XJ8 3.2 to XJR, advantages/disadvantages?

[cerbman]

My current XJ is a good and reliable friend, but lacks 1 or 2 toys such as cd player and cruise. My problem is whether the differences are worth it, any advice? I would be looking at the same shape XJR as my XJ8.

Edited by cerbman on Monday 23 April 10:58

[a8hex]

cerbman said:

My current XJ is a good and reliable friend, but lacks 1 or 2 toys such as cd player and cruise. My problem is whether the differences are worth it, any advice? I would be looking at the same shape XJR as my XJ8.

Edited by cerbman on Monday 23 April 10:58

They can be retro fitted. I had the dealer fit them when I bought my X300.

I find that I rarely now use the cruise control as the road conditions so often don't allow it. Her indoors' MB's cruise can be used as a speed limiter which I use a lot more. It can mind your license for you.

I think all the wiring is in place for the CD autochanger, so you should be able to fit one quite easily. You'll probably find them on eBay.

[kieran2006]

Forget the toys, it's worth it for the extra performance alone surely?!

[cerbman]

a8hex said:

cerbman said:

My current XJ is a good and reliable friend, but lacks 1 or 2 toys such as cd player and cruise. My problem is whether the differences are worth it, any advice? I would be looking at the same shape XJR as my XJ8.

Edited by cerbman on Monday 23 April 10:58

They can be retro fitted. I had the dealer fit them when I bought my X300.

I find that I rarely now use the cruise control as the road conditions so often don't allow it. Her indoors' MB's cruise can be used as a speed limiter which I use a lot more. It can mind your license for you.

I think all the wiring is in place for the CD autochanger, so you should be able to fit one quite easily. You'll probably find them on eBay.

Thanks. BTW, that XK150 is a beauty.

[pzero64]

On my 1995 XJR the cable was already routed for the changer in the boot. Very swift job to install it. A car audio place should be able to confirm if the cable is there in yours.

It did not have cruise and I was told that this would be a dash off job to retro fit and would cost a fair bit of money – so went without it.

Regarding the change in car, I would go for it. The jump from the 4 ltr Sovereign to the XJR when I did it was significant. Downside was the fact that the XJR was a bit thirsty and the tyres cost a bit more – but I knew that before I bought it and I wanted it.

[cerbman]

I know the 2 cars are pretty much the same. Do the differences make the XJR any more or less reliable?

[tr7v8]

Decided not to bother with the CD Changer on the S & had a MP3/iPOD unit installed, have 1Gb USB stick plugged in permanently & use it a lot. Was £280ish fitted by main stealer.

[cerbman]

I've heard that the auto box on the R is less reliable than on the 8, is this true?

Edited by cerbman on Sunday 6th May 12:56

[jaguar steve]

I think it's the other way round.

The XJ8 has a ZF box which has been pretty unreliable once it ages. Jaguar specify that no oil changes are required through the life of the box, and several have failed due to wear caused by oil failure

Oil changes every 30/40k will help, tho' you really need a Jaguar garage with a WDS computer to get the level correct.

The R has a different (Mercedes?) box which is much stronger

JS

[GavinPearson]

jaguar steve said:

I think it's the other way round.

The XJ8 has a ZF box which has been pretty unreliable once it ages. Jaguar specify that no oil changes are required through the life of the box, and several have failed due to wear caused by oil failure

Oil changes every 30/40k will help, tho' you really need a Jaguar garage with a WDS computer to get the level correct.

The R has a different (Mercedes?) box which is much stronger

JS

The Mercedes W5A580 is a stronger transmission.

Both benefit massively from having regular oil changes.

[cerbman]

My problem is whether the differences between the XJ8 3.2 and the XJR are enough to justify the extra I would have to pay to acquire an R.

Edited by cerbman on Thursday 10th May 13:28

[jamesk]

If by differences you mean anything other than speed, no. If you are even slightly hinting at performance benefit then YES!!!!

Seriously, I can't think of a more night and day comparison right now than a supercharged 4 litre Jag compared to a 3.2 "sport".

Edited by jamesk on Thursday 10th May 15:24

[NormanD]

GavinPearson said:

jaguar steve said:

I think it's the other way round.

The XJ8 has a ZF box which has been pretty unreliable once it ages. Jaguar specify that no oil changes are required through the life of the box, and several have failed due to wear caused by oil failure

Oil changes every 30/40k will help, tho' you really need a Jaguar garage with a WDS computer to get the level correct.

The R has a different (Mercedes?) box which is much stronger

JS

The Mercedes W5A580 is a stronger transmission.

Both benefit massively from having regular oil changes.

I have just changes the gearbox oil on my R

Makes a differance

[vladman]

NormanD said:

I have just changes the gearbox oil on my R

Makes a differance

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but very interested to know if this is a complicated/expensive job, or possibly even something I could do myself (I'm pretty mechanically minded, and enjoy working on my vehicles if I can, but I'm no skilled mechanic)?

[jaguar steve]

You could.....but, If the level is not absolutely spot on it's likley you will have shift problems.

My understanding is the level is correct when the transmission temp is between 30 and 50 degrees, the engine is running, the transmission has been cycled between P and 2 and the oil is just dripping from the filler plug.

Jaguar specify a very expensive long life Esso fluid (£23/litre) for the gearbox, but I believe a Dexron 3 can be used IF it is changed every 20/30k. Obviously you will want to change the gearbox filter too.

I was charged 2 hours labour by my local Jag independent. Worth it alone for the peace of mind even if you don't have any gearchange problems.
JS

[vladman]

Thanks JS.

[groomi]

Also worth mentioning that according to Jaguar the Mercedes 'boxes are 'sealed for life'. Ofcourse, that's rubbish as I've had mine replaced once (presumably due to prolonged running on low oil) and the new one topped up at the last service.

[cerbman]

This is part of my problem, I've heard a lot of stories about XJR problems. My car is the lowly XJ8 3.2 Executive, yet she has given minimal trouble(touch wood) as stated in my profile.

[groomi]

To be fair my cars extensive problems have been largely down to bad luck on my part. I knew that I was buying a high mileage car, but thought I was safe with a warranty.

My lesson learnt and a large debt owed to me by Karma...

Go get yourself an XJR, you wont regret it!

[jaguar steve]

groomi said:

To be fair my cars extensive problems have been largely down to bad luck on my part. I knew that I was buying a high mileage car, but thought I was safe with a warranty.

My lesson learnt and a large debt owed to me by Karma...

Go get yourself an XJR, you wont regret it!

Probrably not just bad luck, IMHO Jaguar have done themselves a great disservice in the long run by cutting down on maintainence requirements, ie "sealed for life" gearboxes and differentials and long, sometimes much to long oil change intervals, all of which will contribute to premature failures. According to the service schedule there is no requirement to even check, let alone change the oil in the gearbox or differential throughout the entire life of the car.

The reason for this of course was to make the initial three year cost of ownership and maintainence as low as possible, but I suspect there's enough dead gearboxes, rumbling differentials and rattling timing chains out there to prove skimping maintainence is a Very Bad Thing.