Ex-Lexus owner's experience of a Jaguar XJ8 (X350).
Discussion
craigjm said:
It was never sold as a 3.6 you are confusing it with the earlier engine in the XJ40 that was a 3.6. The engine in the x350 was the AJ-V8 as opposed to the old 3.6 AJ6
I'm not confusing it with anything. I theorised that it may have been sold as the 3.6 to appeal to the heritage of the earlier AJ6 engined cars. If it was not sold as a 3.6, why then, are all of the dozens of 3.5 engined cars listed as 3.6s? And why does my logbook say 3.6? I think you'll find they 'badged' it as a 3.6.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=sponso...
Edited by LandyManSam on Tuesday 22 August 00:41
I can categorically tell you they didn't badge it as a 3.6 purely because they didn't want to relate it to the old straight six as the V8 engine was all new. The reason it's listed as a 3.6 on your v5 is that technically the engine is 3555cc and with rounding up being the norm that's what they list. I was involved with the development at stages of the X350 and the driving thought all along was to differentiate it from the x300/x308 which was a development of the XJ40 whereas the X350 was an all new car even though the engine was introduced in the 308. There are lots of variations on bore and stroke of that engine to include the 4.7 in the Astons
Ructions said:
craigjm said:
You need to get rid of the nose piercing. Its far too new for that and whoever fitted it has put it in completely the wrong place.
Are they even legal these days?
What you have there is a sport not an SE. All the 3.5 cars were sport of sport premium and yours isn't a premium.
Notice on your spreadsheet is mentions the gearbox. What's wrong with it? The two major known faults are for it to lurch when in creep or to make a noise like a bark. Both are symptomatic of a box about to lunch itself so get it looked at.
The aux input on the audio is also not the easiest of things depending on what audio system you have. If it's got navigation then it's not an easy task.
You want to check the car over for corrosion too. I know it's aluminium but they still corrode around the wheel arches, rear screen and a few other places in the way that aluminium
Oxidises and it will need sorting. Also check the steel stuff bolted to it like the sub frames and if it's got a sunroof (can't see the pics now I'm replying) then make sure the steel structure in there isn't rotting the roof
Notice on your spreadsheet is mentions the gearbox. What's wrong with it? The two major known faults are for it to lurch when in creep or to make a noise like a bark. Both are symptomatic of a box about to lunch itself so get it looked at.
The aux input on the audio is also not the easiest of things depending on what audio system you have. If it's got navigation then it's not an easy task.
You want to check the car over for corrosion too. I know it's aluminium but they still corrode around the wheel arches, rear screen and a few other places in the way that aluminium
Oxidises and it will need sorting. Also check the steel stuff bolted to it like the sub frames and if it's got a sunroof (can't see the pics now I'm replying) then make sure the steel structure in there isn't rotting the roof
craigjm said:
What you have there is a sport not an SE. All the 3.5 cars were sport of sport premium and yours isn't a premium.
Notice on your spreadsheet is mentions the gearbox. What's wrong with it? The two major known faults are for it to lurch when in creep or to make a noise like a bark. Both are symptomatic of a box about to lunch itself so get it looked at.
The aux input on the audio is also not the easiest of things depending on what audio system you have. If it's got navigation then it's not an easy task.
You want to check the car over for corrosion too. I know it's aluminium but they still corrode around the wheel arches, rear screen and a few other places in the way that aluminium
Oxidises and it will need sorting. Also check the steel stuff bolted to it like the sub frames and if it's got a sunroof (can't see the pics now I'm replying) then make sure the steel structure in there isn't rotting the roof
That would make more sense. It does feel rather spartan in terms of toys compared to the LS400, and that would explain it! Notice on your spreadsheet is mentions the gearbox. What's wrong with it? The two major known faults are for it to lurch when in creep or to make a noise like a bark. Both are symptomatic of a box about to lunch itself so get it looked at.
The aux input on the audio is also not the easiest of things depending on what audio system you have. If it's got navigation then it's not an easy task.
You want to check the car over for corrosion too. I know it's aluminium but they still corrode around the wheel arches, rear screen and a few other places in the way that aluminium
Oxidises and it will need sorting. Also check the steel stuff bolted to it like the sub frames and if it's got a sunroof (can't see the pics now I'm replying) then make sure the steel structure in there isn't rotting the roof
Transmission - yeah, I've noticed it doing the creeping 'lurch' very slightly a couple of times, and I feel like it could be a bit smoother between 1st-2nd. The LS400 was definitely a smoother change. Not noticed any bark noises. From reading around, a full box drain and new filters is supposed to help - any thoughts on that? I would be performing it myself, and have seen kits with the required volume of oil and a sump pan for around £150.
Re. the aux input, I've found a good video guide on YouTube for the cassette deck conversion, made by a guy from a guy on the Jaguar Forums. I'm fairly good with this sort of thing so it should be an easy fix.
Corrosion wise, it seems fairly good - wheel arches are clean, but there are a couple of bubbles around the rear window frame.
I see now that you haven't got the sunroof and that's a good thing because a steel sunroof in an aluminium body in the way they fitted it was a corrosion issue waiting to happen.
Was gonna suggest change the oil and stuff oh the box and see what happens. It should be as smooth as the LS but unfortunately they decided to state that they didn't need oil changes so nobody bothered and then at high mileage the issues become apparent.
There is a huge wealth of information out there now on how to do things so good luck with the aux in. You can even source nav units and things these days to update your spec cheaply or fit aftermarket stuff that these days looks the part.
The specs on the early cars are strange. Jaguar shot themselves in the head with the customer clinics and there were major arguments internally during development. They built a super modern car with the structure and then the customer clinics made up mainly of current Jag owners who were over 60 and had x300 and XJ40 gave answers like no to all the modern toys like nav and Bluetooth etc and that lead to a car being launched in 2003 at that price level with nav optional and Bluetooth not even available at the start. There was a realignment of spec when the diesel was launched in 2005 to include stuff but the momentum was lost by then. It's a real shame that they focused too much on their old customers who were probably not likely to buy another new car now they were over 60 and the super modern car ended up wearing traditional clothes and not really realising its potential until the late facelift to make the 358.
Was gonna suggest change the oil and stuff oh the box and see what happens. It should be as smooth as the LS but unfortunately they decided to state that they didn't need oil changes so nobody bothered and then at high mileage the issues become apparent.
There is a huge wealth of information out there now on how to do things so good luck with the aux in. You can even source nav units and things these days to update your spec cheaply or fit aftermarket stuff that these days looks the part.
The specs on the early cars are strange. Jaguar shot themselves in the head with the customer clinics and there were major arguments internally during development. They built a super modern car with the structure and then the customer clinics made up mainly of current Jag owners who were over 60 and had x300 and XJ40 gave answers like no to all the modern toys like nav and Bluetooth etc and that lead to a car being launched in 2003 at that price level with nav optional and Bluetooth not even available at the start. There was a realignment of spec when the diesel was launched in 2005 to include stuff but the momentum was lost by then. It's a real shame that they focused too much on their old customers who were probably not likely to buy another new car now they were over 60 and the super modern car ended up wearing traditional clothes and not really realising its potential until the late facelift to make the 358.
Edited by craigjm on Tuesday 22 August 09:42
TiminYorkshire said:
I used to run an X308 XJR, fuel consumption used to be 17 mpg to work (17 mile each way mix of A roads and a number of villages to drive through) and 22-24 on a long run.
How do the X350s compare, in V8 n/a form and supercharged form?
Very very well. I do my fuel calculations on my R around 30mpg on a run. Sometimes i get a bit less but more often than not i get a bit more.How do the X350s compare, in V8 n/a form and supercharged form?
Stedman said:
Gearbox service is £300. You'll need to use the proper ZF fluid though, anything other is just wasted money.
Nice car though; I bought my X350 XJR aged 23!
And it's a 3.5 sport
£300 total for a garage to do it? I have found this kit for just under £200. Includes the ZF Lifeguard oil, sump/filter, bolts and seals. I have access to a ramp and am handy with the spanners so was going to do it myself later this month. Nice car though; I bought my X350 XJR aged 23!
And it's a 3.5 sport
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-ZF-OE-6HP26-Auto-...
There are also a lot of kits with non genuine oils for under £150, like this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-JAGUAR-XJ-XJR-X350-A...
Can anyone confirm Stedman's thoughts on genuine vs. non genuine oils?
TiminYorkshire said:
I used to run an X308 XJR, fuel consumption used to be 17 mpg to work (17 mile each way mix of A roads and a number of villages to drive through) and 22-24 on a long run.
How do the X350s compare, in V8 n/a form and supercharged form?
Not run a full tank through her (3.5 V8) yet - but have covered 210 miles so far, including about 50 miles of stop-start traffic in London, a 0.8 lepton cruise up to Coventry and then a few days going across town to work and back. The tank is still half full, so - I make that approx. 26 mpg combined so far. How do the X350s compare, in V8 n/a form and supercharged form?
Will be very interested to see how it compares long term to the heavier, more powerful LS400 Mk IV which averaged 26mpg over my ownership and 20,000 miles.
Anyway, got this moody shot today in the work car park. Had loads of positive comments from colleagues, most of whom hated the LS400 with its bronze gold coachwork and marmite 'giant Toyota' styling. And none can believe the price I paid!
Edited by LandyManSam on Thursday 24th August 19:34
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