Jaguar X308 XJR
Discussion
Thanks Guys.
I am hopefully nearing the end of the overall work. Just the paintwork to go next, and then I will get the wheels refurbed. They are actually OK, but I want the car to look 100% when it is finished.
I think the XJR is a real performance bargain. They are so cheap at the moment.
Whilst they are almost at disposable prices, I think they are so majestic that it is worth saving them.
They don't have many built in ruinous "characteristic" either.
Buy one, get the tensioners done and the gearbox fluid changed, and it will last a good long time.
I am hopefully nearing the end of the overall work. Just the paintwork to go next, and then I will get the wheels refurbed. They are actually OK, but I want the car to look 100% when it is finished.
I think the XJR is a real performance bargain. They are so cheap at the moment.
Whilst they are almost at disposable prices, I think they are so majestic that it is worth saving them.
They don't have many built in ruinous "characteristic" either.
Buy one, get the tensioners done and the gearbox fluid changed, and it will last a good long time.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Dropped it off at the garage today for a service, MOT, and I'm getting the following front suspension bits changed, will hopefully freshen it up:
- Top and bottom front ball joints;
- Anti Roll Bar links;
- Anti Roll Bar Mount bushings;
- Upper and lower wishbone bushings;
- Lower shock bushings;
- Subframe bushes; and
- Vee mounts.
Was great driving it again this morning, they are great cars.
Will be interesting to see how you find the ride after all that work.- Top and bottom front ball joints;
- Anti Roll Bar links;
- Anti Roll Bar Mount bushings;
- Upper and lower wishbone bushings;
- Lower shock bushings;
- Subframe bushes; and
- Vee mounts.
Was great driving it again this morning, they are great cars.
Franky84 said:
Cracking looking car op. what's not to love about a supercharged armchair!
An aspiration of mine is to say to someone, when talking about my car, "yes, it is the supercharged one"
The best bit is the word supercharged on the rev counter, it just looks so right.An aspiration of mine is to say to someone, when talking about my car, "yes, it is the supercharged one"
So, just back after a 2 hour drive.
First impressions, the ride is a lot smoother and there are no vibrations when cruising or accelerating. Still a little bit under braking, but it needs to have the tracking and balancing done now.
The steering also feels a bit heavier at lower speeds too. Curious - maybe the new components are bedding in.
In short, it feels fantastic. What a car!
I'm getting the tracking and balancing done this week, and I'll report back then.
Later, I'll get the wheel geometry set up properly, and I'll report back after that.
So, the car is almost finished.
Next job is the paintwork, with new front wings. After that, I'll get the wheels refurbed so they are absolutely perfect, and that should be it
First impressions, the ride is a lot smoother and there are no vibrations when cruising or accelerating. Still a little bit under braking, but it needs to have the tracking and balancing done now.
The steering also feels a bit heavier at lower speeds too. Curious - maybe the new components are bedding in.
In short, it feels fantastic. What a car!
I'm getting the tracking and balancing done this week, and I'll report back then.
Later, I'll get the wheel geometry set up properly, and I'll report back after that.
So, the car is almost finished.
Next job is the paintwork, with new front wings. After that, I'll get the wheels refurbed so they are absolutely perfect, and that should be it
The car is fantastic after the front suspension rebuild, and I recommend it to anyone who has one of these cars.
It rides a lot better and the steering feels so much more accurate.
Next jobs on the list are:
- Change the brakes, maybe getting the bigger Brembo calipers. I measured the front discs and they are slightly warped, which is causing a slight vibration with high speed braking.
- New front wings and rear arches and a resprayed; and
- Finally, have the wheels refurbed. They are actually in good condition, but I want the car to be perfect when I'm finished. I'll keep the original Oyster colour of the wheels as it has really grown on me.
It rides a lot better and the steering feels so much more accurate.
Next jobs on the list are:
- Change the brakes, maybe getting the bigger Brembo calipers. I measured the front discs and they are slightly warped, which is causing a slight vibration with high speed braking.
- New front wings and rear arches and a resprayed; and
- Finally, have the wheels refurbed. They are actually in good condition, but I want the car to be perfect when I'm finished. I'll keep the original Oyster colour of the wheels as it has really grown on me.
JagXJR said:
I was going to suggest the brakes, cooked the pads on mine on an emergency dash to Luton Airport having to brake for all those stupid speed cameras on the M1. Changed the pads and the vibration on braking went away.
Cheers. I'm going to keep the standard brakes and get new Brembo discs, Yellow Stuff pads, Goodridge hoses and some Racing Blue brake fluid. Hopefully that will do the trick.
Cheers!
Have done some further research on brake discs and pads for the 305mm set up and it looks like Pagid discs and EBC Red Stuff pads are a good combination. I'm also going to get the fluid flushed and replaced with ATE Super Blue fluid. I'm not going to bother with the braided hoses as they don't seem to make a difference.
I'll report back in a couple of weeks when it is all changed.
Have done some further research on brake discs and pads for the 305mm set up and it looks like Pagid discs and EBC Red Stuff pads are a good combination. I'm also going to get the fluid flushed and replaced with ATE Super Blue fluid. I'm not going to bother with the braided hoses as they don't seem to make a difference.
I'll report back in a couple of weeks when it is all changed.
A great weekend of driving in the case, around 250 miles of mixed roads.
It really is superb now with the suspension and brake work. The ride is so smooth, and it is capable of high speed cruising without breaking a sweat.
I took it show the previous owner the work I had done, and he was very pleased which was great.
These are fantastic cars, a great blend of the timeless and best (IMHO) Jaguar saloon car shape, with cosseting ride and lovely interior, but with sledgehammer performance and the sound of a Spitfire. Highly recommended!
It really is superb now with the suspension and brake work. The ride is so smooth, and it is capable of high speed cruising without breaking a sweat.
I took it show the previous owner the work I had done, and he was very pleased which was great.
These are fantastic cars, a great blend of the timeless and best (IMHO) Jaguar saloon car shape, with cosseting ride and lovely interior, but with sledgehammer performance and the sound of a Spitfire. Highly recommended!
Ecurie Ecosse said:
A great weekend of driving in the case, around 250 miles of mixed roads.
It really is superb now with the suspension and brake work. The ride is so smooth, and it is capable of high speed cruising without breaking a sweat.
I took it show the previous owner the work I had done, and he was very pleased which was great.
These are fantastic cars, a great blend of the timeless and best (IMHO) Jaguar saloon car shape, with cosseting ride and lovely interior, but with sledgehammer performance and the sound of a Spitfire. Highly recommended!
Much as I agree with most of your points, and your car is stunning, but the best saloon jag is a Series 1. It really is superb now with the suspension and brake work. The ride is so smooth, and it is capable of high speed cruising without breaking a sweat.
I took it show the previous owner the work I had done, and he was very pleased which was great.
These are fantastic cars, a great blend of the timeless and best (IMHO) Jaguar saloon car shape, with cosseting ride and lovely interior, but with sledgehammer performance and the sound of a Spitfire. Highly recommended!
Had a great run in the car this morning, such a timeless experience.
I've also booked it into the body shop for new front wings and rear arches. These are starting to go, and I really want the car to look perfect.
I sourced the front wings from Jaguar Heritage. Expensive, but it's hard to find new wings.
http://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/uk/part/AXX1517
And the rear arch set from JustJags. A bit more reasonable:
http://www.justjagsuk.com/product_details/Rear-Whe...
The car is booked in for Feb, and I'll post some pics when I get it back.
I've also booked it into the body shop for new front wings and rear arches. These are starting to go, and I really want the car to look perfect.
I sourced the front wings from Jaguar Heritage. Expensive, but it's hard to find new wings.
http://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/uk/part/AXX1517
And the rear arch set from JustJags. A bit more reasonable:
http://www.justjagsuk.com/product_details/Rear-Whe...
The car is booked in for Feb, and I'll post some pics when I get it back.
Interesting read, I've been following the thread for some time.
Needing an auto, I succumbed to temptation and bought a '98 for not much £. This one has 53k miles on it, one former (retired) owner from new, a gent who fortunately spent plenty to keep things in order (eg £5.5k front suspension overhaul two years ago).
I couldn't find any mention of timing chain tensioners in the history, so I had new chains, tensioners and guides fitted, along with later spec water pump and thermostat, plus fresh antifreeze and an oil change. Fresh gearbox fluid will follow. So far I love it, the driver's seat bolster needs attention but that's not a worry. Wings and arches are all fine, it gets washed down and hosed under the arches after each run out at the moment.
As far as I know, the engine hasn't been breathed upon and for the foreseeable I don't see me making any changes on that front, it's quick enough
R
Needing an auto, I succumbed to temptation and bought a '98 for not much £. This one has 53k miles on it, one former (retired) owner from new, a gent who fortunately spent plenty to keep things in order (eg £5.5k front suspension overhaul two years ago).
I couldn't find any mention of timing chain tensioners in the history, so I had new chains, tensioners and guides fitted, along with later spec water pump and thermostat, plus fresh antifreeze and an oil change. Fresh gearbox fluid will follow. So far I love it, the driver's seat bolster needs attention but that's not a worry. Wings and arches are all fine, it gets washed down and hosed under the arches after each run out at the moment.
As far as I know, the engine hasn't been breathed upon and for the foreseeable I don't see me making any changes on that front, it's quick enough
R
occrj said:
I couldn't find any mention of timing chain tensioners in the history, so I had new chains, tensioners and guides fitted, along with later spec water pump and thermostat, plus fresh antifreeze and an oil change. Fresh gearbox fluid will follow.
R
Very wise. Bit painful when splashing out but when it's done is peace of mind.R
Wish I had never sold mine
JagXJR said:
Very wise. Bit painful when splashing out but when it's done is peace of mind.
Wish I had never sold mine
When they took it apart, it still had the original tensioners so it was definitely worth the cost. Plus there was a light noise from the front for a few seconds on start-up, so I didn't use it much after buying it until the work was done. I didn't fancy lunching a low-mileage engine.Wish I had never sold mine
RJ
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