2000 X308 Jaguar XJR Daily Driver

[DeltaTango]

Joe.. said:

He's sold it, see above. What's your thoughts on the Brabus OP?

It's been an interesting relationship, reliability wise. It left me stranded no less than 7 times over a similar number of months

It turned out that the 3rd gear was essentially s#it. My friendly smart specialist sourced me a 2nd hand, reconditioned 'box and it's been running just fine for a few months.

I absolutely love it. I don't find the gearbox annoying to use (now that it works) like so many seem to. It takes no longer to change gear than one would take driving a manual and it doesn't leave me stranded on roundabouts like others suggest because I pay attention to what gear I will need in advance.

I drive everywhere with the roof down unless it's raining, even in near freezing conditions (heated seats and a smile) and I get nearly 50mpg whilst constantly giving it the beans. Mine has had a bit of a remap and is running 114bhp. It's still incredibly slow somehow, but that just doesn't matter.

The grip is prodigious, it does understeer as you approach the limit and it does try and spin if you come off throttle mid corner in the wet, but that's my fault. All in all its fantastic. I'm living a much more frugal life these days and I am just as happy with my fleet now as I was with my much 'better' former cars.

I'll always miss the jag. I never miss the M135i. It was one of my all time dream cars and do feel a bit sad when I see one drive past.

[DeltaTango]

Ph1listine said:

Great taste in cars.

What mpg was the M135i doing in the same environment?

I averaged 28.9mpg (based on the car's computer not my own calcs), always using super unleaded. My commute was horrendous for fuel consumption. I'm somehow a fairly economical driver in spite of always pressing on so it could have been much worse.