Has anyone out there got any experience with uprated/lowered springs?
I have an X308 that is nearly exactly how I want it. I have recently come across
a seller who stocks uprated/lowered springs that can lower the car by 35mm whilst improving the handling.
I am sure I am not the only one who thinks a lower ride height would be an awesome look!
I have never got involved with suspension before and I was hoping for some advice.
Would the shocks need to be changed at the same time as the springs? Could I do the job myself or is it a mechanics job?
Is it likely to cause me more trouble than its worth?
I am prepared for a ‘‘torrent of abuse’’ from his ‘‘Breyer-ness’’ but I can assure you Gary, I am not planning on fitting led lights below my car
and going ‘‘cruzin’’’ in southend-on sea! Even though the ‘‘ice lights’’ may go quite well with my HID’s!(Lol).
Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading any experiences and guidance that you can give…
Thanks in advance,
Dom.–
dja
essex, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
In reply to a message from dja sent Fri 1 Apr 2011:
Dom, you are establishing an alibi before it even comes to
court!–
The original message included these comments:
Is it likely to cause me more trouble than its worth?
I am prepared for a ‘‘torrent of abuse’’ from his ‘‘Breyer-ness’’ but I can assure you Gary, I am not planning on fitting led lights below my car
and going ‘‘cruzin’’’ in southend-on sea! Even though the ‘‘ice lights’’ may go quite well with my HID’s!(Lol).
Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading any experiences and guidance that you can give…
In reply to a message from Neil Maldon sent Fri 1 Apr 2011:
I know Neil. I should have mentioned the beautiful Maldon coastline!
I am hoping to get some advice before he completly changes the topic and we end up talking
about a completly different subject. With references, no doubt, to ‘‘Pimp my Ride’’!
We’ll just have to hold on and wait…
In reply to a message from dja sent Fri 1 Apr 2011:
If you wanted a lower car with better handling, you should’ve
bought an XK8/XKR. Besides, if you shorten the springs, you’ll
just keep bottoming out on all those Essex dirt tracks.
It’s your car Dom so, you are entitled to fit whatever ‘extras’ you
want, no matter how stupid they are:-)>–
The original message included these comments:
Is it likely to cause me more trouble than its worth?
I am prepared for a ‘‘torrent of abuse’’ from his ‘‘Breyer-ness’’ but I can assure you Gary, I am not planning on fitting led lights below my car
and going ‘‘cruzin’’’ in southend-on sea! Even though the ‘‘ice lights’’ may go quite well with my HID’s!(Lol).
Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading any experiences and guidance that you can give…
Thanks in advance,
Dom.
In reply to a message from gary breyer sent Fri 1 Apr 2011:
Dom, I’m having to agree withGary yet again. The only way I
can think of to get a lower line and ride is possibly to
change the wheel types/sizes and fit low profile tyres, if
that’s feasible.–
The original message included these comments:
If you wanted a lower car with better handling, you should’ve
In reply to a message from Neil Maldon sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
and so it begins…
gary I am under the impression that the condition of the
highways and byways of our illustrious capital city are not
much better than our beautiful country lanes and their
natural flora and fauna.(that means plants and animals for
you concrete jungle dwellers!).
still, by the time our wonderful government wastes all of
our tax dollars on revamping the transport system prior to
the olympics you wont need a car! you will be able to travel
to Elephant & Castle in first class luxury(lol)
on a serious note though-
what about these springs? is it neccessary to change the
shocks as well or could they be left to see out their normal
serviceable life? some schools of thought comment at the
stress that the shocks would be put under, by lowering the
springs, would cut short that time period? others say that
it would have no effect at all, as that is their job afterall.
am I not right in saying that the XJR-100 has a lower
stance than the standard XJ8? I realise that it is not to
everyones taste and some would say that a certain amount of
comfort would be removed however, as I said before, each to
their own.
In reply to a message from dja sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
Mr Adams,
What colour are your shocks? Is your car a sport model? Here (UK)
4.0 V8’s such as mine:-) came with sports (green) shocks as
standard, apart from Sovereigns and unless the original owner
ordered comfort suspension. I think my car is lower than non sport
models but, I’m not sure if that’s because of the shocks or,
different springs. Also, please bear in mind that, your not
inconsiderable weight, already makes your car a lot lower than it
would otherwise be:-)>
Whatever you fit though, your 3.2 still won’t have the oomph to
make use of any handling improvements. It’s sad but, oh so true.–
The original message included these comments:
what about these springs? is it neccessary to change the
shocks as well or could they be left to see out their normal
serviceable life? some schools of thought comment at the
stress that the shocks would be put under, by lowering the
springs, would cut short that time period? others say that
it would have no effect at all, as that is their job afterall.
am I not right in saying that the XJR-100 has a lower
stance than the standard XJ8? I realise that it is not to
everyones taste and some would say that a certain amount of
comfort would be removed however, as I said before, each to
their own.
In reply to a message from dja sent Fri 1 Apr 2011:
‘His Breyerness’…that’s a new one…to add to the already
formidable list! ;o)=)
Maximus–
The original message included these comments:
Hi all,
Has anyone out there got any experience with uprated/lowered springs?
I am prepared for a ‘‘torrent of abuse’’ from his ‘‘Breyer-ness’’ but I can assure you Gary, I am not planning on fitting led lights below my car
Thanks in advance,
Dom.
In reply to a message from Exjay8 sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
gary,
isnt it strange how size seems to be so important to you?
presumably you are attempting to make up for a lack thereof
in some department,in some way or another;-)
my car is the sport model.
upon inspection I can tell you that the springs I have
fitted are not green. they appear to be a dark grey colour
even after a good soaking with a suitable cleaner.–
dja
essex, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php –
In reply to a message from dja sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
on further investigation it appears that the car came with
‘‘super sport suspension’’??? it also has CATS adaptive
damping if thats at all relevant. information gleaned from
the approved jagauar used vehicle paperwork.
dom–
The original message included these comments:
my car is the sport model.
upon inspection I can tell you that the springs I have
fitted are not green. they appear to be a dark grey colour
even after a good soaking with a suitable cleaner.
In reply to a message from dja sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
Hello Dom…this is getting more interesting by the minute ;o]
What is the exact model you have??
XJR’s and Super v8’s were usually fitted as standard with ‘CATS’
suspension and ‘to order’ on lesser types.
Easy way to tell this is look at the top of your shocks under the
bonnet/hood and you will see the electrical plug attached to the
top.
There is no ‘Super Sport’ model in this range.
A ‘Sport’ model usually only came with 3.2 engine and Sport
suspension which are defined by green coloured shocks.
‘Comfort’ suspension was fitted as standard to the Sovereign’s and
are defined by black shocks.
But being such a plethora of definitions in this model range…I
could be wrong ;o]
Cheers,
Maximus–
The original message included these comments:
In reply to a message from dja sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
on further investigation it appears that the car came with
‘‘super sport suspension’’??? it also has CATS adaptive
damping if thats at all relevant. information gleaned from
the approved jagauar used vehicle paperwork.
dom
essex, United Kingdom
In reply to a message from Exjay8 sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
Hi Max,
My car is a 2002 XJ8 3.2 sport. I will check into the shocks for colour and to see if the actuators are present.
The car was originally a ‘‘Jaguar’’ owned vehicle when it changed hands after the first year. It was bought by a retired gent from whom the garage I bought it from purchased it.
46,500 on the clock with a full MDSH!
Will be back with some more info when I have had a look…
Dom.–
The original message included these comments:
What is the exact model you have??
There is no ‘Super Sport’ model in this range.
In reply to a message from dja sent Fri 1 Apr 2011:
I can’t imagine that you would be able to lower it at all
without changing your tire diameter as well. I don’t have
any experience with the X308’s, but I know on my X300’s that
as soon as the springs start to weaken in the least, then
you get significant tire rubbing on all the plastic fender
liner bits under the front end. The point is that they are
built pretty low to begin with. I don’t know how the 308’s
compare, but my 300’s sit a good 6 inches lower than
anything else in the parking lot already. I don’t know how
I’d get my old bones down into them if they sat any lower.
If you must, you might try going with a wider rim/lower
profile tire combo. That way you could maintain the outer
diameter of the tire, but get a lower look because of the
proportionate change in the amount of rubber showing. I’ve
got an XJS where the previous owner did that and it looks
pretty good.
Post pics if you make a change so that we can check it out.–
The original message included these comments:
Has anyone out there got any experience with uprated/lowered springs?
Possibly putting it on airbags would be the way to go. Of course the
requisite fuzzy dice, tasseled headliner edging and “La Cucaracha” horns
would be in order :-D>
Cheers,
Jack - '99 XJ8L PA USA
< snip >
I can’t imagine that you would be able to lower it at all
without changing your tire diameter as well. I don’t have
any experience with the X308’s, but I know on my X300’s that
as soon as the springs start to weaken in the least, then
you get significant tire rubbing on all the plastic fender
liner bits under the front end. The point is that they are
built pretty low to begin with. I don’t know how the 308’s
compare, but my 300’s sit a good 6 inches lower than
anything else in the parking lot already. I don’t know how
I’d get my old bones down into them if they sat any lower.
If you must, you might try going with a wider rim/lower
profile tire combo. That way you could maintain the outer
diameter of the tire, but get a lower look because of the
proportionate change in the amount of rubber showing. I’ve
got an XJS where the previous owner did that and it looks
pretty good.
Post pics if you make a change so that we can check it out.–
The original message included these comments:
Has anyone out there got any experience with uprated/lowered springs?
In reply to a message from Jack Hollibaugh sent Mon 4 Apr 2011:
Dom’s next thread.
‘‘Any suggestions on where the twin airhorns, that I have just
purchased, could be fitted in the engine bay?’’
I believe he already has the airbags and a black suede headliner:-)–
The original message included these comments:
Possibly putting it on airbags would be the way to go. Of course the
requisite fuzzy dice, tasseled headliner edging and ‘‘La Cucaracha’’ horns
would be in order :-D>
Cheers,
Jack - '99 XJ8L PA USA
My answer would be that it would have been better for him to obtain the
chrome version as they could be mounted atop the bonnet just rear of the
steer horns mounted to the grille :-P>
I wonder if the chain link steering wheel can be retrofitted so he can still
use the original column mounted radio buttons. Pete would probably know the
answer to this. I’ll check the archives …
Cheers,
Jack - '99 XJ8L PA USA
< snip >
Dom’s next thread.
‘‘Any suggestions on where the twin airhorns, that I have just
purchased, could be fitted in the engine bay?’’
I believe he already has the airbags and a black suede headliner:-)–
The original message included these comments:
Possibly putting it on airbags would be the way to go. Of course the
requisite fuzzy dice, tasseled headliner edging and ‘‘La Cucaracha’’ horns
would be in order :-D>
Cheers,
Jack - '99 XJ8L PA USA
In reply to a message from Jack Hollibaugh sent Mon 4 Apr 2011:
if you must know,
i have actually ordered the bonnet mascot from 1950’s Chevvy
Bel Air. I think I will mount it where my leaper sits.
however where would the leaper go? eureka! I could fit it on
the rear parcel shelf next to my tissue box or hang it from
my interior mirror with the single boxing glove(lol).
I sense that you all feel quite strongly about lowering
our lovely cars so I will shelf the idea-temporarily!
as far as the suede headliner goes, if anyone knows where i
could get one let me know…–
The original message included these comments:
chrome version as they could be mounted atop the bonnet just rear of the
steer horns mounted to the grille :-P>
In reply to a message from Exjay8 sent Sat 2 Apr 2011:
UPDATE!
i have had a chance to take a further look at my current
suspension set up.
I do have the adaptive set-up, as indicated by the
electrical plugs on the top of the struts and the black
plastic dome shaped shrouds.
the shocks themselves are green in colour. so what I am
taking from that is that I have the OE sports set-up with
the CATS option. is there any way of ‘‘fooling’’ the system
into compressing the shocks and so resulting in a lower stance?
I currently have 18’’ Penta wheels covered with a 225/40
tyre. I would definitely like to drop the 35mm that is
mentioned here:
opinions welcome provided we are able to avoid the subject
of ‘‘underlights’’ ‘‘airhorns’’ and ‘‘lambo-doors’’. (although i
would be interested to see the latter!
dom–
The original message included these comments:
Hello Dom…this is getting more interesting by the minute ;o]
What is the exact model you have??
XJR’s and Super v8’s were usually fitted as standard with ‘CATS’
suspension and ‘to order’ on lesser types.
Easy way to tell this is look at the top of your shocks under the
bonnet/hood and you will see the electrical plug attached to the
top.