My '96 XJ6 Base has the original shocks, as far as I can tell. The car is way too soft for my tastes. I know they are worn, but I think I need something firmer than stock. More of a sport sedan than a floater. I know it will never be a BMW, but I would like more road feel. I am looking at a set of Bilstein B6 shocks (as opposed to the B4 shocks that seem to be recommended to restore the factory ride). I have searched, but almost everything I have read points toward the factory ride stuff.

Does anyone use the B6 shocks around here? If so, any feedback?

Thanks again.

 

yes. car basically drives the same on greens

 

Thanks for the reply, but I don't know what you mean. What are greens?

 

green is sport

black is regular

 

In USA, I think only the XJR has green shocks, where your XJ6 would have the blacks from the factory. Sorry, I cannot comment on the B6, but the XJR is quite stiff--surprisingly un-Jaguar-like, and corners flat but then it has fatter antiroll bars and sits lower too.

 

I've replaced shocks on my silver 1995 XJ6 and red 1996 Vanden Plas, both cars with the Bilstein B6. I don't have a lot of experience driving other jags, but the firmer ride and better cornering after install made me very happy, and did not seem to compromise the smoothness that makes me love how these cars drive.

 

Mkii250, thanks for the information. It makes more sense now.

cafe flyer, this is the answer I was hoping for. I look forward to the same results.

 

BTW, cafe flyer, where did you buy your shocks? I have looked at several suppliers, and some show them as yellow and some show them as black. FCP, which I have used many times for other cars, shows them as black. I tend to trust them, but they all may be using generic Bilstein photos. I just want to make sure I am getting the B6.

Thanks again.

 

Gday Placer,

I replaced my shocks years ago and sourced them from Coventry West https://www.coventrywest.com/ They are Bilstein black.

Including delivery they cost me less than half what I would have paid here in Oz.

When I bought my car one of the front shocks was pretty much locked solid and the two rear shocks were of different brands so I replaced the lot.

Cheers,
Jeff.

 

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for the lead. I just sent them an email.

 

I believe Boge/Sachs shocks have been discontinued. These previously inexpensive shocks are now through the roof.

At that price, I would go with the less expensive Biksteins.

 

oh you’re talking about the yellow ones. the green xjr shocks are sold under the b4 label

yellow and blue stripe bilsteins are a notorious source of crying and complaining in pretty much any car community you can think of. you and your teeth may regret this

 

The XJS may indeed be the exception to the crying. Bilsteins are well regarded on these forums. I have the B6s on the rear, couldn’t be happier.

I did buy the Boges for the front years before I swapped the rears. They were cheap. I think I got both fronts for the price of one Bilstein. Figured it was worth it. No complaints so far.