I want to be clear about something before I post this. I love the X300 and X308 Jaguars; they belong (in my opinion) to a more elegant, long and low, slimmer-waisted Sports Saloon past!

However, I have read a number of posts discussing the merits/demerits of the suspension systems on the X300/308’s when compared to the X350/358’s. Many express the opinion that there are a number of differing road surfaces that seem better dealt with by the former than the latter?

As we all know many things in engineering are trade-offs and I wonder if the issue here is weight?

I am definitely not a qualified engineer, but I am a qualified Offshore Yacht Master and in my mind’s eye, I visualize a link between this comparison and the many, many yachts I have sailed over the years.

In the good old bad old days, sailing yachts were heavy and massively constructed; once you got one underway, its momentum would carry it through a short sea, but slowly and it would be like a submarine; very wet in the cockpit!

More modern yachts have lighter scantlings. They tend to ‘bounce’ over the sea. They are also much faster, but the trade-off is this more ‘lively’ motion (they are also nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing to look at).

When engineers decide they need Air Suspension in order to counteract the fact that the ‘driver and passenger load’ is so very much higher a percentage of the vehicle’s overall weight if you are building a technologically advanced and very light aluminum car, perhaps the trade-off is a lighter, more ‘lively’ suspension?

I really can understand why purists might prefer the loping 'Rolls Royce' ride, but the compromise involved is the (in my youth) oft mentioned criticism of 'two fuel tanks Jaguars'

Could this 'livelier' suspension be the price to pay for a more powerful, higher performing and more fuel-efficient car?

It’s an opinion…….

 

EsRay wrote;
Could this 'livelier' suspension be the price to pay for a more powerful, higher performing and more fuel-efficient car?

Sort of like, being light on ones feet, in a fight, or cat like reflexes????

 

I currently own all low miles 1997 X300, 2003 S-type, 1995 XJS, 2004 XJ8. I love them all. X350 still maintains the classic Jaguar look as X308 and X300. I actually got bored with the X300 and sold it; I regretted everyday when I see my sold car parked at nearby grocery. I searched and searched and found an identical X300 with extreme low miles and stole it.

X350 suspension is two generations better. X-300. It almost like comparing Iphone 4 versus Iphone 7.

The X350 V8 is an absolute blast. Any compatible V8 car now a day will cost $100K plus.