Discussion
Generally pretty good mechanicaly but hard use - that's what an XJR is for of course - will chew tyres, brake and suspension components to bits. Some suspension components are very expensive to replace as individual bushes are not available from Jaguar but some after market parts are now covering this. Large diameter wheels and the Brembo brake option add significant amounts to replacement costs.
There are a number of aftermarket tuning options to lift BHP even higher.
Occasional suspension air compressor failure. "Sealed for life" gearbox and 'diff should not be regarded as such and have semi-regular oil changes if they are to last. Seem to be a few software issues too especially the gearbox. Earlier XJs suffered from Nicasil liner failure, timing chain tensioners, throttle body and cooling system problems. All were addressed long before the introduction of the aluminium bodied car.
Body corrosion is a problem. Check very carefully for signs of paint bubbling along the leading edge of the bootlid, inside and out of the door bottoms, A/B/C pillars and wheel arches - in fact anywhere on the body where there is a sharp crease. There are pages and pages of postings regarding this on the Jaguar Forum and the difficulty some people have had obtaining satisfactory repairs under warranty. I've seen a really bad example and two or three others which were starting to go.
Any paint repairs should be regarded with suspicion. A quick local blowover does not address the underlying cause which seems to be traces of contamination - possibily steel from the body press - in the aluminium body panel causing an electrolytic reaction. Several instances reported of repairs being done and the problem repeatedly reoccuring in the same place.
There are a number of aftermarket tuning options to lift BHP even higher.
Occasional suspension air compressor failure. "Sealed for life" gearbox and 'diff should not be regarded as such and have semi-regular oil changes if they are to last. Seem to be a few software issues too especially the gearbox. Earlier XJs suffered from Nicasil liner failure, timing chain tensioners, throttle body and cooling system problems. All were addressed long before the introduction of the aluminium bodied car.
Body corrosion is a problem. Check very carefully for signs of paint bubbling along the leading edge of the bootlid, inside and out of the door bottoms, A/B/C pillars and wheel arches - in fact anywhere on the body where there is a sharp crease. There are pages and pages of postings regarding this on the Jaguar Forum and the difficulty some people have had obtaining satisfactory repairs under warranty. I've seen a really bad example and two or three others which were starting to go.
Any paint repairs should be regarded with suspicion. A quick local blowover does not address the underlying cause which seems to be traces of contamination - possibily steel from the body press - in the aluminium body panel causing an electrolytic reaction. Several instances reported of repairs being done and the problem repeatedly reoccuring in the same place.
I've had my '07 XJR for about 6 or 7 months now, done 10K in it so far. Currently at 50K.
'Issues':
1. The engine light came on months ago. Apparently it would appear that the cats are causing too much backpressure, e.g. they are a bit clogged up. Quoted £1600 to replace, haven't done it yet as no rush apparently, but will need doing for MOT. In the meantime I'm hoping that aftermarkets will become available before the MOT is due.
2. Corrosion on rear boot lid in the join above the chrome jaguar strip, actually in the crease, I only spotted it when cleaning the car. I've just had confirmation that this is covered by the corrosion warranty so it's booked in for February. Also some small corrosion on the very bottom front edge of the rear doors, about the size of a 1p piece on the corner.
3. Radio. Since the cold weather my radio has started playing up first thing in the morning, prompting for PIN , showing error message, speakers not working. All these symptons resolve themselves within 5 miuntes of stating the car as 'something' warms up, I suspect the audio unit.
Other than that it's been faultless. I'm doing 80+ miles per day, returning 21.8 (my previous '03 would return 23.7 on the same route) and not exectly driving it like a granddad when the chance arises.
During the service in December they noted that a couple of bushes has slight 'play', but I expect that is the usual dealer standards of trying to 'persuade' the customer to spend thousands returning car to factory spec. I'll see how it goes at the MOT as I suspect it'll fly through without the MOT station noting anything untoward. And as noted above, the bushes can now be replaced with aftermarket bushes which would save replacing the whole damper or arm like I had to do on my last one at 120K miles.
All in all great cars, on my third XJR now, 1998, 2003 and 2007. Great value I reckon.
'Issues':
1. The engine light came on months ago. Apparently it would appear that the cats are causing too much backpressure, e.g. they are a bit clogged up. Quoted £1600 to replace, haven't done it yet as no rush apparently, but will need doing for MOT. In the meantime I'm hoping that aftermarkets will become available before the MOT is due.
2. Corrosion on rear boot lid in the join above the chrome jaguar strip, actually in the crease, I only spotted it when cleaning the car. I've just had confirmation that this is covered by the corrosion warranty so it's booked in for February. Also some small corrosion on the very bottom front edge of the rear doors, about the size of a 1p piece on the corner.
3. Radio. Since the cold weather my radio has started playing up first thing in the morning, prompting for PIN , showing error message, speakers not working. All these symptons resolve themselves within 5 miuntes of stating the car as 'something' warms up, I suspect the audio unit.
Other than that it's been faultless. I'm doing 80+ miles per day, returning 21.8 (my previous '03 would return 23.7 on the same route) and not exectly driving it like a granddad when the chance arises.
During the service in December they noted that a couple of bushes has slight 'play', but I expect that is the usual dealer standards of trying to 'persuade' the customer to spend thousands returning car to factory spec. I'll see how it goes at the MOT as I suspect it'll fly through without the MOT station noting anything untoward.
And as noted above, the bushes can now be replaced with aftermarket bushes which would save replacing the whole damper or arm like I had to do on my last one at 120K miles.All in all great cars, on my third XJR now, 1998, 2003 and 2007. Great value I reckon.
Piersman2 said:
1. The engine light came on months ago. Apparently it would appear that the cats are causing too much backpressure, e.g. they are a bit clogged up. Quoted £1600 to replace, haven't done it yet as no rush apparently, but will need doing for MOT. In the meantime I'm hoping that aftermarkets will become available before the MOT is due.
I had this, and it turned out to have been caused by the throttle body.Added to the extra issues with mine, it caused rather a lot of hassle, as Jaguar replaced each bit seperately. Thermostat, Throttle body and Cat. Each time necessitating a dealer visit. Bloody irritating!
The XJR is a fabulous car, but mine has been a real nightmare. The modern equivalent of a Friday night model.
I had a 2004 X350 XJR, 1 owner, 50k miles, FJSH. I bought it in 2008 for £16k.
I had so many issues with the car (brakes, suspension, water ingress behind front headlights, hose busts (further contamination to sc belt; this happen twice in one month, a new sc belt, pulley & tensioner on both occasions)engine light never off, flat-spotting P-Zeros), it just had to go.
Fuel consumption at 22mpg, was the very least of my worries.
However, on the rare days everything was going well....what a car!
I'd owned Jaguars before (XJS and XJ8), but could just not go on pouring money into the XJR.
I had so many issues with the car (brakes, suspension, water ingress behind front headlights, hose busts (further contamination to sc belt; this happen twice in one month, a new sc belt, pulley & tensioner on both occasions)engine light never off, flat-spotting P-Zeros), it just had to go.
Fuel consumption at 22mpg, was the very least of my worries.
However, on the rare days everything was going well....what a car!
I'd owned Jaguars before (XJS and XJ8), but could just not go on pouring money into the XJR.
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff