Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 16]

[alec.e]

SpeckledJim said:

john_1983 said:

X350 XJRs - what's the thread consensus on how well they hold up at high mileage?

I've spotted one, in thread, looks good in pics, MOT history ok etc but it's done 200k miles. I'm not worried about mileage in general, I've got a couple of cars over 100k but I'm concerned this Jag might be effectively worn out at that mileage

Wouldn’t worry me per se, but it would need to be bloody cheap because it’ll be a ball ache to sell on again.

Not if in right price/condition in my experience.

I ran high'ish mile X350s and the main thing to watch out for was supsension bushings, the petrol engines are very tough and gearboxes seem reliable.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

tobinen said:

This requires leaper removal but otherwise sounds good - £3,600 ono

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1151081

I rather like that too, but doesn't it seem a little pricey for the smallest engine and a recent history of non-use?

The tow-bar would have to come off, and the headlining sorted, as well as the awful leaper of course, but otherwise that looks a solid car.

[W00DY]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

tobinen said:

This requires leaper removal but otherwise sounds good - £3,600 ono

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1151081

I rather like that too, but doesn't it seem a little pricey for the smallest engine and a recent history of non-use?

The tow-bar would have to come off, and the headlining sorted, as well as the awful leaper of course, but otherwise that looks a solid car.

It's not the smallest engine, the early cars had a 2.9 or a 3.6 and generally have a reputation for being more flaky than the later ones.

Seems expensive as you say, I'd want a very nice example for that money.

[tobinen]

I skim-read it and I missed the bit about the headlining.

[john_1983]

Thanks for the replies ref the XJR. I've got no intention of ever selling it, I hate selling cars hence this will be number 6 of mine and number 8 in the household.

It'll only do 3-5k a year so as long it doesn't cost a fortune to keep on the road I'll thoroughly enjoy it. Hope to go see it next weekend, it's 60 miles away

[Geekman]

john_1983 said:

Thanks for the replies ref the XJR. I've got no intention of ever selling it, I hate selling cars hence this will be number 6 of mine and number 8 in the household.

It'll only do 3-5k a year so as long it doesn't cost a fortune to keep on the road I'll thoroughly enjoy it. Hope to go see it next weekend, it's 60 miles away

Definitely worth going for if it's in good condition. I took my X350 V6 to 165k, then an X350 XJR to around 150k, and then another X350 XJR to around 130k. Never had any serious issues with any of them, although if definitely helps to do your research when problems occur, instead of just throwing it at a mechanic and asking him to fix whatever's wrong with it. I found an excellent local mechanic who, despite being a complete weirdo and a bit of a nightmare to deal with, really knew his stuff and was able to sort the few issues I had for a tiny fraction of what a main dealer would charge.

Many will probably disagree with me, but considering performance, reliability, MPG and comfort, I don't think there's a better car under 5k than an X350 XJR.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Geekman said:

Many will probably disagree with me, but considering performance, reliability, MPG and comfort, I don't think there's a better car under 5k than an X350 XJR.

That's a big call. It's a very big call. But you might just be right.

I need to experience XJ-ownership at some stage.

[anonymous-user]

Parts are also quite cheap for the X350 I just had to buy a big plastic thing that has half a dozen hoses coming off it and houses the thermostat, and it was £38+VAT. They're also not tricky to work on.

Even the previously quite costly whole rear wishbones with bushes are now only £135 odd each for Lemforder if you can't be arsed with pressing bushes in and out to save £100.

My only criticism, and this applies to all cars with combined air spring and damper units, is that it is clearly at the point where it would benefit from new dampers all round but that isn't an option unless I want to replace all the air springs for £600+VAT each OEM/decent aftermarket (I would no more use the chinese air spring units that I'd fit no name chinese dampers and suspension springs to a conventional car). I might consider this if it were a really clean XJR or Super V8 specified up to the eyeballs but for a humdrum 4.2 SE it means that the car is all but condemned to end up driving like a shed.

The dampers aren't completely shagged out as I'd normally expect them to be at 150k+, so they may last longer in the nice clean environment inside the air bellows, but they certainly don't work quite as they did back in 2003.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th May 18:21

[anonymous-user]

1996 SWB XJ12 with LPG for a haggle over thread...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Jaguar-XJ12-6-0-Au...

NSR quarter colour match is off, which was probably from the Cat D in 2003, but find me a 25 year old car that hasn't had paint. I wonder what they'd give me in PX for my X350....

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th May 19:44

[JOB2.5-16]

Reserve lowered with 20 minutes to go, can't help thinking this looks awful value if you want one. Above thread, but justified by previous discussion on the matter.

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1988-mercedes-...

[cornershop]

I know of a 2006 XJR currently offered for sale if of interest - all trouble spots dealt with, should be trouble free for the foreseeable future.

I’m feeling the urge for something more retro, and maybe less barge

[Sterillium]

cornershop said:

I know of a 2006 XJR currently offered for sale if of interest - all trouble spots dealt with, should be trouble free for the foreseeable future.

I’m feeling the urge for something more retro, and maybe less barge

Interested... what colour and spec? I really miss my old XJR.

[CAPP0]

stickleback123 said:

1996 SWB XJ12 with LPG for a haggle over thread...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Jaguar-XJ12-6-0-Au...

NSR quarter colour match is off, which was probably from the Cat D in 2003, but find me a 25 year old car that hasn't had paint. I wonder what they'd give me in PX for my X350....

Edited by stickleback123 on Sunday 24th May 19:44

I'm pretty sure that's featured in this thread previously? I recognise the pictures of the dealership in the background. If it's hanging around it may aid it's drift into threadworthiness!

[assadahmed]

Going tomorrow morning to view a 2003 E55. It's covered 114k, has a main dealer service history until 2015 at 95k and then serviced privately by the owner.

Only 1 former owner.

Has a good MOT history.

It's an imported car so will get a few more details when I view the car at the dealer.

Is this too big a risk or are these cars generally ok. I don't mind spending money as and when needed but don't want a money pit at the same time.

Anyone with any experience with these cars?

[LetsTryAgain]

stickleback123 said:

1996 SWB XJ12 with LPG for a haggle over thread...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Jaguar-XJ12-6-0-Au...

NSR quarter colour match is off, which was probably from the Cat D in 2003, but find me a 25 year old car that hasn't had paint. I wonder what they'd give me in PX for my X350....

Edited by stickleback123 on Sunday 24th May 19:44

LPG is a no go for me.

[paulguitar]

Well, I've listed my XK for sale on Facebook and a well-known internet auction site, so I am fully expecting to be hearing from some interesting characters. I've already had a best offer I was prepared to accept, but the buyer has disappeared.

Here it is:

[Geekman]

What made you decide to sell? I remember admiring it when you posted it before- - it's a beautiful car.

[anonymous-user]

cornershop said:

I know of a 2006 XJR currently offered for sale if of interest - all trouble spots dealt with, should be trouble free for the foreseeable future.

I’m feeling the urge for something more retro, and maybe less barge

[paulguitar]

Geekman said:

What made you decide to sell? I remember admiring it when you posted it before- - it's a beautiful car.

Thanks. I originally decided to sell because my career working on cruise ships meant that it just wasn't getting enough use. My stepfather would take it out every couple of weeks but I was paying £50 per month in VED while working away which eventually got a bit tedious.

Now I am back home with no prospect of my job resuming any time soon, so it seems to make sense to scale back the spending a bit. I think I'm going to be very PH, and get an MX5.

[anonymous-user]

paulguitar said:

Thanks. I originally decided to sell because my career working on cruise ships meant that it just wasn't getting enough use. My stepfather would take it out every couple of weeks but I was paying £50 per month in VED while working away which eventually got a bit tedious.

Now I am back home with no prospect of my job resuming any time soon, so it seems to make sense to scale back the spending a bit. I think I'm going to be very PH, and get an MX5.

You have me thinking if there is any way this could replace my XJ as the car for driving my three kids around in, as they selfishly won't all fit in an MX5. I can't be doing with the hassle of three cars, and ex wife seems to have cooled to the idea of letting me use her XC60.