Jaguar X308 XJR
Discussion
Hi Guys
I have just picked up a Jaguar X308 XJR. I wasn't really looking for another car, but this one came up from a friend and it has amazing provenance.
I won't say too much here just now as I just want to drive it
It is Titanium Silver with the slightly unusual (for a Jaguar) interior of Charcoal leather with the black Bird@s Eye Maple wood. I really like it. It also has the optional BBS Milan wheels, and it came with a set of the standard 18 inch Penta wheels too.
The car isn't particularly clean at the moment, and I am a crap photographer, but here goes. I'll get some better pics up soon.
That's rain water on the road before anyone is smart
I really like the interior. The iphone connectivity works well too:
I wasn't sure about the BBS Milan wheels at first, but the have really grown on me:
Love the old school key ring:
And the fact it says "Supercharged" on the rev counter is just cool.
I have just picked up a Jaguar X308 XJR. I wasn't really looking for another car, but this one came up from a friend and it has amazing provenance.
I won't say too much here just now as I just want to drive it
It is Titanium Silver with the slightly unusual (for a Jaguar) interior of Charcoal leather with the black Bird@s Eye Maple wood. I really like it. It also has the optional BBS Milan wheels, and it came with a set of the standard 18 inch Penta wheels too.
The car isn't particularly clean at the moment, and I am a crap photographer, but here goes. I'll get some better pics up soon.
That's rain water on the road before anyone is smart
I really like the interior. The iphone connectivity works well too:
I wasn't sure about the BBS Milan wheels at first, but the have really grown on me:
Love the old school key ring:
And the fact it says "Supercharged" on the rev counter is just cool.
falkster said:
I'd love an XJR, are the 308s better than the 300? My dad had a new 300 XJR back in 1995 and I remember borrowing when I was only 20 - very fast!!
Lucky you! The X308 XJRs are better cars than the X300s as they are more powerful, lighter and have a better gearbox.However, the X300 is reputedly more reliable as it doesn't have tensioner issues like the X308 does (fingers crossed mine is ok!).
bmthnick1981 said:
Very nice. Miss mine;
What year is it? Do you know if it has the uprated tensioners?
Lovely!What year is it? Do you know if it has the uprated tensioners?
Mine is a 1998 car and it has the second generation tensioners fitted. I really enjoyed leading through the history last night and, given it is now 4.56am, I think it is time for a hoon
I am in the process of giving my recently acquired X308 XJR a mini- refreshment.
So far it has had:
- new discs and pads at about £120 for Brembo items. Note, I don't have the later larger Brembo brakes - the discs and pads for those cost substantially more; and
- new tyres at around £250 each for Michelin Pilot Sports in 255 / 40 / 18 size - the tyres and brakes, along with a front end alignment and wheel balancing has cured the slight vibration at around 50mph;
I had it checked over by a mechanic, and it needs the following which I will get replaced in the next week or so;
- a front spring. You can only buy these in pairs for £330 - that is for the Jaguar sports springs for CATS equipped cars;
- a track rod end (£15) and rear bump stop (£35).
As further preventative work I am getting the upper and lower tensioners changed to the latest models, and the transmission fluid changed - around £1200.
Also, there are a couple of small patches of rust coming through which I will get seen too.
And, for fun, I have had a sports exhaust fitted whilst i have been away ob holiday and the lower super charger pulley upgraded. I also bought an under bonnet tool kit - just so I know it is there
As can be seen, it is easy for costs to mount up, particularly with tyres, so make sure you check the tread depths when going to view an XJR. Not many manufacturers make them in that size.
Tensioners are also relatively expensive to get done, but they are an insurance policy against the engine going bang.
In summary, I would say X308s are properly awesome cars, and they are spectacularly cheap. I would factor in £2k on top of the purchase price, which still makes it a very cheap car for what it is, but you will have a sorted one that is just so.
So far it has had:
- new discs and pads at about £120 for Brembo items. Note, I don't have the later larger Brembo brakes - the discs and pads for those cost substantially more; and
- new tyres at around £250 each for Michelin Pilot Sports in 255 / 40 / 18 size - the tyres and brakes, along with a front end alignment and wheel balancing has cured the slight vibration at around 50mph;
I had it checked over by a mechanic, and it needs the following which I will get replaced in the next week or so;
- a front spring. You can only buy these in pairs for £330 - that is for the Jaguar sports springs for CATS equipped cars;
- a track rod end (£15) and rear bump stop (£35).
As further preventative work I am getting the upper and lower tensioners changed to the latest models, and the transmission fluid changed - around £1200.
Also, there are a couple of small patches of rust coming through which I will get seen too.
And, for fun, I have had a sports exhaust fitted whilst i have been away ob holiday and the lower super charger pulley upgraded. I also bought an under bonnet tool kit - just so I know it is there
As can be seen, it is easy for costs to mount up, particularly with tyres, so make sure you check the tread depths when going to view an XJR. Not many manufacturers make them in that size.
Tensioners are also relatively expensive to get done, but they are an insurance policy against the engine going bang.
In summary, I would say X308s are properly awesome cars, and they are spectacularly cheap. I would factor in £2k on top of the purchase price, which still makes it a very cheap car for what it is, but you will have a sorted one that is just so.
Cheers!
The car is fantastic and I thoroughly recommend them.
Put it in for a check over and it's getting new front springs, a track rod end and bump stop as we speak.
Had a stainless sports exhaust fitted a couple of weeks ago and it has such a good burble now. Put in a K&N panel filter too.
Next week it's going in for the tensioners, transmission fluid and filter, water pump and thermostat to be done, and, for fun, an upgraded lower supercharger pulley. These are easy to fit when getting the tensioners done as that pulley comes off anyway. The upper pulley is cheaper to buy, but a lot harder to fit.
Then on for some minor bodywork and hopefully that will be it for a while.
I will report back after the pulley is on
The car is fantastic and I thoroughly recommend them.
Put it in for a check over and it's getting new front springs, a track rod end and bump stop as we speak.
Had a stainless sports exhaust fitted a couple of weeks ago and it has such a good burble now. Put in a K&N panel filter too.
Next week it's going in for the tensioners, transmission fluid and filter, water pump and thermostat to be done, and, for fun, an upgraded lower supercharger pulley. These are easy to fit when getting the tensioners done as that pulley comes off anyway. The upper pulley is cheaper to buy, but a lot harder to fit.
Then on for some minor bodywork and hopefully that will be it for a while.
I will report back after the pulley is on
sturobturbo said:
The smaller pulley should give a decent extra shove in your back. I may not have just bought an XJR, but I have just putna deposit inn a series 3 xj12. Picking it up at the end of the month with any luck 
Yours should be laughing for a long time after this work you are having done.
Great stuff, I adore the Series 3 V12s. Can't wait to see the pics! Yours should be laughing for a long time after this work you are having done. sturobturbo said:
I do prefer the larger, flatter nose and lower bumper on the series 1, and the chrome bumpers on the 1 and 2 but I was looking for the 3 due to age I think mainly. I was after an 80's car. I was the right colour too, so hey, all should be well.
I'm going to get some right funny looks when I drive it back to camp in Germany haha.
Enjoy the drive back - that will be amazing!I'm going to get some right funny looks when I drive it back to camp in Germany haha.
Dropped the car off yesterday at Prestige Jaguar in Paisley to have the following done. Douglas is very enthusiastic and knowledgable, and it was a rare treat to speak to someone who enjoys and takes a pride in their work.
I am mulling over replacing the BBS wheels for a set of Asteroids, but I can't find any for sale. Any ideas of the best place to find a set?
So, the car is getting:
- New upper and lower tensioners, chains, and guides, and new gaskets and seals;
- New water pump and thermostat;
- Transmission fluid and filter;
- Upgraded lower supercharger pulley from Powerhouse Automotive fitted;
- New front springs, a track rod end and a rear bump stop, as spotted at a pre-MOT check I had done;
- Replace rear lower shock bush as it is making a slight noise.
And I a think that's it. When I get it back I will put it in to get minor paintwork done and fit a set of Asteroids the hat wll be it. For a while
I am mulling over replacing the BBS wheels for a set of Asteroids, but I can't find any for sale. Any ideas of the best place to find a set?
So, the car is getting:
- New upper and lower tensioners, chains, and guides, and new gaskets and seals;
- New water pump and thermostat;
- Transmission fluid and filter;
- Upgraded lower supercharger pulley from Powerhouse Automotive fitted;
- New front springs, a track rod end and a rear bump stop, as spotted at a pre-MOT check I had done;
- Replace rear lower shock bush as it is making a slight noise.
And I a think that's it. When I get it back I will put it in to get minor paintwork done and fit a set of Asteroids the hat wll be it. For a while
Got the car back today from the specialist Prestige Jaguar in Paisley after getting almost all of the jobs done.
The car is running like a dream! Just the upgraded pulley from Powerhouse (great service), bump stops and paintwork to go, then it will be finished!
So, to recap, do far I have done:
- New discs and pads;
- New tyres;
- Stainless exhaust K&N panel filter;
- Latest tensioners, and new chains, gaskets and seals;
- New transmission fluid and filter;
- New water pump and thermostat; and
- Front springs and rear lower shock bushes.
And I think that's it
Almost there now!
And with some illustrious company:
The car is running like a dream! Just the upgraded pulley from Powerhouse (great service), bump stops and paintwork to go, then it will be finished!
So, to recap, do far I have done:
- New discs and pads;
- New tyres;
- Stainless exhaust K&N panel filter;
- Latest tensioners, and new chains, gaskets and seals;
- New transmission fluid and filter;
- New water pump and thermostat; and
- Front springs and rear lower shock bushes.
And I think that's it
Almost there now!
And with some illustrious company:
Edited by Ecurie Ecosse on Sunday 5th August 19:54
Have had some great fun in the car over the last week. They are fantastic machine - a cosseting Jag when you want to relax and a full on missile when you put the foot down. Nice burble from the stainless exhaust too.
Back into the specialist today to get the lower supercharger from Powerhouse fitted, and a few other bits and bobs. Then the minor paintwork and it'll be all finished. Passed its MOT last week with no advisories
Back into the specialist today to get the lower supercharger from Powerhouse fitted, and a few other bits and bobs. Then the minor paintwork and it'll be all finished. Passed its MOT last week with no advisories
Picked up the car on Thursday night after having the upgraded PowerHouse lower pulley fitted.
I flew into Glasgow, met Dougie from Prestige Jaguar at the airport (great guy) then drive the car back to Edinburgh.
Oh my! What a difference. A great increase in pick up at low revs and it just flies. Alichtly increased whine from the supercharger too.
I would definitely recommend getting this done. PowerHouse are great to deal with too.
So, that's all the mechanical stuff done. Will be getting the paint done in the next couple of weeks.
I flew into Glasgow, met Dougie from Prestige Jaguar at the airport (great guy) then drive the car back to Edinburgh.
Oh my! What a difference. A great increase in pick up at low revs and it just flies. Alichtly increased whine from the supercharger too.
I would definitely recommend getting this done. PowerHouse are great to deal with too.
So, that's all the mechanical stuff done. Will be getting the paint done in the next couple of weeks.
Edited by Ecurie Ecosse on Saturday 21st July 17:23
Out in the car again today for the first time in a little while.
Such a joy to drive. Does the XJ wafting thing very well, but when you put the foot down it absolutely flies. I can wholeheartedly recommended the lower supercharger pulley, and the K&N filter and stainless exhaust make a great noise.
Still to get the paint done, just a couple of minor bits. Got to finish my T5 first
Such a joy to drive. Does the XJ wafting thing very well, but when you put the foot down it absolutely flies. I can wholeheartedly recommended the lower supercharger pulley, and the K&N filter and stainless exhaust make a great noise.
Still to get the paint done, just a couple of minor bits. Got to finish my T5 first
8cylinder said:
Just done the boring things on mine,tyres x4,tax,mot,so got stung healthy this month.
Mods will be next for me,I was considering an exhaust but don't want the xjr sounding like a chavved up corsa.
what system did u go for and is there much performance gain with the mods u have?
I was thinking of a re mapp,pulley upgrade,bigge intercooler and poss an exhaust.
What power gain should I get fom these mods?
Good stuff. I would look to get the tensioners and transmission fluid done too if not alreadyMods will be next for me,I was considering an exhaust but don't want the xjr sounding like a chavved up corsa.
what system did u go for and is there much performance gain with the mods u have?
I was thinking of a re mapp,pulley upgrade,bigge intercooler and poss an exhaust.
What power gain should I get fom these mods?
Give PowerHouse in Sheffield a call about the mods, very helpful.
You can get either the bottom or top supercharger pulleys done. If you get one done, you don't need a new cooler, but if you get both you do.
I went for a LongLife stainless exhaust. The car now has a nice "voice", but the noise is not too intrusive, and it has a great burble. The standard Jaguar system is pretty restrictive so you get good gains from them.
Worth getting a K&N panel filter too - they work well on these cars.
I don't have any precise figures to hand, but PowerHouse claim about +50 bhp and lb/ft from the pulley in the midrange.
It certainly feels like that - the car is a lot more responsive and immediately picks up. Fuel consumption is still the same as before too (averaging 16.4mpg).
Edited by Ecurie Ecosse on Sunday 5th August 18:58
texasjohn said:
How's the car going? One of these has come up for sale near me for 3k.
It's going really well, thanks, and I can highly recommend them.Very cosseting and relaxing around town, like an XJ, but then out of town when you put the throttle down it can shift!
Budget for getting the tensioners done if they haven't been done already and also a transmission fluid change and you should be done for many a year. Touch wood!!
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