It’s been almost a year since I bought my 96 X300. Initially, I
didn’t like it as well as the 85 XJ6 it replaced, but some 10
months on I have come to appreciate the many ways in which it is
really a better car. Several things continue to bother me
though, but I think they can be remedied:
Suspension is too soft and billowy;
Steering is too light, with too little ‘‘feel’’;
Wheels are too small.
The last is easy; I believe that either 17’’ XJR wheels from the
earlier version, or 18’’ Penta wheels from the current edition,
will fit on my car with no problems, allowing the use of Pirelli
P-Zero tires.
I have been told that the steering can be made less assisted by a
simple change or removal of a spring at the pump. Has anyone
done this? Can anyone give me some pointers on what needs to be
done?
The biggest challenge here is in no 1: upgrading the supsension.
I have found that H&R make a Stage 2 Spring kit for this car that
will lower it 1.5’’, with appropriate increase in stiffness.
Adjustable high-performance shocks are recommended with this mod,
and I am looking at Bilsteins, which can be adjusted in situ on
the car. Has anyone undertaken this modification? What are some
of the potential problems I might encounter? Are you pleased
with the change in the car’s handling?
I would not do this work myself. I have a great shop that takes
care of my Jags, so that won’t be a problem. I just don’t want
to jump into this without some frame of reference. Hoping to
hear from at least one or two of you!
In reply to a message from han85xj6@aol.com sent Tue 9 Jul 2002:
Well, I’m no expert and in fact, just bought my 96’ x300 VDP
about a month ago. I have never driven a Jag before buying this
car. I think I bought it solely on the fact that it is in my
opinion the best looking car I’ve ever seen with the wheels that
came on it (not stock). After owning some luxury cars and some
cars that just well drove pretty nice, (Mazda 929, Acura 3.5RL) I
have been somewhat dissapointed in the handling performance of
the Jag so far.It came with Pirellis and the interior belts on
the insides were pretty well worn especially the fronts
indicating what looked like a hideous toe-out problem. The wheels
are 7-spoke fluted mags that I was told were off an XJR however I
can’t seem to find any pictures anywhere of these particular
wheels. These Wheels do seem to be available now in the accessory
books for the XK8 though. They are 18x8 all around however the
book for the XK8 shows them as 18x9 for the rears. So just
getting this car, first off I’d say that the Pirellis stick real
well but seem like they wear REAL fast. And from what I’ve read
from other people, most people wouldn’t buy Pirellis again. They
seem to really tramline bad too. I just put on a set of
Bridgestone S-03 pole position (245/45 and they seem to be not as
noisey as Pirellis and grip just as nice in the corners. And they
are killer in the rain.
Immediately after putting these tires on, I had it aligned and it
seemed to help but still, something doesn’t seem right as
sometimes going down the freeway, you hit the right bump and it
wants to take it out of your hands. I have been told that the
extremely high performance tires like this are so sticky that
they will tramline and follow every rut. I have also heard that
the wide tires like this with the low tire height also add to
this effect.I haven’t figured out if that’s true yet but I am
going to have it thoroughly looked at by several people. Control
arm bushings rpld 20,000m ago. Thought u might want to know B4
buying new 18’’ wheels!–
Logboy
Portland, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
Wide, low-profile tires do tramline in the asphalt ruts mere mortals
don’t notice with their skinny tires. Happens on my RX-7 both with
the P-Zeros on it and with the Hoosiers on the way to the track.
Don’t worry about it too much - it’s the road, not the car, in all
likelihood…
…Peter–
Peter H. Schmidt Lifting Mind Inc. @Peter_H_Schmidt _/ Speaking _ 2 Ewell Avenue www.liftingmind.com \ for myself / Lexington, MA 02421
fax: 781 863-8858 tel: 781 863-5200
1. If anything can go wrong, fix it ($!%&! Murphy).
In reply to a message from Logboy sent Tue 9 Jul 2002:
On the basis of a reply that was sent to me off-list I am now
thinking of starting one-step-at-at-time by replacing the shocks
with adjustable Bilsteins, and seeing how that changes the car’s
handling.
As for the wheels and tires: My personal experience with Pirelli
has been very satisfactory. I ran my 85 XJ6 with P4000 Super
Touring, and they were far better than the Michelin MXVPs that
they replaced. (Mich were soggy and soft; Pirellis crisp with
much better handling.) Although I understand that the current
P4000 is changed, and some people apparently don’t like them any
more.
On my E-Type I run Pirelli P6000 summer tires, which I like a
lot. Although they are a fairly soft compound, the wear doesn’t
seem extreme despite using them for Autocross and occasional
track days. I understand that about 15,000 miles is the limit
for the P-Zeros, so that means new tires aboput once a year.
(There are worse ways to have to spend money on your Jag!)
My X300 was in dire need of a realignment when I got it, although
I didn’t realize it immediately. I discovered the same wear
problem you had just before a long trip on Christmas eve!
Luckily, it was early enough in the day that I was able to get
new tires before my tire dealer closed for the day, and I was
back at his shop on Boxing Day for a full 4-wheel alignment,
which set the car up very nicely. (But it’s still too soft for
my taste!)
To be contimued . . .
Warren–
The original message included these comments:
Well, I’m no expert and in fact, just bought my 96’ x300 VDP
about a month ago. I have never driven a Jag before buying this
car. I think I bought it solely on the fact that it is in my
opinion the best looking car I’ve ever seen with the wheels that
came on it (not stock). After owning some luxury cars and some
the Jag so far.It came with Pirellis and the interior belts on
the insides were pretty well worn especially the fronts
indicating what looked like a hideous toe-out problem. The wheels