Today I had a test-drive in an XJ......
Discussion
.....and it was great 
Now, I should start by saying i've always liked the mid-90's XJ, and every so often I go through a stage of toying with the idea of buying one. However, this is the first time i've actually driven one.
I had a fair idea of what to expect - a smooth waft-mobile that gave a stress-free drive, and of course the Jag delivered that in spades, but I didn't expect it to be quite as quick as it felt. I drove a 1996 3.2 Sport in dark blue with cream leather and dark wood interior and it's certainly a place I could easily spend many hours.
So, what should I expect from owning one? Are there any known weak points? The chap selling the one I test-drove (for sale at an independent Jaguar specialist) was of the opinion the 6-cyl models were practially bombproof whilst the V8's could be problematic, especially with timing chains. Apparently the lambda sensors can fail quite quickly too.
What sort of mileage does a 3.2 six do to a tank of fuel? I drive to Cornwall on a monthly basis (300 miles) - would an XJ do this in one hop with cruise control on at 70mph or would I need to stop for fuel?
Thanks!
Now, I should start by saying i've always liked the mid-90's XJ, and every so often I go through a stage of toying with the idea of buying one. However, this is the first time i've actually driven one.
I had a fair idea of what to expect - a smooth waft-mobile that gave a stress-free drive, and of course the Jag delivered that in spades, but I didn't expect it to be quite as quick as it felt. I drove a 1996 3.2 Sport in dark blue with cream leather and dark wood interior and it's certainly a place I could easily spend many hours.
So, what should I expect from owning one? Are there any known weak points? The chap selling the one I test-drove (for sale at an independent Jaguar specialist) was of the opinion the 6-cyl models were practially bombproof whilst the V8's could be problematic, especially with timing chains. Apparently the lambda sensors can fail quite quickly too.
What sort of mileage does a 3.2 six do to a tank of fuel? I drive to Cornwall on a monthly basis (300 miles) - would an XJ do this in one hop with cruise control on at 70mph or would I need to stop for fuel?
Thanks!
There is a world of difference between the driving dynamics of the 6 and 8 cylinder cars, but as the sales vulture said there are occasionally problems with the V8 models - most of these are down to poor component design and lack of routine maintainence, all of which can be dealt with but the consequences of somthing like the gearbox or timing chain tensioners failing on a V8 will be mightily expensive.
The 6 cylinder cars are very robust mechanicaly and provided they have been maintained and treated with respect are capable of 200k + mileages, but you'll have to bear in mind that even the youngest is now 12 years old. The only criteria to buy on is condition and history - everything else such as colour, spec and engine size should be secondary to this in my opinion. Many X300s (that's the model designation, Jaguar have made several different model XJ6s) whill have rust round the rear wheel arches and on the underneath and will be of the age that suspension and brake components will be on borrowed time.
You'll need a another long test drive. Feel for any pulling or uneven steering or braking and listen for any whine or rumble from wheel bearings or differential. XJs are a bit prone to wheel wobble between 50 and 60 MPH. The engine should be reasonably smooth, torquey and quiet but the Jag sixes do get harsh at high RPM. The 4.0 feels a lot quicker then the 3.2. Gearchanges are not up to the very best modern standards but are perfectly acceptable. Have a look at and sniff the transmission oil on the dipstick, the oil should be mid to dark red in colour and not brown or smell burnt, Listen to the engine on cold start up - a momentary sharp rattle suggests the timing chain tensioner is weak - easy fix on the 6 not quite so on the later V8. Engine oil and coolant should be reasonably clean. Head gaskets can fail due to degenerated coolant. Make sure everything works. Time clock displays do fail. Check all over for accident damage. Check and feel tyres for uneven wear patterns - there may be a little feathering on the inside and outside of the fronts which is OK but anything else is a cause for concern and points to suspension wear. Budget for a full fluid change, 10000m service intervals are too far apart for some operating conditions
Insurance 45 YO, max NCD, clean license full comp around £250, set of tyres from £275 up to £500, Fuel consumption best about 28MPG on long gentle trip and worst low to mid teens in heavy trafic. Single figures are just possible if you nail it everywhere. New and second hand spares are mostly reasonable and readily available. The X300 is mostly a simple DIY maintainence car if you're handy with spanners.
Disregard price and specification and buy the best you can find, keep it and look after it. Look on the PH, Jaguar World magazine, Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club classifieds and Robert Hughes for an idea of whats around.
The 6 cylinder cars are very robust mechanicaly and provided they have been maintained and treated with respect are capable of 200k + mileages, but you'll have to bear in mind that even the youngest is now 12 years old. The only criteria to buy on is condition and history - everything else such as colour, spec and engine size should be secondary to this in my opinion. Many X300s (that's the model designation, Jaguar have made several different model XJ6s) whill have rust round the rear wheel arches and on the underneath and will be of the age that suspension and brake components will be on borrowed time.
You'll need a another long test drive. Feel for any pulling or uneven steering or braking and listen for any whine or rumble from wheel bearings or differential. XJs are a bit prone to wheel wobble between 50 and 60 MPH. The engine should be reasonably smooth, torquey and quiet but the Jag sixes do get harsh at high RPM. The 4.0 feels a lot quicker then the 3.2. Gearchanges are not up to the very best modern standards but are perfectly acceptable. Have a look at and sniff the transmission oil on the dipstick, the oil should be mid to dark red in colour and not brown or smell burnt, Listen to the engine on cold start up - a momentary sharp rattle suggests the timing chain tensioner is weak - easy fix on the 6 not quite so on the later V8. Engine oil and coolant should be reasonably clean. Head gaskets can fail due to degenerated coolant. Make sure everything works. Time clock displays do fail. Check all over for accident damage. Check and feel tyres for uneven wear patterns - there may be a little feathering on the inside and outside of the fronts which is OK but anything else is a cause for concern and points to suspension wear. Budget for a full fluid change, 10000m service intervals are too far apart for some operating conditions
Insurance 45 YO, max NCD, clean license full comp around £250, set of tyres from £275 up to £500, Fuel consumption best about 28MPG on long gentle trip and worst low to mid teens in heavy trafic. Single figures are just possible if you nail it everywhere. New and second hand spares are mostly reasonable and readily available. The X300 is mostly a simple DIY maintainence car if you're handy with spanners.
Disregard price and specification and buy the best you can find, keep it and look after it. Look on the PH, Jaguar World magazine, Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club classifieds and Robert Hughes for an idea of whats around.
My friend gets 25mpg out of his 3.2 X300 sport (so yes, 300 miles to a tank is easy), mostly motorway miles slogging back/forth to work. As you have been told, early V8's do suffer from a number of issues. Timing chain tensioners were plastic and fail (causing catastrophic damage) they cost about £400 to have replaced with metal ones. Water pumps are plastic and, again, can fail (but will only cause a big problem if you don't notice) but the main worry for most people is the nickasil issue. I suggest you do your own investigation, plenty has been written about it.
For the record, I own a '98 X308 (the '8' at the end means it's a later, V8 car) XJR so obviously the issues don't bother me too much. I have driven a couple of X300's (3.2/4 litre) and a few V8's and didn't find them that different really. I went for an X308 as I prefer the dashboard and came across a good V8 before I found a good 6cyl.
Oh, in addition to what Steave said have a good look for paint defects, I saw quite a few cars with peeling lacquer.
For the record, I own a '98 X308 (the '8' at the end means it's a later, V8 car) XJR so obviously the issues don't bother me too much. I have driven a couple of X300's (3.2/4 litre) and a few V8's and didn't find them that different really. I went for an X308 as I prefer the dashboard and came across a good V8 before I found a good 6cyl.
Oh, in addition to what Steave said have a good look for paint defects, I saw quite a few cars with peeling lacquer.
Edited by varsas on Tuesday 25th August 08:26
GTO Scott said:
Thanks for the info Steve, I have to admit i'm not too bothered whether it's a 3.2 or a 4.0 - the 3.2 felt plenty quick enough on the test drive. I would prefer it to be in 'Sport' spec, but as you say, condition is more important than spec.
In day to day use on you own or with just one passenger the 3.2 6 cyl is more than OK but you'll find a fully laden one will often struggle in hilly areas. I did a long weekend trip round Wales with 4 adults and luggage when I had my 6 cyl 3.2 and found it really could have done with a bit more poke on the hilly bits and pulling out of junctions. The V8 3.2 I have now is both lighter and more powerful and has a much better gearbox all of which makes a real difference when 4 up.Edited by Jaguar steve on Tuesday 25th August 11:00
Usually it's just me in the car - sometimes Lady G-S accompanies me, and very occasionally I might give a few friends a lift to a local drinking establishment, so the 3.2 sounds like it'll do just fine. If a 4.0 comes up then great, but the 3.2 appears to be far more widely available and of course that gives greater choice.
Good to see it will do over 300 miles on one tank - daft as it sounds I hate breaking a journey for something as small as that - I like to do the journey in one hop.
Good to see it will do over 300 miles on one tank - daft as it sounds I hate breaking a journey for something as small as that - I like to do the journey in one hop.
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