Jag XJ 3.6 - buying advice
Discussion
My dad has lusted after an XJ for years and hes retiring next year so plans to treat himself to an old Jag. A local dealer has a 2003 XJ with 116k FSH last owner since 07 for 4k. Firstly is this a decent price?
Secondly, what should we be looking for when buying and old Jag like this, common problems etc? Also is the 3.6 one to avoid is he better off with the bigger/smaller engine?
Cheers Stu
Secondly, what should we be looking for when buying and old Jag like this, common problems etc? Also is the 3.6 one to avoid is he better off with the bigger/smaller engine?
Cheers Stu
Puzzled. 2003 XJ should be either V6 3.0, V8 3.5 or V8 4.2 ?
Any of the engines are fine because the XJ is aluminium so relatively light. Fuel consumption on the V6 is not much better than the V8s so the temptation would be V8 (Supercharged)
There may be a buying guide here if not look up X350 on the other sites.
Other than the usual with a 13 year old car check that all the electrics work especially the air suspension. Aluminium does corrode so look for patches of bubbling. The cars take the miles well so no worry about that but they need regular servicing so check the history
Any of the engines are fine because the XJ is aluminium so relatively light. Fuel consumption on the V6 is not much better than the V8s so the temptation would be V8 (Supercharged)
There may be a buying guide here if not look up X350 on the other sites.
Other than the usual with a 13 year old car check that all the electrics work especially the air suspension. Aluminium does corrode so look for patches of bubbling. The cars take the miles well so no worry about that but they need regular servicing so check the history
P700DEE said:
Puzzled. 2003 XJ should be either V6 3.0, V8 3.5 or V8 4.2 ?
Any of the engines are fine because the XJ is aluminium so relatively light. Fuel consumption on the V6 is not much better than the V8s so the temptation would be V8 (Supercharged)
There may be a buying guide here if not look up X350 on the other sites.
Other than the usual with a 13 year old car check that all the electrics work especially the air suspension. Aluminium does corrode so look for patches of bubbling. The cars take the miles well so no worry about that but they need regular servicing so check the history
Great advice thanks it may well be a 3.5 but listed wrong Any of the engines are fine because the XJ is aluminium so relatively light. Fuel consumption on the V6 is not much better than the V8s so the temptation would be V8 (Supercharged)
There may be a buying guide here if not look up X350 on the other sites.
Other than the usual with a 13 year old car check that all the electrics work especially the air suspension. Aluminium does corrode so look for patches of bubbling. The cars take the miles well so no worry about that but they need regular servicing so check the history
Stu-nph26 said:
WOO5IE said:
Do a search on here for jaguar Steve he has posted e few times an excellent buying guide
Thanks I'll have a lookFor what its worth the few older X350's I've looked at and driven and read about have put some thoughts into my head.
Engines don't suffer the earlier V8 issues with timing gear/Nicasil/cooling concerns.
Occasional transmission problems and poor gear change quality. Oil change or reflash electronic module possible cure.
Paint problems - too thin lacquer/panel contamination/steel aluminum reaction. Look all over especially round front of boot lid, A B C pillars and wheel arch lips for bubbling paint or previous repairs. Lots of cars appear remarkably stone chipped.
Air suspension compressor failure. Cheap seal kit often fixes.
Prop vibration. 50-60MPH.
Odd ride and handling quality from poor tyres or worn suspension bushes. Check for rattles and thumps and uneven tread wear patterns.
Some interior trim is very flimsy.
Better performance and economy than previous equivalents. Even the base V6 feels quick when pressing on.
Corroded earth points - there are lots - cause random electrical issues.
Huge car - overhangs spaces and a right PITA to park and shunt about.
Wind noise from poor/weak window seals and round mirrors at very high speed (allegedly)
Anyone else want to chuck some more in?
ETA: Even a fairly knackered XJ will still present with a smooth powerful engine and a cosseting ride so look for the subtleties and it might be stating the 'bleedin obvious but there wont be much difference between a cared for and abused car at 40-50k miles but there certainly will be at 100k plus
Edited by Jaguar steve on Thursday 28th July 08:51
Jaguar steve said:
Nope sorry, wrong car. The guide wot I like wrote was for the previous steel bodied X308.
For what its worth the few older X350's I've looked at and driven and read about have put some thoughts into my head.
Engines don't suffer the earlier V8 issues with timing gear/Nicasil/cooling concerns.
Occasional transmission problems and poor gear change quality. Oil change or reflash electronic module possible cure.
Paint problems - too thin lacquer/panel contamination/steel aluminum reaction. Look all over especially round front of boot lid, A B C pillars and wheel arch lips for bubbling paint or previous repairs. Lots of cars appear remarkably stone chipped.
Air suspension compressor failure. Cheap seal kit often fixes.
Prop vibration. 50-60MPH.
Odd ride and handling quality from poor tyres or worn suspension bushes. Check for rattles and thumps and uneven tread wear patterns.
Some interior trim is very flimsy.
Better performance and economy than previous equivalents. Even the base V6 feels quick when pressing on.
Corroded earth points - there are lots - cause random electrical issues.
Huge car - overhangs spaces and a right PITA to park and shunt about.
Wind noise from poor/weak window seals and round mirrors at very high speed (allegedly)
Anyone else want to chuck some more in?
ETA: Even a fairly knackered XJ will still present with a smooth powerful engine and a cosseting ride so look for the subtleties and it might be stating the 'bleedin obvious but there wont be much difference between a cared for and abused car at 40-50k miles but there certainly will be at 100k plus
Great advice cheers Steve For what its worth the few older X350's I've looked at and driven and read about have put some thoughts into my head.
Engines don't suffer the earlier V8 issues with timing gear/Nicasil/cooling concerns.
Occasional transmission problems and poor gear change quality. Oil change or reflash electronic module possible cure.
Paint problems - too thin lacquer/panel contamination/steel aluminum reaction. Look all over especially round front of boot lid, A B C pillars and wheel arch lips for bubbling paint or previous repairs. Lots of cars appear remarkably stone chipped.
Air suspension compressor failure. Cheap seal kit often fixes.
Prop vibration. 50-60MPH.
Odd ride and handling quality from poor tyres or worn suspension bushes. Check for rattles and thumps and uneven tread wear patterns.
Some interior trim is very flimsy.
Better performance and economy than previous equivalents. Even the base V6 feels quick when pressing on.
Corroded earth points - there are lots - cause random electrical issues.
Huge car - overhangs spaces and a right PITA to park and shunt about.
Wind noise from poor/weak window seals and round mirrors at very high speed (allegedly)
Anyone else want to chuck some more in?
ETA: Even a fairly knackered XJ will still present with a smooth powerful engine and a cosseting ride so look for the subtleties and it might be stating the 'bleedin obvious but there wont be much difference between a cared for and abused car at 40-50k miles but there certainly will be at 100k plus
Edited by Jaguar steve on Thursday 28th July 08:51
Are these engines effectively 'pointless'?
Now of course I don't mean poor but I wonder if they are the equivalent to something like an e39 535i- V8 running costs with 6 cylinder performance.
After using my dad's diesel XJ recently I quite fancy one of these if funds can allow it next year but, correct me if I'm wrong, would it be better to ignore the 3.5 and go with either the 3 litre or 4.2 or does the 3.5 have merit in itself?
Now of course I don't mean poor but I wonder if they are the equivalent to something like an e39 535i- V8 running costs with 6 cylinder performance.
After using my dad's diesel XJ recently I quite fancy one of these if funds can allow it next year but, correct me if I'm wrong, would it be better to ignore the 3.5 and go with either the 3 litre or 4.2 or does the 3.5 have merit in itself?
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