Discussion
At the ripe old age of 47, I have decided to succumb to the world of Jaguar and a nice wafter
With a budget of 5k I can get in to either a 3.0 V6 X350 or a nice 3.2 V8 X308 model - can anyone point me in the direction of some guidance / advice and experience of them as I'm undecided as to what to plump for
With a budget of 5k I can get in to either a 3.0 V6 X350 or a nice 3.2 V8 X308 model - can anyone point me in the direction of some guidance / advice and experience of them as I'm undecided as to what to plump for
With a budget of £5K, you could probably get a 4.0l Supercharged X308.... I managed a lovely if rather leggy and slightly down at heel X308 3.2l V8 for £800! Took Le Mans and back in its stride with no issues at all this June.
There's a fantastic guide written in GG (I think I searched for Jaguar XJ6) which outlines the common pitfalls of both 6 and 8 cylinder models which helped me no end. From memory with the X308, check for Nikasil engine problems/replacments; 'Sealed for life' autoboxes not performing as they should, water pump impellers degrading and rust on the arches.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Tom
There's a fantastic guide written in GG (I think I searched for Jaguar XJ6) which outlines the common pitfalls of both 6 and 8 cylinder models which helped me no end. From memory with the X308, check for Nikasil engine problems/replacments; 'Sealed for life' autoboxes not performing as they should, water pump impellers degrading and rust on the arches.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Tom
Andy665 said:
At the ripe old age of 47, I have decided to succumb to the world of Jaguar and a nice wafter
With a budget of 5k I can get in to either a 3.0 V6 X350 or a nice 3.2 V8 X308 model - can anyone point me in the direction of some guidance / advice and experience of them as I'm undecided as to what to plump for
They're quite different cars in many respects. Your budget should get you a stunningly presented X308, a good X350 or perhaps even a decent X308 XJR. With a budget of 5k I can get in to either a 3.0 V6 X350 or a nice 3.2 V8 X308 model - can anyone point me in the direction of some guidance / advice and experience of them as I'm undecided as to what to plump for
If you go for an X308 XJ8, the 4.0 is the one to go for. It has more power, feels more effortless and has a slightly better fuel economy too. I recently bought an 'X' reg XJ8 and I love it. Fantastic cars.
I ran an X350 XJ6 for a year. Loved it.
Here was a readers cars thread I did - feel free to ask any questions:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Here was a readers cars thread I did - feel free to ask any questions:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Having had extensive experience of both here is my 2p.
As previously mentioned, the choice will come down to a high-spec late model X308 versus a decent spec X350.
On the X308 front, for 5K I would be expecting something like a Daimler Super V8 with full specialist service history and loads of invoices.
The X308 is needier than the X350. Things go wrong. Suspension wears out, electrics are far from perfect, corrosion is a reality (there are known weak spots). It can be expensive unless you DIY. The X350 is much more sorted. There are known X350 issues (e.g. corrosion at the base of the C-pillar) but they are few and far between. The X350 is much easier to live with.
The X308 is lower and there is less interior space. The driving position reminds me of an Italian sports car. Make sure you can enter and exit easily, and make sure that you and your passengers will be comfortable on a long trip. The X350 is better in this regard. The driving position is more like an S-class or 7-series.
X350 performance is better than X308 performance. The engines are more powerful and the gearbox is 6-speed rather than 5-speed. Also, the X350 is all-aluminium, and very light (it weighs about the same as a Mondeo of similar vintage). The X308 is steel construction, and quite a bit heavier.
The boot on the X308 is quite small. The X350 boot is bigger.
I prefer the ride of the X350. The X350 has adaptive air suspension all around, the X308 does not (higher spec versions have a simpler adaptive suspension system).
It is hard to find a good X308, there are an awful lot of knackered ones about and it is not always easy to tell the good from the bad. With the X350 you have a much higher chance of getting a good one.
On the other hand, the X308 is approaching classic status, and has a certain old-school charm that the X350 doesn't. I had a Daimler V8 LWB in dark green with separate rear seats. Formerly the company car for the chairman of Whitbread Breweries. I took it from 150k to 200k miles and spent a small fortune along the way. But it turned heads everywhere. People would literally stop me in the street in order to say what a nice car it was.
I once went to the seaside and parked next to a coach party of pensioners, all the men cooed over it and took turns sitting in it
Also, some of the interior trim on the X350 feels a little cheap compared to the X308, and the cockpit design is IMHO not as elegant, with clear signs of component re-use with models lower down the food chain.
The X350 is closer to the German competition. The X308 is in a class of one. It's a Bristol for people who can't afford a Bristol, or who got kicked out of the showroom.
For every Jaguar model ever made there is someone who thinks that model was the last true Jaguar, but I think there is a good case for the X308 being that car.
As previously mentioned, the choice will come down to a high-spec late model X308 versus a decent spec X350.
On the X308 front, for 5K I would be expecting something like a Daimler Super V8 with full specialist service history and loads of invoices.
The X308 is needier than the X350. Things go wrong. Suspension wears out, electrics are far from perfect, corrosion is a reality (there are known weak spots). It can be expensive unless you DIY. The X350 is much more sorted. There are known X350 issues (e.g. corrosion at the base of the C-pillar) but they are few and far between. The X350 is much easier to live with.
The X308 is lower and there is less interior space. The driving position reminds me of an Italian sports car. Make sure you can enter and exit easily, and make sure that you and your passengers will be comfortable on a long trip. The X350 is better in this regard. The driving position is more like an S-class or 7-series.
X350 performance is better than X308 performance. The engines are more powerful and the gearbox is 6-speed rather than 5-speed. Also, the X350 is all-aluminium, and very light (it weighs about the same as a Mondeo of similar vintage). The X308 is steel construction, and quite a bit heavier.
The boot on the X308 is quite small. The X350 boot is bigger.
I prefer the ride of the X350. The X350 has adaptive air suspension all around, the X308 does not (higher spec versions have a simpler adaptive suspension system).
It is hard to find a good X308, there are an awful lot of knackered ones about and it is not always easy to tell the good from the bad. With the X350 you have a much higher chance of getting a good one.
On the other hand, the X308 is approaching classic status, and has a certain old-school charm that the X350 doesn't. I had a Daimler V8 LWB in dark green with separate rear seats. Formerly the company car for the chairman of Whitbread Breweries. I took it from 150k to 200k miles and spent a small fortune along the way. But it turned heads everywhere. People would literally stop me in the street in order to say what a nice car it was.
I once went to the seaside and parked next to a coach party of pensioners, all the men cooed over it and took turns sitting in it
Also, some of the interior trim on the X350 feels a little cheap compared to the X308, and the cockpit design is IMHO not as elegant, with clear signs of component re-use with models lower down the food chain.
The X350 is closer to the German competition. The X308 is in a class of one. It's a Bristol for people who can't afford a Bristol, or who got kicked out of the showroom.
For every Jaguar model ever made there is someone who thinks that model was the last true Jaguar, but I think there is a good case for the X308 being that car.
darkyoung1000 said:
I managed a lovely if rather leggy and slightly down at heel X308 3.2l V8 for £800! Took Le Mans and back in its stride with no issues at all this June.
I did exactly the same. Picked up my Le Mans shed-barge X308 3.2 for a bag, did 5k in to then sold it on eBay (post moderately horrific MOT report which revealed it to be mostly made of rust underneath) for a few hundred less.Should be able to get a mint '308 for £2k though. I prefer the character of them however having driven my friend's X350 a few times, the later car feels much more up to date, not to mention far more spacious inside. If I did it again though, I'd go for the 4.0 or 'R' - the X308 3.2 V8 was no quicker than my friend's X350 XJ6, and slightly thirstier too.
I bought my X350 Super V8 for under £5K; it doesn't carry quite the same premium of an XJR as not as many people have heard of them.
If you are after a motorway cruiser then the V6 and 3.2 are adequate. Neither is particularly fast though and both feel slightly under-powered. If I had another 308 I would definitely want a 4.0 or an XJR. If I was spending £5K on a non XJR 308 I would expect it to be an immaculate late model year example with very low mileage.
If you are after a motorway cruiser then the V6 and 3.2 are adequate. Neither is particularly fast though and both feel slightly under-powered. If I had another 308 I would definitely want a 4.0 or an XJR. If I was spending £5K on a non XJR 308 I would expect it to be an immaculate late model year example with very low mileage.
For £5k I'd be looking at a very nice 4.0 V8 X308, with change left over for the running fund.
Unless you particularly want an XJR, you'll get an extra 10mpg minimum by going for the NA 4.0 instead. If you're doing much mileage, that'll make a useful difference.
As others have said, the 3.2 offers no real benefit over the 4.0, and as they're all old cars now they'll all need a bit of fettling from time to time. But a good choice nonetheless.
Unless you particularly want an XJR, you'll get an extra 10mpg minimum by going for the NA 4.0 instead. If you're doing much mileage, that'll make a useful difference.
As others have said, the 3.2 offers no real benefit over the 4.0, and as they're all old cars now they'll all need a bit of fettling from time to time. But a good choice nonetheless.
AmitG said:
Having had extensive experience of both here is my 2p.
As previously mentioned, the choice will come down to a high-spec late model X308 versus a decent spec X350.
On the X308 front, for 5K I would be expecting something like a Daimler Super V8 with full specialist service history and loads of invoices.
The X308 is needier than the X350. Things go wrong. Suspension wears out, electrics are far from perfect, corrosion is a reality (there are known weak spots). It can be expensive unless you DIY. The X350 is much more sorted. There are known X350 issues (e.g. corrosion at the base of the C-pillar) but they are few and far between. The X350 is much easier to live with.
The X308 is lower and there is less interior space. The driving position reminds me of an Italian sports car. Make sure you can enter and exit easily, and make sure that you and your passengers will be comfortable on a long trip. The X350 is better in this regard. The driving position is more like an S-class or 7-series.
X350 performance is better than X308 performance. The engines are more powerful and the gearbox is 6-speed rather than 5-speed. Also, the X350 is all-aluminium, and very light (it weighs about the same as a Mondeo of similar vintage). The X308 is steel construction, and quite a bit heavier.
The boot on the X308 is quite small. The X350 boot is bigger.
I prefer the ride of the X350. The X350 has adaptive air suspension all around, the X308 does not (higher spec versions have a simpler adaptive suspension system).
It is hard to find a good X308, there are an awful lot of knackered ones about and it is not always easy to tell the good from the bad. With the X350 you have a much higher chance of getting a good one.
On the other hand, the X308 is approaching classic status, and has a certain old-school charm that the X350 doesn't. I had a Daimler V8 LWB in dark green with separate rear seats. Formerly the company car for the chairman of Whitbread Breweries. I took it from 150k to 200k miles and spent a small fortune along the way. But it turned heads everywhere. People would literally stop me in the street in order to say what a nice car it was.
I once went to the seaside and parked next to a coach party of pensioners, all the men cooed over it and took turns sitting in it
Also, some of the interior trim on the X350 feels a little cheap compared to the X308, and the cockpit design is IMHO not as elegant, with clear signs of component re-use with models lower down the food chain.
The X350 is closer to the German competition. The X308 is in a class of one. It's a Bristol for people who can't afford a Bristol, or who got kicked out of the showroom.
For every Jaguar model ever made there is someone who thinks that model was the last true Jaguar, but I think there is a good case for the X308 being that car.
Interesting post, but I'd say the opposite on some of your points. I'd say that a X350 is more likely to throw up big bills than a X308. I've seen a couple of X350s be 'written off' due to air suspension faults because tracking down the exact problem can sometimes bit a right nightmare. As previously mentioned, the choice will come down to a high-spec late model X308 versus a decent spec X350.
On the X308 front, for 5K I would be expecting something like a Daimler Super V8 with full specialist service history and loads of invoices.
The X308 is needier than the X350. Things go wrong. Suspension wears out, electrics are far from perfect, corrosion is a reality (there are known weak spots). It can be expensive unless you DIY. The X350 is much more sorted. There are known X350 issues (e.g. corrosion at the base of the C-pillar) but they are few and far between. The X350 is much easier to live with.
The X308 is lower and there is less interior space. The driving position reminds me of an Italian sports car. Make sure you can enter and exit easily, and make sure that you and your passengers will be comfortable on a long trip. The X350 is better in this regard. The driving position is more like an S-class or 7-series.
X350 performance is better than X308 performance. The engines are more powerful and the gearbox is 6-speed rather than 5-speed. Also, the X350 is all-aluminium, and very light (it weighs about the same as a Mondeo of similar vintage). The X308 is steel construction, and quite a bit heavier.
The boot on the X308 is quite small. The X350 boot is bigger.
I prefer the ride of the X350. The X350 has adaptive air suspension all around, the X308 does not (higher spec versions have a simpler adaptive suspension system).
It is hard to find a good X308, there are an awful lot of knackered ones about and it is not always easy to tell the good from the bad. With the X350 you have a much higher chance of getting a good one.
On the other hand, the X308 is approaching classic status, and has a certain old-school charm that the X350 doesn't. I had a Daimler V8 LWB in dark green with separate rear seats. Formerly the company car for the chairman of Whitbread Breweries. I took it from 150k to 200k miles and spent a small fortune along the way. But it turned heads everywhere. People would literally stop me in the street in order to say what a nice car it was.
I once went to the seaside and parked next to a coach party of pensioners, all the men cooed over it and took turns sitting in it
Also, some of the interior trim on the X350 feels a little cheap compared to the X308, and the cockpit design is IMHO not as elegant, with clear signs of component re-use with models lower down the food chain.
The X350 is closer to the German competition. The X308 is in a class of one. It's a Bristol for people who can't afford a Bristol, or who got kicked out of the showroom.
For every Jaguar model ever made there is someone who thinks that model was the last true Jaguar, but I think there is a good case for the X308 being that car.
I think the interior is nicer on the X350 too. Much more modern with much more toys and gadgets. I always thought that the spec sheet for even a 'high spec' X308 to be a bit glum.
Oh, and even being Ali bodied a X350 is nowhere near as light as a Mondeo!
The X308 is definitely more "Jag" than the X350, and with a £1-£2k budget I'd probably go for one of those, but £5k is just too much to pay IMO.
I also think the X350 is just a better car in general. The V6 doesn't feel underpowered at all to me - if I was being very critical I'd say it could have a bit more mid range power, but it's still quicker than most things on the road, especially as the acceleration at 60-100 is very good, which makes it nice to drive on the motorway. It's also the most reliable engine you can get in the X350, and certainly more reliable than anything in the X308 lineup. Driven sensibly, you can easily get over 30MPG on a run - I managed 32 over 900 miles with a fully loaded car sitting at 80-85. The cabin is a lot more spacious and up to date, and I've never noticed it feeling any lower quality than the X308 - it's certainly better than an E60 5 series for example.
With regards to running costs, although the X350 aluminium does corrode, it's almost always cosmetic, and not half as severe as the X308. Although of course on the X350, you've got air suspension and more complex electrics which brings the associated bills, so I don't think you can say for sure that one will cost less to run than the other.
I also think the X350 is just a better car in general. The V6 doesn't feel underpowered at all to me - if I was being very critical I'd say it could have a bit more mid range power, but it's still quicker than most things on the road, especially as the acceleration at 60-100 is very good, which makes it nice to drive on the motorway. It's also the most reliable engine you can get in the X350, and certainly more reliable than anything in the X308 lineup. Driven sensibly, you can easily get over 30MPG on a run - I managed 32 over 900 miles with a fully loaded car sitting at 80-85. The cabin is a lot more spacious and up to date, and I've never noticed it feeling any lower quality than the X308 - it's certainly better than an E60 5 series for example.
With regards to running costs, although the X350 aluminium does corrode, it's almost always cosmetic, and not half as severe as the X308. Although of course on the X350, you've got air suspension and more complex electrics which brings the associated bills, so I don't think you can say for sure that one will cost less to run than the other.
279 said:
Interesting post, but I'd say the opposite on some of your points. I'd say that a X350 is more likely to throw up big bills than a X308. I've seen a couple of X350s be 'written off' due to air suspension faults because tracking down the exact problem can sometimes bit a right nightmare.
I think the interior is nicer on the X350 too. Much more modern with much more toys and gadgets. I always thought that the spec sheet for even a 'high spec' X308 to be a bit glum.
Oh, and even being Ali bodied a X350 is nowhere near as light as a Mondeo!
Air suspension on the X350 seems quite reliable though. I am comparing this to the Range Rover P38 and L332. I used to carry round the diagnostic cable and an old laptop in the boot when I had my P38 because it was so unreliable.I think the interior is nicer on the X350 too. Much more modern with much more toys and gadgets. I always thought that the spec sheet for even a 'high spec' X308 to be a bit glum.
Oh, and even being Ali bodied a X350 is nowhere near as light as a Mondeo!
279 said:
Interesting post, but I'd say the opposite on some of your points. I'd say that a X350 is more likely to throw up big bills than a X308. I've seen a couple of X350s be 'written off' due to air suspension faults because tracking down the exact problem can sometimes bit a right nightmare.
Fair point. No doubt an X350 can throw up big bills but I reckon that over time, the occasional big bill on an X350 will be less than the sum of a steady stream of small (and occasionally big) stuff that you might get on an X308. Remember even the youngest X308 will be 12 years old now. A lot will depend on the condition.279 said:
I think the interior is nicer on the X350 too. Much more modern with much more toys and gadgets. I always thought that the spec sheet for even a 'high spec' X308 to be a bit glum.
On spec sheet the X350 wins hands down, agreed. But I always felt the wood, leather and even plastics to be a bit nicer in the X308.279 said:
Oh, and even being Ali bodied a X350 is nowhere near as light as a Mondeo!
You are probably right. I have an XJ brochure which gives the kerb weight for the V6 SWB version as 1508kg which is not far from the Mondeo, hence the comment. However wikipedia gives 1700kg so perhaps there is a misprint, or a variation in the definition of kerb weight.At the end of the day both are fabulous cars, and this thread has got me browsing the classifieds again
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff