Can I check, apart from the LWB (and hence weight and dimensions) and the cosmetic trim, are there any other significant differences in the power / suspension / handling characteristics between the XJR and the Super V8? Is the SV8 softer than the XJR? Thanks.

 

If I remember correctly when researching my purchase of a 2005 Super V8 the drivetrains are the same, the Super V8 is about 50 pounds heavier and has the softer suspension (basically a VDP with supercharger).

 

Thanks for your comments. Can anyone confirm that the SV8 is sprung more softly by design intention? Can it be upgraded to be similar to the XJR (which i already find is a bit on the soft side)?

 

2005-6 SV8's might be a bit softer. I drove both before I bought the SV8. However, as I recall, the VP doesn't have the CATS supension system, while the SV8 does. Not sure about 07 and beyond. Mines an 06 and while soft, it handles much better than most cars as large because of the light weight. In addition, SV8's and XJRs OEM tires (tyres) are usually P-zero's or similar high performance summer tires. VPs are OEM touring tires, I believe. If your son is 6'9" tall, then get the SV8.

 

All X350's have CATS.

 

I believe one of the major differences in the suspension is the air shock absorber. I think the Super V8 has the "comfort" shocks while the XJR comes with the "sport" version. I could imagine there are some other differences, bottom line the Super V8 definitely felt softer to me which is one of the reasons I chose it over the XJR....I only need to go fast in straight lines .

 

hahaha...... I don't think my son will reach that height....

 

Thanks. This will be a consideration since I already find the XJR a little on the soft side.

 

Well maybe all your X350s had CATS, but my 04 XJ8 sure didn't.

 

Everything I can find seems to confirm what I said.

From the 2004 US brochure:

S TA N D A R D F E AT U R E S
MECHANICAL
Self-leveling air suspension
Enhanced Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) adaptive


From the X350 Technical Guide:
The new XJ's suspension system also features the latest version of Jaguar's sophisticated CATS system, which is standard on all models.

X350 Parts manual:
The only options in the parts manual for the air spring/damper module is 'comfort' or 'sport'. Unlike the parts manual for the X308 there is no mention of adaptive, non-adaptive.


A 2004 Road and Track test of a 2004 XJ8 with CATS:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/lo...004-jaguar-xj8


2004 VDP Spec from Cars.com with 'Standard Adaptive Suspension'

http://www.cars.com/jaguar/xj8/2004/...=USB40JAC101B0

 

If you have air suspension you have CATS. CATS is the brain that controls it and has no input from the driver. So, all US 04-09 cars have it and over seas from 03-09 have it. All X350 and X358 have it.

 

You win. Pat yourself on the back.

 

Interestingly enough, I was just browsing the specs on my SuperV8 and noted that the front suspension eCATS system is Touring Tuned and the rear suspension eCATS is R-Tuned (sames as the XJR). Must be for the extra torque created by the supercharger.

 

Does the regular XJ8 have the "sport" setting button on the center console? Also Super V8s have 19 inch wheels.

 

My 04 XJ8 has a sport setting button.

 

They all have it. It merely adjusts how the transmission shifts.

 

I have a question for you guys.
I used to have an XJ8 Sovereign LWB, 3.2L V8 engine. I drove this car for 8 years. It was a great car, very smooth but a little underpowered.
Now I drive a 358model Daimler Super Eight 2007 LWB Supercharged. For US readers this would be the same as a VDP V8 Supercharged.

I feel the suspension on the Daimler is much less comfortable then the 2001 XJ8. The newer car does not drive over small speed bumps (the ones you find inside parking houses) as well as my old Jag. The 2007 car seems to take them on much harder. The old 2001 XJ8 would just absorb the bumps. The new 2007 Jag will "bang" into them and not give as much as the old Jag. I have also noted that when I drive into my office parking garage the middle of the car will easily touch the pavement when I start the descent down the ramp (due to the abrupt transition from horizontal pavement to downhill ramp). The old jag would never touch the ramp in the middle of the car. I thought the old Jag was lower than the new Jag???

Now, the new Jag has much wider rims and lower profile tires than the old Jag. This puts the 2007 Jag at an disadvantage compared to the 2001 Jag with respect to comfort.
However, I would not have expected the new one to be as rough as it is.

The Jag 358 air suspension seems to level nicely as per the design but I wonder if the suspension is not adjusting up for slower driving like it is supposed to do? or something else is wrong with it.

Does anyone have similar experiences?

 

Yup, I went to a driving day with Jaguar just after the X350 was launched and the venue was a hotel. The hotel drive had speed bumps and when I test drove the XJR I was amazed at how badly the car handled them. My own car was an X308 XJR so I was used to firm suspension but that handled the bumps with a lot more poise.

It may be one of the reasons that the 2010 on XJ has gone back to coil springs on the front of the car.

 

The air suspension is a lot firmer and on your particular model, the rear suspension is the same as the XJR and even more firm.

Going with smaller wheels 15" or 16" with higher sidewall tires to compensate will make the ride a lot more soft and cushioned though.

 

Thanks for reply.

I think the change of tires and rims would make the biggest impact.

An alternative way would be to modify the air suspension. One idea would be to increase the size of the air supply line to the suspension and add an accumulator prior to each corner of the suspension.

The purpose of the bigger air supply line would be to remove constriction of air when the wheel travel upwards quickly. Bigger air line = more air throughput and less stiffness in shocks when the wheel wishes to move.

The function of the accumulator would be to absorb some of the shock when the wheel travel upwards so the shock is not transferred to the car body.

I am quite sure this would alleviate the poor shock performance but I am not sure if I have the initiative to start changing and experimenting with the suspension.

Does anyone have a diagram of the suspension for these cars?