Quick question: what's in the boot of this XJR?

[Kolbenkopp]

Hi All -- just a quick and probably stupid question, but... What is that box in the boot of this X306 XJR? Supposed to be there? I've never owned or looked at one myself, but am rather tempted by one that has shown up locally...

[E31Shrew]

Is it the side panel just lying flat? Cant recall seeing that in the XJR I used to have!

[Shaw Tarse]

Probably a stupid answer, but LPG?

[jas xjr]

it is the battery . it should sit a little better than that , which would suggest it may have been changed / jump started recently

[Jaguar steve]

The main part of the boot floor base on the left is set in the lower position which can only be done if the spare wheel is missing or a space saver wheel is present. The smaller right hand part of the base is the battery cover which looks like it's not properly fitted. In case you need to know that model of XJ is known as a X308 not X306

[Kolbenkopp]

Thanks for the input so far. Thought of LPG as well, but no mention of that in the advert. With 100 km worth of fuel costing around € 25 for the beast, I think they'd advertise an LPG conversion.

Since the dealer also mentions some paint damage, I think I'll take a quick look at the thing. Won't solve the boot mystery but at least I'll know if the thing is worth checking out in detail at all... Here's hoping it sits outside on the lot .

[Kolbenkopp]

Jaguar steve said:

The main part of the boot floor base on the left is set in the lower position which can only be done if the spare wheel is missing or a space saver wheel is present. The smaller right hand part of the base is the battery cover which looks like it's not properly fitted. In case you need to know that model of XJ is known as a X308 not X306

Thanks Steve! Very good to know. I always get the model numbers mixed up. If the ad isn't lying this is a 95 XJR.

[Shaw Tarse]

Stick a link to the ad up, someone may be able to give you advice.

[a8hex]

Kolbenkopp said:

Jaguar steve said:

The main part of the boot floor base on the left is set in the lower position which can only be done if the spare wheel is missing or a space saver wheel is present. The smaller right hand part of the base is the battery cover which looks like it's not properly fitted. In case you need to know that model of XJ is known as a X308 not X306

Thanks Steve! Very good to know. I always get the model numbers mixed up. If the ad isn't lying this is a 95 XJR.

If its a 95 XJR, then its an X300. X308 is the V8.

[Kolbenkopp]

Oh that would be much appreciated. Here we go:

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/jaguar-xjr-4-...

From the text: two owners, 67k miles, minor paint damage, left mirror cap missing, remote for central locking missing. Engine and gearbox in top condition. Then the equipment list which looks fairly complete. Not sure if all had electrically adjustable seats and cruise control, this one is supposed to have both.

Can't really see how bad the paint thing is from the pics, but looks like it would at least need to have the right side doors and both bumpers fixed. Also some strange scratch or wire hanging out of the boot? Alloys need some TLC as well. No details on service history.

So pretty rough at first sight. But the price is pretty good for Germany (if the rest is in good condition). And I like the colour combination. And these things are disappearing pretty quickly here -- last chance to drive?

[Jagmanv12]

As others have said the cover on the right has the battery and a large fuse box under it. It should sit about 3 inches lower. Probably been lifted to charge/jump the battery.

LPG tanks either fit where the spare wheel goes or the XJ I had was fitted with a cylindrical tank that went across the front of the boot. Severely limits boot space!!

[NormanD]

a8hex said:

If its a 95 XJR, then its an X300. X308 is the V8.

From the other pictures its a X300

[a8hex]

NormanD said:

a8hex said:

If its a 95 XJR, then its an X300. X308 is the V8.

From the other pictures its a X300

I don't know the 308 well enough to be certain from the original picture, but it sure looked like a X300 with a space saver and a miss fitted battery cover.

[Jagmanv12]

The easy way to tell a x300 from a 308 is the chrome on the bumpers. A 300 has 3 pieces that cover the full length and a 308 has 2 quarter chromes.

[SV8Predator]

Jagmanv12 said:

The easy way to tell a x300 from a 308 is the chrome on the bumpers. A 300 has 3 pieces that cover the full length and a 308 has 2 quarter chromes.

No, you can't tell that as they drive past.

The easy way is to look at the front indicators; rectangular on the X300 and oval on the X308.

[Jaguar steve]

Kolbenkopp said:

Jaguar steve said:

The main part of the boot floor base on the left is set in the lower position which can only be done if the spare wheel is missing or a space saver wheel is present. The smaller right hand part of the base is the battery cover which looks like it's not properly fitted. In case you need to know that model of XJ is known as a X308 not X306

Thanks Steve! Very good to know. I always get the model numbers mixed up. If the ad isn't lying this is a 95 XJR.

95 will be the earlier six cyl X300 then, not the X308 launched in 97

[E31Shrew]

And still wears the most beautiful alloys ever! See if they've been painted or still 'diamond cut'

[Kolbenkopp]

E31Shrew said:

And still wears the most beautiful alloys ever! See if they've been painted or still 'diamond cut'

Yep, really like the look of the wheels as well, and I didn't know they are not supposed to be painted -- will check that, thanks! Also spent some time reading up on the X300 XJs -- really good info out there. Car seems to be pretty much "open source" by now ;-).

Sadly won't have the time to take a look before Friday earliest. It's not on the dealer forecourt and I won't get out of the office at anyway near their opening times this week.

Doubt it will sell quickly though, even at that price. Fuel is up to € 1.75 :-/ in Germany and it just looks like the previous owner couldn't afford to run the poor thing and/or lost interest halfway through fixing it -- which does not bode well for the rest of the condition of the car.

Main points to check specific to the X300 from what I've read:

- Rust on rear wheel arches and sills
- Rust around front and rear windscreen seals
- Rust around bulkhead and front suspension / brake pipes
- Cracks in exhaust manifold

List seems pretty short? I'll try to remind myself that I'm looking at a 17 year old Jag which will most likely need three times the asking price to be made OK again ;-).

[Jaguar steve]

Kolbenkopp said:

E31Shrew said:

And still wears the most beautiful alloys ever! See if they've been painted or still 'diamond cut'

Yep, really like the look of the wheels as well, and I didn't know they are not supposed to be painted -- will check that, thanks! Also spent some time reading up on the X300 XJs -- really good info out there. Car seems to be pretty much "open source" by now ;-).

Sadly won't have the time to take a look before Friday earliest. It's not on the dealer forecourt and I won't get out of the office at anyway near their opening times this week.

Doubt it will sell quickly though, even at that price. Fuel is up to € 1.75 :-/ in Germany and it just looks like the previous owner couldn't afford to run the poor thing and/or lost interest halfway through fixing it -- which does not bode well for the rest of the condition of the car.

Main points to check specific to the X300 from what I've read:

- Rust on rear wheel arches and sills
- Rust around front and rear windscreen seals
- Rust around bulkhead and front suspension / brake pipes
- Cracks in exhaust manifold

List seems pretty short? I'll try to remind myself that I'm looking at a 17 year old Jag which will most likely need three times the asking price to be made OK again ;-).

Suspension and brakes will have taken a pounding if the car has been used hard. Check the front tyres for uneven wear, especially on the inside edges, drive over a rough piece of road and listen and feel for any clonks, rattles or looseness in the steering and make sure the car brakes smooth and straight. You may have some diff noise which is not a problem as they'll go on for years with a bit of a whine. Parts are relatively cheap and the X300 is not too much of a challenge to work on. Condition is the only criteria to buy an old XJ on IMO and it's alway a good call to get the best one you can find even if it's not exactly the colour or spec you really want.

[thejpster]

a8hex said:

Kolbenkopp said:

Jaguar steve said:

The main part of the boot floor base on the left is set in the lower position which can only be done if the spare wheel is missing or a space saver wheel is present. The smaller right hand part of the base is the battery cover which looks like it's not properly fitted. In case you need to know that model of XJ is known as a X308 not X306

Thanks Steve! Very good to know. I always get the model numbers mixed up. If the ad isn't lying this is a 95 XJR.

If its a 95 XJR, then its an X300. X308 is the V8.

The six cylinder XJR was known as the X306 by the factory - see Wikipedia.