0a's 1999 Jaguar XJ X308 3.2
Discussion
Already having 3 cars, and working from home, it did seem entirely logical to purchase this XJ X308 3.2 when it was posted on the Barge Thread.
It was up for sale with a Jaguar specialist, and chatting with the chap selling inspired confidence. He has known the car for more than a decade. In the last couple of years, it has had extensive welding (these cars do rust underneath) and a new gearbox. The specialist really came across as enthusiastic about the car, stating that there were no clonks or noises from the suspension - since confirmed.
It's not the best specification - only the 3.2 engine, and it has manual seats! But I'm quite okay with that. These cars are for smooth wafting. Old school luxury. And those big fat tyre walls provide superb ride quality.
So a deal was done. And I collected the car.
I liked the seller, and this confidence proved well founded. The day before I collected it, he took it out for a run and wasn't quite happy with the way it drove, so he did a full alignment on it. This on a car well south of half of the barge thread budget. This chap genuinely likes selling good cars.
It's lovely, and doesn't feel like it has done it's 117k. The ride is superb. The interior unmarked. Having driven it a bit, I think the front right brake is catching a bit - the wheel is hotter.
And it's not fast at all. I had a 4.0 and this feels materially slower. But actually, that's fine. No need to rush things.
The MPG is, as with my previous XJ, catastrophic. The trip computer read 65 miles and 14.9 mpg when I picked it up. Adding 90 miles edged this up to 16.9 mpg. Terrible compared to my Lexus LS.
Anyway, I will get the brake looked at and go from there. I travelled the 300+ miles up north in my W124 last week as it has all season tyres on it, so it will be a while before I get back south to drive the XJ.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Pc7Mg7tz.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/Pc7Mg7tz" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/Pc7Mg7tz.jpg)
It was up for sale with a Jaguar specialist, and chatting with the chap selling inspired confidence. He has known the car for more than a decade. In the last couple of years, it has had extensive welding (these cars do rust underneath) and a new gearbox. The specialist really came across as enthusiastic about the car, stating that there were no clonks or noises from the suspension - since confirmed.
It's not the best specification - only the 3.2 engine, and it has manual seats! But I'm quite okay with that. These cars are for smooth wafting. Old school luxury. And those big fat tyre walls provide superb ride quality.
So a deal was done. And I collected the car.
I liked the seller, and this confidence proved well founded. The day before I collected it, he took it out for a run and wasn't quite happy with the way it drove, so he did a full alignment on it. This on a car well south of half of the barge thread budget. This chap genuinely likes selling good cars.
It's lovely, and doesn't feel like it has done it's 117k. The ride is superb. The interior unmarked. Having driven it a bit, I think the front right brake is catching a bit - the wheel is hotter.
And it's not fast at all. I had a 4.0 and this feels materially slower. But actually, that's fine. No need to rush things.
The MPG is, as with my previous XJ, catastrophic. The trip computer read 65 miles and 14.9 mpg when I picked it up. Adding 90 miles edged this up to 16.9 mpg. Terrible compared to my Lexus LS.
Anyway, I will get the brake looked at and go from there. I travelled the 300+ miles up north in my W124 last week as it has all season tyres on it, so it will be a while before I get back south to drive the XJ.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Great car, nice colours.
Loving the disguised number plate, followed by the obvious one.
I aubergine the plate on other channels. I cannot be bothered here, but could not find the original pictures. As I posted I was certain the inconsistency would be pointed out, and likely by you CDG!Loving the disguised number plate, followed by the obvious one.
0a said:
Muddle238 said:
Brilliant. Those wheels are my favourite on an X308, they suit it so well in my eyes. Hope you enjoy it!
They highlight how much work tyres can do in terms of ride quality.It's a win-win
The chap at Tasker and Lacy is exactly the sort of person you want to buy a car from with a very sensible and pragmatic view of what you can and cannot expect from a 10+ year old Jaguar, we openly discussed my X350s fondness for an appearing and disappearing EML before I bought it and both concluded "they all do that sir". I narrowed it down (I think) to an issue with the evaporative loss system but just let it come and go as it pleased anyway.
I've had a couple of X300s but have very little experience of the X308 - how does the 3.2 compare to your old 4.0 that exploded? I never even look at the 3.2 AJ16 cars because they simply aren't powerful enough and the non electronic gearbox is a bit crap, but with 240bhp and a 5 speed box the 3.2 V8 should be the equal of the old 4.0 AJ16?
I've had a couple of X300s but have very little experience of the X308 - how does the 3.2 compare to your old 4.0 that exploded? I never even look at the 3.2 AJ16 cars because they simply aren't powerful enough and the non electronic gearbox is a bit crap, but with 240bhp and a 5 speed box the 3.2 V8 should be the equal of the old 4.0 AJ16?
stickleback123 said:
The chap at Tasker and Lacy is exactly the sort of person you want to buy a car from with a very sensible and pragmatic view of what you can and cannot expect from a 10+ year old Jaguar, we openly discussed my X350s fondness for an appearing and disappearing EML before I bought it and both concluded "they all do that sir". I narrowed it down (I think) to an issue with the evaporative loss system but just let it come and go as it pleased anyway.
I've had a couple of X300s but have very little experience of the X308 - how does the 3.2 compare to your old 4.0 that exploded? I never even look at the 3.2 AJ16 cars because they simply aren't powerful enough and the non electronic gearbox is a bit crap, but with 240bhp and a 5 speed box the 3.2 V8 should be the equal of the old 4.0 AJ16?
You’re absolutely right. Before I paid, he gave me a lowdown of all the issues they see with these cars, down to how best to start it hot and cold, and told me to call him for advice on any issues. A real enthusiast. I've had a couple of X300s but have very little experience of the X308 - how does the 3.2 compare to your old 4.0 that exploded? I never even look at the 3.2 AJ16 cars because they simply aren't powerful enough and the non electronic gearbox is a bit crap, but with 240bhp and a 5 speed box the 3.2 V8 should be the equal of the old 4.0 AJ16?
He had taken it out the day prior to the sale and was not happy with the steering so had done a full alignment to fix.
The 3.2 feels fine - I did not have the time to spank it. I felt that the 4.0 was more than powerful enough for wafting about, what these cars are best for.
It has the jaguar smell and feel. And a wooden steering wheel.
I realise I have not looked under the bonnet yet, but assume there is an engine there!
He told you how to start it hot or cold?
Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
SirGriffin said:
He told you how to start it hot or cold?
Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
These have an engine management fault/bug/feature whereby if you start it from cold, move it a little bit and turn it off then it'll likely flood if you try and start it again not long after. Catches out lots of people who get the car off the drive/out of the garage then turn it off while they shut the gates etc.Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
In true Jaguar fashion they carried this forward into the X350 too. You could buy a Jaguar at any point over a ten+ year period and experience the same issue, who else offers that kind of attention to detail?
stickleback123 said:
SirGriffin said:
He told you how to start it hot or cold?
Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
These have an engine management fault/bug/feature whereby if you start it from cold, move it a little bit and turn it off then it'll likely flood if you try and start it again not long after. Catches out lots of people who get the car off the drive/out of the garage then turn it off while they shut the gates etc.Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
In true Jaguar fashion they carried this forward into the X350 too. You could buy a Jaguar at any point over a ten+ year period and experience the same issue, who else offers that kind of attention to detail?
alec.e said:
stickleback123 said:
SirGriffin said:
He told you how to start it hot or cold?
Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
These have an engine management fault/bug/feature whereby if you start it from cold, move it a little bit and turn it off then it'll likely flood if you try and start it again not long after. Catches out lots of people who get the car off the drive/out of the garage then turn it off while they shut the gates etc.Like all fuel injection cars, I just turn the key in mine, give the fuel pump a second to pressurise, then operate the starter without touching the gas - fires up immediately every time.
What's different about the starting procedure in yours?
Lovely car by the way.
In true Jaguar fashion they carried this forward into the X350 too. You could buy a Jaguar at any point over a ten+ year period and experience the same issue, who else offers that kind of attention to detail?
No breakdown required though as the time honored Neanderthal method worked for me.
Nice buy 0a, you have a penchant for light metallic shades of silvery green!
To me, the MPG figures you’re quoting seem on the low side, perhaps the brake catching you mention pulling that down or another issue? My father drove an X300 ‘XJ Executive’ in the early 2000s with the 3.2 AJ16 and saw 22mpg consistently. This was with a fully funded fuel card from his employer at the time so he wouldn’t have been chasing economy!
Look forward to reading more.
To me, the MPG figures you’re quoting seem on the low side, perhaps the brake catching you mention pulling that down or another issue? My father drove an X300 ‘XJ Executive’ in the early 2000s with the 3.2 AJ16 and saw 22mpg consistently. This was with a fully funded fuel card from his employer at the time so he wouldn’t have been chasing economy!
Look forward to reading more.
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