Absolutely...I found that while looking for a wedge stance to post. Turned out both the Mustang and Charger looked higher at the front!

Back to Evoking...how is that decision to lower coming along?

Bruce

 

I don't have an XKR yet but do have many years experience lowering my Lexus, which also does not come from the factory with camber adjusting ability.

My first Lexus, I was still kinda young and wanted a 2 inch drop. That low threw the camber out of whack. So I found some coilovers with camber adjustments and that worked out fine. After making the switch I put on a fresh set oh Michelin's and they lasted 3 years, about 30K miles. I would have never used expensive tires with negative camber.
So the next question is are there any companies making coilovers with camber adjustability for the XK?

When I get an XKR, I'm ordering the Speed and Dynamic Pack options. I think it comes with a 1 inch drop. That's not really too low to throw off the camber. To make up the slight gap, I'm going with 21 inch tires. That's what the tuning companies Arden and Startech are doing to provide both the appearence I want while maintaining proper camber.

I know most of you guys think 21's are too big but I'm going to try it. If it doesn't work I would have no problem going another route.

 

I highly doubt that anyone makes coilovers for the XKR. You could, however, hire a racing shop to make the alterations for you, using your present struts. It is not a difficult process but, will cost more than a regular aftermarket product. (take that with some doubt as I have not examined this particular strut for that possibility)

As to the 21' wheels; are you intending to use a lower 20-ish aspect ratio tire? You said you wanted the 21s to fill out the wheel well. If you use the same aspect ratio as with 20' wheels, you will have a 1' larger diameter wheel/tire that will fill 0.5' more of the fender gap but, also raise your ride height by 0.5".

You may know from my posts that I am not terribly in favor of big wheels and just wondering where does it stop? With 20" there is barely any tire on the rims; with 21" likely even less, yet, every year models come out with rims 1' larger...?

Albert

 

I definitely understand your feeling about wheels continuing to get larger. I remember a time when I swore an oath to never go above 18 inch wheels. I made same oath at 19 then at 20. I've stuck with 20's the last 10 years but frankly, there are some cars that just look better with larger wheels.
The Mercedes SL and CL.
The Bentley Continental Coupe.
The Lexus LS, BMW 7 and Jag XJ.
The Chrysler 300

There are others but these cars need 21 or 22 to look best or might as well stay stock.

I mentioned the XKR tuners. I like what they have done and that's the look I'm after. Again, if I try it and don't like it I will change in a heartbeat.
On the XKR it looks like 20's would requre a 1.5 -2 inch drop. I prefer 1 inch. Just hoping the 21's do what I want. We'll see.

 

No I haven't made a move on the springs yet. I'm wondering who to use for the install. Probably don't want to use the dealer since I have free maintenance for 5 years. If the shocks go they would have a record of the aftermarket springs right?

Anyhow, I digress... Whom did you guys use for installation?

 

You can't hide the springs from the dealer soyou're better to have them do the modification and provide in writing that it won't void the warranty. I'd also check with your insurance company to have the mod approved in writing for coverage under your existing policy. There is a no modification clause in there that could be used to void your coverage. Better safe than sorry.

ICE350 said in another thread that there are factory lowering springs that can be installed. I would check the accuracy of that claim, and use that product if available as you can be sure Jaguar would know for sure that they are compatable with the rest of the suspension.

Bruce

 

Since I've been modding so long I checked on insurance coverage.
They can't deny a claim as long as the mods were done before the coverage was purchased. If you continue with an existing policy bought before mods, just inform your agent. None have asked me for extra money but they did make a note of the changes.

 

An insurance policy and premium for a 2010 XKR is going to be based on the vehicle being stock, with risk/repairs/replacement based on that. If that is not the exact vehicle that you are asking them to insure then you need to disclose that, and they may or may not insure it. They may ask to have the car appraised with modifications documented, and then they will be in a position to be able to make an assessment for risk/repairs/replacement and determine if they want to insure it, and how much premium they will charge you.

At least some policies have this modification issue covered to protect themselves and limit claims. You can be sure that they would not honor a claim for undercarriage damage caused specifically because a vehicle was lowered too much in their opinion, or an accident caused because vehicle handling was compromised because of that. They would also not want to pay for those mod replacement costs if the car was stolen.

This was my insurance company's requirements, it makes sense, and those that want to cover themselves should at least check their policy carefully, get acceptance of modifications approved in writing, or run the risk of a problem later if they should need to make a claim.

Does that make sense to you, even if you don't think it applied in the case of your modifications and insurance company?

Bruce

 

Not sure the mods wouldn't be covered if stolen. I had an accident where 2 custom wheels and headlight modifications were damaged. The insurance covered them no problem. If covered in an accident why not for theft? I'll check.

On second thought, no I won't check. I really don't care if they are covered under theft.

I use to drive fast a lot and have had several accidents. Thank God I have changed and drive much safer now.
But in all those accidents, I've never had a claim denied because of mods. I've used the top insurance companies and I've used the ones no one has heard of. They all follow the same rules.

I haven't insured a Jaguar before but I doubt it would be different than a Lexus, Infiniti, Benz, Chevy or Nissan.

I agree that an insurance company may not want tp pay if it determines your car was being operated with unsafe equipment or parts but people who drive nice cars don't usually slam them to the ground nor use springs cut in their garage. I also doubt any would mount 26 inch wheels that reduce turning radius.

Don't take the fun out of this for others. I've been modding a long time. This is not a huge issue. It's like anything else...use common sense and it should be fine.

I do believe insurance coverages change with exotic cars. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe any Jag is considered to be exotic.

 

I'm not even remotely suggesting that people not modify their cars. You need to read my posts again to clear up your confusion. I am recommending that people cover themselves against the possiblility of a denial of claim...whether they do or not is up to them.

While the vast majority of people who have modified their cars would not have had to make a claim, or had no problem with successfully making one depending on the nature of the claim, I have personally been told by my insurance broker that I will need to have my car appraised so that "non- OEM" modifications can be documented and the underwriter will review it. OEM lowering springs as an example, and any other OEM optional parts are automatically covered I was told. If I were to lower my XKR I would go that route (if it exists) to avoid the issue entirely, and be confident in the spring's compatability with the dampers, electronics, etc, and know that my vehicle warranty will be unaffected.

What I wouldn't personally do is hang my hat on your advice that "it should be fine"....especially when it's very easy to ensure that it won't be.

Bruce

 

We're way off topic here but generally you should get mods appraised when you add something like a $10k supercharger or turbo kit to an NA car such as in the case of an NSX. If you wreck it they will only reimburse you for the value of the stock car so your loss. One would think they COULD claim they didn't cover the car having that much extra horsepower and deny the claim but never heard of this. And if they took this route it would surely be in the case of the driver driving recklessly.

But there is absolutely NO reason they could claim they won't cover the rest of a damaged car or the value of stock spring part in the case of damage etc. They're just not responsible for improvements. Same goes for wheels. If you put $10k wheels on a car and total it. Don't expect to get an additional $10k over the car's replacement value. Needless to say, we don't need to declare exhaust and springs. Never have.

 

I agree with your post. I was very surprised when the insurance company gave me money for my wheels. It was not expected but I took it without thinking twice. I know up front modding your car is not financially smart....but I don't care. That agent probably got fired for that.

 

Things have changed over the years with regards to modifications, at least here in Canada. Here's the first link from a google search, and others I saw confirm what we've been hearing up here for years.

Mind the (car) modifications

The article notes the insurance affects of lowering and other mods you're sure to find silly. But I'll leave you guys to discuss it, and if it doesn't affect you gents to the south you can consider yourselves very lucky indeed!

Bruce

 

So getting back to the original topic, does anyone have feedback on how the various springs compare/contrast? In feel, drop and price?

 

Spires :: Specialist Jaguar tuning, XF and XK

http://www.spires-st.com/products/xk...l?expandable=4

all been developed and done before here in the UK on these chassis...numerous tuning houses, including our very own XKRacer can put you onto a kit that'll blow your mind.

Like everything else in life, how much do you want to spend!

 

Looks to me like this version (2011 XKR 175) came lowered from the factory.

2011 Jaguar XKR 175 - The Best GT Car On Earth? - YouTube

 

Now we know where to get coilovers. Thanks

 

Now it gets interesting... The drop on just springs is clean. Don't think I would want for lower. So now it comes down to how much better the ride is with coil-overs to determine if worth the extra coin. I generally think of coil overs for folks that track and need ultimate adjustability. Otherwise could be overkill.

 

Right; coilovers give you the fine ride height adjustability, as well as they tend to use standard 2.5" racing springs which tend to be less expensive than factory replacement springs. Of course, that applies only if you are not happy with your aftermarket spring rates and want to change them. If I recall correctly those racing springs are available in 25 lbs/inch increments for around $60 each.

Damper travel is an other significant advantage of coilover kits. If they are done right, they will provide as much damper travel as the OEM, despite the ride being much lower. Bottoming out and beating to death the factory dampers can easily occur on lowered cars due to the radically reduced available damper travel.

Nice to see that someone is making a coilover for the XK/R. Now I wonder if they make camber correction kits for the lowered cars?

Albert

 

Many coilover set ups provide camber adjustability but the write up on these don't mention that feature. I'm really hoping they do.