Or is it "Tail"?

Actually the "tail" is what I noticed at first.

I'll be short. Never before have I had the opportunity to see two X308s parked next to each other, until my VDP got parked next to my wife's plain gray "Tabby". My VDP looks a LOT lower! I noticed it in the back first, but the front is lower too (looks like it's even with the back). I am not a car novice, and I checked the shocks on my VDP when I bought it (usual used car shock check). Everything seemed fine. She rides beautifully, no clunks, no tire wear, nothing to suggest bad shocks.

So the question is..........is this normal? Is VDP supposed to ride lower, or do I need new shocks?

Another helpful thing would be,...if someone with a 98-99 VDP can measure the ride height from the ground to the top of the bumper (front or back), ....just chime in and tell me how many inches are there.

All answers are welcome.

 

could the extra length and weight contribute to the lower position ?
are VDP and XJ8 springs the dame?

 

I know the XJR is the lowest of the bunch, i think the VDP is slightly lower than regular XJ's

 

Shocks do not usually determine the ride of the height (unless they are gas charged shocks that tend to rise rather than lower). Its usually the springs that would affect your ride.

According to the factory spec's the SWB has a riding height of 52.7" while the LWB has a 53.2" height.

 

Does this mean that VDP should have the higher stance than the XJ8? I'm sure this is a measurement to the top of the roof, and it looks like the difference is exactly as you say, but the other way! LWB (VDP) sits about that much LOWER than the SWB (XJ* base).

And if the ride height is affected by springs (which makes perfect sense), how can the car with 80K have 'sagging' springs, and the car with 100K doesn't? I am sure neither car had the replacement springs installed. I like a little higher ride of my wife's car, and if it's the new springs that I need for the VDP, I'll go and get them.

Still waiting for someone with a VDP of a similar age to post the measurement from the garage floor to the top of the front and back bumper.

 

This was my guess.

 

Not sure if my 1998 VDP is normal or not, but I measured 18.25" from the floor to top of rear bumper and 20.75" from the floor to top of front bumper.

It might be a bit more exact measuring from the floor to the top of the wheelwell arch. I measured the rear at 26.75" and the front at 26.25"

How does this compare to your VDP and/or new XJ8?

 

Thank you for the effort.


My rear bumper is at 19.5" yours 18.25"
front bumper 18" yours 20.75" (something wrong right here, 2 3/4" difference!)

rear wheel arch 26 5/8 yours 26 3/4 (this is close)
front wheel arch 26 3/4 yours 26 1/4 (1/2" diff, but close)

Tires are 225/60/16 properly inflated on the stock rims.

According to your measurements, your VDP has a slight upward (positive)attitude (front being higher than rear)? Are you sure your trunk is empty (except for the spare)?

Mine looks level to the naked eye, but the measurements suggest downward (negative)attitude. So what gives?

Wife's Tabby is not at home, so I can't measure right now, but I compared it last night, and her XJ8 is almost 1 1/2" higher in the front bumper, and 1 3/4" in the rear! Even her mirrors, roof, side molding, etc is higher, visible with a naked eye. The XJ8 has pronounced negative attitude (downward attack angle), being higher in the back.

I wish my VDP would have the same attitude as the XJ8. Maybe a lift kit is in order (joking!)? One inch higher in the front, and two in the back, would put it closer to XJ8 stance. I don't know what to think about this.

Like I said in my OP,....I've never seen two of them parked side by side untill Friday.

 

Maybe the XJ8 is too high?


2000 Jaguar XJ8 Specs

That says the ground clearance is the same between the LWB and the SWB. The LWB's body itself is slightly taller. Interestingly, the LWB adds fewer than 50lbs to the weight.

 

i have2 jags...both 2000 ,one's an xj8long the other plain old sport....i have taken no measures...they are parked along side each other....same color-silver.....without measuring i can tell you the long appears lower to the ground....i believe a 119....wheel base......

i don't know if the extra lenght creates the lower illusion...look...when i ask an independent observer......i get the same ....the long is lower.....

the vanden you discuss may also have a longer wheel base than the xj8 base,,,,,also both my jags have roughly the same milage on them with empty trunks.....

 

VDP is a long base, but the height difference is not an illusion. VDP IS lower, no doubt. I have a hard time believing that the extra 5" in the wheelbase makes it so much heavier. Maybe I have to look for some sport springs, I am sure mine are standard/comfort. Not sure what kind of suspension is on the plain XJ8.

 

LOW RI DER - rides a little low now.

I say recline the driver's seat back, lean over with your right elbow on the center console so your head is in the middle of the car and go on a cruise thru Beaumont.

 

I will do just that in couple of hours. The weather finally improved and I am looking at 65F for the high today. For the weather like this it's worth putting up with CA politics, but still.......distant shores are beckoning, and I hope to be out of here in less than two years.

If someone out there is following this thread, pls measure your Xj8 (bumper heights, wheel arches) and post it here. I REALLY like the stance my wife's XJ has,......VDP looks too low, like it has sagging springs. Maybe I am in the wrong car!? Maybe I am not a VDP guy,.....maybe,....I need to shop for XJR again!? I can't get rid of my VDP (it's perfect!), but if I bring another cat home, wife will have a stroke!
What a hell am I going to do?

 

only the R spec models come lower from factory....technically the VDP and XJ8 should be same height. however its possible the extra weight makes it appear lower.

plus some old age can make the springs weaker

 

I will do that as soon as I get the car back from the shop.

Just checked and everything is back together but a check engine light keeps popping up. Arrrgh.

Oh, our close to 80 degree weather we have been having for the last week ended this morning. High today will probably be 63 but will inch back up over the next few days.

 

The right tool for the right job- all three models have a purpose.

I prefer the XJR because it has the best balance for ME.

My one complaint> It is just a HAIR stiffer than I would like- but on the other hand, it's fun in the corners!

 

You might be right. Maybe they ARE supposed to sit different on the road. VDP looks and behaves almost like a limo. Wife's XJ8 is shorter, and stiffer, and more fun in the corners. I can only imagine how the XJR feels (never drove one). Drove S/C VDP, but I was not impressed enough to put 10K on the table.

 

I expect to see this shortly:

Among others: 98 VDP (The Cat), and 03 XJ8 (Tabby), and 0x XJR (the BEAST)

 

Anyone looking for a 02 S430 Designo/AMG package, MINT with 77K on the clock!? (I HAVE TO unload something before I run out of the garage space, and ruin my fourth marriage!)