Running an XJ8 - the first couple of years
Discussion
I've been running this XJ8 for a couple of years now, after hankering for this model since I was at school. Back in 97/98 I remember seeing an older pupil turn up behind the wheel of his Dad's brand new model, the V8 badges glistening in the sunlight.
The fact that it was better than any of the teacher's cars and still seems to be the ultimate modern incarnation of the original shape, meant that the X308 was forever etched on my mind.
I have run various fun cars in the years between passing my test and owning this, but it was only recently that I decided I could afford the fuel costs, with so little annual mileage to do.
With 69k on the clock and full Jaguar service history this fitted the bill nicely. I wanted a Sport model for the bolstered seats, shorter wheelbase and slightly better looks (IMO).
I love the almost sleeper-like presence of these models, and mine seems to have been well cared for. I've had it looked after at the Surrey Jag Centre who seem to be very thorough.
It's a very late 2000 model, but I had the chains and tensioners updated last year as a precaution. Other than that it has been as expected: swift, quiet and largely reliably, apart from a water leak in the boot which drowned one of the boxes of tricks. Lessons learned there.
Still get a buzz every time I use it, and I still think these are one of the best looking saloon cars on the road.
The fact that it was better than any of the teacher's cars and still seems to be the ultimate modern incarnation of the original shape, meant that the X308 was forever etched on my mind.
I have run various fun cars in the years between passing my test and owning this, but it was only recently that I decided I could afford the fuel costs, with so little annual mileage to do.
With 69k on the clock and full Jaguar service history this fitted the bill nicely. I wanted a Sport model for the bolstered seats, shorter wheelbase and slightly better looks (IMO).
I love the almost sleeper-like presence of these models, and mine seems to have been well cared for. I've had it looked after at the Surrey Jag Centre who seem to be very thorough.
It's a very late 2000 model, but I had the chains and tensioners updated last year as a precaution. Other than that it has been as expected: swift, quiet and largely reliably, apart from a water leak in the boot which drowned one of the boxes of tricks. Lessons learned there.
Still get a buzz every time I use it, and I still think these are one of the best looking saloon cars on the road.
Go for it. Got a '98 3.2 for 1.5k last July from a forecourt in Clevedon, nr Brissle. 97k on the clock, but has had a new steel-lined engine some time in the past. Wished I'd researched it a lot more, with the nicasil issues think I could've got the price down. be worth going for something that one of the PHers may be willing to part with (probably get it with everything done -tensioners, gearbox flush, etc). Also, would've liked something bigger engine-wise, it's not slow, but the take-off is addictive even at 3.2l!
Having said all of that, wow!!!!, me and the kids (12 and 14 year old girls) love the thing. Quick, smooth and a complete joy to be in (passenger or driver). Mine needs a new alternator (which is being fitted this week), whilst the gearbox and tensioners being done at TL Jag week after. Not cheap, all this stuff, but well worth having. Rather this than a 3yr lump of boring Kraut metal. I will only be doing 5k a year in it, so not too bothered by the mpg (3mpg at lights!) . Insurance was about £300 fully comp on a Direct Line multi car policy (even with my 2 claims in me van in 3 years).
Having said all of that, wow!!!!, me and the kids (12 and 14 year old girls) love the thing. Quick, smooth and a complete joy to be in (passenger or driver). Mine needs a new alternator (which is being fitted this week), whilst the gearbox and tensioners being done at TL Jag week after. Not cheap, all this stuff, but well worth having. Rather this than a 3yr lump of boring Kraut metal. I will only be doing 5k a year in it, so not too bothered by the mpg (3mpg at lights!) . Insurance was about £300 fully comp on a Direct Line multi car policy (even with my 2 claims in me van in 3 years).
chris.mapey said:
That looks beautiful. Very nice indeed. Watch out, it's like funding a drug habit keeping a nearly 15 y/o Jag on the road ;-) (I know, I have a 99 XJR!)
ewoudwo said:
Haha well said. Yesterday I spent the last €20 on my account to wash my 98 xjr. That's how far it goes. Also the excuses to take the car instead of public transport are rediculous. There is a tube about 100 yards from my house and still I fire up the the old girl every day. The trick is to put some money aside for new tires etc. I needed an engine replacement after 1 week of owning it. Could've bought another jag from the repair alone, and I'm not particularly making big money. That's why we're on the PH forum.
£20 to wash it? Who did it, Beyonce ? Aye, well, apart from that and the fact that £20 could buy you quite a few miles of driving pleasure, your heart's obviously in the right place.Keep enjoying. By the way, do you have a stock answer for the morons who always say " must cost a fortune in fuel"..or.. . " Yes, but what do you get to the gallon? I usually just shrug, or say " don't know, don't check".
Edited by niccis dad on Thursday 28th March 19:45
niccis dad said:
£20 to wash it? Who did it, Beyonce ? Aye, well, apart from that and the fact that £20 could buy you quite a few miles of driving pleasure, your heart's obviously in the right place.
Keep enjoying. By the way, do you have a stock answer for the morons who always say " must cost a fortune in fuel"..or.. . " Yes, but what do you get to the gallon? I usually just shrug, or say " don't know, don't check".
I payed 3 naked midgets to wash it using a dead lamb and breastmilk. A special car needs special treatment. To the whole gas thing I just respond by saying I'm willing to pay for not being a boring copycat.Keep enjoying. By the way, do you have a stock answer for the morons who always say " must cost a fortune in fuel"..or.. . " Yes, but what do you get to the gallon? I usually just shrug, or say " don't know, don't check".
Edited by niccis dad on Thursday 28th March 19:45
Euro5stars said:
The shine on those beauties is awesome. What do you use, or is it just sheer hard work? Mines getting the spring clean treatment this weekend. Any ideas on bringing up the scuff marks on the plastic/ vinyl parts?
It's not the paint that gives the shine, it's the clear lacquer on top of the coloured paint film that you need to get completely clean and swirl and scratch free to get the best possible shine.The lacquer on the X308 is fairly soft and can be bought up to glass smooth swirl and scratch free condition with some care and work and that's what you need to do before you even think about applying any polish or wax if you want the best possible shine.
Broadly speaking there are two ways to achive this - you can either clean and polish the swirls out or use a polish with a filler to disguise them.
Just filling the swirls with a petroleum based polish like Autoglym Super Resin or Ultra Deep Shine is quick and easy but it's not the most effective route and the finish does not last. It also does not usually clean the lacquer very well.
If you want a durable finish that's the best you can achieve then you'll have spend some time on the paintwork firstly with a clay bar to remove surface contaminants, then use a paintwork cleaner to remove scratches and swirls, then a polish to prepare the surface and finally a wax for lasting protection.
I like the Meguiars range but there's loads of other manufacturers offering pretty much the same range of products.
You'll also have to take great care subsequently cleaning the car or sooner or later you'll end up back where you started.
Here's my Very Shiny Jaguar pics
ewoudwo said:
Haha well said. Yesterday I spent the last €20 on my account to wash my 98 xjr. That's how far it goes. Also the excuses to take the car instead of public transport are rediculous. There is a tube about 100 yards from my house and still I fire up the the old girl every day. The trick is to put some money aside for new tires etc. I needed an engine replacement after 1 week of owning it. Could've bought another jag from the repair alone, and I'm not particularly making big money. That's why we're on the PH forum.
Let me commiserate with you. I bought a supposedly mint-ish XJ8 4.0 for more a lot more than banger money last November. I had to look after my youngest child on the day I viewed it and didn't perhaps pay the fullest attention to details.It had a service history and was advertised with tensioners done but on closer inspection of the history it had only had the top ones done, a slight tap from the engine got worse over a few weeks and I ended up having to haemorrhage money to have the chains and lower tensioners done (they were cracked) and both VVTs needed replacement.
I also failed to spot a LOT of rust which I needed to have welded up, a wheel bearing went, and a brake calliper seized up but I can put that down to general wear and tear, and as a precaution I had the gearbox oil changed. I was stranded on the motorway once in a cloud of steam after a hose popped off, thankfully it wasn't head gasket caused - must have just been loose.
In the first 3 months of ownership I have spent more on the car than I paid for the car but now I can at least hope it will be reliable for a long time to come, however it will need some tyres and a basic engine service this year...... ho hum, could have bought a nice X350 for what it's cost so far but it is a lovely thing to waft in........!
Had a V12 a few years back and you would think I had learned my lesson........
Yes, the problem area is the reinforcing plate where the front subframe is bolted to the body. Some cars rust badly here others are problem free. The most obvious place to look is behind and around the shock absorber under the wheel arch.
Check both sides, I've seen a car with one side badly crumbled and the other side in perfect condition
Check both sides, I've seen a car with one side badly crumbled and the other side in perfect condition
One thing about my XJ which hasn't yet been a problem but sometimes worries me is a warm start. If I leave the car for an hour and go to start it, it seems to run a bit rough for a few seconds.
It's fine from cold, and fine if you leave it for a few hours or more. Is this something I should be worried about, or just ignore?
It's fine from cold, and fine if you leave it for a few hours or more. Is this something I should be worried about, or just ignore?
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