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Lowering Springs or Adjustable Coilovers?

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999 views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  jmac20  
#1 ·
I’m looking to lower my 2025 SVR 575 Edition F-Pace, actually I’ve been researching it since the vehicle was ordered.

So now I’m ready and looking for feedback from anyone who’s had experience with either the Velocity AP progressive rate lowering springs or the KW H.A.S. adjustable coilover kit.

They aren’t significantly different in cost, but the installation might be slightly more for the coilover kit - just my guess on that. I was originally leaning towards the KW thinking it was the more precise, while the VAP springs are sorta stuck with whatever you get.

Anyway, can anyone lend some advice if you’ve lowered an F-Pace?

Thanks in advanc.
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#2 ·
CNJSVR,

From my experience with lowering the F-Pace, I only did it with my 2017 First Edition S and while I liked the look, I was not happy with the ride in the back seat after it was done. It doesn't really help the handing much either from what I've experienced with that car. I decided not to lower any of my 3 SVRs. Since I loved the way they drove, rode, and handled and I didn't' want to mess with things. I've been very happy with Velocity's F-Pace stuff as they go through a bit of testing before they settle down on what they are going to do. I really haven't heard anyone who put the KW on the F-Pace, but you will have more control over the height with that option, but not so much the ride. I used a kit similar to Velocity's when I did my S, but it was one of the first kits on the market. Lowered the back a little more than the front which I also didn't like, that is why I was thinking about the KW kit before I traded the S on the first SVR back in 2018.
 
#4 ·
I'm considering doing the VAP springs now that I've owned the car longer and have driven it more on technical roads. To me it feels like the stock suspension, either a combination of damper/spring rate and/or ride height, is struggling to deal with the body of the car. In comfort mode, it just doesn't have enough damper to stop the body from bouncing around on bumps. But not a problem in dyanamic. On more technical roads, you have to wait for the body to settle, and can often feel like its lurching around with rapid transitions. It is an SUV, so you can only expect so much, but does feel like an opportunity for improvement. Slightly higher spring rate and lowered ride height seems like the suspension will have an easier time managing the mass.

There is someone else on the BMW forums who also has one of these cars and just did some light mods to it, including springs. Chatting with them, they mentioned it drastically cut down on body roll and improved high speed turn in. Will definitely be keeping them on my list of future mods.
 
#5 ·
Of course lowering your 8”+ factory ground clearance F-Pace is going to lower your body roll. What the heck?!?

If you want less roll and better handling/responsiveness on “technical” roads, why not just get a sports car? To (drastically) lower an SUV is taking away a key element/aspect/characteristic that makes the F-Pace an SUV.

There is this other Jaguar… it’s call an F-Type…

Need 4 doors? You have plenty of German performance sedans to choose from.

I have absolutely no doubt a nicely set-up sports car would still DEMOLISH a lowered F-Pace SVR on a technical road.

So, again, why do this? It’s not to just “look cool” because folks here are commenting on the better handling/less roll. Versus what? An F-Pace that has not been lowered? Ok…

Cuz again you will still be outclassed and out-maneuvered by any solid sports car.

Yes Comfort mode is supposed to be…comfortable. It’s not for high performance or “technical” driving. For either of those activities, you should be in one of the two Dynamic modes. And sure enough, the entire suspension stiffens up!! Cool right?

I love the fact my SVR has so much ground clearance from the factory. Even with my aggressive and seemingly “low” front bumper lip, I have fearlessly jumped many curbs as well as hopped right off interstates onto dirt/grass embankments with ease and no problems, much to the shock/terrified look of onlookers. That look of “the heck are you doing, that’s a Jag!! Jag’s can’t go off-road or jump curbs!!” never gets old 🙄🤣🤣🤣

My SVR is a very sporty SUV for sure. And yet it is still far away from being a serious sports car/vehicle. It is easily outclassed (out-powered?) by almost all of its direct competitors.

What is especially hilarious to me is that the “anniversary” 575 hp F-Pace SVR has the same top speed and 0-60 stats as my 2021 550 hp F-Pace SVR.

So the point of stuffing an extra 25 hp was for what reason exactly? Oh yeah, to make folks believe there was an actual improvement…

I love mods and upgrades…but not for the sake of having them! They should be doing something useful or toward taking your car to a higher level in some way (pun intended 😂). Additional handling at the sacrifice of ground clearance…is like cracking half your dozen eggs to force your fresh carton of eggs to fit inside a too small refrigerator. I mean, yeah, you certainly did get “all” the eggs inside…

So yeah if you’re gonna lower your F-Pace, no half measures guys!! If I can stick more than four business cards underneath it, do better!! 😎😂😂😂
 
#6 ·
Well first, the SVR is my slow car. My other car has a mile-long spreadsheet worth of mods, and even with the bolt-ons I plan to do near warranty end, the SVR will not match it on a fast road and definitely not on a track. That car absolutely deletes road, in a straight line or a corner. I bought the SVR because I want a fun, practical car that I can use year around and makes the rough weather months more fun when the other car is down for hibernation. I suspect most owners bought it for similar reasons. I don't expect it to actually match that other car, especially given the massive weight and height disadvantages. I just want to bring it inline more with what I want from the car. Same reason I plan to do pulleys and tune near end of warranty; because the car feels a bit slow to me. And yes, I know I'm insane.

The main reason I want to try the VAP springs (and something they are advertising about), is that I have a problem with the stock damper/spring setup and how they control the body. The more I drive the car, the more obvious it becomes. Especially after ditching the stock Pirellis, which rode notably rougher than my current PS4S. In comfort mode, the dampers/springs are barely controlling the body. Every impact and small bump results in multiple body motion events. Drive over a slightly bumpy rode, the car rolls side to side and takes a second to settle. It feels wobbly. It's so poorly controlled, I argue that the Dynamic damping is more comfortable simply because it can actually manage the body motions. Then you start going through a curvy road with rapid transitions, and the body starts rolling over even in dynamic. My toy car is effectively clubsport spec, with about 1 and 0 finger gap F/R in the wheel arches, an aggressive alignment and the only rubber in the front suspension is the tires. Apart from sharp impacts, it rides better than the SVR. That's the magic of a quality damper and properly matched spring rates. I don't expect anyone to make a high end damper for the SVR anytime soon, so the spring change may be the closest solution we have on these cars.

The ride height impact is a consideration, but I just measured my car and there was a bit over 8.5" of ground clearance with factory tire sizes at the center. Though the wheel aero pieces take away from that. With the VAP springs, you'd end up with close to 7.5" of clearance. Still pretty solid. As an avid hiker, I doubt it would even be an issues on forest service roads. Sits about the same height or slightly higher than the more aggressive Macan or Cayenne trims at their normal heights (though they're on air). I expect you'd more quickly run into issues with the 22" wheel/tire setup than the ride height. The alternative performance wagons have about 5" of ground clearance, BTW.

Still, if you're happy with the stock car, more power to you. To me these tweaks are just part of the car enthusiast disease.
 
#7 ·
If you’re “lowering” your SVR by ONE INCH…sure I guess you can TECHNICALLY say you are/will lower it…😂😂😂

Most folks who lower vehicles are talking about more than one inch (usually A LOT more).

Yes anyone who buys an SVR to “beat everyone on the streets” is in for great disappointment 😂 The SVR is fast…and that’s really it. 3.7 (or 3.8 depending on where you look) seconds just isn’t ringing many bells these days, not with what else is available. And I’m only talking “stock” vehicles here; obviously with a “mile long receipt” of mods, you can make a Honda Civic take on most factory Ferraris/Audis/BMWs/Porsches/etc.

For me, the SVR is purchasing a “factory modded/tuned” F-Pace. You mentioned waiting on factory warranty to end before doing some bolt-ons — EXACTLY!! 😂 Everything on my ‘21 FPSVR is stock; if anything breaks (and many things can break) JLR can’t point the finger at any mechanical craziness I’ve added to it — because I haven’t added a thing.

And when that factory warranty expires, I have an extended warranty right there ready. Same fine print in this paperwork; I make any mods to my powertrain and POOF there goes all future warranty repair approvals.

So really, you step up to the SVR because you want as much power as you possibly can while still having the manufacturer’s blessing.

I certainly didn’t buy my SVR to race professionally. Not even to street race for cash purses. I just wanted an impressively powerful vehicle that catches eyes for its lines & curves, has a luxurious interior, and has all the advantages an SUV is supposed to give you (more ground clearance, more passenger roominess, towing capability, cargo capacity, etc).

There are not that many vehicles out there where you can cruise at 170 mph…with 5 adult passengers and luggage. I mean, if you wanted to do something like that, I would never do that…

I’ve driven on some very twisty (and narrow) roads in my F-Pace SVR. I do have the 22s and running Toyo Proxes STIII’s that I have been VERY happy with (I enjoy these tires SO MUCH more than the factory Pirelli rubber). If anyone is curious, after 30,000 miles I still have 7/32nds ALL 4 CORNERS. I stress this since SVRs have staggered wheels, so “rotating” front to back is not possible. And since these Toyos are also directional 😅 they will just sit in place (it would require unmounting the tires from individual wheels to even “rotate” my tires from side to side, the only kind of “rotating” possible on SVRs when it comes to tires).

As hinted at, I do plenty of aggressive driving, so my Toyos are NOT having a gentle life.

With this set-up, I can very comfortably (in Dynamic mode of course) take twisty narrow two-lane roads at high-speed (my tires are screeching lullabies to me) and I feel planted and very much in control.

Whether or not Comfort mode sends me into rollercoaster-land I don’t know because if I’m driving fast and aggressively, I always make sure to be in Dynamic mode. To me, Comfort mode is supposed to be for your work commute, or to hit the gym or to dash to the supermarket or any other everyday errands most of us have to contend with regularly.

Part of the joy of the SVR is how so very quick and easy it is to change your driving mode. And yes absolutely on the FPSVR, Dynamic mode changes “settings” having to do with your suspension. I love “feeling” my SVR transition into this mode every time I engage it.

I wish you well with your suspension upgrades Sir!! Again, since you’re barely altering the ride height (ground clearance) you have much more of my respect 😎😂 VAP makes AMAZING products for the F-Type and F-Pace platforms, so I have high-confidence you’ll be pleased.
 
#8 ·
Thanks!

TBH, the reason I shifted my opinion to doing the spring swap is driving my SVR over the same road I took my M3, 1-2 weeks later. After 2 years of dealing with suspension BS, the M3 is finally working properly! First it all started because the shop that handled the rod bearings (which were in great shape, despite the internet hysteria about these cars) failed to properly torque the engine mounts and subframe. It got a huge chassis upgrade with MCS dampers and other goodies. Then it turned out the aftermarket sway bars and end link combo was eating the axle boots. Finally worked out a custom height and end link setup with my local race shop and it's now working perfectly. Supercharged, 535 RWHP and 3500 lbs. Pic of the first drive after fixing everything.

The SVR didn't stand a chance in the windy road comparison. The M3 is flat, sharp and has enormous grip and room to play with. The road gets eaten up in a wave of high RPM noise and an eager chassis. First corner in the SVR makes it obvious; this is one heavy, soft boy! The SVR is definitely quick, but it's inline with your average factory sport sedan when it gets windy.

I expect the VAP springs will help, but it's never going to make the SVR an equal. Should make it a nicer drive, though. VAP usually does Black Friday sales, so that's probably when I'll pick them up this year. Voiding the suspension warranty isn't a huge concern for me, since suspension is rarely a problem. Next year I'll likely grab pulleys and a tune, since it's nearing the end of CPO.

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#11 ·
The SVR didn't stand a chance in the windy road comparison. The M3 is flat, sharp and has enormous grip and room to play with.
The F-Pace SVR is meant to be enjoyed for the sound of the engine and exhaust and not to compete with the handling of a true sport sedan.

If you want a Cat with extreme torque vectoring grip, try driving the XE R-Sport AWD. Even an M3 has trouble keeping up when truly pushing the curvy bits at speed :)
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#9 ·
You guys are starting to sway my opinion. Plus I'm loving the Velocity Rotors and Porterfield Brake setup so much, that I need to do something else to my SVR. So I'm thinking of the lowering option with Velocity. Anyone have a Picture of an SVR Lowered with the Velocity Springs yet? Would love to see that before signing up.
 
#10 ·