Giblet's 1998 X308 XJR
Discussion
Hey up folks. I've never gotten round to making a readers ride thread on any of my previous cars so I figured I would make an exception for the new chariot.
If anyone is interested in my car history, I have detailed it below but with spoiler tags so it doesn't take up all of this long rambling post.
My first few cars were older Rover 200/400 wedges, they cost very little and did the job they needed to. My first real nippy car was my BB1 Prelude purchased for a princly sum of £400 on ebay -
Sadly I had to sell this after a few months due to the lack of space in the back and the tiny boot. I ended up replacing it with this slightly chavved chariot, a Mitsubishi Galant VR4 -
At the time I loved the car but looking back at it the styling was a tad too over the top. It did attract attention which wasn't ideal but the sound of the V6 via the Fujitsubo exhaust was lovely. It was running at the stock boost level so whilst it was quick, it was never scary due to the decent 4wd system and upgraded brembo brakes.
I sold the VR4 just under a year later and went sensible for a while, first with a Rover 216 Coupe and then a leased MK6 Golf 1.4 Tsi which was pretty nice for what it was. I then decided to go back to being silly and bought another VR4 -
This one was quicker than the last one due to a few engine mods, but it turned out to be a rustbucket. I ended up selling it at a loss to a Hungarian chap who wanted the car for its parts. That's what I get for trusting the seller and not doing my homework.
After the sale I picked up another cheap (£360+6 months tax) Prelude -
I sold that after a while as I found a cheap Honda Legend which was a rather comfy barge -
The armchair like heated leather seats were ideal for winter, and whilst the 3.5 V6 sounded a tad interesting it was rather slow. I sold the car and replaced with the XJR.
I have always liked old Jags. A chap who used to live a few doors up for me owned an old XJS which I always used to admire when I walked past. My brother picked up an X350 XJ a few years back, after driving it I loved the combination of the V8 power and the lovely comfy interior. He recently replaced his XJ with an XF (his thread is here) - which meant I could finally look at buying an X308 without looking like I was copying him.
I was browsing the catalogue for a local car auction when I spotted the XJR. Details were scarce, the car had done just under 102k with a handful of previous owners and a stamped history book up until 79k. It had an MOT until September and no mention of tax. Given the history of the X308 and the potential pitfalls with Nikasil, tensioners etc I was a tad worried but I decided to take a gamble. A black XJR with ivory interior was always going to be worth a punt!
After collecting the car I discovered that it was taxed until the end of August, it had service history past 79k but no stamps. I called up the number of the garage who had a service sticker in the windscreen and they confirmed it had been serviced on the dates in the book but they had forgotten to stamp it. A quick call to the main dealer that supplied the car in 1998 and I had a list of the work carried out by them.
I had a garage check out the car and they accidently misdiagnosed a slight noise at idle as the upper tensioners. I ended up removing the cam covers to find that the upper and lower tensioners had already been replaced for the later metal bodied models. I need to thank JaguarSteve for the help and how he pointed out the obvious fact that I had metal tensioners after I posted a pic of them thinking they were the plastic ones
. In the end the noise turned out to be a belt idler.
My first proper drive of the car resulted in some interesting mpg figures -
I dropped the car off at The Jag Specialist in Doncaster last weekend for a full service plus some new cam cover and spark plug seals, and a few other bits and bobs. Chris and co are a top bunch of lads, the car was checked over and came back with a good bill of health. I wasn't quite ready for the cost of Jaguar parts though, the service and repair work cost nearly as much as my last two cars combined! There is no such thing as a cheap performance car, my total overall cost is now pretty much the same as what I would have spent on a similar car on Autotrader etc but at least I know everything is sorted.
Now that the car is back I can spend the next few weeks giving it a good clean as it's not been washed since I purchased it. My immediate to do list is -
If anyone is interested in my car history, I have detailed it below but with spoiler tags so it doesn't take up all of this long rambling post.
My first few cars were older Rover 200/400 wedges, they cost very little and did the job they needed to. My first real nippy car was my BB1 Prelude purchased for a princly sum of £400 on ebay -
Sadly I had to sell this after a few months due to the lack of space in the back and the tiny boot. I ended up replacing it with this slightly chavved chariot, a Mitsubishi Galant VR4 -
At the time I loved the car but looking back at it the styling was a tad too over the top. It did attract attention which wasn't ideal but the sound of the V6 via the Fujitsubo exhaust was lovely. It was running at the stock boost level so whilst it was quick, it was never scary due to the decent 4wd system and upgraded brembo brakes.
I sold the VR4 just under a year later and went sensible for a while, first with a Rover 216 Coupe and then a leased MK6 Golf 1.4 Tsi which was pretty nice for what it was. I then decided to go back to being silly and bought another VR4 -
This one was quicker than the last one due to a few engine mods, but it turned out to be a rustbucket. I ended up selling it at a loss to a Hungarian chap who wanted the car for its parts. That's what I get for trusting the seller and not doing my homework.
After the sale I picked up another cheap (£360+6 months tax) Prelude -
I sold that after a while as I found a cheap Honda Legend which was a rather comfy barge -
The armchair like heated leather seats were ideal for winter, and whilst the 3.5 V6 sounded a tad interesting it was rather slow. I sold the car and replaced with the XJR.
I have always liked old Jags. A chap who used to live a few doors up for me owned an old XJS which I always used to admire when I walked past. My brother picked up an X350 XJ a few years back, after driving it I loved the combination of the V8 power and the lovely comfy interior. He recently replaced his XJ with an XF (his thread is here) - which meant I could finally look at buying an X308 without looking like I was copying him.
I was browsing the catalogue for a local car auction when I spotted the XJR. Details were scarce, the car had done just under 102k with a handful of previous owners and a stamped history book up until 79k. It had an MOT until September and no mention of tax. Given the history of the X308 and the potential pitfalls with Nikasil, tensioners etc I was a tad worried but I decided to take a gamble. A black XJR with ivory interior was always going to be worth a punt!
After collecting the car I discovered that it was taxed until the end of August, it had service history past 79k but no stamps. I called up the number of the garage who had a service sticker in the windscreen and they confirmed it had been serviced on the dates in the book but they had forgotten to stamp it. A quick call to the main dealer that supplied the car in 1998 and I had a list of the work carried out by them.
I had a garage check out the car and they accidently misdiagnosed a slight noise at idle as the upper tensioners. I ended up removing the cam covers to find that the upper and lower tensioners had already been replaced for the later metal bodied models. I need to thank JaguarSteve for the help and how he pointed out the obvious fact that I had metal tensioners after I posted a pic of them thinking they were the plastic ones
. In the end the noise turned out to be a belt idler.My first proper drive of the car resulted in some interesting mpg figures -
I dropped the car off at The Jag Specialist in Doncaster last weekend for a full service plus some new cam cover and spark plug seals, and a few other bits and bobs. Chris and co are a top bunch of lads, the car was checked over and came back with a good bill of health. I wasn't quite ready for the cost of Jaguar parts though, the service and repair work cost nearly as much as my last two cars combined! There is no such thing as a cheap performance car, my total overall cost is now pretty much the same as what I would have spent on a similar car on Autotrader etc but at least I know everything is sorted.
Now that the car is back I can spend the next few weeks giving it a good clean as it's not been washed since I purchased it. My immediate to do list is -
- A damn good clean
- Purchase and replace the drivers side wing as theres a small spot of rust. Aside from this the rest of the car is sound.
- Summer tyres (it's curently on winters which can be a handful in the wet)
- Purchase a front drivers side mat as it doesn't have one
- Sort out the sagging headliner, a common issue on the X308
Edited by giblet on Sunday 5th May 00:00
TVR Sagaris said:
Constantly tempted by these. The styling is spot on.
I expected the interior shot to include the remnants of several dirty takeaways, though. Disappointing.
I am a big fan of the styling, I can see what the designers tried to do with the X350 but for me the X308 is the classic XJ shape. The modern interior on the X350 was nice though, if only that could be retrofitted to this.I expected the interior shot to include the remnants of several dirty takeaways, though. Disappointing.
Sorry to disappoint with the lack of dirty takeaways, I will be cutting back on those now as this thing will be taking up all my cash! I'll happily give up a few kebabs in return for the noise of the V8 and the supercharger
Captain Cadillac said:
I own an X350 and have owned X300 and X308 XJRs, they're so much nicer to look at than the X350.... That's a beautiful car ya have there.
Noticed it has, unlike a lot I see in the UK, cruise control... If you're on a long trip use it, it really helps with the fuel consumption.
Thanks. Planning a drive to Belgium for the F1 in a few months so I'll probably end up using the cruise control for that trip.Noticed it has, unlike a lot I see in the UK, cruise control... If you're on a long trip use it, it really helps with the fuel consumption.
Hooli said:
Very nice 
I didn't know Doncaster had a Jag specialist either, I might have to visit them to get the welding on my XJ40 looked at.
Cheers. Jag Specialist has a pretty decent rep on a few of the forums including the JEC. http://www.thejagspecialist.com/I didn't know Doncaster had a Jag specialist either, I might have to visit them to get the welding on my XJ40 looked at.
Hooli said:
Jamirecluse said:
Stunning. 'Power-Beauty-Soul', as Aston would say.
Or Space, Pace and Grace 
Codswallop said:
Still one of the best interiors around 
My mates have all commented on how nice the interior is, this was after giving me some grief for owning a car like this at the age of 25. The grandad jokes stopped once they got in and after I showed them how it shifts At first I felt the interior wasn't as comfy as my Legend but after spending more time behind the wheel the seats hold you in and support you more and the wood is rather nice. I just need to retrofit heated seats for the winter and then it will be all set.
Massive fan of the XJ and yours looks well Giblet, uncle has just purchased a 2000 XKR so I'll soon be able to get my first proper experience of an older Jag.
judging by how much you post in the takeaway thread I assume the main use of this car will be driving to and from takeaways ?
judging by how much you post in the takeaway thread I assume the main use of this car will be driving to and from takeaways ?
thetapeworm said:
Very nice and you can be sure Chris will look after it with no BS.
I'll keep an eye out for you outside the takeaways
Cheers, do you know Chris personally or from your MR2 ownership? Iirc he owned a rather fettled MR2. More chance of seeing me in a blue K11 Micra outside the local takeaways!I'll keep an eye out for you outside the takeaways
Mr Roper said:
Nice one Gibers,
Always liked the supercharged Jags.
CheersAlways liked the supercharged Jags.
Hooli said:
You've got that at 25?
Going off this thread now, I was 35 when I got my first Jag
I have a fair few mates who have spent a good 3-4 times as much as I spent on this on your average small hatchbacks. I felt it made sense to just spend all my pennies on something older that is a bit more comfortable and quick. There is a chap on here who bought an XJ before he could even drive, now that's young!Going off this thread now, I was 35 when I got my first Jag
The Spruce goose said:
i would love one but 13mpg would kill me, 70 quid a week just to get to work.
is it a daily?
13mpg was a bit of a one off, the highest I have managed so far is 19.2mpg. That was half urban with a bit of WOT and half uber sensible 50-60mph run in the slow lane on the motorway. I have only done around 300 miles in it so far, but the average is about 17mpg which is sensible enough. It is more of an every other day car as I don't tend to do that many miles plus I have the use of a 1.0 K11 Micra. It makes for a nice contrast to the XJR.is it a daily?
Jw Vw said:
Very nice OP. As said, one of the nicest interiors around, even today.
Cheers. The new XJ interior is cracking, as is the one on my brothers XF. If only I could retrofit the heated and cooled seats!Remagel2507 said:
Massive fan of the XJ and yours looks well Giblet, uncle has just purchased a 2000 XKR so I'll soon be able to get my first proper experience of an older Jag.
judging by how much you post in the takeaway thread I assume the main use of this car will be driving to and from takeaways ?
I didn't realise I was that well known for my takeaway consumption judging by how much you post in the takeaway thread I assume the main use of this car will be driving to and from takeaways ?
This will be used in the odd takeaway trip ;p
The older XKR's have aged really well, a friend of mine owned one for a short while with the 20" paris alloys. It looked rather tasty.
giblet said:
thetapeworm said:
Very nice and you can be sure Chris will look after it with no BS.
I'll keep an eye out for you outside the takeaways
Cheers, do you know Chris personally or from your MR2 ownership? Iirc he owned a rather fettled MR2. More chance of seeing me in a blue K11 Micra outside the local takeaways!I'll keep an eye out for you outside the takeaways
As for the K11 - I can't believe you use an authentic takeaway delivery vehicle to collect them, that's dedication!
giblet said:
Hooli said:
You've got that at 25?
Going off this thread now, I was 35 when I got my first Jag
I have a fair few mates who have spent a good 3-4 times as much as I spent on this on your average small hatchbacks. I felt it made sense to just spend all my pennies on something older that is a bit more comfortable and quick. There is a chap on here who bought an XJ before he could even drive, now that's young!Going off this thread now, I was 35 when I got my first Jag
I bottled a Jag years ago worried about running costs, still regret it. As for spending lots on cars, I never have I prefer older tatty ones I can fix etc etc
I do need to 'accidently' upgrade my XJ40 to XJR one day...
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