xj V8 3.2 or 4.0 which is best

xj V8 3.2 or 4.0 which is best

Author
Discussion

leginigel

Original Poster:

428 posts

183 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
I have just purchased a 1999 XJ V8 3.2,which is the better engine the 3.2 V8 or the 4.0 V8 come to that what's the difference between the sport and nonsport is it just down to trim,chrome versus black.I see some one on this forum has asked are the Jag V8's going up in price,well after driving one about for a hold day they should or will long term show up a different beast?

NormanD

3,208 posts

227 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
They are the same engine just differant strokes, both have a 86mm (3.4") bore

The 3.2Lt has a 70mm (2.8") stroke giving 240hp
The 4Lt has a 86mm (3.4") stroke giving 290hp
The 4.2 has a 90.3mm (3.56") stroke giving 300hp

More info with even more veriations here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_AJ-V8_engine

GavinPearson

5,715 posts

250 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
To be honest, given a choice of a 3.2L or a 4.0L, the 4.0L is better.

Why?

It has more performance and has way better fuel economy.

NormanD

3,208 posts

227 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
GavinPearson said:
To be honest, given a choice of a 3.2L or a 4.0L, the 4.0L is better.

Why?

It has more performance and has way better fuel economy.
Better still

an XJR

guru_1071

2,768 posts

233 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
NormanD said:
Better still

an XJR
that's the exact answer I came up with when I was looking at buying a sport......

god I love my xjr

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

163 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
I had a 4.0l sport straight six lovely car and no issues to worry about that engine is made out of granite.

AmitG

3,272 posts

159 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
I seem to recall there is some difference between the 3.2 and the 4.0 other than displacement. Variable valve timing on one but not the other...?

FWIW I owned a 3.2 and 4.0 in succession. Unless you are above motorway speeds it's hard to tell the difference IMHO. And a lot of it is down to condition. A well maintained 3.2 drivetrain will outperform a knackered 4.0...


Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

209 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
VVT on the n/a 4.0 V8 only - the supercharged 4.0 and the n/a 3.2 don't have it. The 4.0 cars have slightly higher gearing and can be more economical if driven gently. Both will perform startlingly well and both are equally refined but 4.0 cars are much rarer.

Buying an X308 is all about condition, condition and condition. Engine capacity, trim level and spec and paint colour should be some way behind this when making a choice

leginigel

Original Poster:

428 posts

183 months

Thursday 25th December 2014
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Hi Thanks,I got this car from a the local cafe owner,It was his dads who can no longer drive,it's one owner full service histroy with a 130,000 miles,in dark blue.Body and engine all look very good,it needed a aerial and driver side mirror glass,then I was in the breakers I found a set of genuine jag mats all four in the right light brown colour with the word JAGUAR picked out in red on the front mats.When I got back to my yard I gave it a clean out and my mate's going to give a full service and MOT while I'm away in Egypt until 24th,we are round his on boxing day so hope we can talk cars,we will talk cars or planes it's all we ever talk about,I have not driven this JX because the battery was flat when I picked it up,but realy looking forwards to having a good run out.

leginigel

Original Poster:

428 posts

183 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
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Had the Jag MOTed and all is fine,went for a drive,first time on the open road for two years and it never broke down on me,and was very nice to drive,I will put some picture up as soon as I have time.