RE: The Brave Pill | Jaguar XJR (X308)
Discussion
I still have, as my daily driver, the Daimler SV8 that I bought in 2003: one of the few 2-owner X308s extant, I should guess. I cannot improve on it, so shall probably keep it until they nail me in my box. Now at 106k miles, it has been almost completely reliable - though, to be fair, the tensioners were upgraded after a water pump failure around 80k miles and would probably have failed had I not suggested that, whilst they had the go-department in bits, they had a look around inside the timing cover.
Major issues have been a radiator core and weeping diff oil seal (at 100k), which gave an opportunity to renew the rear axle oil. I also had the gearbox oil changed around 80k and would advise this, despite the "official" line being that both gearbox and final drive lubrication is sealed for life. Neither issue put the car off the road involuntarily (that indignity occurred only when the water pump failed - the original pump had plastic vanes that progressively failed; the replacement is an upgraded part).
A new windscreen and headlamp clusters a couple of years ago have restored relaxation to night driving. The only current issue is a collapsed headlining: the adhesive securing it to its base moulding was evidently not expected to remain sticky for 21 years. It is a bit of an issue, as the moulding has to be removed via the rear screen, according to my body shop, but it does not affect rear vision and I carry rear seat passengers so rarely that I'll live with it until said body shop has finished fettling another car for me.
Fuel consumption is NOT unreasonable for such a large, comfortable motor car with spectacular performance, handling and refinement. The Double Six (XJ40) that preceded it was much thirstier. This X308 has returned between 16.9 and 20.9 mpg (annualized) over the years I have owned it and will return around 22 mpg on a long motorway run.
To be fair, this has been a particularly good specimen; not all X308s have been as good, according to other owners, but I can speak only as I have found mine. I have had it main-dealer serviced throughout and replaced some corroded body parts as required (sills are an issue). That afforded opportunity to have the bonnet repainted to eliminate stone chips and have the finish properly flatted and polished to a proper standard - better than factory.
Current concern is that the steering rack has begun to weep slightly and replacements are allegedly not available. I may have to twist my dealership's arm a little to keep the car long enough to remove it and send it off for fettling: they are not keen to have a car cluttering up their space for the time required. Meanwhile, we monitor annually.
And finally, the original nicasil-linered engine is still there. I had blow-by tests done annually for the first few years, but, as they always reported AOK, we discontinued the practice. It seems that the problems arose from high-sulphur petrol in the North of England; as my Daimler lived on the South coast during its first ownership, this has not been a problem.
Major issues have been a radiator core and weeping diff oil seal (at 100k), which gave an opportunity to renew the rear axle oil. I also had the gearbox oil changed around 80k and would advise this, despite the "official" line being that both gearbox and final drive lubrication is sealed for life. Neither issue put the car off the road involuntarily (that indignity occurred only when the water pump failed - the original pump had plastic vanes that progressively failed; the replacement is an upgraded part).
A new windscreen and headlamp clusters a couple of years ago have restored relaxation to night driving. The only current issue is a collapsed headlining: the adhesive securing it to its base moulding was evidently not expected to remain sticky for 21 years. It is a bit of an issue, as the moulding has to be removed via the rear screen, according to my body shop, but it does not affect rear vision and I carry rear seat passengers so rarely that I'll live with it until said body shop has finished fettling another car for me.
Fuel consumption is NOT unreasonable for such a large, comfortable motor car with spectacular performance, handling and refinement. The Double Six (XJ40) that preceded it was much thirstier. This X308 has returned between 16.9 and 20.9 mpg (annualized) over the years I have owned it and will return around 22 mpg on a long motorway run.
To be fair, this has been a particularly good specimen; not all X308s have been as good, according to other owners, but I can speak only as I have found mine. I have had it main-dealer serviced throughout and replaced some corroded body parts as required (sills are an issue). That afforded opportunity to have the bonnet repainted to eliminate stone chips and have the finish properly flatted and polished to a proper standard - better than factory.
Current concern is that the steering rack has begun to weep slightly and replacements are allegedly not available. I may have to twist my dealership's arm a little to keep the car long enough to remove it and send it off for fettling: they are not keen to have a car cluttering up their space for the time required. Meanwhile, we monitor annually.
And finally, the original nicasil-linered engine is still there. I had blow-by tests done annually for the first few years, but, as they always reported AOK, we discontinued the practice. It seems that the problems arose from high-sulphur petrol in the North of England; as my Daimler lived on the South coast during its first ownership, this has not been a problem.
i love my XJR - it was bought from a guy who re-imports them from Japan and from Japan they are genuinely completely rust free - hence i should have ~15 years of rust free motoring, especially as it has been Waxoyl'd on arrival and will be every 2 or 3 years from now on. I also replaced every fluid in the car whether Jaguar said it was "for life" or not; gearbox, diff, SC, engine, brakes............ as well as all belts, filters........
It is so different to a modern car in feel; good visibility with the narrow pillars, a priority on ride over Nurnberg handling and still with modern straight line performance and really quiet up to and beyond all legal speeds
Of course the fuel economy is rubbish, but actually on my daily commute (yes, it is my daily car) it does about 20mpg and on the motorway with cruise on 70MPH it does 24mpg. Did 8000 miles in it in the first year and that was with mostly using the motorbikes throughout the summer. Snow tyres on for the winter and no problems as all in snow, sleet although I did have a heart stopper on some black ice but caught the slide unlike the Toyota Auris behind me (!!). There is zero depreciation so overall it is a cheaper car to run than virtually anything Focus sized or bigger less than 3 years old
Niggles - interior plastics have gone brittle so the odd trim bit snaps every now and again - easy to get Ebay replacements from rusted out UK cars that have been scrapped. Also plastic quick-fit connectors on engine hoses all break so just about every coolant pipe has now been replaced, 50% after me breaking them and 50% before I broke them. Electrics - OK so far, maybe again due to no salt on the roads in Japan.
Somehow my headliner is still good but many on Forum's have said that it is possible to replace them without removing the rear glass (maybe just Jaguar dealers won't do it that way)
Lovely, lovely car
It is so different to a modern car in feel; good visibility with the narrow pillars, a priority on ride over Nurnberg handling and still with modern straight line performance and really quiet up to and beyond all legal speeds
Of course the fuel economy is rubbish, but actually on my daily commute (yes, it is my daily car) it does about 20mpg and on the motorway with cruise on 70MPH it does 24mpg. Did 8000 miles in it in the first year and that was with mostly using the motorbikes throughout the summer. Snow tyres on for the winter and no problems as all in snow, sleet although I did have a heart stopper on some black ice but caught the slide unlike the Toyota Auris behind me (!!). There is zero depreciation so overall it is a cheaper car to run than virtually anything Focus sized or bigger less than 3 years old
Niggles - interior plastics have gone brittle so the odd trim bit snaps every now and again - easy to get Ebay replacements from rusted out UK cars that have been scrapped. Also plastic quick-fit connectors on engine hoses all break so just about every coolant pipe has now been replaced, 50% after me breaking them and 50% before I broke them. Electrics - OK so far, maybe again due to no salt on the roads in Japan.
Somehow my headliner is still good but many on Forum's have said that it is possible to replace them without removing the rear glass (maybe just Jaguar dealers won't do it that way)
Lovely, lovely car
BTW - in terms of the competition. I could understand someone choosing an E39 M5. Different rie/handling compromise (more handling), THAT V8 engine with response and noise to die for and a manual transmission - either the M5 or the XJR are great cars in different ways. Audi, Mercedes - neither come close in my opinion
Love these. Had four V8 XJRs over the years, two in Meteorite Silver (one with BBS Milan Wheels and Brembo Brakes and the other on Asteroids) one in BRG with Pentas and one in Pacific Blue, also on Pentas.
Great cars, but yes the rust does eat them away. If looked after, and all the common mechanical issues addressed (water pumps, tensioners, coolant hoses, gearbox oil changes, serviced properly), they are perfectly reliable.
They do like a drink, but its a 370 bhp super saloon - it's not going to sip fuel like a Golf diesel now is it?!
Said this on many forums, in many posts - nothing wafts quite like an XJ Jag. Especially the earlier models (X300 and X308).
Also has an X300 XJR, in BRG. Another great engine, but not as torquey or as refined as the V8 model, plus whilst the interiors loo better in the X300, the X308 is definitely put together better.
You can pick up decent examples for around £3k, no need to spend nearer £5k. If, howler you want the best, then spend nearer £10k.
Won't be this cheap for one - look at prices of the XJ40 XJR models - or even trying finding one for sale!
Great cars, but yes the rust does eat them away. If looked after, and all the common mechanical issues addressed (water pumps, tensioners, coolant hoses, gearbox oil changes, serviced properly), they are perfectly reliable.
They do like a drink, but its a 370 bhp super saloon - it's not going to sip fuel like a Golf diesel now is it?!
Said this on many forums, in many posts - nothing wafts quite like an XJ Jag. Especially the earlier models (X300 and X308).
Also has an X300 XJR, in BRG. Another great engine, but not as torquey or as refined as the V8 model, plus whilst the interiors loo better in the X300, the X308 is definitely put together better.
You can pick up decent examples for around £3k, no need to spend nearer £5k. If, howler you want the best, then spend nearer £10k.
Won't be this cheap for one - look at prices of the XJ40 XJR models - or even trying finding one for sale!
martin12345 said:
BTW - in terms of the competition. I could understand someone choosing an E39 M5. Different rie/handling compromise (more handling), THAT V8 engine with response and noise to die for and a manual transmission - either the M5 or the XJR are great cars in different ways. Audi, Mercedes - neither come close in my opinion
Owned a Bentley Eight - the XJR drives way better.Bentley is just about presence and more sedate driving. Yes the Turbo has some grunt, but the XJR will still leave it. Much more nimble and agile in comparison.
Also had an E39 M5, and a W210 E55 AMG. The Merc is down on power, but the BMW is in a different league in terms of driving pleasure.
However, the XJR is still probably has a better, more supple ride.
I loved my XJR - even made it on to Carpool.
Very, very fast, it felt light and balanced and it was a comfy place to sit.
BUT it had an intermittent engine issue I never got to the bottom of, loved the juice and was expensive to run (servicing, parts etc)
I paid £3,600 which was too much back then - sold it for £2,200 (loss of job) which I think it the value of this one for sale...
Very, very fast, it felt light and balanced and it was a comfy place to sit.
BUT it had an intermittent engine issue I never got to the bottom of, loved the juice and was expensive to run (servicing, parts etc)
I paid £3,600 which was too much back then - sold it for £2,200 (loss of job) which I think it the value of this one for sale...
pSyCoSiS said:
Ho Lee Kau said:
IMHO, the best looking Jag ever made.
In black with ivory leather, I am with you on this!EDIT TO ADD. The XJ was trouble free over the 4-5 years he used it a daily as has the XK since. My neighbour a 58 plate XFR as a daily and it's been good as gold. As his 03 plate weekend XKR
Maybe it's the newer JLR products with all the electric toys that are more troublesome?
Edited by AC43 on Tuesday 11th June 11:21
Edited by AC43 on Tuesday 11th June 11:37
AC43 said:
Maybe it's the newer JLR products with all the electric toys that are more troublesome?
The Ford era cars (X300 to first gen XF) seem to be really quite robust, there was a chap on here who did a survival rate analysis that showed that for all the Jaguar models it was sky high. The only large car with such a high survival rate as the X350 was the Lexus LS; there will be more at play than the product quality but it does suggest they certainly weren't rubbish.The Tata cars do seem to be a lot more troublesome, which could be down to complexity but could also show how dependent JLR were on Ford for decent engineering practices and production management?
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