I've noticed that my newly acquired 2003 xkr convt. as well as others I've seen have a very noticeable rake. The rear end of the car sits quite a bit higher than the front of the car.

I've learned that H & R springs are not made to handle the extra weight
of the convt. So, they're a non starter.

The lowering springs from Mina have gotten positive reviews here, but,
apparently, once lowered, the inside of the front tires seem to wear a little quicker, especially if the fellow doing the alignment lacks expertise.

So, I'm wondering, what do you think if only the rear springs from Mina
were installed, to get a more level and balanced look to the car?

How do you think this would affect handling?

 

I found the same problem with mine. It reminds me of the newer Mustangs with their butt in the air. I had lowered my Contour SVT and didn't want to run into the same clearence issues. I found a guy with a stock set from the Silverstone that he had replaced with Mina's. He said the ride height was the same with both springs. So I installed only the rears. I have no driving or handling probems and haven't notices any wear problems.

 

I think the rear would be less impacted from a drop in the rear, especially if its only a small change. There is a dealer supplied shim kit you could install in the rear to help offset the additional negative camber if you choose.

 

Thanks for the great info. Sounds like a plan.

 

Is there anything you don't know about Jags?? Thanks for the brilliance.
Would hate to develop alignment problems.

 

So are you guys saying the lowering springs from Mina don't actually lower the car or did I read that wrong? Mina says about a 30mm drop.

 

I heard the Minas drop bothe front and rear by about 1.25 in. I think they are saying that this would be a solution to safely bring down the rear end, and avoid the muscle car look.

 

A lot of coil springs are known to sag after a few years. When replaced by new lowering springs, they sometimes sit taller than the old OEM ones. Go figure.

 

The Silverstone rear springs lowered my rearend about .75". The shop that put them in did an alignment (toe-in) but wanted to let the springs settle in before setting the camber. This was only noted to me after I asked to see the alignment sheet and there where red number on it. If it were in spec's they would have been all green. After a few weeks I took it back to have them finish the alignment only to find out they wanted to charge me another $190 for another alignment plus $300 to install the shims ($75 each). I opted out. The tire wear seems to be fine, but having the shims installed is on my to-do list.

 

I have lowered many....many...XKs and have never once had to adjust the alignment, OK that is a bit of a lie as one car came in with back inner tyre wear which meant he had bad tracking to start off with, so adjusted accordingly, but, on a normally set up car I have never had to do this.
The only time I think it is worth having done is if you have had polybushes fitted.


Just had a thought......OK I might contradict myself a little here but if you lower your car 40mm (I never recommend going that low), then yes you will need as a minimum a camber check

 

Well I plan to lower my R using the Mina springs in about 2 weeks. They are said to drop 1.2 (1.5) in. and I'll be fitting 22" wheels too. I'll show pics of each upgrade....