[x300] 1996 4.0 X300 Front shocks

X300
1

Hello,

I’ve spent some time on the XJ40 forum with my '91 Diamler.

I’ve upgraded to a beautifull X300, A 1996 Daimler six, I
think referred to as a Jag vd Plas in the US (picnick tables
etc.)

I need to replace the front shocks as it seems they bottom out.

Any recomendations on brands and vendors in the UK or
European mainland?

I’ve found a good deal on Boge shocks…

Can anyone tell me if the rear of an X300 has the SLS type
suspension that the earlier XJ40’s had or are they just
coilovers?

Figure I’ll replace them allround.

Also I intend to fit 18 or 19 inch wheels so I suppose it
makes sense to fit regular comfort shocks and not the sport
shocks in combination with big wheels eh?–
'91 4.0 Daimler
Den Haag, Netherlands
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2

In reply to a message from DQ81 sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

I do not know if the problem it’s in my car, but I hate the Boge
shock.

I’v made a replacement of the original shocks to Boge shocks, and
now I have the car super hard, the shocks are like rocks and no
confort at all. It’s really stange, because it almost seaems that
the shocks do not have any amplitude at all.

It was in my mind open in a few days a topic to find a really good
shocks, so I will have many attention on this topic.

My best tegards,
Miguel–
migueldefender from Lisbon - Jaguar X300 1995 in Marocco Red
Lisbon, Portugal
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3

In reply to a message from mikedefender sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Hey I’ve seen your vids on youtube. Good stuff.

Allright, good to know that the Boge’s are stiff. They’ll
soften with time of course as they wear…

What size wheels do you run?

Who recommends what?

TIA–
'91 4.0 Daimler
Den Haag, Netherlands
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4

G’day Gents,

I replaced the shocks on my car with OEM Bilsteins from Coventry West in
Atlanta and they’re great. NAAYY etc etc

David,

From what I know, the suspension on the X300s is nearly identical to that on
the XJ40s with rear end having coilovers. I have the standard 16" wheels on
my car.

Regards,
Jeff Watson.
Sydney, Oz.
1995 V12 X305.

In reply to a message from mikedefender sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Hey I’ve seen your vids on youtube. Good stuff.

Allright, good to know that the Boge’s are stiff. They’ll
soften with time of course as they wear…

What size wheels do you run?

Who recommends what?

TIASubject: Re: [x300] 1996 4.0 X300 Front shocks

5

In reply to a message from DQ81 sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Thanks. :slight_smile: Today it was a day to up date my videos. :wink:

About the shocks, I do not knoe if Boge are good or not, but in my
one they are not.

I already made with this shocks something about 10000km… :frowning: My
wheels are the sport dimple wheels 16’’.

Let go to see more replys from Jag-Lovers. :slight_smile: :wink:

My best regards,
Miguel–
migueldefender from Lisbon - Jaguar X300 1995 in Marocco Red
Lisbon, Portugal
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6

In reply to a message from Jeff Watson sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Can you please tell us the price? I’m seeing on DavidManners and
they have the oem shocks (i think that it’s Bilsteins) at a good
price, take a look:
http://www.jagspares.co.uk/Manners/PartView.asp?
partno=MMD2140AC&perpage=10&imageField.x=46&imageField.y=10

By the way, and maybe this is important in my failure case. My Jag
have the factory sport suspension pack. At that time there was the
confort suspension and the sport one.

Boge only have one type of suspension (i do not know if it’s Sport
or Confort). Imagine that the suspension of Boge it’s only confort,
it’s possible that it is the cause of my problem?

My best regards,–
migueldefender from Lisbon - Jaguar X300 1995 in Marocco Red
Lisbon, Portugal
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7

In reply to a message from Jeff Watson sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Thanks David,

Bilstiens eh,

I do need a European or UK vendor as I’m in Europe and
shipping from the US is just stupid expensive (I also have a
few too many US vehicles…)

I’m looking at KYB’s right now, good price etc. Respectable
brand, I’ve just always known them to be quite stiff/sporty
for other vehicles.

What size wheel do you run?

The reason I’m even looking at shocks is that when driving
over a speed bump at speed the shocks seem to bottom out
making a light clunking sound, at slower speeds they don’t.

They don’t feel bouncy or look saggy but I’m pretty
confident in my diagnoses as it only happens when maximum
travel is required of the shock…

Anyone know of a good vendor in Europe for Bilsteins or
other good brands?–
'91 4.0 Daimler
Den Haag, Netherlands
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8

Ola Miguel,

I’ve just found the receipt and the shocks were $US 169.00 each, part #s
front, MMD 2140CC and rear, MNA 3540AD. Remember that my car is a V12 and
the part numbers may be different for the 6 cylinder cars.

The shipping charge to Australia was $US 120.00 bringing the total to $US
796.00 which is about half the price quoted locally.

I dealt with Pete Bond at CW. Pete Bond [pete@coventrywest.com]

Regards,
Jeff Watson.
Sydney, Oz.
1995 V12 X305.

In reply to a message from Jeff Watson sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Can you please tell us the price? I’m seeing on DavidManners and
they have the oem shocks (i think that it’s Bilsteins) at a good
price, take a look:
http://www.jagspares.co.uk/Manners/PartView.asp?
partno=MMD2140AC&perpage=10&imageField.x=46&imageField.y=10

By the way, and maybe this is important in my failure case. My Jag
have the factory sport suspension pack. At that time there was the
confort suspension and the sport one.

Boge only have one type of suspension (i do not know if it’s Sport
or Confort). Imagine that the suspension of Boge it’s only confort,
it’s possible that it is the cause of my problem?

My best regards,Subject: RE: [x300] 1996 4.0 X300 Front shocks

–
migueldefender from Lisbon - Jaguar X300 1995 in Marocco Red
Lisbon, Portugal

9

G’day David,

With a light clunking sound I’d be looking at the front lower shock bushes
as they are a weak point in the front suspension of these cars and IMO wear
out fairly quickly.

Get the car up on a hoist and check out all the suspension bushes, also the
top front shock bushes wear out and can cause clunking.

I put KYBs on a SII XJ6 I had years ago and the handling improved but the
ride was a little firm for me.

I run standard 16" wheels.

Regards,
Jeff Watson.
Sydney, Oz.
1995 V12 X305

In reply to a message from Jeff Watson sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Thanks David,

Bilstiens eh,

I do need a European or UK vendor as I’m in Europe and
shipping from the US is just stupid expensive (I also have a
few too many US vehicles…)

I’m looking at KYB’s right now, good price etc. Respectable
brand, I’ve just always known them to be quite stiff/sporty
for other vehicles.

What size wheel do you run?

The reason I’m even looking at shocks is that when driving
over a speed bump at speed the shocks seem to bottom out
making a light clunking sound, at slower speeds they don’t.

They don’t feel bouncy or look saggy but I’m pretty
confident in my diagnoses as it only happens when maximum
travel is required of the shock…

Anyone know of a good vendor in Europe for Bilsteins or
other good brands?Subject: RE: [x300] 1996 4.0 X300 Front shocks

'91 4.0 Daimler
Den Haag, Netherlands

10

In reply to a message from Jeff Watson sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

This is a difficult subject because perceptions of firmness
or comfort vary so much. I have an XJR and the ride quality
improved greatly by using 16 wheels and smooth riding high
performance tires . The OEM items were too hard for me and
unacceptable for my wife.
Other contributions about Boge/KYB/Bilstein convince me that
the best choice is Bilstein. I shall probably get the XJ6
shocks becaue they will ride smoother than the XJR shocks
and they are much cheaper.The best prices I found for both
types are at www.allshocks.com
http://bit.ly/7Sl93I
If anyone has a better source, please share.–
95 XJR, 69 E-Type ots ,07 Miata ,‘X’-type SUV
Sierra Madre Ca 91024, United States
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11

In reply to a message from DQ81 sent Wed 25 Nov 2009:

Please be very careful when not using shocks recommended by the
automobile manufacture. It could be dangerous. They spent a great
deal of time and effort working with a specific shock manufacture
to get it right.
The goal of the other shock manufactures is to take your money –
anything close will do.

The proper valving for the bounce and joust spec of shocks is a
function of:
The weight of the car.
The spring rate
The weight of all the upsprung components: like Wheels, Tires,
Brake Rotors, Brake Calipers, the weight of the Springs, 1/2 the
weight of the ‘‘A’’ arms,
1/2 the weight of the shocks, 1/2 the weight of the anti roll bar
connectors. ect.
.
If you know all those things, I’ll get you a copy of the algorithm
to calculate the valving required for bounce and jounce…

Other wise, call Bilstein near SanDiego Ca US
Their phone number is on their web page.
They know all that stuff for every car they provided the original
shocks. In addition they can custom valve a set of shocks to your
liking. They will even match them. They can also rebuild and re-
valve your old Bilstein Shocks for $60 each. Check their web page
for international distributors.

Bilstein shocks are the only single tube shock manufacture. Their
shocks do not have the mechanism that wares out in all the other
brands. As some one mentioned, as other shocks get older they
become less effective, nice and slow so that you don�t notice.
The only failure mode associated with Bilsteins is they leak. When
the fluid leaks out they stop working and you get them rebuilt.

Don’t try and out guess the designers - they know all of the facts
required to calculate the proper valving. Every one else is
guessing or making decisions based on hear-say or rumor.

If you want your car to ride softer, put smaller diameter wheels on
it and pick touring tires that are equal in diameter to the
original tires. But it will not handle as well as originally
intended. Primarily because the side walls will not be as stiff.
And the contact patch may be smaller.

But, be very careful! Pay strict attention to the load rating. As
you and your car have not shed any weight and you do not want to
over work tires made for a much lighter car…

As usual, I have no affiliation with Bilstein. Simply a satisfied
customer.

Good luck–
The original message included these comments:

I need to replace the front shocks as it seems they bottom out.
Any recomendations on brands and vendors in the UK or
European mainland?

–
SpeedyPAL 1995 XJR
Milford / OH, United States
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