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.
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?
All is not well in XJ8 land. Booked it into Kwik Fit for a cheap and cheerful MOT, on the basis that I was pretty sure it would pass.
It didn't.
Failed on emissions. And, being Kwik Fit, they can't actually deal with it, so I've now got to get it sorted within ten days for a re-test.
I'm wondering if this is connected with the fact that the revs are higher than I recall, from a cold start?
Any experience/advice gratefully received.
It didn't.
Failed on emissions. And, being Kwik Fit, they can't actually deal with it, so I've now got to get it sorted within ten days for a re-test.
I'm wondering if this is connected with the fact that the revs are higher than I recall, from a cold start?
Any experience/advice gratefully received.
Thanks again for all the advice. After some fiddling about and re-checking to see if a blast might give a better reading, to no avail, I ended up taking it in to my preferred Indy, who replaced the 'bank 2 upstream Lambda' - which I think is the same ultimate diagnosis as given above.
They fitted this and put it through another full MOT test, which it passed. Just as well really.
I've just collected the car and the engine was already warm, so difficult to tell if this will improve the fast idle from cold starts, but that's less of an issue anyway.
Have to say that the Surrey Jag Centre did me proud again. And they always have some interesting classics up on the ramps to have a nose around, whenever I visit.
They fitted this and put it through another full MOT test, which it passed. Just as well really.
I've just collected the car and the engine was already warm, so difficult to tell if this will improve the fast idle from cold starts, but that's less of an issue anyway.
Have to say that the Surrey Jag Centre did me proud again. And they always have some interesting classics up on the ramps to have a nose around, whenever I visit.
After getting the hassle of the MOT out the way, I decided to treat the car to a wash and clay bar. The whole car was filthy after a trip to the Brecons and, well, probably 600 miles of motoring without seeing any soap...
This was the first time I used a clay bar, and have to say I must have done something wrong. It didn't seem to lift much dirt at all, left clay streaks all over the car, and the clay itself turned to a damp-but-still-crumbly texture.
Although the car looks better overall, and the bodywork feels better, I suspect that's more to do with the wax than the clay.
Any tips or advice?
This was the first time I used a clay bar, and have to say I must have done something wrong. It didn't seem to lift much dirt at all, left clay streaks all over the car, and the clay itself turned to a damp-but-still-crumbly texture.
Although the car looks better overall, and the bodywork feels better, I suspect that's more to do with the wax than the clay.
Any tips or advice?
So, we're taking the XJ on a tour of Scotland this week, starting from Surrey, up to Edinburgh, then Aviemore (staying in a converted 1953 Bedford truck: http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/scotland/h... then on to Glasgow via Fort William and home via the Yorkshire Dales. 1200 miles in total, which is about a third of the car's annual mileage, in a week!
The first leg to Edinburgh yesterday, was brilliant. Given I expect some hoonage on other legs, I took it very steady yesterday and the dashboard is telling me the car averaged 34.7mpg. Not bad for a 3.2 V8.
Looking forward to those highland roads!
The first leg to Edinburgh yesterday, was brilliant. Given I expect some hoonage on other legs, I took it very steady yesterday and the dashboard is telling me the car averaged 34.7mpg. Not bad for a 3.2 V8.
Looking forward to those highland roads!
Put almost 1300 miles on the XJ8 last week in a trip to Scotland and back. I was in no rush on the way up to Edinburgh, so a 60mph cruise all the way up the A1 saw 35mpg (according to the OBC), and a very relaxed driver at the end of it.
I'm still very impressed at this car's ability to soak up the miles - almost 400 of them, and no back ache or tiredness at the end of it.
From Edinburgh there was some serious hoonage across Scotland to Fort William, Glen Coe and down to Glasgow. MPG plummeted but smiles broadened!
And the driving got even better across Northumberland and Yorkshire on the way home. The roads were fantastic: empty, twisty, challenging and great views for hours on end.
Back to normality and, other then being filthy inside and out, the car is all the better for the journey. No oil or water used and 29mpg overall.
Gratuitous shot on a tiny B road, just off the A82 in Glen Coe:
I'm still very impressed at this car's ability to soak up the miles - almost 400 of them, and no back ache or tiredness at the end of it.
From Edinburgh there was some serious hoonage across Scotland to Fort William, Glen Coe and down to Glasgow. MPG plummeted but smiles broadened!
And the driving got even better across Northumberland and Yorkshire on the way home. The roads were fantastic: empty, twisty, challenging and great views for hours on end.
Back to normality and, other then being filthy inside and out, the car is all the better for the journey. No oil or water used and 29mpg overall.
Gratuitous shot on a tiny B road, just off the A82 in Glen Coe:
The XJ deserves an update, if only because it has been piling on the miles (relative to a normal years' motoring for me - which is less then 5k for me), with regular trips Surrey-Oxford-Surrey and locally. It's survived the storms, but is in desperate need of a clean inside and out.
That'll have to wait a bit longer, until the weather improves. In the meantime I've treated it to 0.5 litre of oil, as the oil light was taking longer to go out than I recall i.e. not instantly but in a few seconds. The dipstick was reading half, so I figured a glug or two couldn't do any harm.
There's a been a strange smell of warm rubber every time I've got out after a journey. And that's not me ragging it
Nothing alarming, but I've smelt it once too often for it to be a coincidence of another car.
It's annual service is due in March and we won't be doing many miles before then, so I can ask my favourite indy to investigate then.
Ensconced in there on a wet day makes me remember why I like it so much - warm, powerful and very comfortable.
That'll have to wait a bit longer, until the weather improves. In the meantime I've treated it to 0.5 litre of oil, as the oil light was taking longer to go out than I recall i.e. not instantly but in a few seconds. The dipstick was reading half, so I figured a glug or two couldn't do any harm.
There's a been a strange smell of warm rubber every time I've got out after a journey. And that's not me ragging it
Nothing alarming, but I've smelt it once too often for it to be a coincidence of another car.It's annual service is due in March and we won't be doing many miles before then, so I can ask my favourite indy to investigate then.
Ensconced in there on a wet day makes me remember why I like it so much - warm, powerful and very comfortable.
Ephraim said:
I'm new to XJ8 ownership, but love mine already. It feels slow to me, but also comfy, refined and classy. I had it inspected at the same time as a full service at my local indy, and he reckons it's in excellent nick. Very pleased indeed. New tyres tomorrow.
Which tyres are you going for? There's another thread elsewhere, where an XJ8 owner was asking for recommendations.Ever get that feeling when approaching service time that the car feels tired and more rattle than usual? I do. Made a call to Surrey Jag Centre last week and booked it in for its 120k/12 year service next week.
Don't think it will be a moment too soon. Warm starts are proving reluctant and it cut out completely the other day after a cold start.
Plus the rear parking sensors and a persistent squeak from the front of the engine need looking at.
Actually looking forward to getting it into the garage and hopefully having that content feeling back again afterwards!
Don't think it will be a moment too soon. Warm starts are proving reluctant and it cut out completely the other day after a cold start.
Plus the rear parking sensors and a persistent squeak from the front of the engine need looking at.
Actually looking forward to getting it into the garage and hopefully having that content feeling back again afterwards!
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