Hello Everyone:
Almost finished with my 2005 VDP rebuild. Will add pictures after I pick it up today. Now, for my question. I love the ride of the air shocks. BUT the car I purchased already had the conversion done with Strutmasters. Is there a softer conversion brand than Strutmasters? I would like one closer with the air shock but I know this really is not an option. Is there any comparison to the conversion brands on this site or from anyone. Any suggestions for softer conversion shocks?

Thanks


JDog

 

s-type 3.0 v6

 

Hi JDog,

I don't have any experience with the Strutmasters units but I have installed many of the Arnott Industries coil conversion kits and one Suncore coil conversion kit. All the owners have been happy with the ride of the coil suspension.

Remember that at this point in time, the original air spring/shock absorbers in an X350/X358 are at least a dozen years old, so they may seem to ride "softer" than new coil units do. But I have installed new Bilstein air spring/shock absorbers in a few X350s/X356s and if anything the ride is a little firmer, though better controlled, compared to the coil kits.

The latest Arnott kits come with Eibach coil springs and shocks, and the ride is excellent, very comfortable over bumps, and with less body roll when cornering compared to the earlier kits. The increased body roll was my primary complaint about the earlier kits, along with the loss of ECATS adaptive damping and self-leveling. Every owner whose car I have converted to coils has been happy with the ride and relieved to no longer have to worry about air suspension problems.

Cheers,

Don

 

From reading this forum, I haven't seen anyone complain about ride quality with coil-overs. Maybe they are just over the moon with the cost saving. Respected sources say the air suspension is "best", but only in a slight way.

What's your wheels? They could be between R18 and R21. I have R19, just standard but I would call "low profile".
What's the point of worrying about this or that strut for subtle comfort difference, if you have low profile tyres?

Your 2005 XJ already has a coil conversion. Are you dissatisfied with the ride?
"I love the ride of the air shocks"? There's no listed car with that in your profile?

I have original air suspension. I don't know what I will do when it eventually packs up. But for ride quality I would have chosen 18" rims (except you don't get a choice with 2nd-hand cars).

I suspect you are worrying about a non-problem (meaning, existing is OK and would cost you a fortune to change)

 

I have had Arnott's on my 2008 XJ VDP for about 5 years and they have been fine - seems to ride and handle like a normal car. That being said, I don't think any coil-over install will deliver the magic carpet ride our big Jags have with a fully functioning air suspension system, if they did, Jag would probably use them instead. I am happy with my coil-overs especially when you look at the cost difference between replacing an air strut or two and the entire coil-over replacement or the remaining air system parts on an older high mileage car wearing out. With an older air suspension there is always the fear the pump or ASM will go bad which can get expensive quickly.

 

Thanks to everyone for their input. I just picked up my 2005 VDP. After replacing all the worn suspension parts on the front and rear, replacing all the worn parts inside and out, repainting a rear door, fender, and bumper. I was very lucky to find a wonderful restoration place in Houston. Dynamic Autoworks did a fantastic job as they did all the work. Driving the car home, I realized that the ride is not like my Lexus LS 460L but was not as bad as I remembered. I think I will just drive it for awhile to get the feel and then address the conversion. Thanks again to everyone for their input.


Joe