What's the reality of XJR ownership?
Discussion
As per title, I've had a lustful pull towards the X300 and X308 XJRs forever but written them off as out of reach and kept my eye on XK8s for 'one day'. However a mate recently pointed out how insanely cheap XJRs are now especially compared to the XK and I'm having a lot of trouble talking myself out of doing something silly like buying one.
I don't make a massive amount of money - national averageish, but I'm not renting or paying a mortage. I have a daily car which I use for work and so is self funding - I haven't had to put a penny of my own into it since purchase, so the cost of a second car for me would only be what the cost of owning a car is (if you see what I mean).
So as a second car for weekends and tarting about for probably under 5000miles per year, would a sub £5000, 60,000-100,000mile XJR be a huge, ruinous mistake?
Voices of experience very welcome - unfunny 'humorous' newbie PH meme wannabe posts not so welcome.
Thanks in advance
I don't make a massive amount of money - national averageish, but I'm not renting or paying a mortage. I have a daily car which I use for work and so is self funding - I haven't had to put a penny of my own into it since purchase, so the cost of a second car for me would only be what the cost of owning a car is (if you see what I mean).
So as a second car for weekends and tarting about for probably under 5000miles per year, would a sub £5000, 60,000-100,000mile XJR be a huge, ruinous mistake?
Voices of experience very welcome - unfunny 'humorous' newbie PH meme wannabe posts not so welcome.
Thanks in advance
NormanD said:
Thing is are you looking for a Saloon/4 seater or a Sports/GT there for a two seater
Either/or to be honest. I do prefer coupes and convertibles but I also think the XJ shape is the best looking family of saloons ever built and I've always wanted one. Plus the purchase price makes an XJR much more attainable than an XK which still commands upwards of twice as much to buy - which is a bit over what I want to spend on a luxury.Am just worried that spending under 5 grand on one might lead to bank-breaking bills?
I play with the idea of getting an xjr fairly regularly. They do seen like excellent value. I actually prefer the exterior & interior of x308 over both x300 and x350.
Although I've never actually taken the plunge, from what I've read, other than fuel, running costs don't sound hideous and many ppl claim they are very reliable, if looked after properly.
My only gripe is that you can't get the x308 with the 4.2 engine, which had tensioners sorted (a weakness in the 4.0). So if you are going for an x308, it'd probably make sense to get one that has already had the tensioners replaced to latest generation as this is a £1k job alone.
Although I've never actually taken the plunge, from what I've read, other than fuel, running costs don't sound hideous and many ppl claim they are very reliable, if looked after properly.
My only gripe is that you can't get the x308 with the 4.2 engine, which had tensioners sorted (a weakness in the 4.0). So if you are going for an x308, it'd probably make sense to get one that has already had the tensioners replaced to latest generation as this is a £1k job alone.
I bought my xjr6 about 2 years ago. I think it's insured for 3000 miles, garaged and I'm a member of JEC - insurance is about £200 yearly (though prices may have risen). I do all the work myself - so far, but the first year cost me £1500 for odds and ends (2 exhaust manifolds were £450) and I've had the rear wing painted (£200).
I've had a sports car before - when I was single - and although they are nice, they are not that practical. My lifestyle now demands a saloon - the more the merrier.
Fuel? Well, I don't use the car that often, infact, I SORN it for the winter. Maybe did 1000 miles last year. Just now I just want to tidy it up a bit - a sort of rolling restoration if you like. I think I can get about 26mpg if I have the slippers on, 17mpg if I want to have more fun.
For me it's something I can tinker on over the winter and drive here and there in summer.
I think I've got the expensive bills out the way now, so the cheapest I could run it for is around £350 plus fuel on a yearly basis. Oh, and the car was not expensive at all.
I've had a sports car before - when I was single - and although they are nice, they are not that practical. My lifestyle now demands a saloon - the more the merrier.
Fuel? Well, I don't use the car that often, infact, I SORN it for the winter. Maybe did 1000 miles last year. Just now I just want to tidy it up a bit - a sort of rolling restoration if you like. I think I can get about 26mpg if I have the slippers on, 17mpg if I want to have more fun.
For me it's something I can tinker on over the winter and drive here and there in summer.
I think I've got the expensive bills out the way now, so the cheapest I could run it for is around £350 plus fuel on a yearly basis. Oh, and the car was not expensive at all.
A chum of mine is just in the process of doing what you're thinking about!
He's picked up a '96 XK8 with c90k miles and a Jaguar history for a mite less than £4000. Like you, it won't be his daily driver so no great demands on it and there are some silly things wrong with it but was driven 250 miles from collection to home with no fuss.
Fortunately, we've got a great indy locally and it's going in this week for a once over to see how bad or good it is! I'll let you know the outcome.
Incidentally, I've got a 4.2 S type, love it or loathe it styling I agree but what a machine! Available within budget too and the later engine also gets the 6 speed box which is reputedly longer lasting than the 5 speed.
He's picked up a '96 XK8 with c90k miles and a Jaguar history for a mite less than £4000. Like you, it won't be his daily driver so no great demands on it and there are some silly things wrong with it but was driven 250 miles from collection to home with no fuss.
Fortunately, we've got a great indy locally and it's going in this week for a once over to see how bad or good it is! I'll let you know the outcome.
Incidentally, I've got a 4.2 S type, love it or loathe it styling I agree but what a machine! Available within budget too and the later engine also gets the 6 speed box which is reputedly longer lasting than the 5 speed.
Read this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=85&...
Go look at some cars
Come back and ask some more questions
I have an x308 XJR MY 2002 on a 51 plate, 19mpg at best. For me it is the last of the beautiful saloons, the X350 is too tall and not elegant enough, the interior of the X300 was a little dated for me and I had always promised myself a V8, before they get outlawed
I bought it in late 2007, for a price that makes me weep now. I was originally looking to get an XJR-S, but sanity prevailed, I have no garage and I need the rear seats a couple of times a year, for long journeys. It is a keeper and I look forward to using it for years to come.
I wanted a late model to get the extras easier and to avoid the nikasil issues etc. Still it came with the second gen tensioners. So beware and look for proof that they have been changed.
With regard to Extras, beware the additional cost of maintaining the Brembo upgrade, IMHO it is worth it, others will tell you it is an unnecessary expense and the standard brakes are fine. I have the Brembos and they have proved their worth on more than one occasion, still they are much more expensive to maintain. Heated windscreen, I don't notice the lines and neither does the wife, although new passengers often comment. Remember you still have to clear the snow off the side windows, but it does make it a bit easier. Heated seats, necessity, I have had them for years on my Saabs and would dearly miss them. Powerflex mirrors, a must, great for tight spaces and reverse parking etc. Reversing sensors, a must and they look better than a battered rear bumper. I have the phone kit, no Bluetooth but I just forward my phone to it and the hands free works brilliantly. The Nav is a joke, it is 10 years old after all.
I don't have the stereo upgrade, noticeable by tweeters in the A pillars and sub in the parcel shelf. I am not sure if it is much better.
So far I have replaced top and bottom chains, tensioners, guides etc, water pump and thermostat, all precautionary. Front dampers, disks all round twice, pads three times, lower wishbone bushes, anti roll bar drop links, rear A frame bushes, and all four wheel bearings. Gearbox service, fluid and filter, replacement O rings for electrical connector, two years later another Gearbox service and the Gearbox electrical connecter changed to stop a weep. Cam cover gaskets, these came up on the MOT as a power steering leak, everything had been coated by the vapour, but they got the colour wrong. Heavy duty battery.
You need to find a local specialist to make the maintenance of an X308 XJR viable, unless of course you are prepared to get stuck in yourself and have the requisite tools and diag kit. Not local, but not too far from the locale in your profile is TL Jaguar, I have just got mine back from some work there, and I am very pleased, it is the first time I have used them, the service was excellent and they worked to my time and were very close to their estimate. Norman D recommended them, do a search and take a look at the work they have done on his XKR.
Good luck
C
Go look at some cars
Come back and ask some more questions
I have an x308 XJR MY 2002 on a 51 plate, 19mpg at best. For me it is the last of the beautiful saloons, the X350 is too tall and not elegant enough, the interior of the X300 was a little dated for me and I had always promised myself a V8, before they get outlawed
I bought it in late 2007, for a price that makes me weep now. I was originally looking to get an XJR-S, but sanity prevailed, I have no garage and I need the rear seats a couple of times a year, for long journeys. It is a keeper and I look forward to using it for years to come.
I wanted a late model to get the extras easier and to avoid the nikasil issues etc. Still it came with the second gen tensioners. So beware and look for proof that they have been changed.
With regard to Extras, beware the additional cost of maintaining the Brembo upgrade, IMHO it is worth it, others will tell you it is an unnecessary expense and the standard brakes are fine. I have the Brembos and they have proved their worth on more than one occasion, still they are much more expensive to maintain. Heated windscreen, I don't notice the lines and neither does the wife, although new passengers often comment. Remember you still have to clear the snow off the side windows, but it does make it a bit easier. Heated seats, necessity, I have had them for years on my Saabs and would dearly miss them. Powerflex mirrors, a must, great for tight spaces and reverse parking etc. Reversing sensors, a must and they look better than a battered rear bumper. I have the phone kit, no Bluetooth but I just forward my phone to it and the hands free works brilliantly. The Nav is a joke, it is 10 years old after all.
I don't have the stereo upgrade, noticeable by tweeters in the A pillars and sub in the parcel shelf. I am not sure if it is much better.
So far I have replaced top and bottom chains, tensioners, guides etc, water pump and thermostat, all precautionary. Front dampers, disks all round twice, pads three times, lower wishbone bushes, anti roll bar drop links, rear A frame bushes, and all four wheel bearings. Gearbox service, fluid and filter, replacement O rings for electrical connector, two years later another Gearbox service and the Gearbox electrical connecter changed to stop a weep. Cam cover gaskets, these came up on the MOT as a power steering leak, everything had been coated by the vapour, but they got the colour wrong. Heavy duty battery.
You need to find a local specialist to make the maintenance of an X308 XJR viable, unless of course you are prepared to get stuck in yourself and have the requisite tools and diag kit. Not local, but not too far from the locale in your profile is TL Jaguar, I have just got mine back from some work there, and I am very pleased, it is the first time I have used them, the service was excellent and they worked to my time and were very close to their estimate. Norman D recommended them, do a search and take a look at the work they have done on his XKR.
Good luck
C
I have a 98 308 XJR. I love it to bits. I bought it 4 years ago and have been going to sell it for the last 2 years but can't (Had to settle my urge for a jag v8). When I bought it I got all the tensioners and belts done at Stratstone. Then I used an indie to change all the pulley wheels, supercharger tensioner and belt, waterpump, front disks/brakes and new set of tyres. Done the gearbox oil (dont believe it is sealed for life) and have it serviced every year even though I only do 3000. When I bought mine it was averaging 23mpg on the computer due to only doing longer journeys. It has 79.000 on the clock now and it hasn't missed a beat. Driving it is just sublime as nothing is an effort. If the tensioners have all been done then don't worry about the engine and Nikasil problems as if they have lasted this long the chances are they are now even stronger than the steel engines. Nearly wept last week when I sat in it with a screwdriver in my back pocket and made a wee hole in my seat 
.
.Late arrival to this thread...
I bought mine (a 1999 XJR V8, with Nikasil engine) in October last year. I paid £3700 for it, and it's had all the later spec tensioners, water pump fitted a couple of years ago.
Drives superbly, and maintenance hasn't been too ruinous - my 90k service, and a gearbox fluid & filet change came in at about £650, including new front pads.
Personally I'd go for a pre 2001 car to reduce the road tax liability, and I'd avoid the Brembo brake kit - looks great, but ruddy expensive for parts, I've just replaced my std sized discs with EBC turbo groove discs front & back, and new EBC Yellow Stuff pads for less than the cost I was quoted for the Brembo front pads only...
Mpg is always going to be "bad" - you may well be able to get mid 20's "on a run" if you drive like a saint, I can't so my average since I got the car is about 16mpg, as I do a fair amount of short journeys, and then any longer ones, she "gets a workout" so to speak
The harmon/kardon audio upgrade (with the tweeters on the A pillar) IMHO is well worth having, as I like to have some good music playing when I drive (its the only chance I get to listen to my tunes!)
Hope that helps, I've posted my thoughts over on Auto-Journals if you want to have another look, but as has been mentioned, get a good independent Jag specialist onside, and things aren't too scary!!!
I bought mine (a 1999 XJR V8, with Nikasil engine) in October last year. I paid £3700 for it, and it's had all the later spec tensioners, water pump fitted a couple of years ago.
Drives superbly, and maintenance hasn't been too ruinous - my 90k service, and a gearbox fluid & filet change came in at about £650, including new front pads.
Personally I'd go for a pre 2001 car to reduce the road tax liability, and I'd avoid the Brembo brake kit - looks great, but ruddy expensive for parts, I've just replaced my std sized discs with EBC turbo groove discs front & back, and new EBC Yellow Stuff pads for less than the cost I was quoted for the Brembo front pads only...
Mpg is always going to be "bad" - you may well be able to get mid 20's "on a run" if you drive like a saint, I can't so my average since I got the car is about 16mpg, as I do a fair amount of short journeys, and then any longer ones, she "gets a workout" so to speak
The harmon/kardon audio upgrade (with the tweeters on the A pillar) IMHO is well worth having, as I like to have some good music playing when I drive (its the only chance I get to listen to my tunes!)
Hope that helps, I've posted my thoughts over on Auto-Journals if you want to have another look, but as has been mentioned, get a good independent Jag specialist onside, and things aren't too scary!!!
If you like the styling, the S type 4.2 as mentioned earlier is a fantastic car. It gets the better interior, the best V8 money can buy and more toys than anyone can play with. OK there's no supercharger, but it has 300 bhp and 0-60 i just over 6 seconds and share the limited top speed 0f 155 with the XJR. I have been looking at these, and 4k gets you a 52 plate with less than 100k on the clock. As for the XJR, don't worry about buying a sub 5k car, there are plenty of great ones about that have been well looked after and the tensioners done etc, you just need to look and not jump in and get the first one you see. Remember, a tired Jag can drive and feel vastly superior to a normal car, so be very fussy. I know a lot of Jag owners and most of them have had no problems with their cars, apart from the odd niggles and the X300 i had was fantastic, in 6 months i had 1 issue that cost me a tenner! Can't wait to get another one very soon.
Your arrival isn't late chris! Thanks for posting - it's great to hear about other people's experiences and I really appreciate the education I'm getting here
Thanks pete, I have to admit thoug the S Type has never really got my fires going like the XJ.
Thanks pete, I have to admit thoug the S Type has never really got my fires going like the XJ.
Edited by Ben3883 on Tuesday 8th March 15:55
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