Jaguar X308 XJR

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Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Saturday 6th July 2013
quotequote all
Great run up the coast today, a marvellous drive and a great machine. First time I have driven it for 4 weeks.

It's going in for the suspension refresh at the end of the month and I'll report back.

I'll check the bulbs in the tool kit tonight smile


Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Saturday 20th July 2013
quotequote all
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.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Saturday 20th July 2013
quotequote all
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.



Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Friday 26th July 2013
quotequote all
Well, the garage called saying the car is ready.

That's all the suspension work done (which was a very large job) and a service and MOT.

Picking it up tomorrow then going for a long drive. I'm excited!

I'll report back.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
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 smile


Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 11th August 2013
quotequote all
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.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 25th August 2013
quotequote all
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.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 1st September 2013
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Had a great run out to St Andrews this morning. The car is really spot on now after the suspension refresh and I love it even more.



It's natural habitat? smile. I didn't go in, I hate golf.


Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
quotequote all
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.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Saturday 21st September 2013
quotequote all
That's the vibration under braking sorted.

Went for Pagid discs and pads and ATE Super Blue brake fluid. The brakes are really impressive now, lots of feel and stopping power.

The car feels really complete now, I love it even more.

My work is almost done, just a bit of paintwork to go.


Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
quotequote all
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!

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Friday 27th December 2013
quotequote all
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.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 29th December 2013
quotequote all
occrj said:
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 smile




R
That's a very nice car indeed, and great provenance too.


Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 26th January 2014
quotequote all
Car going in shortly for the new wings etc, so I'm going to get some more preventative work done before it goes in.

- Change the supercharger fluid (from Powerhouse);

- Change the diff oil (Redline 75W90 LSD version - although the car doesn't have an LSD it is meant to be better);

- Various bushes at the rear as the rear anti roll bar needs to come off to do the diff.

Hopefully this will mean the car will keep going for a bit longer smile

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 26th January 2014
quotequote all
slippery said:
Never knew the supercharger wasn't maintenance free. Every day's a school day. Keep up the good work. smile
Cheers. I didn't either, but it's only about £25 for the oil and it seems quite straightforward (famous last words!)

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Car in at the garage now getting the supercharger and diff fluids changed.

Next week I am getting the wheels refurbished. Not cheap as they need to be split apart, but it will be worth it I think. Going to keep them in the original Oyster colour.

Then the week after that it is going in for the paintwork - new front wings and rear arches and a respray.

Really looking forward to the end result.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Thursday 6th February 2014
quotequote all
Cheers. Supercharger and diff fluids changed for £110 at a local specialist. £75 for the fluids which I supplied. Good value for peace of mind.

Had a good chat with the wheel refurbished today and will get those done next week.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 16th March 2014
quotequote all
Sadly the XJR is now sold, back to the person who sold it to me. It's gone to a very good home.

I will miss it massively.

Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Sunday 16th March 2014
quotequote all
Cheers.

The car is fantastic. The only reason was I wasn't really using it - maybe once every 3 weeks, and I am due to become a father again (fingers crossed) in May, so I would be using it even less.


Ecurie Ecosse

Original Poster:

4,812 posts

220 months

Monday 17th March 2014
quotequote all
Many thanks Guys. Yes, I am excited about the new arrival (fingers crossed).

I will need to update my garage, I sold the Sovereign a while ago. That was a lovely car.

I'm down to the Volvo now which is in for its MOT today. I hope it passes!