Went to see my first Jag XJR

[supermono]

Hello jaguar chaps, my search for a V8 has now focussed on the XJR. i'm seeing 'portfolio' versions at 07 for 11k up, lowish mileage 2004 for maybe 7 or so.

With something in the order of 10k to spend, what sort of car might I realistically get?

Thanks in advance...
SM

[Ian350]

I quite deliberately went for an '03 because I preferred the cleaner original styling. Also I think the VED jumps up significantly around 2005 - 2006 so watch out for that. Also what's worth £10k this year will be £8k's worth next.

Sorry - just rambled and didn't actually answer your question!

[supermono]

Don't beat yourself up, that's a useful post thanks....

Rust wise, did all cars get the aluminium body panels circa 2004 or was that the portfolio edition? i like the idea of aluminium from a rust point of view and weight/performance.

Also were there any other major improvements I should think about in the 2003-2007, 6k-12k range?

Thanks again
SM

[UYV521]

All X350s are aluminium - and not just the panels, the entire monocoque. So rust isn't a problem but some cars (particularly early examples) did suffer from filiform corrosion which manifests itself as paint bubbling, usually at the edge of a panel. The leading edge of the bootlid is one place to check but I have seen cars with the odd bubble on the bottom of the doors and on the C-pillar. That's said, it is just cosmetic, can be repaired and later cars don't seem to suffer.

In terms of model upgrades there was a minor one in late 05/early 06 with the most noticeable change being the deletion of the side protection mouldings on the doors. In 07 we got the X358 with the different front and rear bumpers and grille. The Portfolio models fall somewhere in between and are probably the most sought after variant.

So which model you go for is down to personal preference in terms of the styling but overall condition and especially a good service history is most important. X350s seem to be reliable cars, can do huge mileages if well looked after and they're certainly well put together so whatever you go for you're unlikely to be disappointed.

[Dodsy]

Make sure you go in with your eyes open as some repairs that would seem minor can be eye wateringly expensive. I Have an 07 XJR (X350) that I paid top money for from a dealer with 40k miles and a full service history. It came with a full Jag warranty and passed their checks. At time of purchase it had just been serviced and had new rear brake disks and pads and 4 new tyres and the wheels had been refurbed.

Here's the list of warranty work over the last 7 months

Replacement S/C Pulley and Belt
Fix oil leak from cam chain cover gasket
Replace both front foglights (water ingress)
Replace induction pipework
Replace coolant pipes from under S/C to rad
Replace faulty lambda sensor
Replace faulty thermostat
Replace other coolant pipes that were leaking
Replace both fuel tank senders
Reflash gearbox to eliminate the 'lurch'
Replace failed DIff Seal

Items awaiting warranty evaluation/repair

Both Front lower suspension arms (bushes have failed)
Leaking gasket on o/s plenum inlet


Total cost of that little lot at dealer prices is around £4000, maybe a bit more as I havent seen all the pricing

The Jag warranty is very good, no real quibbles , no excess and they stick you in a hire car while yours is in the garage.

By the time everythings done I should have a very good motor that will hopefully give me many trouble free years.

[supermono]

Seems the main dealer option could be very attractive then. I know I did really well from Porsche and their warranties in the past...

Thanks for the info, I'm still looking at AMG mercs as well but the Jag option looks like tremendous value.

If I'm doing the normal 80-100mph on a 130 mile run with a few redline from the roundabouts bits en route, what sort of MPG should I get?

SM

[Dodsy]

supermono said:

If I'm doing the normal 80-100mph on a 130 mile run with a few redline from the roundabouts bits en route, what sort of MPG should I get?

SM

probably in the mid 20's , basically cruising at ~60 can see me up near to 30MPG , anything over and it drops to mid 20's. Push it too hard and its low 20's to high teens but that does require a heavy right foot and a fair amount of spirited acceleration.

I once managed 9mpg when pressing on a bit..well ok I was caning it for about 50 miles

ETA: This is the best place to ask questions, lots of owners and knowledgeable experts who are very helpful http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f32/

Edited by Dodsy on Friday 11th October 09:50

[supermono]

Thanks for that...

Does anyone know this car: http://www.johnmartin-motors.co.uk/used/JAGUAR/XJ-... ?

I checked it out today and it looks immaculate, drives very nicely and has what looks like a good bunch of options. Just seems priced a bit high. I suppose the condition commands it.

How do we think this is priced/optioned?

Also, is the satnav upgradable? even in 10 short years savnav technology has come on tremendously and it looks really dated. Fairly excited by this car actually and might consider putting a deposit on it this week so all information appreciated many thanks...

SM

[Piersman2]

supermono said:

Thanks for that...

Does anyone know this car: http://www.johnmartin-motors.co.uk/used/JAGUAR/XJ-... ?

I checked it out today and it looks immaculate, drives very nicely and has what looks like a good bunch of options. Just seems priced a bit high. I suppose the condition commands it.

How do we think this is priced/optioned?

Also, is the satnav upgradable? even in 10 short years savnav technology has come on tremendously and it looks really dated. Fairly excited by this car actually and might consider putting a deposit on it this week so all information appreciated many thanks...

SM

That price is eye-wateringly high for a 2003.

I sold my 2003, 3 years ago for £6.5K, and my 2007 6 months ago for £11500.

I reckon he's not far off double the price on that one!

[supermono]

Well it looked high compared with other 2003 (and 2005/6 too actually!) but I guess I thought that being in such good condition pushed the price up, it truly is immaculate and spotless inside and out. The rear screens etc probably adds a bit.

Saying all that, it definitely still looks super expensive. Naturally he said he had very little in it for negotiation. It'd be interesting if the previous owner was on here to clarify just how much he has in it.

I guess the search continues

Thanks again for all the advice...

[supermono]

It's just occurred to me I've hijacked the thread! Sorry OP, how's your search going?

[P700DEE]

Too expensive even when condition etc. is taken into consideration. You can get a map upgrade to 2012 maps but this will be the last. You lose the 3D map too but at least it works and has the newer roads on it.

[Dodsy]

Silly price. I bought my 07 XJR with 39k miles on the clock, full Jag Service history, new tyres, just serviced, all new brakes and with a full Jag Warranty from a Jag dealer and only paid a few £k more than that. I also have rear DVD screens, blinds etc and what I believe is the preferable alloy dash instead of wood.

You'd need to spend a few hundred replacing that horrible chrome front grille with a body coloured one - trust me, when you see the difference it makes you'll be spending that money.

ETA: Rear screens if anything devalues a Jag IMHO - they only play DVDs, low quality and you can only have a single DVD in there. Once its finished you have to stop the car and go into the boot to change the disc.When I bought the XJR dealer didnt even mention rear screens , I mentioned them when checking it out and they told me that there's no demand any more and it puts people off.


ETA: Having said the above, I'm converting the screens in the rear with iphone/ipod connectors so the kids can watch youtube or vids on the go.

Edited by Dodsy on Monday 14th October 09:20

[Piersman2]

supermono said:

Well it looked high compared with other 2003 (and 2005/6 too actually!) but I guess I thought that being in such good condition pushed the price up, it truly is immaculate and spotless inside and out. The rear screens etc probably adds a bit.

Saying all that, it definitely still looks super expensive. Naturally he said he had very little in it for negotiation. It'd be interesting if the previous owner was on here to clarify just how much he has in it.

I guess the search continues

Thanks again for all the advice...

My 2007 that I sold had ALL the extras as well, most of them never used more than the once out of curiosity.

I struggled to sell it for the £11.5K. He's probably paid about £5K for that one, less I would think. If he's paid much more than that then he's not a very good car dealer!

[supermono]

4820 on wbac although they don't seem to understand niche cars but it's a guide at least.

What would be a fair offer to make? It is a really good example. 8k?

[supermono]

Are there any views on that one at the main dealer in Reading please? Only 4k more than the 2003...

[giblet]

Dodsy said:

ETA: Having said the above, I'm converting the screens in the rear with iphone/ipod connectors so the kids can watch youtube or vids on the go.

Are you using rca to iphone/ipod cables or is there a better method? Viewed an XJ today for my brother which has the rear screens and the rca inputs in the armrest, I just figured the easiest method would be a couple of rca cables

[supermono]

supermono said:

Are there any views on that one at the main dealer in Reading please? Only 4k more than the 2003...

BTW rejected that car PM me if you need details

[supermono]

supermono said:

Are there any views on that one at the main dealer in Reading please? Only 4k more than the 2003...

BTW rejected that car PM me if you need details

[supermono]

supermono said:

Are there any views on that one at the main dealer in Reading please? Only 4k more than the 2003...

BTW rejected that car PM me if you need details