I am looking to purchase a 2004-2006 XJ8 series but I am concerned about the air suspension problems. I see lots of comments in this forum about replacing the suspension but I would like to have a clear understanding of the costs?

All of the cars I am looking at have around 90K miles and living here in Florida with heat and humidity what are the chances I will have to address the suspension problem, 50%, 100%. Is it not "If" but "When"?

I am also assuming that most people if they have a problem replace all 4 with either the original parts or revert back to the coil springs etc,,?

I would really appreciate your feedback, am I making too big a deal of all this air suspension problems?

 

I went to coil springs. The air suspension is most likely to show any faults in very cool weather. Personally after being stranded far from home heading north was all I needed to do away with the possibility of air not being to hold the car up if a component failed. Yes, in most cases the air suspension rode nicer, but with coils, the car handles better and I no longer worry about the air suspension driving out of town.

 

Are you mechanicly inclined? If so you can get away pretty inexpensively these days...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-XJ-Se...lWh3LB&vxp=mtr

 

The only failure I have had in the air suspension system is the compressor five years ago. That was replaced at 35k miles and the replacement, a service exchange unit from a Jaguar main agent is still on the car at 103k miles. I did, however, buy a full set of NOS* "Comfort" air springs on eBay and replaced the "Sport" ones to get a softer ride. The springs that were removed were fully functional.


* NOS = New Old Stock


As said above, there are now sources for re-bagged air springs. These will also include the bottom bush, for the rears, but what is done to the damper I don't know; I don't think it is maintainable, but is obviously checked for leaks and correct operation before the new air diaphragm is put on.


I think it is fairly safe to say that the OEM units are very well built by Bilstein, but at some point the diaphragms are going to fail, just as coil springs do. Every shop is used to replacing coils, but only in recent times has anybody started to replace the air spring diaphragms. Arnott Industries used to do this, but don't any more, but there are other firms now active. Unfortunately, nobody has yet posted on whether they are any good or not.

 

Many thanks for the input. Do I assume that if I purchase a 2004-6 jag with 90K miles that I should expect a problem for the air suspension?

If so what would an Indie charge to replace the 4 units plus the cost of the units..ie how much in total, $2000, $4000 etc..?

I am quite good mechanically and have just replaced all the hoses on my XK8, plus water pump, thermostat etc..

 

If you can replace a shock, you can replace an air shock. There is a utube video from Arnott on how to do it, and the video can be applied to OEM as well, and if you stay OEM you get to keep the eCATS.

It's not rocket science and if you have the tools, you can do it. Watch the video and you can ascertain whether you have the tools and skills.

No need to go to springs. Air ride is one of the best comfort features of the X350. IMNSHO it is one of the best features of the car. and if one fails, you only need to replace the one, not both.

That said

All shocks fail. All of them. The question is when. Air ride is no different. Plan on it as it's inevitable. Prices of parts are much cheaper than they used to be.

 

Front air shocks will go first. And it is 'when' not 'if'. OEM units (Bilstein) will cost you 1 grand each. Arnott's about half as much. The air shocks are quite easy to replace if you are mechanically inclined.

A lot of bad press on Arnott's btw. Just search the forums.

 

It depends. It's possible at that mileage it may have even had some components replaced already. Coil springs aren't a necessity, but I definitely don't regret my decision.

 

Many thanks for all your inputs, I will not let this problem stop me from getting a high mileage X350. I should be able to change the shocks if necessary!

 

Does anyone know about RMT? This is the first I've heard of them.

 

I think that you can pretty well assume that the vehicle will have air suspension issues, and the best fix by far would be to convert the suspension over to Arnott coil/springs. In fact, many Jag owners of the XJ8 have already done so. The conversion is not cheap by any means as you would really want to hire a reputable certified mechanic to inspect the front end beforehand, install the coil/springs, and to perform a front end alignment afterwards. As one member opined previously, the Jag handles better with the coil/springs, and I concur. Personally, I found that my Jag with the coil/spring conversion even rode better. Moreover, I can't say that I missed that 'thump' in the rear every time that I rode over some bump with the former air suspension system. That would not be something that I would expect from an upscale automobile.

 

No thump in rear on my XJ...There is no way a Arnott spring shock is going to ride like a bagged shock...As far as the RMTs they have a lifetime warrantee...http://www.rebuildmastertech.com/about-us/

 

With Shocks as Mentioned before many times, its not a case of if, it's when.
Many options are available on the market now.
Prices of shocks are coming down all the time.
Swapping them out is easy enough.
Living in Orlando, I doubt you will have the cold shock/air leak issues.

Worry about it when one goes, but until then, go drive.

 

If it sits level buy it and don't sweat it!

 

Any of the many vehicles produced today that incorporate air-module suspensions, all require maintenance. All vehicles require service, and 10+ years on any air-bag suspension module is a long time.

When I went looking for my `04 I knew the owner had reported some issues with front modules, and included the price of new Bilsteins in the purchasing decision.

 

Those RMT's don't look half bad...

 

I went with Arnott on all 4 corners about 2 years ago and I couldn't be happier. Ride comfort difference is negligable and as someone else stated, handling seems a bit better. I went with an Indie that specialized in British cars and total cost was $2490.00. Seemed like a lot at the time but the cost of replacing individual air shocks, compressor, etc. makes it seem cheap. Go for it.

 

I just completed installation of two new Arnott AS-2710 air springs on my 2005 XJ8L with 149,500 miles. The original air springs still worked, but they were clunking badly when bumps were encountered. It took me about 90 minutes to replace both of them. The cost on EBay with free shipping was $844. They solved 95% of the clunking sound, I am still looking for the remaining part that needs to be replaced to cure the problem completely.

 

I took a 2004 XJR out for a test drive, when I came back the front suspension was very low, I told the salesman there was a problem with the front air suspension. He called me yesterday to tell me they had replaced one of the front air units which was leaking air and the car was now ready for me to look at again.

My question to you is; If there was only One of the front air suspensions leaking would not the car have "listed" to one side OR is it normal for the front to be LEVEL but LOW even though they only found fault with one side??

Do they need to replace BOTH front air units at the same time?

I would really welcome your input as I am due to test drive the car again on Friday, also what should I look for on their repair??

 

The fronts are controlled together, unlike the rear where each side is controlled individually. I have to say that dealer were prompt making that repair ! I would have another test drive, if the car was OK apart from that suspension drop. Try to find out what air spring they have put in, it could be either a Bilstein OEM, or an Arnott.