XJ8s What to look for?
Discussion
I'm sort of looking for a XJ currently. I was thinking one of the older 6 cylinder cars as from what I've read (mostly on here) they are more bulletproof. However when I see adverts like this http://www.harrisofwakefield.com/used-cars/jaguar-... it's rather tempting to grab a V8. I know to check the tensioners have been done, but can't remember how. Would it have been done as part of the services in a recall? if not can it be done with normal tools by your average mechanically minded owner (ie me)?
EDIT: I almost forgot, any suggestions for insurance? the best I've found so far is £525 FC via confused.com.
EDIT: I almost forgot, any suggestions for insurance? the best I've found so far is £525 FC via confused.com.
Edited by Hooli on Monday 22 October 20:42
Choice of two visually similar cars on a modest budget.
X300 six cylinder from 1994 to 1997 and X308 V8 from 1997 to 2002. Both have choice of 3.2 or 4.0 engines. X300 is 4 speed auto and very rare manual, X308 is 5 speed auto only.
X300 is generally considered more robust and will tollerate neglect and carry high miles with ease, X308 has much better performance and is considerably more refined and potentially equally reliable if looked after.
Whichever you choose it's essential to buy the very best example you can find. Both cars will rust, X300 more so around rear wheel arches, sills, door and wing bottoms and under front and rear screen rubbers. Some cars - particurlarly the X 308 - may also corrode around the reinforcing plate behind the front shocks. Lacquer can peel and bumper corners are easily scuffed. Drivers seats often wear. Otherwise do the usual checks for accident damage. Odd electricial faults occur so make sure all the toys work. Larger diameter wheels than the 16 inch ones spoil ride quality and the tyres cost a fortune. Not really much difference between sport or touring suspension options on either car.
Mechanically the 6 cyl cars are robust. The V8s need to have the secondary timing chain tensioners changed for the metal bodied type. Easy enough DIY but essential to have the correct tools. The V8 also must have the "sealed for life" gearbox oil changed at 50k and then every 25k onwards to ensure long life and relability - again easy DIY. No need to have any concerns about Nicasil lining failure on pre 2000 V8s but important to make sure the later waterpump is fitted. Any V8 that hesitates or engages drive with a thump has a failing gearbox. Only sure fire way to check tensioners have been done is take the rh cam cover off and have a look. If you have a reciept showing a tensioner change it may be from the mk 1 plastic type to the mk 2 plastic type - mk2s are equally fragile.
Front tyres with excessive wear on inside edges indicates worn suspension bushes, judder under braking suggests warped discs, clonking or rattles over bumps suggests worn suspension components and most high milers will have a bit of diff whine - all common XJ faults.
Generally look for the same things you'd do with any old car - service history, general condition and evidence of damage.
Both cars will return 28ish MPG on a long gentle trip dropping to low 20s in daily use. Parts are reasonable and both cars are easy enough to work on and service by any reasonably competent DIYer.
I've had both 6 and 8 cyl XJs and taken both to over 100k without any grief. Out of the two and all things being equal I'd choose a V8 everytime, it's a much nicer car to drive but even more essential to find one that's been looked after.
X300 six cylinder from 1994 to 1997 and X308 V8 from 1997 to 2002. Both have choice of 3.2 or 4.0 engines. X300 is 4 speed auto and very rare manual, X308 is 5 speed auto only.
X300 is generally considered more robust and will tollerate neglect and carry high miles with ease, X308 has much better performance and is considerably more refined and potentially equally reliable if looked after.
Whichever you choose it's essential to buy the very best example you can find. Both cars will rust, X300 more so around rear wheel arches, sills, door and wing bottoms and under front and rear screen rubbers. Some cars - particurlarly the X 308 - may also corrode around the reinforcing plate behind the front shocks. Lacquer can peel and bumper corners are easily scuffed. Drivers seats often wear. Otherwise do the usual checks for accident damage. Odd electricial faults occur so make sure all the toys work. Larger diameter wheels than the 16 inch ones spoil ride quality and the tyres cost a fortune. Not really much difference between sport or touring suspension options on either car.
Mechanically the 6 cyl cars are robust. The V8s need to have the secondary timing chain tensioners changed for the metal bodied type. Easy enough DIY but essential to have the correct tools. The V8 also must have the "sealed for life" gearbox oil changed at 50k and then every 25k onwards to ensure long life and relability - again easy DIY. No need to have any concerns about Nicasil lining failure on pre 2000 V8s but important to make sure the later waterpump is fitted. Any V8 that hesitates or engages drive with a thump has a failing gearbox. Only sure fire way to check tensioners have been done is take the rh cam cover off and have a look. If you have a reciept showing a tensioner change it may be from the mk 1 plastic type to the mk 2 plastic type - mk2s are equally fragile.
Front tyres with excessive wear on inside edges indicates worn suspension bushes, judder under braking suggests warped discs, clonking or rattles over bumps suggests worn suspension components and most high milers will have a bit of diff whine - all common XJ faults.
Generally look for the same things you'd do with any old car - service history, general condition and evidence of damage.
Both cars will return 28ish MPG on a long gentle trip dropping to low 20s in daily use. Parts are reasonable and both cars are easy enough to work on and service by any reasonably competent DIYer.
I've had both 6 and 8 cyl XJs and taken both to over 100k without any grief. Out of the two and all things being equal I'd choose a V8 everytime, it's a much nicer car to drive but even more essential to find one that's been looked after.
Edited by Jaguar steve on Monday 22 October 22:11
lestershaw said:
Hi Hooli
i have 2 X308s with the tensioner upgrades done, and water pump, and gearbox oil change etc
one is already for sale
the other could be
£4250 and £3250, pm me if interested :-)
I've got a lovely condition, silver with sports black leather, 69K 2 owner 2001 XJ8 4.0 for sale, tensioners and waterpump done this year. £2750? PM me.i have 2 X308s with the tensioner upgrades done, and water pump, and gearbox oil change etc
one is already for sale
the other could be
£4250 and £3250, pm me if interested :-)
Cheers for the offers guys. I'm not sure I can stretch to either of them for a private sale, my financing plan was buy it on a credit card & bounce it straight to the other credit card that's offering me 0% on balance transfers. MEC's is particularly tempting as it wouldn't be as hard to find the extra (if I can), I don't suppose it's got a towbar has it?
I might be viewing a X300 3.2 on saturday & the towbar that's got would be handy as we've got a caravan
that needs recovering from Scotland soonish.
I might be viewing a X300 3.2 on saturday & the towbar that's got would be handy as we've got a caravan
that needs recovering from Scotland soonish.Hooli said:
Cheers for the offers guys. I'm not sure I can stretch to either of them for a private sale, my financing plan was buy it on a credit card & bounce it straight to the other credit card that's offering me 0% on balance transfers. MEC's is particularly tempting as it wouldn't be as hard to find the extra (if I can), I don't suppose it's got a towbar has it?
I might be viewing a X300 3.2 on saturday & the towbar that's got would be handy as we've got a caravan that needs recovering from Scotland soonish.
No towbar sorry, but I may have a mate who can do something with the credit card thing if we can come to some arrangement on the commission?I might be viewing a X300 3.2 on saturday & the towbar that's got would be handy as we've got a caravan
that needs recovering from Scotland soonish.MEC said:
No towbar sorry, but I may have a mate who can do something with the credit card thing if we can come to some arrangement on the commission?
Lots of reasons, cheaper insurance, less fuel, less to go wrong. Equally you could argue why would you want an XJR as a 4.0 is more than powerful enough to waft effortlessly and the XJ doesn't really appreciate being driven at 10 10th's!Are you really suggesting the non R models are worthless??!!
MEC said:
MEC said:
No towbar sorry, but I may have a mate who can do something with the credit card thing if we can come to some arrangement on the commission?
Lots of reasons, cheaper insurance, less fuel, less to go wrong. Equally you could argue why would you want an XJR as a 4.0 is more than powerful enough to waft effortlessly and the XJ doesn't really appreciate being driven at 10 10th's!Are you really suggesting the non R models are worthless??!!
MEC said:
Lots of reasons, cheaper insurance, less fuel, less to go wrong. Equally you could argue why would you want an XJR as a 4.0 is more than powerful enough to waft effortlessly and the XJ doesn't really appreciate being driven at 10 10th's!
Are you really suggesting the non R models are worthless??!!
No, not at all. I think all the jags I have owned over the years have been fantastic,I have had a 2+2 e type, an e type convertible, 2 x xj12s, a Daimler double six, an xjs v12 manual, a v8 3.2 sport which I sold to six pot( now 8 )pot dave, a jaguar 4.0 sovereign and an xj6 . And now I have 3 xjrs and they are by far the best out of all the jags I have had. I would not have an xj other than the xjr unless it was as well as!Are you really suggesting the non R models are worthless??!!
The suspension is a little firmer but you can still waft nearly as well as in other xj s but they aren't so walllowy and you don't feel sick when you go round corners. As I say, you can waft, but you just waft a little quicker :-) and when you want do more than waft you have 400 instant horses to play with, after all the jaguar it is named after only wafted until it became time to pounce.
In my opinion, the xjr is the best xj that was ever made, it does everything, power, pace, comfort, acceleration in a luxury package in sheeps clothing. I can't fault it I love them. Also for six out of the last 7 years I have had BMW 850 v12 as a daily driver, but the xjr is in a different league in every way, except maybe looks
Not wanting to start a whole new discussion...but... if you cant even fork of 2500 GBP on the spot, or wait for 2-3 month until you have saved for that kind of money, how are you going to run the car (with MPG below 20 road tax, XJ-league maintenance costs, oil and the like), not to mention what if something goes wrong?
My personal view is that if you are going to buy a car in that price range, you should at least have the same amount in cash to get it sorted during the first 2 years.
And, yes, I have been though this - let me NOT tell you my "Oh, these XJ40s are sooo cheap now, I bet the maintenance costs have come down as well" story.
My personal view is that if you are going to buy a car in that price range, you should at least have the same amount in cash to get it sorted during the first 2 years.
And, yes, I have been though this - let me NOT tell you my "Oh, these XJ40s are sooo cheap now, I bet the maintenance costs have come down as well" story.
Hooli said:
I'm not sure I can stretch to either of them for a private sale, my financing plan was buy it on a credit card & bounce it straight to the other credit card that's offering me 0% on balance transfers..
Rushmore said:
Not wanting to start a whole new discussion...but... if you cant even fork of 2500 GBP on the spot, or wait for 2-3 month until you have saved for that kind of money, how are you going to run the car (with MPG below 20 road tax, XJ-league maintenance costs, oil and the like), not to mention what if something goes wrong?
My personal view is that if you are going to buy a car in that price range, you should at least have the same amount in cash to get it sorted during the first 2 years.
And, yes, I have been though this - let me NOT tell you my "Oh, these XJ40s are sooo cheap now, I bet the maintenance costs have come down as well" story.
That's a valid question. Basically, I'm selling a motorbike for about £2.5k in the spring (when bikes sell a lot better) which funds the car. But I need the car for winter as motorbikes tend to fall over in snow. I'm aware of the running costs etc, over the winter they'll cost a bit but the car will hardly move in the summer so that'll even them out a bit. All I'm doing is buying six months earlier than I was thinking of with interest free credit, mostly egged on by Mrs Hooli killing her car so I've nothing to borrow during the snow this year.My personal view is that if you are going to buy a car in that price range, you should at least have the same amount in cash to get it sorted during the first 2 years.
And, yes, I have been though this - let me NOT tell you my "Oh, these XJ40s are sooo cheap now, I bet the maintenance costs have come down as well" story.
Hooli said:
I'm not sure I can stretch to either of them for a private sale, my financing plan was buy it on a credit card & bounce it straight to the other credit card that's offering me 0% on balance transfers..
Hooli said:
I might be viewing a X300 3.2 on saturday & the towbar that's got would be handy as we've got a caravan
that needs recovering from Scotland soonish.Oh & as to the offers above, I've been told I want a dark car with light interior by SWMBO. Therefore we're off to view this tomorrow http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XJ-Series-4-0-aut... Going to ring them first to make sure it's not buried in the yard as I'll want a test drive.
Edited by Hooli on Saturday 27th October 18:44
Must admit I was a bit 
when I heard you were planning to tow a caravan in Scotland with a X300 3.2.
You've linked to a X308, not X300. Tyres for those 17" Celtic wheels are expensive. At that mileage the gearbox is on borrowed time if the oil had never been changed. It'll need third gen timing chain tensioners too. Chances are it'll have a Nicasil engined block, which is not a problem but it may also have the earlier waterpump and throttle body which can be. If the engine has been replaced with a later steel lined one (look for a metal tag on the back of the block behind the air intake trunking) don't assume the tensioners are OK, although the throttlebody and water pump should be tha later type.
Have a really good look behind the front shocks for any signs of corrosion, and make sure the gearchanges and drive take up are smooth and instant. Listen very carefully for any cold start rattle and make sure all the fluids are clean.
World of difference in performance and refinement between the 6 to 8 cyl cars. The 4.0 V8 had sports suspension as standard (green not black shocks) and with the 50 profile tyres fitted on those Celtics it'll handle much better than an standard X300 but you migh find the ride a bit harsh over your expectations of an XJ so take it down some bumpy roads as see what you think.
when I heard you were planning to tow a caravan in Scotland with a X300 3.2.You've linked to a X308, not X300. Tyres for those 17" Celtic wheels are expensive. At that mileage the gearbox is on borrowed time if the oil had never been changed. It'll need third gen timing chain tensioners too. Chances are it'll have a Nicasil engined block, which is not a problem but it may also have the earlier waterpump and throttle body which can be. If the engine has been replaced with a later steel lined one (look for a metal tag on the back of the block behind the air intake trunking) don't assume the tensioners are OK, although the throttlebody and water pump should be tha later type.
Have a really good look behind the front shocks for any signs of corrosion, and make sure the gearchanges and drive take up are smooth and instant. Listen very carefully for any cold start rattle and make sure all the fluids are clean.
World of difference in performance and refinement between the 6 to 8 cyl cars. The 4.0 V8 had sports suspension as standard (green not black shocks) and with the 50 profile tyres fitted on those Celtics it'll handle much better than an standard X300 but you migh find the ride a bit harsh over your expectations of an XJ so take it down some bumpy roads as see what you think.
Edited by Jaguar steve on Sunday 28th October 09:30
Jaguar steve said:
Must admit I was a bit when I heard you were planning to tow a caravan in Scotland with a X300 3.2.
That wouldn't be a regular thing, we site it for a year & go out to it on motorbikes over the summer. It's not like it'd need to drag it about a lot & we intend to keep it closer to home in the future anyway. Cheers for those tips, we're off to look this afternoon. I'll try to remember the bits you pointed out. when I heard you were planning to tow a caravan in Scotland with a X300 3.2.Edited by Hooli on Sunday 28th October 12:02
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