A couple of beemers and an XJ needing TLC

[Shrimpvende]

First post after lurking for a while. I've always had BMW's and currently have a 330i as a main car and a Z4 for sunny days, both in matching Alpine white. I've had the 330 for around a year and fancied swapping to a bigger more practical/economical daily and something dafter for weekends. Whilst looking around at cheap estate barges for a daily I had a very unexpected surprise - my dad's currently swapping cars and said I could have his XJ instead of him trading it in. I'm not sure whether an XJ at 23 is cool or not but it's proper old man spec with ivory leather and walnut trim. On the plus side it's a Portfolio spec with all the toys which he's had from new and it's only done 65k. But...it needs lots of TLC, a fair bit of bodywork and I reckon there's something not right with the steering. If I'm lucky it'll be track rod ends, if not possibly steering rack. Unfortunately these things aren't cheap to run.

I've been driving it as a daily for the past couple of weeks and its a huge step up from the beemers...I do miss the noise and the instant power of the 330 though, it had a performance exhaust and a proper manual box.

330i at the Evo triangle this summer





Z4 out in the peak district

IMG_4579 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_4574 by s w, on Flickr

On to the jag. It's been fairly neglected most of it's life, treated to mechanical car washes and the local hand car wash place and driven into car parks it didn't really fit into. So lots of swirls, some deep gouges, a cracked headlight and the front bumper knocked out of profile. Spent the past couple of weekends giving it a full 2 stage machine polish and treated it to some decent wax so it's looking its best - unfortunately making the bodywork problems more obvious. The sills are also covered in road rash and have popped out of their fixings so now sit away from the body - apparently jacking damage.

IMG_5339 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_5284 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_5340 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_5329 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_5338 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_5333 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_5335 by s w, on Flickr

IMG_5331 by s w, on Flickr

I've had a quote to respray the front bumper and re align, repair/respray the sills and reattach properly, repair the rear quarter and refurb the alloys. Not cheap but I reckon it'll be worth it. I'm also looking into the best way to protect them in future - I think film will be the way to go.

bit of a 50/50 from the machine polishing

IMG_5293 by s w, on Flickr

50/50 on the leather. Gave it another go over after this to get them really clean

IMG_5281 by s w, on Flickr


Steering isn't at all serious so it will have to wait a couple of weeks until I can get it on a ramp. Don't fancy jacking this thing up on trolley jacks on the driveway.

Weekend car will follow once I've managed to get rid of the beemer, currently trying to decide what to get. I've been thinking v8v, 911 C2S etc

[BlueHave]

Really liking the colour of the XJ.

It's just staggering how much they depreciate over just a few years going by the few I've seen private and in dealers. Options lists as long as your arm and about £75k new.

Now selling for about £15k - £20k after five years and 60k miles.

[DaveH23]

When you said old man spec I was expecting an old XJ not this model.

What engine does it have? That's quite a gift, very nice indeed.

[Shrimpvende]

3l diesel - sort of fits the practical requirement. 34mpg on my short commute/town driving but around 45mpg on my weekly round trip back up north so better than the outgoing 330i. Also the first car I've ever owned with 4 doors - it's nice not to have to get out and fold seats to take passengers anywhere.

It's amazing how much better the ride is and how much I prefer the auto for day to day driving and traffic, so far seems to be the perfect daily