Jaguar XJR X300/X308
Discussion
I've previously been looking for a 3.0 X-Type, but after a ride in a lovely BMW 740 fancy going the whole hog with the bargain barge idea and have started looking at the XJR.
The X300 seems to have a reputation as being more reliable and a good one seems to go for about £3k.
However, despite the drawbacks I can't help feeling that the X308 offers better value for money at £4.5k ish for a good example.
Aside from the tensioner and nikasil lining issue, what are the drawbacks for each?
Will the running costs be similar for each? Insurance difference seems to be marginal (£90).
The X300 seems to have a reputation as being more reliable and a good one seems to go for about £3k.
However, despite the drawbacks I can't help feeling that the X308 offers better value for money at £4.5k ish for a good example.
Aside from the tensioner and nikasil lining issue, what are the drawbacks for each?
Will the running costs be similar for each? Insurance difference seems to be marginal (£90).
a8hex said:
Even my 3.2Sport X300 could happily keep up with a mates 740, so if that is what you are trying to match then I'd say any X300/308 is up for it. The XJRs are tons faster.
There are lots of articles in this forum discussing what to look for on X308s.
Thanks for the reply; I'm not worried about outright speed - just the waft factor There are lots of articles in this forum discussing what to look for on X308s.
With regards to the X308 threads, I've read a number which seem to concentrate on the two big issues which I'm aware of already. Mainly interested in the comparisons between the X300 (95/96) and X308.
Well I've had my X300 XJ6 3.2Sport for 14 years now and can't find anything I'd rather own as an everyday car.
It does waft easily, has a great (for me) ride handling compromise. It has the Sport suspension, so softer than the XJR and firmer than the standard and Sovereign cars. It's quiet, It's comfortable, you feel much more in touch with it than in the newer X350s, it's never felt under powered. Mine has been remarkably reliable. I've owned it for 11 years more than I ever planned simply because there has never been any point in changing it. What more can I say?
It does waft easily, has a great (for me) ride handling compromise. It has the Sport suspension, so softer than the XJR and firmer than the standard and Sovereign cars. It's quiet, It's comfortable, you feel much more in touch with it than in the newer X350s, it's never felt under powered. Mine has been remarkably reliable. I've owned it for 11 years more than I ever planned simply because there has never been any point in changing it. What more can I say?
I have an X300, but i wouldn't hesitate to buy a good X308 when the time comes to change, i've seen post where people describe the V8 as more economical, faster (obviously), and better to drive. You know what to look for anyway and a full service would give peace of mind. I know someone who has an X plate 3.2 and it's been very reliable (it has a FSH). You can pick up a good one for 3k easily. There are lots of threads about the gearboxes, tensioners and water pumps etc, but if you take your time and get the best, you will have a great car. Don't rule out the X300 though, I picked mine up for a grand, you could get a perfect one for less than 2k.
Pete.
Pete.
Having owned an X300 XJR, i would say they are fairly bullet proof in the engine department. but as they are now ageing, i would be looking at the bodywork and supercharger - the bearings will be wearing/worn out by noe, so a replacement may be needed. however, one of the best cars i have ever owned and regretted selling.
It all depends on your budget, I would say an x308 R that has had the tensioners, water pump etc sorted would be almost twice the price of a good X300.
I’ve owned a 3.2 X300 (that I run to 187k) and an X300 XJR (that i sold at 130k) and have had little problem with either.
I now have a XKR and recently had the new tensioners, water pump etc fitted and the cost for an indi to do this will be over a grand. The mechanical side of the straight 6 is far less complex than the V8
If I was in the market for bargain barge with waft rather then speed I would plump for a normally aspirated 4.0 X300, 2k – 3k would get you a mint example and I’d much defiantly take it over a BMW 7 or an S class.
Neil
I’ve owned a 3.2 X300 (that I run to 187k) and an X300 XJR (that i sold at 130k) and have had little problem with either.
I now have a XKR and recently had the new tensioners, water pump etc fitted and the cost for an indi to do this will be over a grand. The mechanical side of the straight 6 is far less complex than the V8
If I was in the market for bargain barge with waft rather then speed I would plump for a normally aspirated 4.0 X300, 2k – 3k would get you a mint example and I’d much defiantly take it over a BMW 7 or an S class.
Neil
I've had 3.2 versions of both the 6 and V8 over the last 10 years.
The V8 instantly impresses as a much more refined and powerful car. Swapping cars from the 6 to the V8 on the drive through heavy London trafic and a thrash round the M25 to home the differences between the 6 and V8 were obvious straight away.
The V8 is nearly 200kg lighter and has a stiffer shell than the 6cyl as well as a much improved 5 speed gearbox and completely revised suspension design. It feels far more lively and agile with a lot more mid range torque and top end power then the 6 and is more willing to rev too. You'll particurlarly notice the difference between the two when overtaking or 4 up with luggage in hilly areas.
The V8 sounds wonderful when you hurl it at the horizon, whereas in comparison the 6 gets harsh and noisy at high engine speeds. There's little or no difference in fuel consumption between the two. I've averaged between 24-28 MPG in over 60000 miles in both cars. As far as reliability goes I've not had any serious problems with either - but you'll need to budget for a full fluid change on whatever you buy and changing the secondary timing chain tensioners on the V8 too. The 6 cyl is a slightly easier and cheaper option for DIY maintainence. Both cars benefit long term from cutting the 10k service intervals down, careful maintainence and a thorough rustproofing underneath.
The sports suspension option is a little too firm IMO on the V8 for ultimate wafting, especially on larger then the standard 16" diameter wheels, the touring option is better for ultimate ride quality. There are a few V8's around with the CATS option which gives you both handling and ride comfort. There's not much apparent difference between the two options on the 6 cyl cars - both are a little softer than the V8. XJs are very tyre and wheel balance sensitive, you can ruin a good car with rubbish tyres or big wheels.
What's really important IMO to buy the very best car you can find now, and not get too focused on a particular engine, colour or trim level. Choice between the two models really comes down to quality of the car you're looking at - dispite the V8 being a much better car all round I'd choose a pristine 6 cyl XJ over a ragged V8 one everytime, and would be prepared to pay top money for it too rather than compromise on price and end up with somthing a bit rougher. Personally I'd avoid any XJR unless it was an immaculate, very low mileage example and I really badly wanted one and was prepared for huge running costs - these are bought to be driven hard, and after 10 to 15 years of hard use you could find yourself with an absolutely shagged out money pit.
I'd want to see a FSH and a new MOT as an absolute minimum and would be looking at cars with a maximum of 50-60k miles - beyond this even if the service history is all there there's a chance some engine wear will have taken place, the shocks and suspension bushes will be past their best and the sealed for life gearbox and 'diff on the V8 will be on borrowed time too. You'll find 6 cyl cars like this from £2000 up to £3000, and good V8s start from around £4000 privately up to maybe £7000 for a very low mileage one from a dealer.
Check the front tyres by both looking and feeling for uneven wear, check all the fluids are clean, listen very carefully for any odd noises on start up and make sure you go for a long drive on mixed roads. Take your own car back on exactly the same route as soon as you can afterwards. You'll need to have a good look for any signs of corrosion round the wheel arches, sills, door bottoms, and window surrounds. On the V8 check the reinforcing plate where the front subframe joins the body behind the front shocks too - these can corrode badly, somtimes on just one side so check both. With the fan on full speed check the heater, air con and all the ventilation controls work as they should. Make sure everything else works too.
A nice, well cared for older XJ is still a wonderful car and fantastic value, especially now with the current price of fuel - prices have dropped a lot over the last year - but a rough one can easily be a never ending nightmare that sooner or later will cost you a fortune.
The V8 instantly impresses as a much more refined and powerful car. Swapping cars from the 6 to the V8 on the drive through heavy London trafic and a thrash round the M25 to home the differences between the 6 and V8 were obvious straight away.
The V8 is nearly 200kg lighter and has a stiffer shell than the 6cyl as well as a much improved 5 speed gearbox and completely revised suspension design. It feels far more lively and agile with a lot more mid range torque and top end power then the 6 and is more willing to rev too. You'll particurlarly notice the difference between the two when overtaking or 4 up with luggage in hilly areas.
The V8 sounds wonderful when you hurl it at the horizon, whereas in comparison the 6 gets harsh and noisy at high engine speeds. There's little or no difference in fuel consumption between the two. I've averaged between 24-28 MPG in over 60000 miles in both cars. As far as reliability goes I've not had any serious problems with either - but you'll need to budget for a full fluid change on whatever you buy and changing the secondary timing chain tensioners on the V8 too. The 6 cyl is a slightly easier and cheaper option for DIY maintainence. Both cars benefit long term from cutting the 10k service intervals down, careful maintainence and a thorough rustproofing underneath.
The sports suspension option is a little too firm IMO on the V8 for ultimate wafting, especially on larger then the standard 16" diameter wheels, the touring option is better for ultimate ride quality. There are a few V8's around with the CATS option which gives you both handling and ride comfort. There's not much apparent difference between the two options on the 6 cyl cars - both are a little softer than the V8. XJs are very tyre and wheel balance sensitive, you can ruin a good car with rubbish tyres or big wheels.
What's really important IMO to buy the very best car you can find now, and not get too focused on a particular engine, colour or trim level. Choice between the two models really comes down to quality of the car you're looking at - dispite the V8 being a much better car all round I'd choose a pristine 6 cyl XJ over a ragged V8 one everytime, and would be prepared to pay top money for it too rather than compromise on price and end up with somthing a bit rougher. Personally I'd avoid any XJR unless it was an immaculate, very low mileage example and I really badly wanted one and was prepared for huge running costs - these are bought to be driven hard, and after 10 to 15 years of hard use you could find yourself with an absolutely shagged out money pit.
I'd want to see a FSH and a new MOT as an absolute minimum and would be looking at cars with a maximum of 50-60k miles - beyond this even if the service history is all there there's a chance some engine wear will have taken place, the shocks and suspension bushes will be past their best and the sealed for life gearbox and 'diff on the V8 will be on borrowed time too. You'll find 6 cyl cars like this from £2000 up to £3000, and good V8s start from around £4000 privately up to maybe £7000 for a very low mileage one from a dealer.
Check the front tyres by both looking and feeling for uneven wear, check all the fluids are clean, listen very carefully for any odd noises on start up and make sure you go for a long drive on mixed roads. Take your own car back on exactly the same route as soon as you can afterwards. You'll need to have a good look for any signs of corrosion round the wheel arches, sills, door bottoms, and window surrounds. On the V8 check the reinforcing plate where the front subframe joins the body behind the front shocks too - these can corrode badly, somtimes on just one side so check both. With the fan on full speed check the heater, air con and all the ventilation controls work as they should. Make sure everything else works too.
A nice, well cared for older XJ is still a wonderful car and fantastic value, especially now with the current price of fuel - prices have dropped a lot over the last year - but a rough one can easily be a never ending nightmare that sooner or later will cost you a fortune.
Edited by Jaguar steve on Tuesday 4th May 07:57
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