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One of my biggest complaints against Jaguar is that they stopped using proper opposing-piston brake calipers (except for the carbon ceramics on the FType). It looks like they're recently come to their senses again and have fitted Brembos onto the F-Pace SVR, however, the rest of us are all stuck with truck brakes. Don't get me wrong, the Super High Performance (or whatever they're called) calipers work wonderfully but certainly do not look the part on (what used to be) $100k cars.
In the past, I had considered retrofitting the Alcon system that was used on the XKR back in the day but parts are impossible to source. I know Brembo makes a kit for the F-Type but its $4k-5k for the fronts alone. After much researching, I found PB Brakes. They make BBKs for tons of cars...including the 09-15 Jaguar XFR...which shares the same calipers, brackets, and hoses with the XJ and XK (according to Jaguar Reno Parts, the F-Type has a different mounting bracket, otherwise I would've assumed Ftype compatibility as well). Thus, in theory, the PB Brakes XFR kit should fit the XJ.
I had never heard of this company before but apparently its quite popular with the BMW M crowd, and I've found a lot of good feedback and reviews on various forums. I've been emailing with Dan Newton at the company and he has answered all my questions satisfactorily. He even sent a cutout template to make sure the various size rotors and calipers will fit my wheels. The kit I'm looking at is 380mm full floating rotors front and back (Dan claims the rotors weigh just 22lbs each), with 8 pistons in the front and 6 pistons in the back (with handbrake mechanism included). You can choose anodized or painted calipers in a multitude of different colors, and with or without their logo. Brake lines are included along with your choice of pads. With shipping, the whole shebang costs just under $5k.
I'll most likely be pulling the trigger within the next few days. I'll document the whole process and provide pics when they arrive.
To be clear, this is pretty much just for looks and the improved handling and ride characteristics that come with lower unsprung weight. As I said before, the OEM brakes are more than adequate (every forum has one buzzkill who jumps in to say that this or that upgrade is a waste of money).
Hopefully this works out and we can finally have a relatively affordable big brake option.
PS: They also have adjustable coilovers listed for the XJ on their website...
Are these the 2 piece rotors like the F-type guys did a group buy on?
Brakes
They don't have a listing for the XJ but the brake system is pretty similar to the F-type.
Hopefully little to no big changes to get them to fit the XJ but no demand.
These are 2 piece rotors like the Wortec ones, yes, but different company. I don't know who exactly makes these but they're much less expensive than the Wortec. The difference with Wortec was that they had to create floating rotors that matched the OEM calipers and specs. I would imagine that's where the extra cost comes in.
Just to prevent any confusion, the F-Type brakes are NOT the same as the XFR and XJR brakes. I'm talking about the F-Type "super performance" steel brakes, 380 mm front and 376 mm rear.
The front 380 mm brakes yes, they are identical in every way across all three, it is the rear brakes that are different.
The rear brakes are the same 376 mm size and the rotors are identical but the F-Type calipers, caliper brackets and pads are different due to the EPB motor integrated into each caliper. You cannot fit F-Type rear brakes to an XFR or XJR (although the fronts are a straight swap), at least not with a working EPB.
But I seem to recall reading somewhere that on some XJs the rear brakes are the same as those on the F-Type, or at least they have the same EPB set-up. I know a fair bit about XF, XFR and F-Type brakes but I'm fuzzy on XJ brakes!
But I seem to recall reading somewhere that on some XJs the rear brakes are the same as those on the F-Type, or at least they have the same EPB set-up
I haven't compared the part nos on the calipers as my F-Type has the CCBs fitted, but both of my 2016MY XJs have the EPB motor mounted onto the rear of the rear caliper and look the same as the caliper set up on the F-Type.
The earlier XJs did not (they have the same setup as the XF, etc) so it seems likely to have been a change from the 2016MY.
I haven't compared the part nos on the calipers as my F-Type has the CCBs fitted, but both of my 2016MY XJs have the EPB motor mounted onto the rear of the rear caliper and look the same as the caliper set up on the F-Type.
The earlier XJs did not (they have the same setup as the XF, etc) so it seems likely to have been a change from the 2016MY.
XDave! I've never really looked at your signature...is that your current stable??
I found these pics on their Facebook page. This is the 380mm floating rotor with 8 pot anodized orange caliper. I decided to stay safe and go with regular ol' painted red and drilled only rotors.
They do look very sharp. Just have to add some "Jaguar" decals on the calipers with a clear enamel coat over it and it'll really look the part. Can't wait.
Ahead of it's time, my 2009 4.2L XKR Portfolio convertible is equipped with the optional ($5,000) Alcon Performance Brake Package. At the time, they were the largest brakes ever fitted to a production Jaguar – with 400mm crescent-grooved front brake disks with six-piston calipers, and 350mm crescent-grooved rear disks with four-piston calipers. Here's a photo of the front with the cast //R logo.
It's interesting to see how Jaguar went to special brakes like Alcon and Brembo in years past but now completely dropped all that and went back to a more standard sliding caliper style brakes even on the R models?
My old 2005 S Type R had very pretty fixed caliper Brembo brakes and my 2014 XJR has larger rotors but is the standard style sliding caliper brake system.
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Yes, my apologies for the delay, the kit arrived last Monday and everything is gorgeous! But I've been in the middle of doing a huge tune-up on the car so all my free time has been taken up with that. But I finally finished putting the car together again last night and its running wonderfully. I'm waiting on some Jaguar caliper decals to arrive so hopefully I'll be installing the new brakes next week.
Here are some quick pics I took. Everything is extremely well-packaged.
Brake lines and instructions.
Bolts, threadlocker, and touch-up paint.
The parking brake mechanisms on the rear brackets
The sexy two-piece 380mm rotors
The gorgeous 8piston front and 6 piston rear calipers
03-05-2020, 01:12 PM
Big Brake Kit - PB Brakes
