Stop. You're just making me more jealous.

 

Would you do it?

 

I almost did on my XJR before it got totaled in Feb. Got tired of the front end sinking on cold nights and not raising itself back up if the temp didn't rise above 38 degrees F.

My indy had another guy's car in the shop where he put in the Arnott coilovers, and he got permission for me to drive it around the block to see how it felt. I liked it - felt like a BMW, IMHO.

For my current SV8, I probably won't until one of my shocks fails. I think there are enough XJ owners out there who have done it with no regrets.

 

My car had serious front suspension problems after getting in cool air. I ended up swapping over to coilovers. It's not worth the trouble to me and now the good parts can be sold for cheap to those that want to maintain their air suspension without paying $400+ for a new strut.

 

I am going to talk to my inlaws (dads a mech). Old school, a mech not a tech.

I am very seriously considering it. I can just drive on up to strutmaster and get them, I won't pay for labor, and I got the wifes OK... My main contributing factor is A. I do not want to spend anymore money on diagnostic and B. Future failures.

Front was replaced at 40,000mi
Rear I do not know, could be the originals 93,000

I will miss CATS I know I will, but god damn they are expensive.

I am 100% gay for BMW. Out the closet I just came. Love um'.

Then like you said I sell my 4 good struts compressor and maybe ASM (if it isn't broken) might recoop a few hundred bucks.

I worry about the height of the strutmasters, a rep told me that it will be the same height as the standard OEM air level, but a few of you guys have reported that they sit to high.. I have more or less read through 10-15 threads on here and I have only found one or two negative reviews on the switch over..

Maybe the coils may handle the AVOS kit better than the air ride... The XKR doesn't have air ride does it?

I am short on time, my googlefoo is weak.

Love you guys, please keep the responses up about the conversion, I wanted to make a separate thread on it (hearing from guys who have made the switch).. But there are already quite a few and most have slim to no response.

 

I'll get a few pictures snapped. It's close to standard ride height. It does look high if you are used to the resting ride height overnight.

That's what I used too, Strutmasters. It's a bit stiff riding to me, but I came from long wheelbase comfort air. I did go immediately from the install to driving 1,500 miles and could feel it soften a bit. It's probably got some time to go before it's broken in. The handling is exponentially better.

 

Some shots I took before I left work.

 

WOW!

Talk about a clean XJ! That is one of the first white ones I have seen.

Ever think about blacking out the roof with a nice gloss 3M vinyl? I think that would look snazzy.

Thank you for taking the time to post a picture I appreciate that a lot. What size tires are you running looks like a pretty high wall?

I showed my wife the full shot you took and asked her to find the flaw in the image. She had no idea it was different. I think it looks not much more than an inch higher than the oem. Looks great to me.

 

The tires are 235/50/18s which are the stock tire size on the Vanden Plas, but the wheels are Conventry Whitleys with green growler center caps. I think it may settle a bit more as it breaks in. It definitely looks a bit lower after a decently long drive. I had thought of larger wheels as 20"s were an option in the same style, but I was worried about bending wheels.

 

Well I think it looks great. Probably better with 19s but still great.

I wish I had OEM wheels something fierce..

Looking at $1280 shipped next day air. I wont even have to leave the house and I can be care free for the entire time I own the vehicle most likely with the springs. Should be able to recoup some of that.

Not cheap but cheaper, the motorcars are 1,995$. Which kills it. I could do the LSD for 2k.

from another post -

"strut masters: eibach springs/bilstein shocks/steel top hats (looks like it to me)

arnott: unknown springs/bilstein shocks/CNC machined aluminum top hats

black dog suspension: 'overseas' springs/bilstein shocks/steel top hats (not confirmed)"

I don't like unknowns so that is another point for the SM kit.


I cant hep but feel hesitant for changing out the entire suspension for something so small and stupid.... But they are bound to fail soon anyway.. Right..?

 

Just to throw another option out there:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...n-79499/page2/

Using the S-Type R springs & shocks.

 

I would have went the S-Type way if I was in a place to work on the car myself, but I'm overall happy with the Strutmasters kit.

 

I saw that post Cam.

If S type parts fit (small modification).. Then um.. This.

KW Variant 3 Coilovers - SOHi Performance - Your best source for genuine automotive parts!

http://shop.arden.de/jaguar/s-type/s...b-mj-2002.html

 

Yeah but three grand for shocks & springs?

 

Yes very very expensive.. Where would I even look to find a new Stype R suspension?

I bet they are worth it (KW3). I will have to do a search and see if anyone is using the ardens on the stype.

Coils and CATS would be very very cool.

 

Cats isn't going to work unless you can fool the air suspension into not throwing warning codes to keep the suspension module connected.

 

Just a heads up, those KW shocks are discontinued.

They only ever sold 2 according to the rep.:-(

 

The drop in nature of the Strutmasters would make it a better choice with the cost, but I wish they were adjustable.

 

Well I just made this post;

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...custom-140554/

Further reading.

SUPER SPORT - STANCE SUSPENSION

We will see what they say when the get back to me (Stance USA).

And hopefully the guys in the S Type section will have more info on what exactly is different.

But at 1300$ including overnight (124$). It has my attention. Everything the KW 3 came with more or less.

If it is just the lower mount that is different and they cam make me the correct one I will go ahead and try it.

 

Just got back from strutmasters.