Wife's Tabby (03 Plain Jane) needs shocks (my mechanic's verdict). I have no clue whether it came with 'standard' or 'sport' suspension. I want to fit it with Blistein sport shocks. So I need to know why (IF) I shouldn't do this.

Also,...I need to know how many bushings I need to buy (and preferably where to buy). I want to replace all shocks, and all bushings.

If possible, I'd like to buy all the stuff in one place. Want to order the stuff tomorrow, and have it done as soon as the parts get here.

Thanks.

 

is it CATS equipped? pop the hood and look at the top of the shock, has it got a black cap on it and a small defended cable running from it?

 

Sorry, forgot to mention, no CATS.

 

The Sports suspension, at least in the UK, has shorter springs. You may risk bottoming out the shock on either compression or rebound.

If you can get the dealer or Jaguar North America to look up the "as built" info for the car it will tell you. It's a good printout to have in your file. Any dealer can do the printout.

You can also lookup the info using your Mongoose and IDS. It's on the first page after entering the VIN.

 

So if I replace the springs also, it would be OK? Is it the straight forward swap, or is there something else involved? I'd really like a little stiffer ride.

 

put back what came on it...i was told all xj8 without the CATS have Bilstein shocks from factory...not sure if correct or not though..

 

Yes they did,.....however. I can buy sport shocks for $380.- (all four), or standard for $600.- .....methinks,...get sport, and the springs to boot, and have stiffer suspension (with fresh springs!), for the price of standard shocks alone! Just want to get some input on that.

 

Ummm .... don't know.

The best indicator is to check the ride height on the vehicle. Don't forget UK and US XJR have different ride heights because the UK got shorter springs. So, it may be the same with the Sport. Then check the shocks that should go with that ride height.

Of course, there is always a bit of allowable slop in dimensions.

How about asking Bilstein tech support the compressed and extended lengths of the sport and standard shocks? If they are the same or close, you're good to go.

Of course, if you get an answer, please post the details.

 

'Sports' and 'Super Sports' equipped cars also have an anti roll bar at the rear, thicker diameter front anti roll bar different bushes on the rear carrier frame etc. It's an involved process to turn the car into sports suspension equipped....They're Bilstein, the green ones. They also have matched springs.

 

I tried the Bilstein "sport" shocks on my car (which has the comfort suspension) and it ruined the ride, although I did not try changing the springs. The "comfort" shocks are not more money than the sport shocks. Replacing your shocks with the original ones and changing the upper bushings (front and rear) at the same time is the way to go

 

Update: My error on the Bilstein shocks - info was for sport shocks (instead of comfort shocks) - front 24-023726 is Jaguar part# MND2140CD; rear 24-023733 is Jaguar part# MNC3540CA
The Bilstein comfort shocks - corrected part numbers - front 24-023740 is Jaguar part# MND2140AD; rear 24-023757 is Jaguar part# MNC3540AA


You can buy Bilstein oem sport shocks - all 4 of them at summitracing.com (Ohio) for a total of $453.80 free shipping.

BILSTEIN - B4 Gas - Part numbers - front 24-023726 (MND2140CD) $106.95 - rear 24-023733 (MNC3540CA $119.95.

Also shockwarehouse.com (Florida) same part numbers - front $103.40 rear $115.57 total for 4 shocks is $437.94 with free shipping.



Bilstein oem comfort shocks - all 4 of them at summitracing.com (Ohio) for a total of $683.80 free shipping. Front shocks $165.95; Rear $175.95

shockwarehouse comfort shocks - total for 4 shocks $668.74 free shipping. Front shocks $162.21; Rear $172.16

Welsh Enterprises in Ohio comfort shocks $149.95 x 4 = $599.80 plus shipping (less than $20). front jaguar MND2140AD $149.95; rear Jaguar MNC3540AA $149.95

sngbarratt.com USA New Hampshire comfort shocks - total for 4 shocks $616.62 plus $20 shipping
OE (Bilstein) Product Code: MND2140AD# front shock Retail Price: $145.41 (in Bilstein box)
OE (Bilstein) Product Code: MNC3540AA# rear shock Retail Price: $162.80 (in Bilstein box)

Other suppliers have thes 4 sport shocks in the price range from $525 to $925 with shipping.

Jim Lombardi

 

Thanks! That's exactly what I am going to do.