I have a 2004 XKR with the DSC system. I need to replace the front shocks but was horrified to see the price of Jaguar adaptive shocks (which I have on my car) and was wondering if there would be a problem replacing them with OEM non-adaptive Bilsteins. Does the DSC system on a 2004 XKR require adaptive shocks or not? The Bilsteins through SNG Barratt are pretty reasonable.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

There is no reason you can't fit non adaptive dampers, so long as you unplug the module, that lives with the spare wheel, back right hand corner of boot/trunk beneath the floor.

 

Thanks for the reply. Pretty much confirms what I had been thinking.

 

You can do it. The question is, should you do it ?

I’ve been in x-100’s with new’ish adaptive shocks, and in those that have had the adaptive shocks replaced with the standard Bilsteins.

there is a difference in the ride . The adaptive shocks are softer in the soft mode than the non-adaptive type. And of course, much more
firm than the standard shocks when they switch to the “firm” mode.

Switching to the less expensive standard shocks is attractive to the budget, but face facts: you do lose some of handling characteristics that the adaptive shocks provide.

They are there to provide the best of both worlds. Both in handling situations where a gentle cruise is desired, and conversely, still give a firm ride when sportier driving is allowed.

theres no free lunch here.

Z

 

I get what you’re saying and agree with you about getting a less than ideal ride but the price difference is too big to ignore, particularly as I have retired and have to watch the wallet. Plus my wife would have a coronary if she found out!

 

If you replace ONE axle set and disconnect the module, the disconnected set will feel VERY different. (default to OFF)

I would recommend replacing VEHICLE SET with one or the other. (adaptive damping or EXCEPT adaptive damping)

 

Is there an easy explicit test to tell if the adaptive shocks are working or not (ideally without removal)?

 

FOR ALL X100 XKR owners with the adaptive shocks: I have talked to the folks at Delta Vee Motorsports ( USA) about their ability to refurbish our shocks (they refurbish other Bilstein shocks but have not offered to refurbish Adaptive shocks). He said a few others have also recently contacted them about this and as a result he wants to take a look at doing them. He asked me to send him a set of images showing all aspects of the shocks and he will then do a deep dive into what it would take. I have sent him the images (I have a a set of these used shocks from a prior replacement) and await his analysis. I’ll post their response once I hear back from them.

 

Drive along a nice section of smooth open road and start waggling the wheel left to right - you should feel the suspension firm up as the car detects the movement. You can separately test that the module and sensors are working by connecting a voltmeter (or even just a bulb) to the wires at the top of one of the shocks - posi-taps are an easy way to make this connection.



You should read about 6V when the shocks are in soft mode and 0V when they are in the hard mode. When stationary they should be in hard mode, switching to soft above 5 kmh, then switching back to hard if you corner hard, go over a large bump etc. The system switches quite quickly and reverts to soft mode instantly when the motion that triggered it stops.

 

After working closely with Rob (Delta Vee Motorsport) and sending him numerous images of the shocks (he especially needed to get a close up look at the electrical connection at the top of the shock rod) he gave a cost Not- to-Exceed of $550 for the pair. Before is his contract info for those interested. Certainly much cheaper than buying new.

“I'd estimate cost to be a maximum of $550 (that's the Ferrari adjustable system service fee). It's likely to be tech that's in the current Damptronic systems.

--
Rob Schermerhorn
Delta Vee Motorsports LLC
10590 West KL Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
888.407.5122
Text Me: https://www.line2text.me/DELTAVEE
rob@deltavee.net
https://deltavee.net”