Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol11]
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The XJ350 is a lovely car, I really like them
My father owned many many jags (various xjs, xj, s type etc) and my favourite and most reliable was the XJ350 he owned, just the simple 3.0 it was a great car. Really big for quite a small space inside though! It was only the 3.0 but due to the lightness it was went fine and also handled really nicely whilst giving a great ride. He PX'd it for peanuts years ago. The only issue I noticed was the inside door handles snapped off twice!! I was driving, went to get out, opened the door and the handle came off in my hand and I was stuck in the drivers seat!!! This happened twice!
He then had a v8 facelifted model, top of the range, it was very fast and a lot less subtle than the the 3.0 . I kind of prefered the simplicity of the the earlier jag though
Whilst I liked the earlier Jag saloons (and ive spend a lot of time in them!) the XJ350 was the best all rounder imo, even more so at under 5k!
My father owned many many jags (various xjs, xj, s type etc) and my favourite and most reliable was the XJ350 he owned, just the simple 3.0 it was a great car. Really big for quite a small space inside though! It was only the 3.0 but due to the lightness it was went fine and also handled really nicely whilst giving a great ride. He PX'd it for peanuts years ago. The only issue I noticed was the inside door handles snapped off twice!! I was driving, went to get out, opened the door and the handle came off in my hand and I was stuck in the drivers seat!!! This happened twice!
He then had a v8 facelifted model, top of the range, it was very fast and a lot less subtle than the the 3.0 . I kind of prefered the simplicity of the the earlier jag though
Whilst I liked the earlier Jag saloons (and ive spend a lot of time in them!) the XJ350 was the best all rounder imo, even more so at under 5k!
JF87 said:
Disappointing response to my 8-series ebay ad. Only two viewings - a self-styled classic-car dealer who thought he could knock off a couple of grand if he sucked his teeth enough, and a much more genuine chap who seems to be having trouble arranging cost-effective insurance (still haven't given up on him).
Had some entertaining swap offers though - best was a pair of Omega Seamasters. Someone also wanted to trade it for their 124 convertible, which might have been interesting in other circumstances (ones in which I don't already have too many cars).
Anyway - just relisted it with a £750 haircut to top thread budget.
Have to say I'm really surprised it's hasn't sold, have you tried an advert on Car and Classic?Had some entertaining swap offers though - best was a pair of Omega Seamasters. Someone also wanted to trade it for their 124 convertible, which might have been interesting in other circumstances (ones in which I don't already have too many cars).
Anyway - just relisted it with a £750 haircut to top thread budget.
TVRJAS said:
0a said:
Definitely more modern! I do like the X350 for a newish car, but down at the lower reaches of thread budget, only rather dodgy examples seem to exist as you might expect.
Well I think I got a rather nice example just over a year ago and paid just under £6k with 67k on the clock with FJSH. I'ts not going anywhere but if it was I would assume it's probably in thread budget by now.I noticed not long ago browsing out of curiosity (as you do) and there were quite a few low mileage ones In or just above budget.
He had replaced it with a brand new 320D because he wanted something that was more economical on fuel. Erm, what about depreciation?? He was a retired accountant as well, go figure! TheLordJohn said:
The scabby bits don't really put people off a great deal, especially as it's one of the very cheapest going.
You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
In the words of Dr Johnson - true dat.You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
The Cat C will inevitably be putting some off, but I'm still surprised only two people have come along to assess it for themselves.
I guess the E31 is still in an awkward niche: it looks like the sort of car that must be ruinous to maintain, but isn't yet worth enough to justify that potential pain. (Whereas in large part it's just a two-door E38.)
JF87 said:
TheLordJohn said:
The scabby bits don't really put people off a great deal, especially as it's one of the very cheapest going.
You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
In the words of Dr Johnson - true dat.You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
The Cat C will inevitably be putting some off, but I'm still surprised only two people have come along to assess it for themselves.
I guess the E31 is still in an awkward niche: it looks like the sort of car that must be ruinous to maintain, but isn't yet worth enough to justify that potential pain. (Whereas in large part it's just a two-door E38.)
When the big up-tick begins is anyone's guess.
JF87 said:
TheLordJohn said:
The scabby bits don't really put people off a great deal, especially as it's one of the very cheapest going.
You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
In the words of Dr Johnson - true dat.You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
The Cat C will inevitably be putting some off, but I'm still surprised only two people have come along to assess it for themselves.
I guess the E31 is still in an awkward niche: it looks like the sort of car that must be ruinous to maintain, but isn't yet worth enough to justify that potential pain. (Whereas in large part it's just a two-door E38.)
TVRJAS said:
From what I read it appears there's not that much love for the later x350 (mines a 54) compared to the 300/308 and I really have no idea why. I find the whole package of the x350 an absolute bargain,yes it's not quite as sleek looking,but the ride quality I find superb and have enjoyed every one of my 5k miles.
I have recently bought an S type, test drove an x350 and was going to buy it, owner pulled out of the sale,so I gave up looking and bought an S. Edited by TVRJAS on Tuesday 25th April 19:21
Now as nice as the S is, every time I see an x350 I kick myself and think should have bought the x350
Lovely car and quite rare. I guess the Ford heritage gets the purists backs up, people consider the 300/308 the last real jags.
JF87 said:
TheLordJohn said:
The scabby bits don't really put people off a great deal, especially as it's one of the very cheapest going.
You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
In the words of Dr Johnson - true dat.You've got to expect scabby bits if you can't afford the best example of every car you want!
The Cat C will inevitably be putting some off, but I'm still surprised only two people have come along to assess it for themselves.
I guess the E31 is still in an awkward niche: it looks like the sort of car that must be ruinous to maintain, but isn't yet worth enough to justify that potential pain. (Whereas in large part it's just a two-door E38.)
Good luck! It's an awesome car and were I less poor I'd be straight over.
Whilst it's possible to make a case for an E Class instead of an S Class, or a 5 series instead of a 7 series, I don't think it's really possible to argue credibly in favour of an S-Type over an XJ.
The XJ just trumps the S-Type in every single department, IMO.
S-Type is a nice car considered in isolation, but a Jaguar best expressed as an XJ.
The XJ just trumps the S-Type in every single department, IMO.
S-Type is a nice car considered in isolation, but a Jaguar best expressed as an XJ.
bristolracer said:
TVRJAS said:
From what I read it appears there's not that much love for the later x350 (mines a 54) compared to the 300/308 and I really have no idea why. I find the whole package of the x350 an absolute bargain,yes it's not quite as sleek looking,but the ride quality I find superb and have enjoyed every one of my 5k miles.
I have recently bought an S type, test drove an x350 and was going to buy it, owner pulled out of the sale,so I gave up looking and bought an S. Edited by TVRJAS on Tuesday 25th April 19:21
Now as nice as the S is, every time I see an x350 I kick myself and think should have bought the x350
Lovely car and quite rare. I guess the Ford heritage gets the purists backs up, people consider the 300/308 the last real jags.
W00DY said:
I think the problem with CAT C and D cars is that everyone will tell you that you can't sell them and it becomes a bit self-perpetuating. Certainly I have no issue with them if they're straight and well repaired, but selling them on is a concern.
Good luck! It's an awesome car and were I less poor I'd be straight over.
Thanks. You're right, I bet a lot of the stigma is down to pub-bore received wisdom. Fair enough with a Mondeo perhaps, but a cheap and presentable 8 series (a fingers-of-one-hand selection across the whole of Europe) ought to merit a bit more latitude. At the very least an inspection! Good luck! It's an awesome car and were I less poor I'd be straight over.
funkyrobot said:
Do you think popping another year's MOT on it might help?
If it doesn't sell this time around I'll do just that. 
josh00mac said:
Mr Flustered, can you give me the deets of the MB garage in Surrey/SW London?
I intend to purchase a benz but always like to scope out a few marque specialists first! I am in Kingston/Surbiton area.
Cheers
Of course. I used Merc Repairs Ltd, Hastings Road, Croydon. They don't seem to have a website but are easy enough to google. As I said, I had a particularly encouraging and cost-effective experience. I intend to purchase a benz but always like to scope out a few marque specialists first! I am in Kingston/Surbiton area.
Cheers
However given that, unlike me, you don't live in a part of south London that's usually on fire, it may be a bit far for you.
My initial searches found that the place in SW London was Steve Readfern's eponymous garage in Wimbledon. Googling Steve Readfern Motor Co will undoubtedly find him. I personally cannot comment on his work (quality or price), but the received wisdom of losers past is that he is the dog's danglies with respect to old shoddy Mercs (no offence meant to owners of shoddy old Mercs).
Edited by flustered on Thursday 27th April 12:26
dme123 said:
I have considered an X350 on several occasions. They are superb to drive and a much better car than the X308. What puts me off is firstly the sheer size of the thing, which is a pain in the arse on British roads, and the styling is just so twee and unattractive compared to the sleekness of the X300/8.
I don't really see the size of the car having much difference to 90% of the cars that are on this Barge thread.The actual driving on the roads part I've never even once thought "Oh wow I'm driving a big car" just feels the same to me.
I think the only time you realize the size is when it comes to parking,multi-storey in particular but even when reversing into your local supermarket bays depending what's behind you then 9/10 you notice that you overhang the bay by a few feet. But again I notice this when seeing a 7 series or Audi Q7 etc.
I like the styling,however when I read that from the front view it can look a bit blobby due to the windscreen/roof line I can't help but see it now and again
But from every other angle I think it looks very sleek,almost elegant. Before buying mine I had been watching this thread to gain some knowledge of certain contenders of a barge like car(So thank you guy's) Contenders such as the 7 series,Lexus,Volvo S80,Merc cls , S & E class. Now I didn't test drive any of the above so still in the dark as to how good they are but at the stage I'm really pleased on my X350 purchase,I seriously can't give it any more praise when people ask me about it.
The F01 isn't that far away either, start at £12k for petrol examples now...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
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