XJR - x350 versus x308
Discussion
I'll be changing my Boxster S shortly, I had been looking to down the out and out sports car route (Z4M, TVR etc). But I remembered the XJR a few days ago, and have been doing some reading since. I really like the look of the X350 XJR.
I'd done a lot of research into the XJR8 a few years back, so I'm pretty up to speed on them. I was just wondering how do the X350s compare? Pace, economy, reliability...
Thanks in advance...
I'd done a lot of research into the XJR8 a few years back, so I'm pretty up to speed on them. I was just wondering how do the X350s compare? Pace, economy, reliability...
Thanks in advance...
My money would be on the X350. Although I think the X308 is a far sexier car, they are getting on a bit now, so may cause you issues and money. The X350 is a lovely piece of kit. Is all aluminium, so hooked up to the 4.2 V8 it has the poke. Not brilliant on the twisties, but it's more of a straight line, motorway monster. The air suspension gives it a different ride than what you'd be used too, not sure I'm a massive fan mind you. but proof is in the eating so go take one out. If you canstretch to a face lfited car i.e. one of gthe last ones, they look the biz and are fully loaded, all yours for about £30k or one of the first ones for about £15k.
G
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I've owned both and would go for the newer car.
The X308 has the more classic look but it felt dated even several years ago when I was an owner.
Provided you accept that the XJR is and never was intended to be a sports car (you might be disappointed if you try and over drive it) then go for it!
I owned my X350 for 3 years and it was very reliable.
Economy was better than the X308 (think 22mpg for the X350 compated to 20mpg for the older car)
The X350 was also noticebly quicker - this was as much to do with the better gearbox (and lighter weight from the ali body) rather than the extra power - 400bhp rather than 370bhp
I never had a problem with the ride and it's a lot of car for the money - so go and have some test drives and see what you think
The X308 has the more classic look but it felt dated even several years ago when I was an owner.
Provided you accept that the XJR is and never was intended to be a sports car (you might be disappointed if you try and over drive it) then go for it!
I owned my X350 for 3 years and it was very reliable.
Economy was better than the X308 (think 22mpg for the X350 compated to 20mpg for the older car)
The X350 was also noticebly quicker - this was as much to do with the better gearbox (and lighter weight from the ali body) rather than the extra power - 400bhp rather than 370bhp
I never had a problem with the ride and it's a lot of car for the money - so go and have some test drives and see what you think
To be honest, I enjoy owning a sports car, but really I never get to take advantage of the handling etc. I live right in the centre of London, and only use a car at the weekends...and those journeys are a mix of 30min drives to the golf club (through traffic) and drives back to the west country...mainly motorway and sweeping A-roads. It had just occurred to me that maybe an xjr would fit the bill. On this type of driving, I imagine an xjr would cope as well as most sports cars.
I loved the x308...I just hope I like the 350 as much!
I loved the x308...I just hope I like the 350 as much!
I have an X350 XJR now. I had an XJR X308 before it. And I had a Boxster S before that.
Boxster was the best handling car I ever drove, truly astonishing on anything with a bend. But too slow on the motorway. I can remember following a Jag one day, the traffic cleared and thought I would have him easy. He just disappeared into the distance, left me feeling quite limp LOL
Eventually I returned to the Jag family with the 308 XJR. Lovely car, fast off the line and quick on the motorways although sometimes a bit slippy on damp roundabouts... appreciated the traction control a few times!!! Sold that when it was just starting to get a bit old, it was a 1998 version and it was just getting a bit too 'Arthur Daley' for me when it go to 8 years and the new one had been out for a few years. Had to spend money on getting tensioners and a new gearbox, but it had done well over 100K. Mileage averaged 19mpg.
Then bought and early x305 XJR, with 92K on the clock. Had it 2 years now, it's at 116K. Had one major service in that time. Nothing major has gone wrong. It has an occasional sticky change from 1st to second which can be irritating sometimes and currently needs a new lambda sensor. But in two years has been faultless and ... boy is it quick!!!! Even compared to the 308 it's quick. It can get to 155mph (done it once) so quickly it's truly impressive. Any normal driving requirements are coped with effortlessly. not many cars that are going o show you a clean set of heels, either on the motorway or even on the twisties as the car actually handles quite well once yo've let the air suspension take of the slack in the bends. Nothing like the boxster for flickability but it will surprise yu if you get it right! Mileage... 22mpg.
Other impressions when I changed. Well the interior and modern feel of the x350 is streets ahead of the x308, touch screen sat nav, decent stereo etc..etc.. Much different feel when you're sitting in the x350, you feel that you are sitting much more in the car, the windows ledges are much higher reducing visibility especially in carparks etc. I had the 2 xjrs at he same time for a few weeks whilst I sold the x308... loved the x308, but it felt 'very old' when getting back into it after driving the x350 for a week or so.
In a nustshell... I would have the x350 over the x308 all day. But then compare that to the boxster... mmmm... depends what you're looking for, handling or out and out ability to hoof it.
I go for the hoof it option... I'm actually starting to eye up a replacement for the x350 as the mileage is getting a bit high... I'm looking at newer x350s, 2006 models are coming in at under 20K with 50K mileages. Bargain!!!
Blimey wrote way too much there
Boxster was the best handling car I ever drove, truly astonishing on anything with a bend. But too slow on the motorway. I can remember following a Jag one day, the traffic cleared and thought I would have him easy. He just disappeared into the distance, left me feeling quite limp LOL
Eventually I returned to the Jag family with the 308 XJR. Lovely car, fast off the line and quick on the motorways although sometimes a bit slippy on damp roundabouts... appreciated the traction control a few times!!! Sold that when it was just starting to get a bit old, it was a 1998 version and it was just getting a bit too 'Arthur Daley' for me when it go to 8 years and the new one had been out for a few years. Had to spend money on getting tensioners and a new gearbox, but it had done well over 100K. Mileage averaged 19mpg.
Then bought and early x305 XJR, with 92K on the clock. Had it 2 years now, it's at 116K. Had one major service in that time. Nothing major has gone wrong. It has an occasional sticky change from 1st to second which can be irritating sometimes and currently needs a new lambda sensor. But in two years has been faultless and ... boy is it quick!!!! Even compared to the 308 it's quick. It can get to 155mph (done it once) so quickly it's truly impressive. Any normal driving requirements are coped with effortlessly. not many cars that are going o show you a clean set of heels, either on the motorway or even on the twisties as the car actually handles quite well once yo've let the air suspension take of the slack in the bends. Nothing like the boxster for flickability but it will surprise yu if you get it right! Mileage... 22mpg.
Other impressions when I changed. Well the interior and modern feel of the x350 is streets ahead of the x308, touch screen sat nav, decent stereo etc..etc.. Much different feel when you're sitting in the x350, you feel that you are sitting much more in the car, the windows ledges are much higher reducing visibility especially in carparks etc. I had the 2 xjrs at he same time for a few weeks whilst I sold the x308... loved the x308, but it felt 'very old' when getting back into it after driving the x350 for a week or so.
In a nustshell... I would have the x350 over the x308 all day. But then compare that to the boxster... mmmm... depends what you're looking for, handling or out and out ability to hoof it.
I go for the hoof it option... I'm actually starting to eye up a replacement for the x350 as the mileage is getting a bit high... I'm looking at newer x350s, 2006 models are coming in at under 20K with 50K mileages. Bargain!!!
Blimey wrote way too much there
I also have an X350 XJR and I can only agree with what has previously been written. Much more modern feel and much better on fuel than X308, super fast, but not brilliant for the twisty bits.
Look out for water ingress into front lights, as if the go the controlling board is Jag only and costs a fortune, get the light area sealed; drain point at top of engine bay gets glogged up in autumn, keep them clean. Watch out for buckled alloys, giving a poor ride at 50mph+ and do not under any circumstances skimp on the brake discs or pads, or have them fitted by anyone other than someone with regular X350 XJR experience. I speak from £1100 worth of recent experience.
They are not rust free though, don't believe this "all aluminium" nonsense.
Look out for water ingress into front lights, as if the go the controlling board is Jag only and costs a fortune, get the light area sealed; drain point at top of engine bay gets glogged up in autumn, keep them clean. Watch out for buckled alloys, giving a poor ride at 50mph+ and do not under any circumstances skimp on the brake discs or pads, or have them fitted by anyone other than someone with regular X350 XJR experience. I speak from £1100 worth of recent experience.
They are not rust free though, don't believe this "all aluminium" nonsense.
Have you thought about an S-Type R?
I think you may find that more sporty (although I only had a brief test drive of one a long time ago)
I now have an XFR (which I understand shares some of the S-type DNA) and find this much more sporty than the XJR but still very refined.
Totally understand your point about not being able to use the handling of the Boxster - that's why these days I like a car that is refined and luxurious as much as it is quick (and why I bought an XFR rather than a Nissan GTR)
I think you may find that more sporty (although I only had a brief test drive of one a long time ago)
I now have an XFR (which I understand shares some of the S-type DNA) and find this much more sporty than the XJR but still very refined.
Totally understand your point about not being able to use the handling of the Boxster - that's why these days I like a car that is refined and luxurious as much as it is quick (and why I bought an XFR rather than a Nissan GTR)
I had considered the s-type r, and I do like it. But my gripes are i) it is an older design than the x350, ii) it weighs a lot more than the x350, so worse economy and slower in a straight line, iii) I personally prefer the look of xj's interior.
Granted though, an s type would be easier to manage in town given its smaller dimensions, and prob a more sporty drive...altho, let's be honest, neither is that sporty!
Granted though, an s type would be easier to manage in town given its smaller dimensions, and prob a more sporty drive...altho, let's be honest, neither is that sporty!
If your priority is luxury and a nice cabin then go for X350 - that's why I got one over the S-type R at the time. Although the ali body will help economy and performace in theory I doubt you will notice much difference in reality (and the XJR was always heavier than Jaguar claimed according to road tests I remember reading)
The XJR is a real "feelgood" sort of car
My only word of warning is that if you like sports cars as well then you may miss the sports car feel for the those few days a year when conditions are right - that's why I still have my Caterham 7 to remind me what real driving is all about!
The XJR is a real "feelgood" sort of car
My only word of warning is that if you like sports cars as well then you may miss the sports car feel for the those few days a year when conditions are right - that's why I still have my Caterham 7 to remind me what real driving is all about!
Triple7 said:
Not brilliant on the twisties,
For the class/size of vehicle, I would say it is brilliant on the twisties. The light weight and excellent ride/body control allows it to travel very quickly on the twisties indeed, and the pace/acceleration of the XJR affords plenty of overtaking opportunities that wouldn't be available to many other cars. monthefish said:
Triple7 said:
Not brilliant on the twisties,
For the class/size of vehicle, I would say it is brilliant on the twisties. The light weight and excellent ride/body control allows it to travel very quickly on the twisties indeed, and the pace/acceleration of the XJR affords plenty of overtaking opportunities that wouldn't be available to many other cars. Reminds of when I was a kid and my dad had a series 1 XJ4.2. I can remember a conversation in the car one day when he was telling me how he drove the old jag in point and squirt mode. Slow round the bends, straighten up.. then nail it!!! Other cars might have been better round the bends.. but few would keep up on the straight bits.
The X350 does the straight bit... but can also go round corners. It's just not gonna do it like a boxster!
Like you my father had a series of XJ's from the off (until it reached the stage you couldn't get them to leave the garage.) The X350 though is everything they were and more. I have an XJR and also had a Boxster, and while you couldn't fault the handling it was tiring on longer journeys, where the XJ does it effortlessly and on average just as fast. I found on the X350 that the handling firmed up if you pushed on in the bends, and it is a fast machine when you get in tune with it. It is also a lot more economical than an S-Type (which is also a lovely car), because the engine isn't having to work as hard.
I was rather concerned to hear about the corrosion issues though - any other tips? I'm going to go and check my drain holes!! I once asked a well known rustproofing operation whether it was worth having the car treated and they suggested as it was alu that it wasn't.
I was rather concerned to hear about the corrosion issues though - any other tips? I'm going to go and check my drain holes!! I once asked a well known rustproofing operation whether it was worth having the car treated and they suggested as it was alu that it wasn't.
My brother works in the aviation maintenance business and he laughs every time he hears "aluminium doesn't rust". He reckons if it didn't he'd of been out of business 20 years ago.
I think the problem with the X350 is not all the body is exclusively aluminium, but there are small steel parts as well, which are the cause of the corrosion
I think the problem with the X350 is not all the body is exclusively aluminium, but there are small steel parts as well, which are the cause of the corrosion
Lancs Jag Boy said:
My brother works in the aviation maintenance business and he laughs every time he hears "aluminium doesn't rust". He reckons if it didn't he'd of been out of business 20 years ago.
I think the problem with the X350 is not all the body is exclusively aluminium, but there are small steel parts as well, which are the cause of the corrosion
Well pedantically it cannot possibly rust, since rust is iron oxide I think the problem with the X350 is not all the body is exclusively aluminium, but there are small steel parts as well, which are the cause of the corrosion
It can corrode, but not as fast as steel. Where the two come together can be a problem due to electrolytic corrosion (e.g Defender aluminium door skins on a steel frame). I would hope that Jaguar would do better.Back on topic, how about the XKR? Not as practical as an XJR but probably more so than a Boxster - so kind of in between.
I had thought about the XKR. But XKR prices seem to be a lot stronger than for x350, so less of a bargain to be had...not that this really matters.
However, in my price range (say ~ £18k +/-) I'd obviously be looking at the old XK, which is a 1996 design... So quite old technology and a older generation Jag versus the x350. It's also heavier than the x350.
Mind you, having a look, I do like the factlift versions. I assume the facelift occurred at the same time the XK got the 4.2 engine?
Are running costs on the XKR similar to x350? Could I get a 4.2 XKR for the sort of money I am looking to spend??
However, in my price range (say ~ £18k +/-) I'd obviously be looking at the old XK, which is a 1996 design... So quite old technology and a older generation Jag versus the x350. It's also heavier than the x350.
Mind you, having a look, I do like the factlift versions. I assume the facelift occurred at the same time the XK got the 4.2 engine?
Are running costs on the XKR similar to x350? Could I get a 4.2 XKR for the sort of money I am looking to spend??
[quote=Piersman2
It has an occasional sticky change from 1st to second which can be irritating sometimes
[/quote]
according to the jaguar technical site there is a software fix for this, i haven't had it done yet, but drop me a line with your email and i'll send you the info, you can just hand the sheet to the dealer
It has an occasional sticky change from 1st to second which can be irritating sometimes
[/quote]
according to the jaguar technical site there is a software fix for this, i haven't had it done yet, but drop me a line with your email and i'll send you the info, you can just hand the sheet to the dealer
Current model XKs (2006 on) start at about £30K these days and XKRs a bit more than that. The classified section on this site will give you a feel for what's what:
XJR
XKR
XK
You can't argue with a used XJR on a value for money basis though - you do get a lot of car for your money. That probably also means buying a new one would be a bit crazy
XJR
XKR
XK
You can't argue with a used XJR on a value for money basis though - you do get a lot of car for your money. That probably also means buying a new one would be a bit crazy
And there are damn few of them anyway. I was told that the had stopped making them in October of LAST year, and the vast majority of facelift XJ's are 2.7 diesel.
Anyway, how can I stop bimetallic corrosion on me motor? Where do we start looking?
Incidentally, if you take an old model XKR, and I know they are lovely, it doesn't handle in anything like the same league as an X350 XJR. The XJ is far more agile. I appreciate that there are things that people like Racing Green and Paramount can do to improve both, but I have never had the opportunity or the wonga to explore that.
Anyway, how can I stop bimetallic corrosion on me motor? Where do we start looking?
Incidentally, if you take an old model XKR, and I know they are lovely, it doesn't handle in anything like the same league as an X350 XJR. The XJ is far more agile. I appreciate that there are things that people like Racing Green and Paramount can do to improve both, but I have never had the opportunity or the wonga to explore that.
cardigankid said:
And there are damn few of them anyway. I was told that the had stopped making them in October of LAST year, and the vast majority of facelift XJ's are 2.7 diesel.
Incidentally, if you take an old model XKR, and I know they are lovely, it doesn't handle in anything like the same league as an X350 XJR. The XJ is far more agile. I appreciate that there are things that people like Racing Green and Paramount can do to improve both, but I have never had the opportunity or the wonga to explore that.
Anyway, how can I stop bimetallic corrosion on me motor? Where do we start looking?Incidentally, if you take an old model XKR, and I know they are lovely, it doesn't handle in anything like the same league as an X350 XJR. The XJ is far more agile. I appreciate that there are things that people like Racing Green and Paramount can do to improve both, but I have never had the opportunity or the wonga to explore that.
Maybe there might be some virtue in fitting an sacrificial anode, similar in principle to those on boats to stop dissimilar metals in contact with each other from corroding?
IIRC you'd need somthing made of a less noble metal than the body - get a Chemist to explain (and remind me too). No idea if it'd work on a car but I know it does work on boats where dissimilar metals are in contact.
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