Jaguar XJ Project
Discussion
Hi all!
I thought I would show my Jaguar project.
I bought the car in July 2013 aged 19 for the grand sum of £3500 @ 142,000miles.
This was the first car I bought and chose, previously I received my Mums redundant 2003 Polo as a first car, I wanted to buy the car that had the most gadgets, luxury and decent performance, but for as cheaply as possible. I looked into the flagship models from all the major brands. In the end I was set on a W220 S-Class or a X350 XJ. Insurance on the XJ 3.0 V6 & 3.5 V8 was very reasonable. I really wanted the V8, but was willing to compromise with the V6 (still double cylinders from the VW!). My neighbor has run these XJ for years and put on 30,000miles a year and by coincidence was replacing her 53 reg v6 with a XF. A deal was struck and the car became mine. The car had had work done at the local Jag dealership at great expense and I collected the car from there.
Some pictures as bought:
December 2013, new wheels ect:
Retrofitted some goodies:
Reverse camera on oem nav screen
Rear heated seats
Rear armrest controls
Aux in and USB charger
Compass
Pull-out blinds:
Full Super V8 interior with rear recline, memory, TV screens, etc (in progress)
Bringing it home:
Some random pics:
Smoked side-indicators
Maintenance/costs:
150,000 mile service @ The Jag Specialist- Doncaster.
I supplied oil filter and aux. belt. £195
Insurance @ 142,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2013
Insurance £1,450
Insurance @ 150,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2014
Insurance £725
Servicing/Repairs @ 148,063 miles. Wednesday 7th May 2014
Transmission Service including new oil and sump £409
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,500 miles. Thursday 27th March 2014
Re-paint drivers side, due to corrosion on driver's door and a small dent on rear arch £576
Minor Breakdown @ 146,500 miles. Monday 10th March 2014
Driver's door lock failed- one sourced from breaker. £50
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,000 miles. Friday 21st February 2014
New battery £87
Servicing/Repairs @ 145,000 miles. Thursday 23rd January 2014
New Redstuff pads and Mintex discs.
Labour- 105
Parts- 260 £365
Tyres @ 144,500 miles. Friday 6th December 2013
New tyres and wheel refurbishment. £868
Tax @ 143,500 miles. Monday 14th October 2013
MOT & Suspension bushes replaced yesterday at The Jag Specialist
MOT failed due to corroded brake pipe, replaced, then passed.
Total £730 inc. vat.
I thought I would show my Jaguar project.
I bought the car in July 2013 aged 19 for the grand sum of £3500 @ 142,000miles.
This was the first car I bought and chose, previously I received my Mums redundant 2003 Polo as a first car, I wanted to buy the car that had the most gadgets, luxury and decent performance, but for as cheaply as possible. I looked into the flagship models from all the major brands. In the end I was set on a W220 S-Class or a X350 XJ. Insurance on the XJ 3.0 V6 & 3.5 V8 was very reasonable. I really wanted the V8, but was willing to compromise with the V6 (still double cylinders from the VW!). My neighbor has run these XJ for years and put on 30,000miles a year and by coincidence was replacing her 53 reg v6 with a XF. A deal was struck and the car became mine. The car had had work done at the local Jag dealership at great expense and I collected the car from there.
Some pictures as bought:
December 2013, new wheels ect:
Retrofitted some goodies:
Reverse camera on oem nav screen
Rear heated seats
Rear armrest controls
Aux in and USB charger
Compass
Pull-out blinds:
Full Super V8 interior with rear recline, memory, TV screens, etc (in progress)
Bringing it home:
Some random pics:
Smoked side-indicators
Maintenance/costs:
150,000 mile service @ The Jag Specialist- Doncaster.
I supplied oil filter and aux. belt. £195
Insurance @ 142,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2013
Insurance £1,450
Insurance @ 150,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2014
Insurance £725
Servicing/Repairs @ 148,063 miles. Wednesday 7th May 2014
Transmission Service including new oil and sump £409
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,500 miles. Thursday 27th March 2014
Re-paint drivers side, due to corrosion on driver's door and a small dent on rear arch £576
Minor Breakdown @ 146,500 miles. Monday 10th March 2014
Driver's door lock failed- one sourced from breaker. £50
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,000 miles. Friday 21st February 2014
New battery £87
Servicing/Repairs @ 145,000 miles. Thursday 23rd January 2014
New Redstuff pads and Mintex discs.
Labour- 105
Parts- 260 £365
Tyres @ 144,500 miles. Friday 6th December 2013
New tyres and wheel refurbishment. £868
Tax @ 143,500 miles. Monday 14th October 2013
MOT & Suspension bushes replaced yesterday at The Jag Specialist
MOT failed due to corroded brake pipe, replaced, then passed.
Total £730 inc. vat.
Edited by alecescolme on Wednesday 8th October 20:32
Wow, I'm seriously impressed. Like you, I bought my X350 when I was young (18) - I'm 20 now and I still have it, it's an awesome car. I'm amazed you've got the skills/bravery to take the interior apart - I'd love to fit AUX and USB to mine, but it looks extremely complicated with a high chance of breaking something. I've got the rear entertainment system like yours, so I just run an aux cable from there into the front, which isn't very elegant or convenient. That said, I replaced the heater resistor behind the glovebox once, and that was more than difficult enough for me, so I don't think I'll be attempting mods like yours anytime soon.
I think the best change you've made is the wheels: I hate the stock ones that it came with, and those 19s are a massive improvement.
Here's a quick picture of mine (also a 3.0 V6, just nudging 150k)
I think the best change you've made is the wheels: I hate the stock ones that it came with, and those 19s are a massive improvement.
Here's a quick picture of mine (also a 3.0 V6, just nudging 150k)
Yes, I think you're right about the wheels being a worthwhile change. The X350 can't really get away with smaller wheels and thicker sidewalls like the X308 could bececause it's so much chunkier and so much taller, it really needs those bigger wheels to look 'correct'.
Has the ride changed significantly after changing the wheels?
Has the ride changed significantly after changing the wheels?
Cheers guys!
Yes I agree about these jags needing bigger wheels and less rubber. The ride is not that much different to when it had 17s. I have rode in a x350 Super V8 with 21 Ardens and it did not feel uncomfortable.
The car has been reliable, just has needed lots of maintenance and love. The main thing to keep an eye on is the battery, as it is very sensitive to low voltage.
Geekman- Nice to hear from someone the same age (I am 20), jealous that you got yours when you were 18 though
. Love the LeMans theme! It is not that difficult to remove the interior, if you work carefully, nothing should break. The parts are quite tough!
Yes I agree about these jags needing bigger wheels and less rubber. The ride is not that much different to when it had 17s. I have rode in a x350 Super V8 with 21 Ardens and it did not feel uncomfortable.
The car has been reliable, just has needed lots of maintenance and love. The main thing to keep an eye on is the battery, as it is very sensitive to low voltage.
Geekman- Nice to hear from someone the same age (I am 20), jealous that you got yours when you were 18 though
. Love the LeMans theme! It is not that difficult to remove the interior, if you work carefully, nothing should break. The parts are quite tough!Great work Fella. Think I may have seen some of those pics somewhere else Jag Forum?
I've had a 3.5SE for 18 months and love it. In that time on top of general servicing its had tyres, discs, pads, brake pipes and a few suspension bushes all of which I consider wear and tear. Got a leaky rim on one of the wheels so think a refurb is due soon. I'm enjoying tidying up wee bits and the fact that the car is in better condition than it was when I got it.
Looking at the values I think they are fairly stable at the moment prices seem to be more or less what they where 18 months ago
I've had a 3.5SE for 18 months and love it. In that time on top of general servicing its had tyres, discs, pads, brake pipes and a few suspension bushes all of which I consider wear and tear. Got a leaky rim on one of the wheels so think a refurb is due soon. I'm enjoying tidying up wee bits and the fact that the car is in better condition than it was when I got it.
Looking at the values I think they are fairly stable at the moment prices seem to be more or less what they where 18 months ago
Baryonyx said:
Very nice, I particularly like the rear arm rest controls! When I had my old A8, it had had the interior from an S8 fitted into it, looked like quite an involved job!
I took my old D2 A8 to an A8 breakers up North, where we spent an entire day swapping out the old grey leather for black Sport interior. 12 hours total, including retrofitting rear electric blinds, and BOSE sound system. Damn those Recaros were comfy!shakotan said:
I took my old D2 A8 to an A8 breakers up North, where we spent an entire day swapping out the old grey leather for black Sport interior. 12 hours total, including retrofitting rear electric blinds, and BOSE sound system. Damn those Recaros were comfy!
I'm guessing that was the one connected to the UK A8 parts forum, based in Yorkshire IIRC? I think they were called Prestige Motor Services or something like that, I ordered a few parts from my A8 from them. When I bought my A8, it had previously been owned by IT, one of the blokes from the forum/company. He'd done a long list of jobs making sure it was pretty much perfect. The S8 interior was a treat, fantastic seats to bury yourself in for a long drive. It also had the S8 mirrors and wheels too, nice touches. The spec on that car was through the roof from the factory. Manual and electric blinds, solar sunroof, ski hatch, television and nav, phone, heated front and rear seats and a million other things too. And yes, the BOSE sound system was quite good. If I recall correctly, the only option it didn't have ticked from the factory was the retractable rear headrests. Here is a shot of the interior:
To be controversial though, the seats in my XJ are more comfortable, both over short and long distances.
Baryonyx said:
shakotan said:
I took my old D2 A8 to an A8 breakers up North, where we spent an entire day swapping out the old grey leather for black Sport interior. 12 hours total, including retrofitting rear electric blinds, and BOSE sound system. Damn those Recaros were comfy!
I'm guessing that was the one connected to the UK A8 parts forum, based in Yorkshire IIRC? I think they were called Prestige Motor Services or something like that, I ordered a few parts from my A8 from them. When I bought my A8, it had previously been owned by IT, one of the blokes from the forum/company.Kudos to you for going for it. I've been ermiing and arring for 2 years about an XJ (since I was 21, now 23). I've seen a very nice S Type which I'm call to enquire about but I'm unsure whether I'd then regret not going for the XJ.
How different are running costs of an S Type 3.0 and XJ 3.0?
How different are running costs of an S Type 3.0 and XJ 3.0?
Well, she will be going up for sale in April to make way for a very special Supercharged Jag.
In the mean time I am continue to use it, now over 155k.
When the weather improves, the front bumper will come off for new parking sensors and touch in stone-chips.
Then, there will be a 'detail' with machine polish, wax, etc.
I also plan to change the brake fluid, never done it before.
In the mean time I am continue to use it, now over 155k.
When the weather improves, the front bumper will come off for new parking sensors and touch in stone-chips.
Then, there will be a 'detail' with machine polish, wax, etc.
I also plan to change the brake fluid, never done it before.
alecescolme said:
Well, she will be going up for sale in April to make way for a very special Supercharged Jag.
In the mean time I am continue to use it, now over 155k.
When the weather improves, the front bumper will come off for new parking sensors and touch in stone-chips.
Then, there will be a 'detail' with machine polish, wax, etc.
I also plan to change the brake fluid, never done it before.
I suspect you're talking about an X350 XJR, am I right? In the mean time I am continue to use it, now over 155k.
When the weather improves, the front bumper will come off for new parking sensors and touch in stone-chips.
Then, there will be a 'detail' with machine polish, wax, etc.
I also plan to change the brake fluid, never done it before.
I'll almost certainly be doing the same thing in October, can't wait! I've been looking at other options, but nothing seems to come close for by budget.Geekman said:
I suspect you're talking about an X350 XJR, am I right? I'll almost certainly be doing the same thing in October, can't wait! I've been looking at other options, but nothing seems to come close for by budget.
Actually a Super V8 I'll almost certainly be doing the same thing in October, can't wait! I've been looking at other options, but nothing seems to come close for by budget. This one is one-of-a-kind and has lots of very rare bits. Like you, I can't wait- love the supercharger whine. Good look with the XJR, hope you enjoy it! alecescolme said:
Actually a Super V8 This one is one-of-a-kind and has lots of very rare bits. Like you, I can't wait- love the supercharger whine. Good look with the XJR, hope you enjoy it!
I've actually been looking at the Super V8 as well, but as far as I can make out they don't come with the upgraded brakes and sports shocks, which puts me off a bit. The amount of kit you get on them is fantastic though, although the XJR is hardly poorly equipped I suppose. This one is one-of-a-kind and has lots of very rare bits. Like you, I can't wait- love the supercharger whine. Good look with the XJR, hope you enjoy it! Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff