Jaguar XJ8 4.0
Discussion
Recently, I've decided to live out a lifelong dream and buy a Jaguar XJ.
It all started really in the 90's, when the Dutton Forshaw deal group had a Jaguar dealership in Gosforth, Newcastle. I used to ride past it on the bus going to town all the time as a young lad and loved the look of the cars, the relative opulence of the dealership and of course, the big silver 'leaper' on a pillar outside the showroom.
Many years later, the dealership is now a sofa showroom, I think. Jaguar has moved on massively from those days. I still drive past the Newcastle Jaguar dealership on the way to work (it's now on Stamfordham Road and looks nowhere near as posh). I had been driving a 106 Rallye until May of this year, when it failed it's MOT and I sold it on, unwilling to spend any more money on it since it just wasn't what I wanted. What I really missed was my old A8 4.2. However, I had decided after selling the A8 that I wouldn't go back to them, as I had let a very tidy and high spec model go for work related reasons and I would likely struggle to find another one as good as that. It was in fact a PH'er, Adrian E, who pointed me to my A8 at the time as probably the best one for sale in the country!
Anyway, back to Jaguar. I have always loved the X308 series of cars. To me, they represent almost the end of classic Jaguar. There was only the X350 model to follow this before the XJ would transform into something completely different. I still really like where Jaguar has went these days, and I appreciate they needed a 3 series competitor and that diesels would be their primary sellers in the UK. Jaguar have been, and will likely remain special cars to me (my missus had a Jaguar as a wedding car etc etc).
I was directed to this particular XJ by E65Ross on the barge thread, and I later discovered that he had some relationship with the seller as he had bought his E65 745i from the same PH'er selling the XJ. Arrangements were duly made and I set off on a trip to Glasgow to pick the car up. I should note at this point, I had asked a few questions and was satisfied I was going after the right car, after half-heartedly looking at a couple of nearly local XJ's for sale through Ebay and not being wildly impressed with their quality. It's worth bearing in mind that this car was quite a success for Jaguar and they sold plenty in the UK so there are loads around, and consequently plenty of tat to go with it.
The trip to Glasgow was pleasant enough, taking in the stunning views of the Northumberland coast to Scotland, before transferring at Edinburgh on to Glasgow Queen Street. Frankly, standing next to the car for the first time in the sun and taking it all in, I was sold on the car from the off. I had hoped then that it would drive well and I could complete my mission of buying it and driving it home. Luckily, all was well. It's often quoted that you should buy on condition and not miles. This one has 159,000 miles on it and it'll soon tick over to 160,000. It actually did 70,000 miles in it's first three years and was initially supplied in Blackburn, Lancs. Luckily, the car feels exceedingly tight and well looked after. The mileage wasn't a negative to me in that I intend to keep the car as long as it is viable to keep it alive. I like it that much that I intend on being it's last owner, however much of a commitment that is to make! The drive home was absolutely superb. Brilliantly able on a relaxed waft south to Carlisle, and full of punch for overtaking on the A69.
In terms of perfecting it, I do plan to spend a little money. I was able to bargain down to £1700 to buy it, and it definitely needs some new rear tyres on it. These are surprisingly cheap, about £100 for top end tyres because of the 16" wheel size. The lips of the bodywork at the arches are mildly nibbled with spots of rust so they will be fixed when the leaper is removed. I did say to the seller when I inspected the car that it was nice to see one so rust free, indeed the arches were the first spot I went for. On one of the cars I'd looked at, I could have pocked my finger through the arch...! There is a mild crack in the paint on the front bumper, and that's about it. Inside, the 'cool' button on the A/C has been repainted so I intend on tidying that up a tiny bit, and the leftmost LED on the dash binnacle has gone out, but I doubt I'll bother fixing that. The mileage on the cluster is now at 93,000 as a result of the dash pod being changed for another following a presumed failure. The history all checks out, and it has been very well cared for. I specifically wanted a four litre car over the 3.2. The 3.2 has a shorter gearing and differential ratio to attempt to match the 4.0's punch at lower speeds but I gather it makes for a less refined experience and surprisingly, worse fuel economy! Though I am sure the 3.2 is a fantastic car considered in it's own right.
More importantly, what is it like to drive? Fantastic, just wonderful. Phrases like 'sense of occasion' are batted around fairly often, but it has that character in spades. It's an addictive thing to be around, to look at. I'm always stealing a second glance at it, and smiling when I sit in it. I love the way the cockpit wraps around you as you sit in it. It's a canny trick, to see the big car shrink around you as you close the door and that is a sense replicated in the driving experience; for such a sizeable car outside it feels small and direct as you drive it. I'll compare it to my A8 in a few respects here as that is both a contemporary competition and a car that I'm quite familiar with. Comparison is inevitable.
The engine is a beauty, strong and refined. The J-gate gearbox is a joy to use, the action on the shifter is really slick. The shifts are remarkably soft in day to day use. In car where the little details impress as much as the bigger picture, things like the feel of the shifter or the click of the indicators, I am constantly discovering new aspects and features I love. It's a different beast to the A8 in that it's hardly filled with superfluous toys. There is little to fiddle with or distract you from the drive, but it drives so well it impresses more as a driver's toy. In spite of the scarcity of toys and tech like my A8 had, I am more impressed with the primary driving experience. It's just more fun. It feels sexier. It feels magnificent and regal amongst a sea of grey diesel ecoboxes, where the A8 often felt anonymous but for it's titanic size/ The steering is light and very direct. I am impressed with how Jaguar have managed to make such a big car feel so direct and light on it's toes with direction changes. The steering gearing is short and feels quick to react, and the wheel turns with great ease. You sit low sung in the car, indeed to stand next to it you get a sense of how long and low it is. It's like standing next to a big green crocodile. Sitting at traffic lights and having to look up to see the driver of the Fiesta next to you is quite funny. You really sit low and 'tucked into' the car, which is great.
Whilst being sporty and quick, it's definitely designed for refined cruising. I should note that the 'sporty' aspect of it does not feel contrived or silly. This is no Audi S-line. The ride is soft and supple and the car flows beautifully (aided by compliant damping and aforementioned 16" wheels). Kickdown is suitably powerful, but for serious single-carriage A road overtaking the 'S' button may be useful, as it seems to speed up the reaction of the gearbox and holds gears longer. The mirrors are a joy to use (and not just the auto-dimming rear), as they capture the rounded flanks of the car and are very wide and quiet. Perfect for motorway use. The boot is wide and flat and frankly huge, but it's profile means it's no fridge carrier. It'll do for trips to the Lake District though and loading up with shopping! Some of the interior touches are a bit hokey, but you have to seek these out (the cloth sleeve on the handbrake, hidden down the side of the seat). It's by no means a perfect car but it does impress and lives to the hype of being 'the car Jaguar always wanted to build, but couldn't afford to until Ford helped out'.
Anyway, that about covers it for now.
It all started really in the 90's, when the Dutton Forshaw deal group had a Jaguar dealership in Gosforth, Newcastle. I used to ride past it on the bus going to town all the time as a young lad and loved the look of the cars, the relative opulence of the dealership and of course, the big silver 'leaper' on a pillar outside the showroom.
Many years later, the dealership is now a sofa showroom, I think. Jaguar has moved on massively from those days. I still drive past the Newcastle Jaguar dealership on the way to work (it's now on Stamfordham Road and looks nowhere near as posh). I had been driving a 106 Rallye until May of this year, when it failed it's MOT and I sold it on, unwilling to spend any more money on it since it just wasn't what I wanted. What I really missed was my old A8 4.2. However, I had decided after selling the A8 that I wouldn't go back to them, as I had let a very tidy and high spec model go for work related reasons and I would likely struggle to find another one as good as that. It was in fact a PH'er, Adrian E, who pointed me to my A8 at the time as probably the best one for sale in the country!
Anyway, back to Jaguar. I have always loved the X308 series of cars. To me, they represent almost the end of classic Jaguar. There was only the X350 model to follow this before the XJ would transform into something completely different. I still really like where Jaguar has went these days, and I appreciate they needed a 3 series competitor and that diesels would be their primary sellers in the UK. Jaguar have been, and will likely remain special cars to me (my missus had a Jaguar as a wedding car etc etc).
I was directed to this particular XJ by E65Ross on the barge thread, and I later discovered that he had some relationship with the seller as he had bought his E65 745i from the same PH'er selling the XJ. Arrangements were duly made and I set off on a trip to Glasgow to pick the car up. I should note at this point, I had asked a few questions and was satisfied I was going after the right car, after half-heartedly looking at a couple of nearly local XJ's for sale through Ebay and not being wildly impressed with their quality. It's worth bearing in mind that this car was quite a success for Jaguar and they sold plenty in the UK so there are loads around, and consequently plenty of tat to go with it.
The trip to Glasgow was pleasant enough, taking in the stunning views of the Northumberland coast to Scotland, before transferring at Edinburgh on to Glasgow Queen Street. Frankly, standing next to the car for the first time in the sun and taking it all in, I was sold on the car from the off. I had hoped then that it would drive well and I could complete my mission of buying it and driving it home. Luckily, all was well. It's often quoted that you should buy on condition and not miles. This one has 159,000 miles on it and it'll soon tick over to 160,000. It actually did 70,000 miles in it's first three years and was initially supplied in Blackburn, Lancs. Luckily, the car feels exceedingly tight and well looked after. The mileage wasn't a negative to me in that I intend to keep the car as long as it is viable to keep it alive. I like it that much that I intend on being it's last owner, however much of a commitment that is to make! The drive home was absolutely superb. Brilliantly able on a relaxed waft south to Carlisle, and full of punch for overtaking on the A69.
In terms of perfecting it, I do plan to spend a little money. I was able to bargain down to £1700 to buy it, and it definitely needs some new rear tyres on it. These are surprisingly cheap, about £100 for top end tyres because of the 16" wheel size. The lips of the bodywork at the arches are mildly nibbled with spots of rust so they will be fixed when the leaper is removed. I did say to the seller when I inspected the car that it was nice to see one so rust free, indeed the arches were the first spot I went for. On one of the cars I'd looked at, I could have pocked my finger through the arch...! There is a mild crack in the paint on the front bumper, and that's about it. Inside, the 'cool' button on the A/C has been repainted so I intend on tidying that up a tiny bit, and the leftmost LED on the dash binnacle has gone out, but I doubt I'll bother fixing that. The mileage on the cluster is now at 93,000 as a result of the dash pod being changed for another following a presumed failure. The history all checks out, and it has been very well cared for. I specifically wanted a four litre car over the 3.2. The 3.2 has a shorter gearing and differential ratio to attempt to match the 4.0's punch at lower speeds but I gather it makes for a less refined experience and surprisingly, worse fuel economy! Though I am sure the 3.2 is a fantastic car considered in it's own right.
More importantly, what is it like to drive? Fantastic, just wonderful. Phrases like 'sense of occasion' are batted around fairly often, but it has that character in spades. It's an addictive thing to be around, to look at. I'm always stealing a second glance at it, and smiling when I sit in it. I love the way the cockpit wraps around you as you sit in it. It's a canny trick, to see the big car shrink around you as you close the door and that is a sense replicated in the driving experience; for such a sizeable car outside it feels small and direct as you drive it. I'll compare it to my A8 in a few respects here as that is both a contemporary competition and a car that I'm quite familiar with. Comparison is inevitable.
The engine is a beauty, strong and refined. The J-gate gearbox is a joy to use, the action on the shifter is really slick. The shifts are remarkably soft in day to day use. In car where the little details impress as much as the bigger picture, things like the feel of the shifter or the click of the indicators, I am constantly discovering new aspects and features I love. It's a different beast to the A8 in that it's hardly filled with superfluous toys. There is little to fiddle with or distract you from the drive, but it drives so well it impresses more as a driver's toy. In spite of the scarcity of toys and tech like my A8 had, I am more impressed with the primary driving experience. It's just more fun. It feels sexier. It feels magnificent and regal amongst a sea of grey diesel ecoboxes, where the A8 often felt anonymous but for it's titanic size/ The steering is light and very direct. I am impressed with how Jaguar have managed to make such a big car feel so direct and light on it's toes with direction changes. The steering gearing is short and feels quick to react, and the wheel turns with great ease. You sit low sung in the car, indeed to stand next to it you get a sense of how long and low it is. It's like standing next to a big green crocodile. Sitting at traffic lights and having to look up to see the driver of the Fiesta next to you is quite funny. You really sit low and 'tucked into' the car, which is great.
Whilst being sporty and quick, it's definitely designed for refined cruising. I should note that the 'sporty' aspect of it does not feel contrived or silly. This is no Audi S-line. The ride is soft and supple and the car flows beautifully (aided by compliant damping and aforementioned 16" wheels). Kickdown is suitably powerful, but for serious single-carriage A road overtaking the 'S' button may be useful, as it seems to speed up the reaction of the gearbox and holds gears longer. The mirrors are a joy to use (and not just the auto-dimming rear), as they capture the rounded flanks of the car and are very wide and quiet. Perfect for motorway use. The boot is wide and flat and frankly huge, but it's profile means it's no fridge carrier. It'll do for trips to the Lake District though and loading up with shopping! Some of the interior touches are a bit hokey, but you have to seek these out (the cloth sleeve on the handbrake, hidden down the side of the seat). It's by no means a perfect car but it does impress and lives to the hype of being 'the car Jaguar always wanted to build, but couldn't afford to until Ford helped out'.
Anyway, that about covers it for now.
Edited by Baryonyx on Friday 5th September 15:17
The fact I've taken that photograph with my phone gives the wrong impression, it makes the rev-counter look pitch black on one side, which is not the case. It's backlit from the other LED's, but the phone hasn't picked that up. It's dimmer on one side than the other, but not to the point where you can't see what it's doing. For the faff of fixing it, I doubt I'll bother as it'll no doubt be quite an involved job!
Now, on my MR2 Turbo, I had the same issue (left hand LED going out). That was a black dial backlit with a yellow light and it was much, much more difficult to see what the needle was doing there, but again not impossible.
Now, on my MR2 Turbo, I had the same issue (left hand LED going out). That was a black dial backlit with a yellow light and it was much, much more difficult to see what the needle was doing there, but again not impossible.
Looks fantastic. Enjoy.
They've knocked the sofa shop down now and are 2/3 of the way through building an M&S. 
Baronyx said:
Dutton Forshaw deal group had a Jaguar dealership in Gosforth, Newcastle. I used to ride past it on the bus going to town all the time as a young lad and loved the look of the cars, the relative opulence of the dealership and of course, the big silver 'leaper' on a pillar outside the showroom.
Many years later, the dealership is now a sofa showroom, I think.
Many years later, the dealership is now a sofa showroom, I think.
They've knocked the sofa shop down now and are 2/3 of the way through building an M&S. Rocksteadyeddie said:
They've knocked the sofa shop down now and are 2/3 of the way through building an M&S. Baryonyx said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
They've knocked the sofa shop down now and are 2/3 of the way through building an M&S. 
My old man ran a XJ40 Daimler Double Six back at that sort of time. I'm pretty sure he kept the "Jag House" going for a good few years. 
Call it proof of my argument to friends, that it will fit in a parking space. Just, with a slight overhang at the front...
A few more days have gone by and a few more miles, it continues to impress. Continuing the comparison to my A8, it seems to get further and further away from that car. It's somewhat smaller in size (but not by a great deal) but it feels a lot more compact to drive. Crisp turn in and extremely smooth steering response make it feel quite sporty, but not in a 'shake your fillings and break your back' kind of way. The steering is well matched with the ride; you get something that feels pointy and changes direction well but has a supple ride. The low seating position brings the centre of gravity down and makes for a surprisingly flat cornering profile. The A8 demanded a different cornering technique; it could thunder round bends, body roll be damned, and find masses of grip to propel itself on the way out. It drove itself. The XJ requires a more considered approach, slowing a little on entry, pointing the long nose and squeezing on the throttle - it will eject itself from an apex with gusto but demands more input from the driver.
I cannot commend though, just how good it feels to make those inputs. Feelsome brakes, a smooth throttle and silky gearchanges abound. I feel Jaguar really hit the XJ nail on the head with this one. You probably would think I was nuts, but I can feel craft and quality in so many aspects of this car. The V8 flutter on start up, the throaty rumble on kickdown, the effortlessly delicate steering wheel feel at lower speeds, it's quite something. Whilst the A8 felt like an oppressive effort of German excellence in all aspects (it even rode well on 18" wheels), I am tempted to say that it did not have the endearing and esoteric character of the Jaguar.
A parking space comparison...
Mind you, it's still not my main mode of transport!
I had the Jaguar on it's first offroad trip today. Well, when I say offroad, I mean down a badly rutted farm track! A social outing saw me taking the Jaguar to a local farm/campsite. Of course, there was no way in hell I was saying in some awful chalet when I'd be much more comfortable sleeping on the back seats of the XJ, but it didn't come to that.
Getting there was good fun, I'm still impressed by the mix of soft, gentle ride and direct, sporty control feel. Most softly sprung cars suffer indirect handling and poor body control in the corners, but the Jaguar is very nicely balanced. I suppose that's a low centre of gravity for you. Mind you, I went carefully down the track once I was off the road to avoid crashing up and down over the potholes and damaging something!
Getting there was good fun, I'm still impressed by the mix of soft, gentle ride and direct, sporty control feel. Most softly sprung cars suffer indirect handling and poor body control in the corners, but the Jaguar is very nicely balanced. I suppose that's a low centre of gravity for you. Mind you, I went carefully down the track once I was off the road to avoid crashing up and down over the potholes and damaging something!
It's still muddy. I've driven it once since taking it to the farm the other day. I've been whizzing to work on the motorbike. I did take it to work once last week and snapped this photo of it with a colleague's Audi:
It gave me a bit of a fright on the way home, as I was cruising along the motorway going back it popped up with a low coolant warning. I quickly shat my slacks and pulled off at the next exit, not far from home, and nursed with back with the heaters on full blast. I noticed the temperature gauge never moved, though with this being software driven I gather it's not 100% accurate.
It seemed to make it back fine, and I quickly researched what as going on. It appears that the temperature sensor in the coolant tank is a floating thing in the filler port for the coolant which can get stuck in the bottle, leading to an incorrect reading. Anyway, I've got some de-ionised water to hand (carrying a 5 litre bottle of that in my backpack whilst riding a motorbike was fun!) and I'll be topping off the coolant system with it this afternoon. It appears even just a couple of tablespoons worth of coolant can make the difference to the reading, so I'll be checking over the system today making sure there are no obvious leaks and that the water pump is still working. This should be a five minute job.
Anyway, here is the car as it sits now, wearing a tax disc for one last day before I remove it and put my parking permit in the holder!
Lugy said:
Nice! I do like an XJ myself. Always fancied an XJR but an XJ8 would still be sufficient. Maybe when I do something about my 740.....
XJ8 is the better car IMHO, the XJR has terrible secondary ride. Fine if you want a hot rod, but if you're after a Jaguar then I'd go for the XJ8.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff