2001 Jaguar XJ8 Project

[Lewis's Friend]

Jaguar steve said:

There's very little difference in comfort and ride quality between my daily Skoda Roomster and my XJ8 however I prefer the cloth seats in the Skoda over the slippery leather ones in the XJ as they're more secure and supportive and the Skoda also copes a little better with badly rutted and potholed road surfaces than the XJ does.

French cars always do comfort particularly well and if you've ever driven anything stiffly sprung on rural French D roads you'll know why that is so.

I've had several Citroen and Renault cars and vans as daily drivers and would say they've all either matched or bettered the ride quality and comfort of all the Jaguars I've owned at the same time but my vote for the best car I've ever experienced has to go to the Peugeot 508 our village taxi lady drives.

Her Space Shuttle mileage Pug rides beautifully and is superbly comfortable and absolutely beats the pants off any Jaguar I've ever been in or driven.

That's interesting - my only french car was a Clio 172 which probably isn't the best comparison.

Every so often I find myself looking at Citroen C6s, much to the mockery of those around me!

[anonymous-user]

Lewis's Friend said:

Jaguar steve said:

There's very little difference in comfort and ride quality between my daily Skoda Roomster and my XJ8 however I prefer the cloth seats in the Skoda over the slippery leather ones in the XJ as they're more secure and supportive and the Skoda also copes a little better with badly rutted and potholed road surfaces than the XJ does.

French cars always do comfort particularly well and if you've ever driven anything stiffly sprung on rural French D roads you'll know why that is so.

I've had several Citroen and Renault cars and vans as daily drivers and would say they've all either matched or bettered the ride quality and comfort of all the Jaguars I've owned at the same time but my vote for the best car I've ever experienced has to go to the Peugeot 508 our village taxi lady drives.

Her Space Shuttle mileage Pug rides beautifully and is superbly comfortable and absolutely beats the pants off any Jaguar I've ever been in or driven.

That's interesting - my only french car was a Clio 172 which probably isn't the best comparison.

Every so often I find myself looking at Citroen C6s, much to the mockery of those around me!

Very interesting about your X308 Steve - it's presumably much stiffer than an X300 Sovereign on 16" wheels and 60 profile 225 tyres then? I had one of those, and an XJ12, and the ride was remarkable. The ride in my X350 is pretty disappointing, although you can fling it around in a manner that would have been impossible in an X300.

[Jaguar steve]

stickleback123 said:

Lewis's Friend said:

Jaguar steve said:

There's very little difference in comfort and ride quality between my daily Skoda Roomster and my XJ8 however I prefer the cloth seats in the Skoda over the slippery leather ones in the XJ as they're more secure and supportive and the Skoda also copes a little better with badly rutted and potholed road surfaces than the XJ does.

French cars always do comfort particularly well and if you've ever driven anything stiffly sprung on rural French D roads you'll know why that is so.

I've had several Citroen and Renault cars and vans as daily drivers and would say they've all either matched or bettered the ride quality and comfort of all the Jaguars I've owned at the same time but my vote for the best car I've ever experienced has to go to the Peugeot 508 our village taxi lady drives.

Her Space Shuttle mileage Pug rides beautifully and is superbly comfortable and absolutely beats the pants off any Jaguar I've ever been in or driven.

That's interesting - my only french car was a Clio 172 which probably isn't the best comparison.

Every so often I find myself looking at Citroen C6s, much to the mockery of those around me!

Very interesting about your X308 Steve - it's presumably much stiffer than an X300 Sovereign on 16" wheels and 60 profile 225 tyres then? I had one of those, and an XJ12, and the ride was remarkable. The ride in my X350 is pretty disappointing, although you can fling it around in a manner that would have been impossible in an X300.

I've had three relevant XJs all on 225/60/16 tyres

First was a X300 on touring suspension which was properly wafty, then a X308 on sports suspension with 17" Celtics and 50 profile tyres that I swapped to 16" wheels and 60 profiles withing weeks of buying it and even after swapping thought the ride was absolutely terrible on anything but perfect roads and my current X308 has touring suspension which is a improvement on the first 308 but nothing like what I'd call really good.

I've briefly driven a couple of X350s with a view to buying and on first impressions quite liked the air suspension ride.

[anonymous-user]

Jaguar steve said:

I've had three relevant XJs all on 225/60/16 tyres

First was a X300 on touring suspension which was properly wafty, then a X308 on sports suspension with 17" Celtics and 50 profile tyres that I swapped to 16" wheels and 60 profiles withing weeks of buying it and even after swapping thought the ride was absolutely terrible on anything but perfect roads and my current X308 has touring suspension which is a improvement on the first 308 but nothing like what I'd call really good.

I've briefly driven a couple of X350s with a view to buying and on first impressions quite liked the air suspension ride.

That's interesting - presumably the X300/8 suspension lacked the ability to both ride well and provide "modern" handling.

My X350 is on 255/40/R19 wheels which I suspect are doing the ride no good at all. The damn things weigh as much as boat anchors.

[Sparkzz]

These jags just look so special. I really wish I could afford to fuel their thirst.

Not without their problems by all accounts but the internet says that about everything!

[Jaguar steve]

Sparkzz said:

These jags just look so special. I really wish I could afford to fuel their thirst.

Not without their problems by all accounts but the internet says that about everything!

Get a good one and tale care of it and they're actually pretty reliable. Although the VED is comparatively high 26-28 MPG and zero depreciation isn't really that ruinous in the overall scheme of things but I mitigate the cost of running my XJ by doing all my own servicing and maintenance and only taxing it through the summer months because I also have a cheap diesel shed for most of my annual miles that's also virtually zero depreciation and that'll nudge 70MPG with a bit of care and costs buttons to tax and insure.

Back of a fag packet maths says if you're doing 20k miles or more like I do each year and buy the right ones running two cars works out overall cheaper than one. It's a win win

[Lewis's Friend]

Jaguar steve said:

Get a good one and tale care of it and they're actually pretty reliable. Although the VED is comparatively high 26-28 MPG and zero depreciation isn't really that ruinous in the overall scheme of things but I mitigate the cost of running my XJ by doing all my own servicing and maintenance and only taxing it through the summer months because I also have a cheap diesel shed for most of my annual miles that's also virtually zero depreciation and that'll nudge 70MPG with a bit of care and costs buttons to tax and insure.

Back of a fag packet maths says if you're doing 20k miles or more like I do each year and buy the right ones running two cars works out overall cheaper than one. It's a win win

I would agree. Using one as your only car if you do a lot of miles could be ruinous, but as a second car or if you don't need to drive much the fuel isn't much of an issue.

A good one as said are pretty reliable. I've spent some on this car, but the only thing that was necessary was rear shock bushes. Everything else had been because I'm a tart! And they shouldn't lose money (though I'm not sure I'm optimistic enough to say they'll make money)...

[anonymous-user]

Back in 2005 ish I ran an XJ12 as my only car to cover 30,000 odd miles a year for three years. It gobbled up all the mileage allowance, obviously, but what a superb tool for the job it was.

I bought an X350 instead of an X308/X300 just under 2 years ago as I didn't have time for a project car and they were all rotters, but it's only used on the weekends to drive the kids around. Not sure I'd be dopey enough to cover 30k miles a year at 18mpg anymore.

[Lewis's Friend]

After some messing about, I have finally begun the rust treatment/bush refresh work that I have been planning for a little while. I'm starting with the front end, so was working out how I could drop the front subframe safely on my driveway. I ended up deciding I needed and engine beam to take the engines weight while the subframe was removed, but then something to support the engine's weight from underneath so I could remove the beam again so enabling me to close the bonnet.

I ended up deciding to take the weight from the engine mount brackets, as these are clearly designed to take the load. However, no axle strands in my possession get anywhere near high enough, so the first thing to do was modify a set. A little metal purchace and I made these:

20200616_102541 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

These are actually taller than I needed and haven't been cut to size in this photo. I wouldn't get under a car being held up by them, but a pair taking the weight of the front of an engine is fine.

I then made sure every bolt holding the subframe on was loose (and bought a couple of 29mm sockets to help - why 29mm!?), and removed the steering rack. The UJ did not want to come of the rack's spline but eventually it gave wa (though incidentally, the UJ needs replacing - anyone know where they can be bought as it seems you have to buy the whole lower steering column which seems daft).

Yesterday was the big day, and first the engine beam went on.

20200623_091431 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

I then unbolted the engine mounts from the subframe and, using a complex system involving three jacks, I supported the subframe weight.

20200623_093905 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

I then unbolted the top V-mounts (rubber mounts between the subframe and chassis legs) but kept the rear large bolts in so the whole assembly would swing downwards.

Mid lowering:

20200623_093855 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

I then used my big jack to support the centre of the subframe, removed the large rear bolts and brought the whole lot down (not crashing down, just down).

20200623_094845 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

I could then drag the assembly out in one go.

20200623_100035 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

I then had to drill my axle stand shafts to suit and put them in place supporting the engine, so I could remove the engine beam and close the bonnet.

All in place:

20200623_122244 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

20200623_122259 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

It all went suprisingly well, and I was done by lunch! I'd taken the day off of work for the great project, so I finished up by cutting the front garden hedge too!

[Lewis's Friend]

The next thing to try and get done was the spring removal. This promised to be a pain, as I find these springs vaguely terrifying to work on and having looked on various forums about how people have got these springs off at home I decided to leave it to the professionals. Normal spring compressors are difficult to fit, and are also normally too short to allow the spring to be safely decompressed after removal.

I therefore asked the local Jag specialist if they could do the job while I waited if I brought the subframe assembly round to them. They agreed, so when the time came I phoned to see when they were free and so try and arrange for a friend with a ute to come and grab it for me. However, on phoning the garage they ended up just lending me the proper Jaguar spring compressor and then refused to accept any money for the loan. I was naturally highly delighted, and they will definitely be getting any business that I have coming up.

So, spring compressor installed and ready to go

20200623_153752 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

And springs safely off the subframe. Much relief!

20200623_160310 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

The rest of the strip down will commence soon...

[mercedeslimos]

When I was younger I always wondered why manufacturers had their own spring compressors. Until I took a set out of my diesel Passat with my biggest and strongest compressors. Got to the very end of the compressor and the spring still had 6" in it. Nobody was hurt but I was glad that a set of coilovers was going in and that I didn't have to try to get those back on the strut!

They must be about 30" tall

[Lewis's Friend]

mercedeslimos said:

When I was younger I always wondered why manufacturers had their own spring compressors. Until I took a set out of my diesel Passat with my biggest and strongest compressors. Got to the very end of the compressor and the spring still had 6" in it. Nobody was hurt but I was glad that a set of coilovers was going in and that I didn't have to try to get those back on the strut!

They must be about 30" tall

They are quite a size! I was definitely pleased to be using something well made and not ropey for the job.

Some of the home brew methods I've seen online for removing and more particularly refitting the springs make me cringe...!

[Lewis's Friend]

A very small update, but just to show some progress is being made.

Having dropped the subframe assembly, the next stage was to remove all the suspension from it. This went pretty smoothly and only required one bolt to be cut (happily not the £100 one!).

So now I have a pile of bits which need bushes and ball joints pressing out (which I have no doubt will not go as smoothly)...

20200629_115956 by Jon Fellows, on Flickr

[Welsh Pirate]

That's an impressive amount of work to undertake! And the subframe doesn't look too bad at all from your photos (to my un-expert eye).

How were the bushes etc?

What are your plans for refurbishment?

Keep the updates coming please - it beats watching old tennis on the TV!

[Lewis's Friend]

Welsh Pirate said:

That's an impressive amount of work to undertake! And the subframe doesn't look too bad at all from your photos (to my un-expert eye).

How were the bushes etc?

What are your plans for refurbishment?

Keep the updates coming please - it beats watching old tennis on the TV!

The plan is to powder coat everything and replace all rubber things. Some of the bushes look fine while others look manky, but as it's all coming apart it seems silly not to change them all.

This all came about because I want to rust treat the underside and one thing has led to another! But it'll be nice to know that the underside is a good a the rest of the car when it's done; that's the idea anyway.

The subframe isn't bad really. But again, while it's all apart it's minimal extra work and only a little extra cost to get it nicely protected.

[Waynester]

Really great read that Op, and very nice car.. I was looking at buying an XJ8 a couple of years ago. It was literally the only car I was searching online for, but as is the way of things..at the last moment I ended up purchasing one of these.. an E63 BMW 630i Sport



My dad was a Jag man.. back in the early 80s I remember he had a mint XJ6..
I still think I really need to scratch the Jag itch!

[anonymous-user]

Lewis's Friend said:

Welsh Pirate said:

That's an impressive amount of work to undertake! And the subframe doesn't look too bad at all from your photos (to my un-expert eye).

How were the bushes etc?

What are your plans for refurbishment?

Keep the updates coming please - it beats watching old tennis on the TV!

The plan is to powder coat everything and replace all rubber things. Some of the bushes look fine while others look manky, but as it's all coming apart it seems silly not to change them all.

This all came about because I want to rust treat the underside and one thing has led to another! But it'll be nice to know that the underside is a good a the rest of the car when it's done; that's the idea anyway.

The subframe isn't bad really. But again, while it's all apart it's minimal extra work and only a little extra cost to get it nicely protected.

Are you planning to replace every bit of rubber twixt road and chassis, and the dampers? If so you'll almost certainly have one of the best driving X308s on the roads anywhere in the world; even the Jaguar Heritage cars are sitting on 20 years old rubber even though they've done very few miles.

Can I please buy it from you when you get bored of it?

[Lewis's Friend]

stickleback123 said:

Are you planning to replace every bit of rubber twixt road and chassis, and the dampers? If so you'll almost certainly have one of the best driving X308s on the roads anywhere in the world; even the Jaguar Heritage cars are sitting on 20 years old rubber even though they've done very few miles.

Can I please buy it from you when you get bored of it?

That's the idea, although not the dampers. Partly because they work well and partly because they are an absolute fortune! But everything else should be replaced.

I've just ordered some Bilt Hamber rust treatment etc to start cleaning up and protecting the underside too.

In terms of buying it, I will probably put it up for sale weirdly! But at a price that covers some of my costs. To be honest, I don't expect it to sell easily but that's OK; that means I still have a mint Jag!

[Richieboy3008]

Hi,

I've got a 2001 3.2 which I'm running as a shed, I'll be getting shot (probably scrapping) September time. Let me know if you need any bits for yours and I'm sure we can do a deal. In fact I've already started putting bits on ebay.

Edited by Richieboy3008 on Tuesday 30th June 13:59

[anonymous-user]

Lewis's Friend said:

stickleback123 said:

Are you planning to replace every bit of rubber twixt road and chassis, and the dampers? If so you'll almost certainly have one of the best driving X308s on the roads anywhere in the world; even the Jaguar Heritage cars are sitting on 20 years old rubber even though they've done very few miles.

Can I please buy it from you when you get bored of it?

That's the idea, although not the dampers. Partly because they work well and partly because they are an absolute fortune! But everything else should be replaced.

I've just ordered some Bilt Hamber rust treatment etc to start cleaning up and protecting the underside too.

In terms of buying it, I will probably put it up for sale weirdly! But at a price that covers some of my costs. To be honest, I don't expect it to sell easily but that's OK; that means I still have a mint Jag!

Just had a look, dampers are about £90-£100 per corner for "OEM" from JustJags from a quick browse, same sort of price for Bilstein OEM from Britsh Parts I don't recall them being much more than £200 for a set for my X300 so that's a surprise. I suppose they are very hard working dampers on the big Jag.

I think a decent and well sorted 4.0 X308 should be able to command a decent price; it's really getting hard to find one that isn't a nail.