Jaguar XJ Project
Discussion
Hi all!
I thought I would show my Jaguar project.
I bought the car in July 2013 aged 19 for the grand sum of £3500 @ 142,000miles.
This was the first car I bought and chose, previously I received my Mums redundant 2003 Polo as a first car, I wanted to buy the car that had the most gadgets, luxury and decent performance, but for as cheaply as possible. I looked into the flagship models from all the major brands. In the end I was set on a W220 S-Class or a X350 XJ. Insurance on the XJ 3.0 V6 & 3.5 V8 was very reasonable. I really wanted the V8, but was willing to compromise with the V6 (still double cylinders from the VW!). My neighbor has run these XJ for years and put on 30,000miles a year and by coincidence was replacing her 53 reg v6 with a XF. A deal was struck and the car became mine. The car had had work done at the local Jag dealership at great expense and I collected the car from there.
Some pictures as bought:
December 2013, new wheels ect:
Retrofitted some goodies:
Reverse camera on oem nav screen
Rear heated seats
Rear armrest controls
Aux in and USB charger
Compass
Pull-out blinds:
Full Super V8 interior with rear recline, memory, TV screens, etc (in progress)
Bringing it home:
Some random pics:
Smoked side-indicators
Maintenance/costs:
150,000 mile service @ The Jag Specialist- Doncaster.
I supplied oil filter and aux. belt. £195
Insurance @ 142,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2013
Insurance £1,450
Insurance @ 150,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2014
Insurance £725
Servicing/Repairs @ 148,063 miles. Wednesday 7th May 2014
Transmission Service including new oil and sump £409
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,500 miles. Thursday 27th March 2014
Re-paint drivers side, due to corrosion on driver's door and a small dent on rear arch £576
Minor Breakdown @ 146,500 miles. Monday 10th March 2014
Driver's door lock failed- one sourced from breaker. £50
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,000 miles. Friday 21st February 2014
New battery £87
Servicing/Repairs @ 145,000 miles. Thursday 23rd January 2014
New Redstuff pads and Mintex discs.
Labour- 105
Parts- 260 £365
Tyres @ 144,500 miles. Friday 6th December 2013
New tyres and wheel refurbishment. £868
Tax @ 143,500 miles. Monday 14th October 2013
MOT & Suspension bushes replaced yesterday at The Jag Specialist
MOT failed due to corroded brake pipe, replaced, then passed.
Total £730 inc. vat.
I thought I would show my Jaguar project.
I bought the car in July 2013 aged 19 for the grand sum of £3500 @ 142,000miles.
This was the first car I bought and chose, previously I received my Mums redundant 2003 Polo as a first car, I wanted to buy the car that had the most gadgets, luxury and decent performance, but for as cheaply as possible. I looked into the flagship models from all the major brands. In the end I was set on a W220 S-Class or a X350 XJ. Insurance on the XJ 3.0 V6 & 3.5 V8 was very reasonable. I really wanted the V8, but was willing to compromise with the V6 (still double cylinders from the VW!). My neighbor has run these XJ for years and put on 30,000miles a year and by coincidence was replacing her 53 reg v6 with a XF. A deal was struck and the car became mine. The car had had work done at the local Jag dealership at great expense and I collected the car from there.
Some pictures as bought:
December 2013, new wheels ect:
Retrofitted some goodies:
Reverse camera on oem nav screen
Rear heated seats
Rear armrest controls
Aux in and USB charger
Compass
Pull-out blinds:
Full Super V8 interior with rear recline, memory, TV screens, etc (in progress)
Bringing it home:
Some random pics:
Smoked side-indicators
Maintenance/costs:
150,000 mile service @ The Jag Specialist- Doncaster.
I supplied oil filter and aux. belt. £195
Insurance @ 142,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2013
Insurance £1,450
Insurance @ 150,000 miles. Tuesday 29th July 2014
Insurance £725
Servicing/Repairs @ 148,063 miles. Wednesday 7th May 2014
Transmission Service including new oil and sump £409
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,500 miles. Thursday 27th March 2014
Re-paint drivers side, due to corrosion on driver's door and a small dent on rear arch £576
Minor Breakdown @ 146,500 miles. Monday 10th March 2014
Driver's door lock failed- one sourced from breaker. £50
Servicing/Repairs @ 146,000 miles. Friday 21st February 2014
New battery £87
Servicing/Repairs @ 145,000 miles. Thursday 23rd January 2014
New Redstuff pads and Mintex discs.
Labour- 105
Parts- 260 £365
Tyres @ 144,500 miles. Friday 6th December 2013
New tyres and wheel refurbishment. £868
Tax @ 143,500 miles. Monday 14th October 2013
MOT & Suspension bushes replaced yesterday at The Jag Specialist
MOT failed due to corroded brake pipe, replaced, then passed.
Total £730 inc. vat.
Edited by alecescolme on Wednesday 8th October 20:32
Cheers guys!
Yes I agree about these jags needing bigger wheels and less rubber. The ride is not that much different to when it had 17s. I have rode in a x350 Super V8 with 21 Ardens and it did not feel uncomfortable.
The car has been reliable, just has needed lots of maintenance and love. The main thing to keep an eye on is the battery, as it is very sensitive to low voltage.
Geekman- Nice to hear from someone the same age (I am 20), jealous that you got yours when you were 18 though
. Love the LeMans theme! It is not that difficult to remove the interior, if you work carefully, nothing should break. The parts are quite tough!
Yes I agree about these jags needing bigger wheels and less rubber. The ride is not that much different to when it had 17s. I have rode in a x350 Super V8 with 21 Ardens and it did not feel uncomfortable.
The car has been reliable, just has needed lots of maintenance and love. The main thing to keep an eye on is the battery, as it is very sensitive to low voltage.
Geekman- Nice to hear from someone the same age (I am 20), jealous that you got yours when you were 18 though
. Love the LeMans theme! It is not that difficult to remove the interior, if you work carefully, nothing should break. The parts are quite tough!Well, she will be going up for sale in April to make way for a very special Supercharged Jag.
In the mean time I am continue to use it, now over 155k.
When the weather improves, the front bumper will come off for new parking sensors and touch in stone-chips.
Then, there will be a 'detail' with machine polish, wax, etc.
I also plan to change the brake fluid, never done it before.
In the mean time I am continue to use it, now over 155k.
When the weather improves, the front bumper will come off for new parking sensors and touch in stone-chips.
Then, there will be a 'detail' with machine polish, wax, etc.
I also plan to change the brake fluid, never done it before.
Geekman said:
I suspect you're talking about an X350 XJR, am I right? 
I'll almost certainly be doing the same thing in October, can't wait! I've been looking at other options, but nothing seems to come close for by budget.
Actually a Super V8 I'll almost certainly be doing the same thing in October, can't wait! I've been looking at other options, but nothing seems to come close for by budget. This one is one-of-a-kind and has lots of very rare bits. Like you, I can't wait- love the supercharger whine. Good look with the XJR, hope you enjoy it! A few updates from today.
Investigating why the air-con has never been effective, on of the pipes had a hole caused by the aux belt rubbing. Replacement pipe ordered, looks like the compressor will have to come out.
View from underneath, the pipe goes into the top of the compressor:
From above, with airbox removed (new filter installed at the same time):
New Bosch Aerotwin wipers installed, the old ones were well used! The Aero wipers also look much more modern and work well.
Fitted the Facelift boot lip spoiler, had it laying around, why not!
Also polished the exhaust tips:
Investigating why the air-con has never been effective, on of the pipes had a hole caused by the aux belt rubbing. Replacement pipe ordered, looks like the compressor will have to come out.
View from underneath, the pipe goes into the top of the compressor:
From above, with airbox removed (new filter installed at the same time):
New Bosch Aerotwin wipers installed, the old ones were well used! The Aero wipers also look much more modern and work well.
Fitted the Facelift boot lip spoiler, had it laying around, why not!
Also polished the exhaust tips:
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff