X350 thoughts......
Discussion
Having owned an X300 and two X308's, I am considering getting an X350, 3.0 V6 SE.....toys aside, is there anything I should be looking for? Like the X308's gearbox issues and tensioners etc etc.
I know the X350 still has an ZF gearbox, but now a 6-speed version, but do the same issues exist? I guess they do to a certain extent as it's still a 'sealed' box.
Are there any owners out there with this model?
Cheers guys.
I know the X350 still has an ZF gearbox, but now a 6-speed version, but do the same issues exist? I guess they do to a certain extent as it's still a 'sealed' box.
Are there any owners out there with this model?
Cheers guys.
I believe corrosion between body panels could be a potential issue - caused by steel rivets fixing aluminium panels and the fact that aluminium isn't corrosion free.
In fact, if anything, once exposed to the outside world, it corrodes fasterer than steel and just crumbles away.
Otherwise I believe they're supposed to be a lot lot better than the 308's - couldn't be bloody worse, let's face it!
In fact, if anything, once exposed to the outside world, it corrodes fasterer than steel and just crumbles away.
Otherwise I believe they're supposed to be a lot lot better than the 308's - couldn't be bloody worse, let's face it!
As I understand the "Corrosion Issue", the cause is apparently nothing to do with rivets, it seems to affect a small number of mainly earlier cars and, may be due to contamination from machine tools.
Looking at the reported incidents, it seems apparent to me that the areas of corrosion are small and located at or near a fold or seam this tends to support the contamination theory.
Looking at the reported incidents, it seems apparent to me that the areas of corrosion are small and located at or near a fold or seam this tends to support the contamination theory.
Edited by Bat21 on Tuesday 8th June 15:10
Otherwise I believe they're supposed to be a lot lot better than the 308's - couldn't be bloody worse, let's face it!
[/quote]
Have read about the issues surrounding the rivets....but don't believe about the X308's....great cars IMHO....just feel it's time to move on!
I can feel a 'new' car coming on in about 3 weeks! have put down a holding deposit
You'll find the driving experience very different - the X350 feels, even in 3.0 very agile compared to the earlier cars. The air suspension gives an oddly detatched but very firm ride ride that's not like any other Jaguar I've driven.
The corrosion issues have been bought up in several threads but I've not yet been able to find out how widespread they are or if it's only certain cars that are affected. One source (Daily Telegraph)has suggested the rivets in th body are to blame but the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club believe the problem is down to paint contamination. Either way you're looking for blistering and bubbling on the doors, boot lid - especially the front - wheel arches and A/B/C pillars. Jaguar offer a 6 year body warranty which in most cases should cover the affected areas but I've read instances of dealers refusing to repair some cases of corrosion claiming it's down to paint damage and outside the warranty and one PH'er posted he's has the same area repaired no less than 4 times. All three X350's I've looked at have had a poor paint finish. That may of course be down to hasty body repair to blow over corrosion -I can't believe they left the factory like that.
The V6 is a very robust engine. It's posssible to change the 6 speed gearbox oil and it's not quite as difficult as the X308, the inlet manifold has to be removed to change the spark plugs on the V6, there's a recall to check and change a brake pipe that's prone to rusting, and the air suspension pump is a bit delicate - apart from that, and the corrosion issues it's certainly worth a look as prices in general have fallen rapidly over the last couple of years. Dealers are still asking silly money for older low mileage examples though.
The corrosion issues have been bought up in several threads but I've not yet been able to find out how widespread they are or if it's only certain cars that are affected. One source (Daily Telegraph)has suggested the rivets in th body are to blame but the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club believe the problem is down to paint contamination. Either way you're looking for blistering and bubbling on the doors, boot lid - especially the front - wheel arches and A/B/C pillars. Jaguar offer a 6 year body warranty which in most cases should cover the affected areas but I've read instances of dealers refusing to repair some cases of corrosion claiming it's down to paint damage and outside the warranty and one PH'er posted he's has the same area repaired no less than 4 times. All three X350's I've looked at have had a poor paint finish. That may of course be down to hasty body repair to blow over corrosion -I can't believe they left the factory like that.
The V6 is a very robust engine. It's posssible to change the 6 speed gearbox oil and it's not quite as difficult as the X308, the inlet manifold has to be removed to change the spark plugs on the V6, there's a recall to check and change a brake pipe that's prone to rusting, and the air suspension pump is a bit delicate - apart from that, and the corrosion issues it's certainly worth a look as prices in general have fallen rapidly over the last couple of years. Dealers are still asking silly money for older low mileage examples though.
[quote=Jaguar steve]You'll find the driving experience very different - the X350 feels, even in 3.0 very agile compared to the earlier cars. The air suspension gives an oddly detatched but very firm ride ride that's not like any other Jaguar I've driven.
Thanks guys....Steve, yes, the test drive felt so very different from my current X308 and more eager off 'the mark' and maybe given the air suspension, perhaps that's why the drive felt so different.
It seems odd in a way, that a few years back I had an XJ6 and now a prospective 'new' one, but very different feel to the engine, after being so very sold on the V8 for a good few years.
Good info about the gearboxes and will research more into their maintenance issues etc.
In the areas you mention about possible corrosion, I could not see any at all...and being a fastidious owner, I really inspected closely!
Time will tell and hope to collect in about 2 to 3 weeks time
Thanks guys....Steve, yes, the test drive felt so very different from my current X308 and more eager off 'the mark' and maybe given the air suspension, perhaps that's why the drive felt so different.
It seems odd in a way, that a few years back I had an XJ6 and now a prospective 'new' one, but very different feel to the engine, after being so very sold on the V8 for a good few years.
Good info about the gearboxes and will research more into their maintenance issues etc.
In the areas you mention about possible corrosion, I could not see any at all...and being a fastidious owner, I really inspected closely!
Time will tell and hope to collect in about 2 to 3 weeks time
Watch for water ingress on the head lights, if it requires a new board its big money and dealer only board. Better to get the front off and reseal units.
As per Jaguar Steve's post, the paint finish is poor on some cars, my XJR paint wasn't good. But the paint finish was the least of my worries when compared to the brake issues. Glad it's gone.
As per Jaguar Steve's post, the paint finish is poor on some cars, my XJR paint wasn't good. But the paint finish was the least of my worries when compared to the brake issues. Glad it's gone.
sparky35uk said:
Jaguar steve said:
You'll find the driving experience very different - the X350 feels, even in 3.0 very agile compared to the earlier cars. The air suspension gives an oddly detatched but very firm ride ride that's not like any other Jaguar I've driven.
Thanks guys....Steve, yes, the test drive felt so very different from my current X308 and more eager off 'the mark' and maybe given the air suspension, perhaps that's why the drive felt so different.
It seems odd in a way, that a few years back I had an XJ6 and now a prospective 'new' one, but very different feel to the engine, after being so very sold on the V8 for a good few years.
Good info about the gearboxes and will research more into their maintenance issues etc.
In the areas you mention about possible corrosion, I could not see any at all...and being a fastidious owner, I really inspected closely!
Time will tell and hope to collect in about 2 to 3 weeks time
Regarding the gearbox, just like the X308 you'll need a special fluid, in this case Shell ATF M1375.4, and yes you'll already have guessed it cost a lot more per litre than normal Dexron III. The filter is an integral part of the sump pan and costs close on £100. Access is a bit tight and there's the usual risk partially siezied sump bolts to cope with too. Filling has to be done from underneath just like the X308 but the temperature rise time is a lot longer on the 6 speeder so there's not the usual two or three min. rush to get the level right.Thanks guys....Steve, yes, the test drive felt so very different from my current X308 and more eager off 'the mark' and maybe given the air suspension, perhaps that's why the drive felt so different.
It seems odd in a way, that a few years back I had an XJ6 and now a prospective 'new' one, but very different feel to the engine, after being so very sold on the V8 for a good few years.
Good info about the gearboxes and will research more into their maintenance issues etc.
In the areas you mention about possible corrosion, I could not see any at all...and being a fastidious owner, I really inspected closely!
Time will tell and hope to collect in about 2 to 3 weeks time
Procedure was covered in the April 2009 JEC magazine - and of course is well worth doing on a semi regular basis. It's much cheaper then a new gearbox
I had a 04 3.0 SE back in 05 - 06 after a 52 3.2 SE. It felt very different
The 350 SE was a great car with a great spec, did quite a few miles and was surprised how easy it was on its brakes tyres etc after the 308. Did'nt have it long enough for the corrosion issues.
Swapped it for a 55 XKR, missed the toys in the XJ and the way it felt to drive and how I felt driving it.
Keep finding myself looking at late 358 diesels, thought prices might fall significantly due to the new model, but going from an 08 to the new XJ would be quite a lot to pay on top (£35k ish) dealer contacts do not expect a rush to trade in and therefore the later ones are holding at around the £30k mark.
I am sure you made a great decision and will really enjoy it.
The 350 SE was a great car with a great spec, did quite a few miles and was surprised how easy it was on its brakes tyres etc after the 308. Did'nt have it long enough for the corrosion issues.
Swapped it for a 55 XKR, missed the toys in the XJ and the way it felt to drive and how I felt driving it.
Keep finding myself looking at late 358 diesels, thought prices might fall significantly due to the new model, but going from an 08 to the new XJ would be quite a lot to pay on top (£35k ish) dealer contacts do not expect a rush to trade in and therefore the later ones are holding at around the £30k mark.
I am sure you made a great decision and will really enjoy it.
Stedman said:
Excellent choice of colour. Ultraviolet is 
Now get some 19 inch 'custom' rims or 18 inch 'dynamic' rims, with a proper colour coded grille and polished mesh grille inserts and it will be ultra
..not that the above is my dream car or anything
MORE PICTURES ARE NEEDED!
Some more pics will be forth coming soon, it does have the colour coded grille with the mesh insert, and am thinking of getting the lower mesh too!Now get some 19 inch 'custom' rims or 18 inch 'dynamic' rims, with a proper colour coded grille and polished mesh grille inserts and it will be ultra
..not that the above is my dream car or anything
MORE PICTURES ARE NEEDED!
It does have the 18" wheels....but will have to research into the 'dynamic' ones
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