Hi, new member here, in search of some advice.

I've been passionate about jaguars since I was 16. This started after bringing back to life the MkII XJ6 of a friend , in which we would endlessly ride while enjoying the smell of leather and wood. I've always dreamed of acquiring an E-type, or an XK 120. Haven't done that yet, but I finally bought a 2006 XKR a couple months ago. The XK8/XKR is imho one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, and looking at it in my garage every day has made this even more obvious :-)

However, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed when it comes to handling. My daily drive is an AMG e63, so this does not help, but this being a 2006 model, I was expecting better. It is actually much closer to my 1978 450SL than to what I expect from a 390HP modern car.

The issue is made worse by the fact that the Victory model I have has 20" wheels with super low profile tires, but the result is that the car will telegraph every single imperfection on the road while potholes cause worrying jolts and sounds for both driver and passenger. My local Jaguar dealer says this is to be expected on this car (!).

I want to keep this car as much as possible in its original configuration, but I'm certainly curious to know if other owners have found ways to improve this issue. Different shocks maybe?

Thanks

Fred

 

To be pedantic you are complaining about ride rather than handling.
I can't fault either. My daughter gets car sick easily but loves the Jaguar for its taught suspension. It probably also helps her to know the penalty for puking on my leather is death.
I think the pre 2006 model is the most beautiful car ever made - but I'm biased.

 

My current XK8 on 20 inch Sepangs has a noticeably harsher ride than my last one on 18 inch Impellars. In terms of handling, it goes exactly where I put it provided the DSC is switched off.

The car had the LH front shock absorber bush and then both front shock absorbers replaced under warranty. Discussing this with the PO, he explained it resulted from his complaints about ride quality.

It doesn't have any worrying jolts and I'd expect your Jaguar Dealer would have jumped at any opportunity to replace the front bushes and shock absorbers if these were worn.

The car is very sensitive to tyre pressures and split rims seem to lose air faster than standard rims.

Graham

 

[quote=dennisw;501225]looks like ive highjacked grahams quote..ive got 20 inch paris wheels on my xkr and the ride is very good..no leaks yet.18inch are regarded as best for comfort..so im told

 

Agreed. I know the post-2006 is probably a better car, but it does not look as good.
The X100 is just stunning!
Yes, it is technically the ride, but it affects the handling: I've driven many cars with a harsh ride that will remain glued to the road. In this case, a bump/hole in the road when cornering will introduce lateral movement. It doesn't inspire confidence. I have a 10 year old Mitsubishi that feels more predictable.

Maybe I should get a second opinion from another Jaguar dealer...

 

That doesn't sound right to me. Many old 'sports' cars would skip sideways on a bump just as you describe.
I haven't pushed the XKR into oversteer yet but I can corner faster than I could in my Celica GT4 with incredibly little body roll and no feeling of instability on bumps.

 

I think a more firm shock will help, othwerwise I think the essence of the XK will be lost as it was desgned.
I no longer have the cats system and use bilstiens all around, My srt8 is much more firm but with a vert I love the factory ride with bilstiens.

 

+1

No other owners anywhere near you so you can compare the handling on an identical vehicle?

Graham

 

As quoted by Steve
I agree with Steve I've never noticed problems with mine and I'm running the 20 inch Detroits. What kind of "Pothole" are you hitting. Are California roads that Bad? If I hit a bad pothole, twice since I've had the car, I can feel the jolt but otherwise it's no different than if I hit a bad one with my F-350.

 

updating the tie rod ends and sway bar end links (plus the sway bar bushings) will help a little. They take alot of abuse for such small parts. Before doing that, make absolutely sure those control arm bushings are tight...no movement whatsoever. If theres ever a power steering fluid leak, it magically finds its way onto the lower front control arm rubber and turns it into jelly fast. I think my factory installed control arm bushings were made of licorice when they were replaced last year.

 

The same potholes I've been hitting for the past 12 years with other cars :-), which is why I notice the difference. Sounds like I need to find someone with a similar car, with whom I can compare. I am in San Jose, if anyone is in the Bay Area, let me know. I'll look for another Jaguar specialist locally in the meantime. Appreciate the feedback from everyone.

 

My PO also installed Poly bushings on my suspension........is this standard for XKR's?

 

The Sepang and Jaguar BBS in general, are two piece, the tire fits exactly as a normal rim so you shouldn't be seeing any loss, if so it's lack of sealant on the bead, a slow puncture or a cracked rim.

I do agree they're 'very' touchy on pressures.

 

I agree with the others, this doesn't sound right. Question - did a previous owner install wheel spacers on any of the hubs? Some owners (myself included) install spacers to push the wheels out a bit..improves the stance, BUT I've heard some experts say that using spacers in combination with 20-inch wheels makes for an unpleasant, rather unpredictable ride.

Don't know if you have any experience with wheel spacers...please excuse if you do...what you're looking for is something like this:

 

Like others have said this does not sound right.

I have 20" detroits and find the handling to be superb, though I did change the Pirelli tyres that came fitted, tramlining and excessive noise being the 2 main reasons.
The front lower shock absorber bushes and rear shock absorbers had been replaced by the PO.

My wheels only loose about 1lb pressure a month!

I wonder if your CATS system is working correctly?

 

Well, I'm about 90 mi. North of S.F. in a 2000 XKR, and I think I understand your perspective. I find the handling to be good, but the ride is a bit overly sensitive to quite minor road anomalies. Some might call it "good road feel / responsiveness", but, I too wonder if the damping is all working as designed. At speed, on a decent road it seems fine. Like you, my daily driver is a Benz, mine a CL600, and that suspension / ride / handling is just on another level entirely. I must say the XKR is still a ton of fun to drive on the twisty canyon roads, and evokes the British sports cars of an earlier era... Mine and theirs!

 

They aren't deflating overnight!

The comment on losing air was relative to one piece rims. My XK8 Impellars and previous one piece rims on a number of Jaguar saloons wouldn't drop any pressure in three months or more. The Sepangs can lose 1 to 2 psi over a month but not consistently. Sometimes no loss at all.

Graham

 

Dear Fred,
I agree with you on both counts, the 97-06 XK series is one of the most beautiful and classic cars ever and the ride/handling characteristics are not as good as expected (I've owned my XKR for about 3 years). If I didn't know better, I'd compare the ride and handling to a live axle car and not an independent suspension one. The suspension does not, in my opinion, have the feel of a modern suspension with modulated damping. I did change to polyurethane bushings which helped a bit, but like you, it feels more like my 1978 280Z than my newer vehicles. Having said that, I still enjoy the whole experience of driving and owning the XKR, top down nearly everyday, plenty of power and torque at will, sumptuous interior, compliments everytime I drive the car, all for about $15K (which is what I paid). Last night I was invited to see the "unveiling" of a new Aston Martin Zagato Edition, $550,000 worth of automobile, and to tell you the truth, I actually like both XK series as well as my 40 year old De Tomaso Pantera better. (And I have about $475,000 change, leftover).

 

My 1999 XKR doesn't feel as 'planted' at speed as my humble Ford Mondeo.
The XKR feels as though it sort of 'floats' at speeds over 90mph. If I drive it regularly, I get used to the feeling, but then I get back in the company Mondeo and realise how much better it feels......
My XKR is lowered, running on 20" Sepangs @ 32 psi all round. Shocks and bushes have been changed, so I think it's a case of "they're all like that sir"?
I would love to improve the feel of the car, as going over 90mph right now is a long way from my mind, so any pointers would be very, very welcome.
Martin

 

Something is wrong, I have driven my XKR over 150mph and it feels perfectly planted and all that was done was it was lowered.
I have come across some that have issues and in 90% of the time it has been the V mounts on the subframe being the culprits