Super Sport Suspension

[MikeDoggart]

I discovered recently (after 18 months of ownership) that my 1997 XK8 has Super Sport Suspension and Adaptive Damping (CATS). I have absolutely no idea what this means and wonder if anyone out there can enlighten me.
Mike.

[GrandTourer]

Hi Mike,
I too have both of these on my MY2000 XK8.
CATS is the Jaguar Computer Active Technology System which, taking information from various sensors, automatically adjusts the shock absorber settings to respond to driving style and conditions. This is always ON and can't be switched off (like traction control). The CATS option also includes the 18" wheels, although, these are also available on their own without the CATS system.
Super Sports Suspension, I am told, is really just a stiffer set of springs.
I personally would have preferred the standard springs, but its always a compromise when you buy a used car.
Hope this helps.
Karl

[MikeDoggart]

Thanks Karl.
I guessed that it was something like that. I discovered I had CATS from a dealer warranty vehicle details web site that a salesman in a Jaguar main dealership used to get the full details on my car and a newer XK8 that I was looking at. Like you I would have preferred slightly softer suspension but being a motorcyclist I'm used to avoiding potholes!
Mike.

[Sharfrs2]

I recently had my car lowered, and fitted 20" wheels, which are even better reasons for avoiding potholes

[painter]

Well I hope your rear shocks are in good condition Mike. I have just placed mine in the hands of Riders (Falmouth) for the aircon condensor to be replaced (over £1000 ), and find that the noise I hear occasionally (which I had hoped was nothing more than a worn bush) will now be eliminated by fitting new (CAT) super sports shocks, as the 'old' ones have expired. The cost will be in the region of £600.00.
Also whilst in service, the drivers window ceased to operate (problem linked to the auto adjust when closing door). All in all a very bad wallet day.

[MarkyM]

Painter

Why would you pay £1000 to have a condensor changed when you can buy them new of Ebay for less than £200 and have an air-con specialist fit it for less than £150?

I can only guess that Riders are a 'main stealer' hence the price and your car is still under warranty?


Mark

[Bassman]

When I needed an A/C condenser there were none on fleabay and Jag do not supply the pre- 99 one anymore only post- 99 and the pipes to fit it, I got an A/C specialist to do mine along with a new dryer and it came to £580 for the parts and 4 hours labour included

[MarkyM]

So looks like Riders (and other main stealers) need to be avoided unless owners just have money to burn or just enjoy spending double

Surprising that so many owners trust main dealers with work when mine readily admits that they subcontract aircon, bodywork & alignment/tracking out to another local specialist firms...I'd imagine that's the same throughout the country in most cases

Mark

[MarkyM]

So looks like Riders (and other main stealers) need to be avoided unless owners just have money to burn or just enjoy spending double

Surprising that so many owners trust main dealers with work when mine readily admits that they subcontract aircon, bodywork & alignment/tracking out to another local specialist firms...I'd imagine that's the same throughout the country in most cases

Mark

[Bassman]

So looks like Riders (and other main stealers) need to be avoided unless owners just have money to burn or just enjoy spending double

Surprising that so many owners trust main dealers with work when mine readily admits that they subcontract aircon, bodywork & alignment/tracking out to another local specialist firms...I'd imagine that's the same throughout the country in most cases

Mark

Great way to make money for nothing though

Take on jobs you have no intention of doing sub it out for say £500 and charge the customer £1000

[painter]

Yes the costs are crap, although Riders don't sub out, have seen this in house. I tried many venues for a condensor (including one in Australia) but the foreign counterparts were not producing at that time and all web orders were 'back orders' with an estimate of 2 -3 months. Jaguar don't produce the older unit now and the adaptor pipes cost almost £300, the condensor £450 and fitting £356.
I have no doubt that the market is now flooded with condensors. (The nearest in county specialist quoted almost £700).
I am beginning to get the impression that Jaguars are not built to such a high standard as I had imagined.
To put this in perspective my wife has a '96 Pajero, (low mileage admittedly) but everything original and functioning very well. As the Pajero is not exactly the cutting edge of the Jap. market, why should a Jaguar of the same age need new wing mirror motors, door wiring loom, aircon. condensor, 2nd rear shocks (@ 80k), key fobs, and bearing in mind it has already had a new gearbox and engine. (A bit like Trig's broom). I think the only original bit is the blue shiny area with glass surrounding the driver.
As for money to burn, nope, it hurts my wallet just as much as it does yours, but at the end of the day, I don't have the time to venture miles upcountry to look for cheaper alternatives, and this car returns more pleasure than any other in 40 years driving, and like an expensive woman, is worth it
This novel has been published by Stealergit, and edited so that my wife can't see the numbers.
Painter

[scallan1956]

Air con condensers can be purchsed from Applied radiators I think they are nation wide. They supplied my new condenser for £199 inc vat,
When i inspected it for pattern i noticed it had come from (made in china).
I took the car to my local air con garage and they fitted it and re gased the system, they commented about the new unit, only very minor changes to the pipe connection had to be made. I dont know what the fitting fee was because the garage i bought the car from paid. They also paid for a new front tyre which was still in good condition but i felt needed replacing to match tread deapth on the other front tyre which was almost new. Considering the price main stealers wanted £1150 for the same job : . i can cope with the fact it came from china, and air con works perfectley .