'07 XK base 4.2 80K miles, two-state adaptive dampers.

Mulling over the alternatives for new dampers. Bit of oil around the top. I was disappointed when I learned these were Bilstein B4's -- they're the bottom of the Bilstein line. Same basic damper as a BMW 3 series.

Well, the adaptives are unique, so there's two sources: Jag PN C2P3121 at $650-750, and the Bilstein equivalent, PN 114411 for $323. Still a B4. Bilstein won't rebuild them, a service they offer for other models
If I drop the adaptive, things are more reasonable (and cheaper to get). The Jag C2P3134's, and Bilstein B4, PN 114455 at $170 or so.

I haven't checked to see if there's a Bilstein B6 alternative for the non adaptive Bilstein 114455. The B6 is a much better unit, and rebuildable. The B8 is too stiff.

The adaptive Bilsteins make sense, because that's what on them . But they're only two stage, which, when I'm feeling cynical, seem almost like a gimmick rather than a big difference.

For a good set of dampers, the B6 is a much higher quality unit. So anyway, if I set aside adaptives, and remove them on the CCF, what alternatives are there for replacements?

IMHO, and YMMV.
Thanks!

 

deleted

 

Sean,

Not sure, still learning. If I delete the adaptive shocks, I might open alternatives, but I have no idea what's possible on this car.

If my only choice is B4 type, I'll probably stick to the Bilstein adaptives, just because they cost half the identical Jags.

Thanks, Panthera.

 

The originals were quite effective at absorbing road irregularities and the 2-stage worked quite well. There are aftermarket solutions with custom spring rates such as BC Racing, Quantum and others.

 

Good point. This is my first X150, and it's 80K, so it's possible that I'm reacting to worn out dampers rather than what it's like when they're new. Perhaps it's "two-stage feels crappy" because the shocks are shot. That you liked them argues for replacing them with adaptive, and I appreciate your experience. Best, Panthera

 

How about rebuilding the current shocks?

 

Panthera999 I just deleted a question I had, wasn't questioning your approach, My best guess is you could probably find B6 for the rear but not the front as they have different mounts. I haven't seen them. I think the benefit of a BC racing type set up is there's some adjustment flexibility if I'm not mistaken.

 

Thanks, moses -- Bilstein says they won't rebuild OEM, nor do they do B4's. Best, Panthera

 

Thanks, Sean. No problem, and I appreciate the thoughts.

I just put in an order at tirerack, $337 each for the fronts, Bilstein's. They say they're in stock. Outrageous price, but when the only other choice is twice as much...

Jahummer made the point that he noticed the difference of even a two-state valve, so that's enough to bite the bullet. And I guess I'm a purist.

Also, knowing SDD, deleting adaptive suspention from the CCF could be anything from no problem at all, to the car catching fire and exploding with a giant middle finger labeled "greetings from Jaguar!". Or at least a few hours of WTF? moments....

I'll do the rears later in the year.

Cheers, everyone.

 

Well...intersting process. Turns out Tire Rack had one Bilstein adaptive strut.

So I googled Bilstein 20-114411 and started checking websites. Most didn't have any, and didn't know when there would be any, if ever. Left a bunch of emails with others.

This morning I get a call from one of the places and the guy tells me he looked and "found a pair of them in our Oakland warehouse".

Made me wonder if the "oakland warehouse" was driving down the street at that moment on it's way to a bad neighborhood.

So I ordered them at $347 each, including tax and shipping. We'll see.

This is my first experience with NLA's (No Longer Availables). There's a huge selling base for BMW aftermarket, my previous cars, but a much smaller one for Jag means that parts start to go out of production sooner.

Something to consider....

 

I noticed the 'only one' notation this morning...
I have a 2008 xk with 90K, so same situation as you.
Before I go down this route ($1400+) for four I'm going to contact some shock rebuilding companies and get a feeling from them.
wj

 

I tried to get fronts over a year ago. They were on backorder for over 6 months from Bilstein before I finally cancelled them. Still running on the originals. I was able to get the rear ones, though.

 

They get rebuilt by an indy; not Bilstein. My local AM-Lotus dealer does a lot of Ferrari repair and the service manager often has shocks rebuilt by them. I plan to do this when the Rapide needs shocks. New one's are out of sight on this model.

 

For future reference, do you know who they use?

 

No I don't, but this looks like a place worth contacting. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/

You can always call Aston Martin Boston and ask the service manager who they use. Can say I sent you.

 

I know you ordered them already Panthera but is there a chance that struts from the S-Type or XF would fit?

I don't know much about these but thought the S-Type used the same front lateral control arm. I think the 09 XF did too.
20-070748
or the 09 XF?
26-203058

Guessing there are differences significant enough to make a different part number but I don't know what they might be beyond height?

 

Understood, Moses. I'm in a highrise condo, so I do all my own work offsite in a (very good) DIY garage in MIami. Wouldn't be able to remove dampers and wait for rebuild turnaround. But if you can share the name of someone who does it, I'm sure it'll help a lot of people.

Everyone: I cancelled the order for 1 from Tire Rack, so they should still have it back in stock. Also, I was contacted by a place that says they can get them reasonably quickly, but I asked them to commit that they could. If they do, I'll share the name.

Panthera

 

One problem with Bilstein is there are no spec drawings I can find. The 09 XF seems (?) to come in damptronic, but when I look there's (no surprise) lots of backorders. I could check the XF maintenance manual to see whether the XF has two stage damptronic, but I have no way to see whether the dimensions are compatible.

Here's a thread on X250 digging into this: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...shocks-249779/

A problem as we look for alternatives is that the sellers are often not sure what they're selling. CATS is mixed up with damptonic with wrong names used; both are offered "for" 4.2 and 5.0, non-R and R, and different years using different struts. The only thing we have to go on, when we don't use the Jag parts counter, is the PN cross reference.

 

yes they will fit. take your springs and mounts

the 09 XF supercharged shocks used to be like 300 bucks for all 4 corners

 

I have my XKRS shocks from XFRS actually. They fit well. But it's for 5.0 car, not sure how about 4.2.