I am hoping to see a picture of a lowered 2004-2008 S-type 4.2 on stock 17" X 7.5" wheels. I can find lots or R's lowered but not the non-R version.

I was thinking of trying the Mina Gallery (1.2/1.2) lowering springs with Bilstein shocks and struts.

Was also considering running 245/45 r 17 tires on the stock wheels.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Brian Shaw

 

It should be about the same as the cars weigh similar. Sorry it seems like not many non-R guys lower them

 

Yeah, I noticed that. Couldn't find any pictures on this forum or on the web. I am very curious what it would look like in stock trim before I do it.

 

Post a photo of your car up, I am sure someone here has decent photoshop skills and can lower it.

 

If its just a photoshop you want, yes, just post it up and i'll turn it around for you quick,

 

Before I got my 2005 S-type 4.2 VDP I did a lot of research on tire-wheel and suspension options. First, the tire query. There are plenty of options for you in size 245/45-17, so that's good. The outside diameter of that size runs virtually the same as the 245/40-18 size that came on the later S-types and as the front tires on R supercharged models (until the 19" option). There are various tire size calculators available on the web, but personally I do two things to check diameter: first, look on tirerack.com, where the (hopefully actual) tire diameters of various tires in various sizes are listed in the "Specs" table for each tire. The second thing I do is just calculate the diameter manually (which of course requires converting between inches and millimeters (1"=25.4 mm).

Looking on TireRack.com, I note the following specs for outside diameter:

Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 (the tire on my S-type -- not a great tire, though I like Michelins overall)
235/50-17 (OE size, what is on mine): 26.3"
245/45-17: 25.7"

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2:
235/50-17: 26.6" (note that it is 0.3" larger than same size in same brand of a different model of tire - this diameter is probably too large for the S-type; there may be an error in the Tire Rack data here.)
245/45-17: 25.7"
245/40-18: 25.7"
245/35-19: 25.8"

Continental ContiSportContact 3:
235/50-17: 25.9" (note that it is supposedly 0.7" smaller than same size in the Mich PS2 -- makes one wonder if there is an error)
245/45-17: 25.7"
245/40-18: 25.7"
245/35-19: 25.8"

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS
235/50-17: 26.3"
245/45-17: 25.7"
245/40-18: 25.7"
245/35-19: 25.8"

Of course there are a lot of other tires to look at. But this sample may help answer questions about size.

I personally am interested in getting new wheels and tires in 18" or 19" size on my non-R 4.2 with what feels like the comfort-tuned suspension. I would keep the OE 17" wheels for dedicated winter tires. (Utah, where I live, has a basically two-season climate, so two sets of tires, one a dedicated summer (not "all-season") set and one a dedicated winter set, works well here.)

The tires on the car now, with the medium to soft-ish suspension, is not quite controlled enough for my tastes. On the other hand, I don't think I would like a set up with say, the H&R lowering springs (reportedly stiff), plus the sport Bilsteins, plus say 19" wheels.

The OP brianshaw009 seems more interested in lowering than anything, probably for esthetics, so that's fine, but I have decided that is not my choice. When I get the new wheels with high-performance summer tires (such as Michelin Super Sport, Pilot Sport PS3, Conti CSC 3, or Dunlop Sport Maxx) I'll see if that tightens things up satisfactorily. If not, I'll look at replacing the dampers with the Bilstein B4 sport models (over the standard model, which is probably what I have on the VDP, but if anyone has information on the OE dampers I likely have, please let me/us know). (I'll either get them from a shock/damper dealer or just buy the OE Bilsteins from a Jaguar dealer for the sport suspension option.)

So, brianshaw, using lowering springs like those available from Mina Gallery plus the 45 aspect ratio tires would tighten up the handling and responsiveness of your non-R, and would lower it (obviously with the springs but also the tires with about a 1/4" (6-7 mm) shorter sidewall/radius would lower the actual height of the car by that amount, though because the tires would also leave approximately 1/4" more "wheel gap" they may not be perceived as lowering the car). If you have the sport dampers, that would probably all feel fairly well-tuned, but if you have the standard dampers I would fear they'd be too weak to handle the extra springiness forces of the stiffer, less compliant springs, resulting in something of a bouncy/jouncy ride.

 

I know my question was about lowering, but I am actually looking for a little more cornering ability. Not really sure I want to give up the ground clearance. IE, not looking to lower for looks, but would like to know how much ground clearance would be left if lowered.

Here is what I think I should be getting and looking into:
1.) I should get rid of the crap PO installed tires.
2.) Put a good, high quality 245/45r17 on it.
3.) Check into the STR front sway bar and bushings. (not sure it will fit)
4.) Check into the Bilstein B4 or B6 shocks and struts.
5.) Check into the non-CATS 4.2 Sport Springs. (not sure the stiffer springs would even be needed with slightly stiffer shocks and a heavier sway bar)

Any thoughts, or am I heading towards disaster?

Thanks,
Brian Shaw

 

Thanks for clarifying, brianshaw009. We have very similar cars in very similar geography, and I am looking for essentially the same thing as you: to tighten up the ride and handling a bit (but I don't want to go too stiff). I, too, was wondering about just using the OE Jaguar non-CATS sport springs and shocks/dampers. BTW, I don't think there is a Bilstein B6 for the S-type -- just two B4s -- normal, and sport. Good question on sway bars. That could help. But I think uprated springs and dampers would probably do it, plus for me, a tire that is firmer. When I push to the side on my front fenders, the front tires jiggle back and forth. Too much lateral sidewall flex. My tires are Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 in 235/50-17. Probably going to a 245/45-17 in a more sport-oriented tire would help, but I was looking at going to 18" for a 245/40-18 in a dedicated summer performance tire like a Michelin Pilot Sport, PS2/PS3, ContiSportContact 3, or Dunlop Sport Maxx (GT/TT or something).

What options are there for moderately sporty springs and dampers/shocks? For springs I see Mina Gallery (who makes them? Custom spec?), H&R (too stiff and too low for me), Arden, and I looked into the Spires sports suspension (non-coilover, non-CATS). I even contacted them about getting it shipped to the USA. Anyone have any experience with the Spires suspension kit? Can I post a URL? Here it is: Jaguar S-Type Sports Suspension Package from Spires Specialist Jaguar Tuning . Note that is says 13mm lowering (1/2").

 

Not something that people usually feel any need for, as the cars are known for their great handling. Maybe something wrong at the moment?

 

If I remember correctly, back in my mustang days (had a 98 GT). The Cobra ran softer springs, heavier front sway bar, softer rear sway bar and stiffer shocks than the GT. I think it IRS on the Cobra was "copied" from the Lincoln LS at the time. And the Cobra had a much nicer ride and better cornering ability than the GT (solid rear axle).

So if that is correct and holds true, I may get what I am looking for with just the tire change, front STR sway bar and Bilstein B4 sport shocks and struts. The sway bar option is cheaper than the spring option and easier/cheaper to install over the rear coil springs. Fronts should be free install if paying for strut installation.

 

Er... the 03 S-Type got a major change to the suspension that the LS didn't get.
It was to vastly improve the handling.

 

The Lincoln LS IRS was the same as the S Type for the Gen I versions. Nothing at all from the existing Ford/Cobra IRS parts is on the LS.

Plus the LS was introduced in 2000 so your 1998 Cobra was ahead of that.
.
.
.

 

Also, the S-type does not have MacPherson struts in front, but a double-wishbone type suspension with shock absorbers (dampers) all around -- is that correct? Does changing the front (or rear) shocks / dampers require taking out the springs?