X350 XJ purchase - early cars vs late

X350 XJ purchase - early cars vs late

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Discussion

Loose_Cannon

Original Poster:

1,593 posts

252 months

Saturday 7th January 2017
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Dear all, looking for an 03-06 pre-facelift XJ as my next car. Pretty flexible on engine choice, but I have read "somewhere" that later cars have better electrics/reliability than earlier ones, is this bks? I hope so as I have an eye on an 03 XJR.

I know as a general rule of thumb slightly later versions of most cars often have early bugs ironed out but the X350 seems to get a generally good rep from what I hear.

alec.e

2,149 posts

123 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
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Both my x350s have been late 2003 53 plates. No major electrical problems, except battery and corroded earth points, which happen to x350s of all years.
There was a major electrical change on the 2005.5 onwards cars, different ECU, ect.

webby23

531 posts

180 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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2008 x358 2.7D

Had the car a year now and no issues at all, buy one whilst they are cheap!

Piersman2

6,596 posts

198 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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I had 2 X350/X358 XJRs, a 2003 and a 2007.

Both were pretty much as reliable as you can get.

The 2003 used to occasionally, like once every 3 months, display a warning message about the suspension pump. The 2007 had an issue where the screen wouldn't work for a few minutes in sub-zero mornings, and had a cat efficiency EML on for the two years I had it which was a bit irritating but didn't seem to effect anything.

Both great cars , enjoyed them both during the fours years I drove them.

Ian350

316 posts

177 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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I have a 2003 X350 XJR which I've owned for 6 years. Its coming up to 150k miles and has been absolutely fantastic with no electrical problems at all. I did get the air suspension warning when it was cold outside but after just ignoring it for 2-3 years I changed the compressor and all is fine.

mph

2,316 posts

281 months

Monday 16th January 2017
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Just bought a 2008 XJR - Picking it up on Friday smile

PH XKR

1,761 posts

101 months

Monday 16th January 2017
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I had a pre-facelift diesel, lovely car. The only issue, and it will be on the newer cars too, is the flexipipe for the exhaust will split. They will claim its the smell from the aux heater which it isn't. Any decent exhaust place can replace them, just be wary

PH XKR

1,761 posts

101 months

Monday 16th January 2017
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gah! XJR not diesel, still if anyone finds the post it may be of use hehe

webby23

531 posts

180 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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PH XKR said:
I had a pre-facelift diesel, lovely car. The only issue, and it will be on the newer cars too, is the flexipipe for the exhaust will split. They will claim its the smell from the aux heater which it isn't. Any decent exhaust place can replace them, just be wary
Had ours replaced with fixed joints as a pre-emptive, cost £300 at a renowned Jag Specialist in Doncaster, no issues at all

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

128 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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A couple of things to look out for.

Mines a X350 54 plate 3.0 SE petrol on 71,000 owned for 10 months and about One week ago noticed some creaking/squeaking coming from the rear.
You couldn't hear it whilst driving with the windows closed,then I just happened to open the window and heard it.
It's in my local garage as I type and they have confirmed what was showing on a previous advisory.
"Lower wish bone bushes & rear wish bone arm"
Also on the rear passenger door sill I have a 2p size rust bubble which surprised me and didn't notice it on purchase,at some stage will get it looked at.

Has not in the slightest put any negative thoughts on the car,I bought a 12yr old car so these things happen.
I absolutely love driving it.smile

Edited by TVRJAS on Wednesday 18th January 21:21

Loose_Cannon

Original Poster:

1,593 posts

252 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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Thanks all for some greast replies. I can't recall a car which has got such favourable reviews from current or former owners!

It probably sounds daft but I just want the best car for the money, the engine choice is completely open and will dictate use aftewards. A full fat R will probably get tucked up for fine days, a V6 or diesel will be used to make the daily commute more tolerable. I just want a Jag, that's OK isn't it? I was hoping to get one and surprise my dad with it as he adored his old X300, but he passed away over Christmas, so now am determined to have one in his memory.

The prices seem to be so close it hardly matters, although everyone seems to favour extremes of powertrain, therefore the mid-range petrols offer best value compromise. Current wish list, just waiting on time to view;

03 gold XJR 72k miles @ £12k (overpriced I know)
06 red TDi 61k miles @ £9k
05 blue 4.2 Sport 77k miles @ £7k

In the middle is a 108k miles £7.5k gold R which has been for sale for so long my brain has convinced itself there must be something wrong with it - and it couldn't be further away from me dammit.

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

128 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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Hello LC and very sorry to hear about your Father...

10 months ago when I was looking for a Jag the XJR was the only one I ruled out because 80% of the time it was going to have my 83yr old Mom sitting in it taking her to Hospital appointments/shopping etc and don't think she would of been overly impressed with me unleashing the beast. biggrin
I remember her 1st time in the Chimaera and when still in 1st gear pulling away in a very sedate manner she let out Yell and a Whoa and told me to slow downlaugh

The Diesel Jag was defiantly a no no for me personally,although from reading up about them they really do get good reviews but I just couldn't do it,so I then started to focus more on the colour and interior spec and the history.
So if a V8 came up matching and satisfying my taste I would of had one but then I spotted the one I bought which had only been advertised a few Hrs at a Porsche dealers not far away.
I was really surprised by the 3.0 petrol,I think I was expecting it to feel heavy and a bit under powered but it's not. Of course it's not going to feel anything like the XJR but for every day usage realistically there's more than enough (I'm starting to sound a bit old and grumpy) But really it goes pretty well.

It doesn't look like we are exactly neighbors but If you happen to be passing close to Solihull and want a good look over and a test of mine then just let me know. (My time is pretty flexible) thumbup

A sad day for me today,had to have the dog put to sleepweeping


Edited by TVRJAS on Friday 20th January 02:19

webby23

531 posts

180 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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^^^^

Try the diesel X350/358 then decide if you like it or not?

All the power you need and up to 49mpg on a run, heck, it doesn't even sound like a diesel......!


Loose_Cannon

Original Poster:

1,593 posts

252 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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There was a stunning grandad racing gold V6 which I'm now regretting passing by at 9 grand and 56k miles at a dealer. I thought it a tad overpriced, but people seem to be ssnapping them up. Anything of the same ilk sold privately for about 5k lasts a few days max.

webby23

531 posts

180 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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I think these will flatten out soon and maybe start increasing in value too, a lot of people see them as the last "true" Jaguars and are investing in them.

PH XKR

1,761 posts

101 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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if I end up on a commute drive, I will def get another 350 diesel but this time a 351 sport.

webby23

531 posts

180 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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PS. Sorry to hear about the dog TVRJAS, a sad day indeed, dogs are as much part of the family as the family itself.

TVRJAS

2,391 posts

128 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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Thank you Webby very kind of you.

Not a good day tomorrow coming either as I'm having her cremated.

Thx again... Jas

Dodsy

7,172 posts

226 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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I have an 07 Plate X350 XJR. I bought it to replace a NA x350 V8 SE which I thought was underpowered, I imagine the V6 is woeful,

I normally keep cars 2 years then move on . Ive had this XJR for 6 years now and no sign of getting bored yet. Its just fabulous.

Although its just had a service and MOT that cost £2500 ..... but if you run a high performance car you have to be ready for some large bills.

I had a guy try to buy it off me a couple of weeks back, he just stopped me and asked if I'd sell it as hes been looking for a good one for a long time.

Loose_Cannon

Original Poster:

1,593 posts

252 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
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Echo the doggy sentiments guys, our car choices are increasingly dictated by whether we can carry the pooches with us as it's just not the same without them.

What's your day to day fuel like Dodsy? A friend had a 3.6 V8 he reckoned was lacking torque, and afterwards had the Tdi which reckoned rarely bettered 36 mpg, more like 30 in the winter with the fuel burning heater on. He's meticulous with his figures too so I believe him. His recommendation was a normally aspirated 4.2 as a compromise but the R is sooo tempting.

Edited by Loose_Cannon on Saturday 21st January 08:38