RE: Shed Of The Week: Jaguar XJ8
Discussion
VolvoT5 said:
dbdb said:
The manual versions of the supercharged X300 XJR and the original XJ40 XJR are very sought after now.
I don't understand why anyone would want a manual version - surely half the point is the effortless performance the auto gives. The manual versions of the six cyl cars had significantly better fuel economy and performance than the autos. The only downsides were a heavy clutch, rather agricultural shift quality and considerable loss of refinement at high RPM.
On the other hand the ancient technology 4 speed ZF autoboxes fitted to the X300 had way too much convertor slip in the intermediate gears and only engaged top and locked the torque convertor up at speeds over 50 MPH. Consequently at any speed below that you were always driving round in too low a gear chewing fuel like there's no tomorrow - especially if pushing on a bit or stuck in heavy traffic. I'm assuming Jaguar engineered a lot of slip to improve refinement as the X300 autos were cetainly more refined than the manual cars.
The V8 launched with a far more sophisticated auto box - which was such a incredible improvement on the previous one and so good Jaguar announced there was no longer any advantage of a manual option.
ogriboy said:
Just like to say re your comment none of the female persuasion will be seen driving an XJ. Not so My wife had an XJR for 3 years drove it every day to work and fell in love with it!
I too drive an XJ as a daily (54 mile round trip on the commute). It is an x350 LPG'd V6 Sport which is a lovely thing. This is our third, the other two being an X300 straight 6 Executive and an XJR supercharged V8 which was quite quick! Jaguar steve said:
They may look similar but they are very different cars under the skin and chalk and cheese to drive. The V8 is lighter, faster and a whole lot more refined than the X300. It's also slightly more economical. V8 Build quality is just as good as the earlier X300 and with reasonable care and maintainence it's just as reliable too.
I've had two of each - all long term keepers that have gone over 100k without drama - but give me the V8 anyday, it's a vastly superior drive
Totally agree - the V8s are a much more refined drive.I've had two of each - all long term keepers that have gone over 100k without drama - but give me the V8 anyday, it's a vastly superior drive
Had several of each, and would say that the V8s are actually better built and feel a bit more solid inside. X300s tend to have a few loose bits of trim like the old XJ40s.
However, the AJ16 is definitely the more robust engine and will take more of a hammering than the V8. The key is, whatever engine you go for in these Jags - Look after them and they will serve you well. Skimp and save on servicing, and thats where you start to get the issues.
I used to drive a 3.6l 1989 XJ40 Shed and currently have a late XJ8 3.2l 'Sport' (I use the term loosely) from 2002. Both are great bargain buys if you do minimal mileage but I have to say I preferred the '40, despite friends renaming the 'Executive Gold' colour scheme 'Babys
t Brown'. Somehow it felt more refined than the XJ8 and the interior was more solid, with none of the rattle associated with the Ford parts bin raiding of the newer model. Annoyingly both suffer with headline droop. The easiest fix is to pin it to the underlying foam, creating a slightly odd quilted effect. Best feature on the XJ8 has to be the 'fat man function' which causes the driver's seat to glide backwards once the key is removed from the ignition. Perfect for those whose beer belly might otherwise compromise a dignified exit...
t Brown'. Somehow it felt more refined than the XJ8 and the interior was more solid, with none of the rattle associated with the Ford parts bin raiding of the newer model. Annoyingly both suffer with headline droop. The easiest fix is to pin it to the underlying foam, creating a slightly odd quilted effect. Best feature on the XJ8 has to be the 'fat man function' which causes the driver's seat to glide backwards once the key is removed from the ignition. Perfect for those whose beer belly might otherwise compromise a dignified exit...ArthurDaley said:
I used to drive a 3.6l 1989 XJ40 Shed and currently have a late XJ8 3.2l 'Sport' (I use the term loosely) from 2002. Both are great bargain buys if you do minimal mileage but I have to say I preferred the '40, despite friends renaming the 'Executive Gold' colour scheme 'Babyst Brown'. Somehow it felt more refined than the XJ8 and the interior was more solid, with none of the rattle associated with the Ford parts bin raiding of the newer model. Annoyingly both suffer with headline droop. The easiest fix is to pin it to the underlying foam, creating a slightly odd quilted effect. Best feature on the XJ8 has to be the 'fat man function' which causes the driver's seat to glide backwards once the key is removed from the ignition. Perfect for those whose beer belly might otherwise compromise a dignified exit...
Ha! - It's always amused me too that Jaguar put the smaller engine in the 'Sport' version. But it of course doesn't have to be a sweaty-grunty-shouty sport. Leave them to salesmen. It can be something altogether less frenzied, like golf, darts - or maybe racing a greyhound.t Brown'. Somehow it felt more refined than the XJ8 and the interior was more solid, with none of the rattle associated with the Ford parts bin raiding of the newer model. Annoyingly both suffer with headline droop. The easiest fix is to pin it to the underlying foam, creating a slightly odd quilted effect. Best feature on the XJ8 has to be the 'fat man function' which causes the driver's seat to glide backwards once the key is removed from the ignition. Perfect for those whose beer belly might otherwise compromise a dignified exit...On a car of this age and type, I would expect to have to change springs, shocks and bushings as a matter of course, and most of the engine issues sound pretty much identical to the things one would expect on a luxury car of its vintage - plastic impeller water pumps being one of those things that you learn to change as a precaution if it hasn't obviously been done already...
On a car of this age and type, I would expect to have to change springs, shocks and bushings as a matter of course, and most of the engine issues sound pretty much identical to the things one would expect on a luxury car of its vintage - plastic impeller water pumps being one of those things that you learn to change as a precaution if it hasn't obviously been done already...
Denver09 said:
That is lovely.Would the lack of roof spoil the waft?
Hi, I'm a long time lurker and first time poster on this forum!
This jag is my late step-fathers pride and joy. Sorry for the sparse advert, I agree it could do with plenty more detail. The car has got an MOT until the end of June 2015. It really has wanted for nothing in the time he had owned it. There's a folder full of history and it's had a service at least every year. It had a lot of money (about £700) spent in 2013 sorting various bits and bobs out. The interior is full cream leather, with some wear on the centre armrest but otherwise in great condition.
Any more questions feel free to drop me a message.
This jag is my late step-fathers pride and joy. Sorry for the sparse advert, I agree it could do with plenty more detail. The car has got an MOT until the end of June 2015. It really has wanted for nothing in the time he had owned it. There's a folder full of history and it's had a service at least every year. It had a lot of money (about £700) spent in 2013 sorting various bits and bobs out. The interior is full cream leather, with some wear on the centre armrest but otherwise in great condition.
Any more questions feel free to drop me a message.
Simon832 said:
Hi, I'm a long time lurker and first time poster on this forum!
This jag is my late step-fathers pride and joy. Sorry for the sparse advert, I agree it could do with plenty more detail. The car has got an MOT until the end of June 2015. It really has wanted for nothing in the time he had owned it. There's a folder full of history and it's had a service at least every year. It had a lot of money (about £700) spent in 2013 sorting various bits and bobs out. The interior is full cream leather, with some wear on the centre armrest but otherwise in great condition.
Any more questions feel free to drop me a message.
Welcome This jag is my late step-fathers pride and joy. Sorry for the sparse advert, I agree it could do with plenty more detail. The car has got an MOT until the end of June 2015. It really has wanted for nothing in the time he had owned it. There's a folder full of history and it's had a service at least every year. It had a lot of money (about £700) spent in 2013 sorting various bits and bobs out. The interior is full cream leather, with some wear on the centre armrest but otherwise in great condition.
Any more questions feel free to drop me a message.
Looks a lovely car, if I had any spare cash I'd be after it.
405dogvan said:
Of course the flipside can be that the interiors are not as massive as you might expect - I've always struggled to get really comfy in a Jag (I'm 6'5"), it's not that they're cramped - just not as big as you expect from the external dimensions...
It's true to say the interiors aren't as big as they look. That's probably one of my favourite things about them, if I were after a shedload of space inside a car I'd buy a Minivan. Since the Jag just normally transports the wife and I, we don't need loads of space. The boot is relatively shallow, but it does have a huge load carrying capacity for anything short of a fridge. I love getting into my Jag, when you shut the door and feel as the interior wrapped around you. Everything close to touch and cosseting. It makes big drives feel wonderful. It helps that the seats are as good to sit in as they are to look at. The backseats are lovely too; not a huge amount of leg room but far better than being driven around in some dire hatchback, if you're a backseat passenger. The XJ8 feels utterly different than the competition of the time, who seemed to be focusing more on interior space and a high seating position. When you get into the Jaguar, you're slung low with the bonnet extending out. It's very low for a saloon car but that adds to the 'sportiness'. I did read on here someone describing the seating position as feeling more like an Italian sports car than any of the car's real contemporary competition and that is probably true.
Here is mine, I love the interior. There are some dodgy bits and pieces but then it wouldn't be a Jag if it were all as perfect as my old Audi A8 was...that level of fit and finish is unbecoming!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff