I've autocrossed my VDP with its stock 16" rims and Pirelli P6 tires against a 2001 BMW 740i (non-sport package), and I was able to match his times. My fastest time was faster than the BMW, but his average time was better than mine. I had more body roll and heavy understeer, and the BMW appeared to be a bit more balanced, but this didn't prevent the BMW from oversteering out of control on the slalom. My VDP seemed a bit more predictable, as I hit no cones, unlike the BMW. In fact, the VDP wouldn't oversteer no matter how hard I tried (except for throttle oversteer). The BMW required more fighting with the steering wheel to keep oversteer in check whereas the VDP seemed more sedate with its safe understeer. The autocross 'pros' who rode with me were impressed with the acceleration, grip, and braking. Everyone expected the Jag to perform horribly.

The VDP was the crowd favorite unlike the BMW.

The Jag V8 sounds so much better than the BMW 4.4L V8 when being pushed.

 

Just look at "overall height" in the specs. The relationship remains the same regardless of measurment technique.

 

If there is a difference in ride height then it's only in the front axle (which of course affects overall height), because the US spec XJR seems to have the same rear springs as the euro spec XJR...

 

That's a big assumption - I'd suggest the springs are the same height, and stiffer/different spring rate.

If you look under the rear of the car, check for the colour swatch painted onto the springs, they're colour coded, then you know what they are.

For the XJR there's comfort spring JLM20363 and sport JLM20424, fronts. I've already mentioned that 99% of USA cars have the comfort spec'...

Another thing, from MY2001 - UK XJR's were offered with "SuperSports" suspension....standard on the 100's.

 

I just posted the different spring options for the X308 on the previous page in this thread, that's what I based my assumption on.

Is the colour coding explained somewhere? IIRC the rears on mine had yellow swatches on them.

Does the "SuperSport" suspension have different springs, or is it just a stiffer setting on the CATS shocks? Or perhaps both (like in the XKR Silverstone)?

 

Yes and yes. The SS are 15mm shorter, stiffer and cat's re-valved.

Here is a picture of the Blue SS rears....(yellow is comfort)....the front anti role bar stops have blue inserts it's bigger diameter, and blue front springs also shorter. Variation between markets and models, and also point of order spec' seems to confuse each car. Big brake kits could also have some bearing on the SS kit being fitted.

 

Interesting. And confusing.

I'm very much tempted to go for the proper (euro spec) XJR sport springs on mine, but I'm not sure which shocks would go well with them... I guess the oem non-CATS shocks are designed for softer springs, and retrofitting CATS isn't really an option.

 

I had a look at the rear sway bar on my XJR, WTH is that? Why so small and thin? The sway bar looks like it should be on a much smaller car.

It is so obivious why these cars have so much body roll. If they would have extended it length to mid point of each lower control arm and thicker, it would be more stable in cornering.

Didn't a member create a custom rear sway bar?