What XJ?

[nine6four]

Hi chaps

Thinking of replacing my Merc E220 (W124) with an XJ. Question is what one should I go for in terms of best drive, build quality economy etc?

Budget 1,500-7,000 (ideally in the 2,500 to 5,000 zone). I will use it for 12,000 miles a year so something that delivers 26+ on an A Road run would be preferable. Slightly less golf club looking sports spec ideal.

Cheers for you thoughts,
James

Edited by nine6four on Thursday 18th March 13:20

[J888SXY]

Out of the XJ40 x 3, X300 and X308 x2 that I've had the 300 gave the best economy. All were 3.2L.

[a8hex]

I have very rarely seen 26MPG on my X300.
If you drive like a nun at 50MPH you might better it but short local commutes with spirited accelerations can see it drop below 20.

[Lancs Jag Boy]

My X308 3.2 did late 20s on the motorway at 80mph, around town was early 20s.

I'd still go for the V8, as the engine is very smooth, just watch out for the now well documented tensioner issues.

[nine6four]

Very helpful thanks. So not really any economy difference between the X300 and X308? 23-24mpg combined?

For the X308 I understand that the later ones are better built? Any particular year that they improved?

Cheers

[J888SXY]

If you do a search you will find a couple of threads (at least!) on the pitfalls, and joys of the V8 - gearbox, Nikasil etc.

[MDT]

I managed to get 23.3mpg out of my XJ8 3.2 on a very steady run between Edinburgh and Glasgow mid day only light traffic. normally it sits at about 17-18mpg. don't buy one of these cars and start asking about the MPG.

I liken it to, walking into a pub with Oliver Read. You know you are going to have fun, but you also know it is going to cost you.

[plasticpig]

You should be able to pick up a decent X300 or X308 with an decent (multi point) LPG conversion for 5K. That would lower the fuel costs. They don't appear to go for that much of a premium.

[a8hex]

plasticpig said:

You should be able to pick up a decent X300 or X308 with an decent (multi point) LPG conversion for 5K. That would lower the fuel costs. They don't appear to go for that much of a premium.

Or in fact any premium at all, if even that