[Frank]

I've never been in an S-Type but people seem to agree it is somewhat boat-like, which is something I definitely do not want. The XF is not a sports car, a Lotus is a sports car, a Ferrari is a sports car, an F-Type, an XK can be considered sports cars. The Jaguar website says the XF is "Sports car styling, saloon car luxury." My bottom line is that for all practical purposes on UK roads there are other saloon cars which have equal, if not better, handling and at the same time do not constantly fidget and jiggle over anything more than a painted white line. Having spent around £2000 on the suspension and seat it is now a much better compromise and IMHO more how a luxury saloon (Jaguar’s words) should have left the factory. I’m obviously not alone in this view, Pottsy, Raregrin, Lance to name just a few on this forum seem to think likewise.

There is much talk about the variances between one build from another, with a couple of degrees change in temperature, with a couple of psi difference in the tyres, etc. I’ve had very many fast cars over my 40+ years of driving and this is the first one I’ve found the need to spend money on to make it liveable with. Perhaps mine had faulty shocks from the factory because, as I reported in another forum, I use to get a noise like someone had hit the exhaust pipe with a rubber mallet each time I went over sleeping policeman. It was worse with decreasing temperature. It has gone with the new shocks.

 

[Ancill]

It takes my car a good 5 minutes for the ride to settle down, until then its very hard.

I've also noticed that the tyres seem to suffer from flat spots when cold, after a few miles the ride settles.

 

[Frank]

It takes my car a good 5 minutes for the ride to settle down, until then its very hard.

All the roads around where I live are so patchy and pot-holed that the first 5mins are where I want the car to be at its best! After that I'm on the motorway and provided I avoid the white lines then it is not too bad

 

[TheStig]

The XF is not a sports car, a Lotus is a sports car, a Ferrari is a sports car, an F-Type, an XK can be considered sports cars.

I don't disagree with you on this point Frank. The term I used was "Sports saloon" which is not the same as sports car.

 

[Frank]

Dry and sunny at the moment, but a bit cold. I have the morning off so just going outside to fit the winter's. Will be interesting to see if I get a bigger change dropping from 20" to 18", now I have the Spires treatment, than I detected last winter.

 

[Ash]

Mine seems softer in hot weather too.

Is it possible that the rubber used in the bushes is too sensitive to temperature change?

 

[Cj10jeeper]

Mine seems softer in hot weather too.

Is it possible that the rubber used in the bushes is too sensitive to temperature change?

It's certain to feel harsher in cold weather. The shock absorbers are stiffer as are the sidewalls of the tyres. The rubber bushes have less give as does every other component from the bodyshell to the foam in the seat.

 

[Accrington Stanley]

Cold weather? Do you get any?

 

[jinxy]

I wasn't really referring to cold weather just the car being cold, having stood overnight.

 

[Accrington Stanley]

Sorry, you'll eventually get used to my Canadian snobbery about "cold" winter conditions. There really isn't any noticeable effect on tires,shocks, suspension bushings or seat foam at temperatures normally encountered in the UK. At minus 25C then you start to feel these effects. At minus 40C everything feels like it has racing suspension.

In the far North, above 60 N latitude, the experience of cold weather changes again. I was on Baffin Island in April one year and the Inuit thought nothing of strolling around in minus 20C conditions with jean jackets and running shoes. They only wear winter clothing for the cold you understand! I was wearing my "Baffin Island Parka" (yes, really our local winter clothing supplier named it that) and it was still chilly.

Interesting that most vehicles in winter were snowmobiles running up and down the streets, pulling in for fuel like a car and so on. That and the polar bear skins and seal hides stretched in the sun to tan....

 

[TheStig]

I agree that on a cold day, the XF suspension feels 'wooden' for the first mile or so.

 

[k44ent]

Today was the first day since buying it in June that the car felt 'wrong'. It was 3 deg C when I left for work and it felt hard and unsettled for the whole 40 mile journey, the return journey it was 7 deg C and the car felt slightly better but not as good as normal. My car does have the odd off day but today was worse. Tyre pressures just checked after it stood to cool and all ok.

 

[Swindon Andy]

I've also noticed that the tyres seem to suffer from flat spots when cold, after a few miles the ride settles.

I found Avon ZZ3, Dunlops and Goodyear F1 all flattened and are hard and bumpy until warmed up.
The Michelin SS hardly seem to be affected like this when cold.

 

[k44ent]

I found Avon ZZ3, Dunlops and Goodyear F1 all flattened and are hard and bumpy until warmed up.
The Michelin SS hardly seem to be affected like this when cold.

Pirelli's are even worse. Lots of short runs and they are fine but after being parked after a long run and left over night the ride in the morning is lumpy with noticeable wheel vibration.

 

[Dave]

It's an odd thing this firm ride... Mine to me is perfect for my driving style. I have not noticed it being firm a all.

But my other ride is the vx220 which has no suspension and feels every bump or imperfection in the road.

So it may be down to what else you drive or have driven recently.





Oh it's a 2.2 le sport

 

[Accrington Stanley]

That definitely affects perception of ride quality. My XF rides like a Rolls after a stint in my modified Audi S4 with Stasis Tracksport coilovers and adjustable Konis.

 

[Cj10jeeper]

Sorry, you'll eventually get used to my Canadian snobbery about "cold" winter conditions. There really isn't any noticeable effect on tires,shocks, suspension bushings or seat foam at temperatures normally encountered in the UK. At minus 25C then you start to feel these effects. At minus 40C everything feels like it has racing suspension.

Best we just agree to differ and I'll leave you to the bragging rights on who has the coldest weather, which you're most welcome to.

 

[Accrington Stanley]

Gee, thanks. Going down to minus 12C tonight but raining now. Should make the evening commute interesting.

 

[A-Kraut]

I never complained about the ride quality in mine ... but whoever does not like his rides and would still like to have an XF here is a tip ... take a ride in a sportbrake.
Had the chance today and something - probably the rear air suspension - made the ride very different.
Maybe someone can try and have a ride in a demo sportbrake too ... and then tell me if it was just the one I rode in, just my imagination or if there is a real difference.

 

[TibbyWoo]

Was the sportbrake ride different in a good way?