18" 40 series or 19" 30 series?
The lower the profile the higher the risk of rim damage with pothole and judder bar encounters.

 

Thanks guys good points, I am probably being concerned over nothing but its a new addition and this isn't right.

Flat spots Riding these out on an open road will probably work or tell me enough to get the tyres and wheels inspected. Just time to do this at the moment is a problem so probably a job for the weekend.

Drive wheels are fine, suspension is soft and as it should be over bumps so if it was a problem there, I would not rule out looking at the drop links or wishbone bushes- if there is any movement in these areas then the sensation I am getting from the front wheels (90%sure its from the front). I had one wheel on a XK8 would feel like it the front left wheel was circling like a caster because of a worn drop link (really easy fix actually).

Will take it out for its first proper blast at the weekend and will up date you all

Thanks

 

Nearside front tyre is about 1mm off legal limit, wheels are fine. However....... Rear wishbone bush and tie rod needed replacing. All done, what a nice ride.

I think what I did not take into account was the fact it has air suspension and the feedback through the steering wheel may not be the same as my old X300.

Thanks for all your help and advice