Need advice buying a Jag XJR
Discussion
For years I ran an 1994 x300 as my car while the Mrs had a 2001 E class Merc.
If you asked most people they'd expect the Jag to be the unreliable car and the Merc to be faultless. Well that sure wasn't our experience. The x300 would go from one service to the next without ever needing anything doing while I hardly ever needed to wash the Merc in first four year as Mercedes would valet it every time it went in for something. The receptionist at the local dealer recognised her phone numbers. It wasn't just hers either, we were at a party once and this bloke comes up and starts chatting to the Mrs openning with "I always see you in the service dept at MB you're there every time I'm there and I'm there all the time"
In the 20 years I ran the x300 as my main car it needed a retaining rod on the gearbox sorting and all the suspension bushes doing once, tge abs controller needed sorting and I had to replace the therostat . That's all that went wrong. The gearbox issue didn't stop it running just made some changes rougher.
If you asked most people they'd expect the Jag to be the unreliable car and the Merc to be faultless. Well that sure wasn't our experience. The x300 would go from one service to the next without ever needing anything doing while I hardly ever needed to wash the Merc in first four year as Mercedes would valet it every time it went in for something. The receptionist at the local dealer recognised her phone numbers. It wasn't just hers either, we were at a party once and this bloke comes up and starts chatting to the Mrs openning with "I always see you in the service dept at MB you're there every time I'm there and I'm there all the time"
In the 20 years I ran the x300 as my main car it needed a retaining rod on the gearbox sorting and all the suspension bushes doing once, tge abs controller needed sorting and I had to replace the therostat . That's all that went wrong. The gearbox issue didn't stop it running just made some changes rougher.
Hi Guys,
I'm in the same situation and looking to get behind the wheel of an xjr, this will be my regular ride, personally I don't see the point in buying 1 not to use.
Can anyone recommend 1 for sale at the moment? I've been looking around for quite a while but there doesn't seem to be that much around. I might have to bite the bullet and not be so fussy on the colour, I was leaning toward the navy blue.
Any info would be appreciated.
Cheers
Jimmy
I'm in the same situation and looking to get behind the wheel of an xjr, this will be my regular ride, personally I don't see the point in buying 1 not to use.
Can anyone recommend 1 for sale at the moment? I've been looking around for quite a while but there doesn't seem to be that much around. I might have to bite the bullet and not be so fussy on the colour, I was leaning toward the navy blue.
Any info would be appreciated.
Cheers
Jimmy
Hey guys, I have been looking a lot online, I still want an X300/X308 XJR and I am still considering them, but I’ve also started considering the pre facelift X350 models as they are starting to become bargains. I’ve been in an X350 XJ8 before when it was brand new and thought it was a lovely car, but I’m wondering if the XJR of that generation is worth considering. I’m fond of the X350 but I would only consider the pre facelift model, I am not that fond of the facelifted model.
Having looked at buying both an X308 and an X350 before, I would say look at the X350 if you want a daily driver, an X308 if it's for high days & holidays... I think the X350 feels like a big, fast luxury car, the X308 feels that bit sportier, a little more special
X308 prices will be starting to rise, the X350s probably haven't hit rock bottom yet, so the decision might depend on how long you intend to keep the new purchase...
X308 prices will be starting to rise, the X350s probably haven't hit rock bottom yet, so the decision might depend on how long you intend to keep the new purchase...
I am not planning on using this car as a daily driver and I want to keep it for as long as I possibly can. It may have to be a backup if my daily driver needs repairs, or it may need to be a temporary daily driver if I need to replace my current car if it racks up an uneconomical repair, but that shouldn’t be an issue. At the same time, I’m not buying it as an investment, I’ll look after it but it will be used fairly regularly. I’ll still consider all three, but I’ll have a go in all of them and see which one I enjoy the most. In the meantime, I’ll keep you all posted on my findings. I reckon from what I’m hearing on here it will be the X308 that I will enjoy the most.
Edited by XJR fan on Tuesday 16th October 19:41
Great thread this 
I'm in the same boat, just doing some research. Sounds like they can be a reliable car. Whatever I get will be a daily driver, I do quite a few "Autovia" miles here in Mallorca.
I'm just now finding all the Spanish sites, and there seem to be plenty of XJR's out there
I'm in the same boat, just doing some research. Sounds like they can be a reliable car. Whatever I get will be a daily driver, I do quite a few "Autovia" miles here in Mallorca.
I'm just now finding all the Spanish sites, and there seem to be plenty of XJR's out there
Good choice - I ran both an X308 and X350 back in the day.
The X350 felt significantly more modern when I swapped. Both were very reliable.
When I see them on the roads today its the X308 that has the more classic design - they look very low and quite small against more modern cars.
When following the X308 I love the fact you can look straight through the car - the back window and windscreen seem to line up perfectly.
The X350 had air suspension as I recall - not sure how reliable this is/was.
Try them both - enjoy the search!
The X350 felt significantly more modern when I swapped. Both were very reliable.
When I see them on the roads today its the X308 that has the more classic design - they look very low and quite small against more modern cars.
When following the X308 I love the fact you can look straight through the car - the back window and windscreen seem to line up perfectly.
The X350 had air suspension as I recall - not sure how reliable this is/was.
Try them both - enjoy the search!
For a daily, I'd always go X350 over X300/308, although many would disagree with me.
The X350s don't have the rust issues of the older models, they feel a lot more modern both inside and out, and the big bill items such as the air suspension aren't so scary nowadays. Compressors can be cheaply repaired / exchanged for guaranteed refurbished items, and there are plenty of aftermarket companies making good quality air struts for them too.
I've had 3 X350s: a 6 and 2 R's. All were reliable and not particularly ruinous to fix on the rare occasions they went wrong, provided you didn't just take it to the main dealer and say "fix it!".
The X350s don't have the rust issues of the older models, they feel a lot more modern both inside and out, and the big bill items such as the air suspension aren't so scary nowadays. Compressors can be cheaply repaired / exchanged for guaranteed refurbished items, and there are plenty of aftermarket companies making good quality air struts for them too.
I've had 3 X350s: a 6 and 2 R's. All were reliable and not particularly ruinous to fix on the rare occasions they went wrong, provided you didn't just take it to the main dealer and say "fix it!".
I found one 20Km from where I live
Just finding my way around it, had it a couple of weeks now, she needs a bit of love, but for what I saved on flying all over Spain looking for the right one, I can spend on this, and know what I've got.
I have to go back to Italy for work this week, so I won't be doing much until the new year.
New head lining turned up yesterday.
When I get back I'll check the timing chain tensioners, change all the fluids and filters, (Engine oil and filter before I leave.) drain and flush the cooling system, and probably go to Evans waterless.
Just finding my way around it, had it a couple of weeks now, she needs a bit of love, but for what I saved on flying all over Spain looking for the right one, I can spend on this, and know what I've got.
I have to go back to Italy for work this week, so I won't be doing much until the new year.
New head lining turned up yesterday.
When I get back I'll check the timing chain tensioners, change all the fluids and filters, (Engine oil and filter before I leave.) drain and flush the cooling system, and probably go to Evans waterless.
Over the years I’ve had plenty of XJs - had my first one (XJ40) at 21 too!
My advice would be get a v8, they feel so much livelier than the 6 cylinder cars, better noise, better gearbox, more free revving.
Wouldn’t worry too much about the supercharger, but ignore the 3.2 - not enough torque. I found the sweet spot was the 4.2 xj8 in the x350. The x308 looks much better but the x350 drives better and is the better daily. XJR are fun but with the mesh grille on a 4.0 it was enough for me!
Great cars though, so much character.
My advice would be get a v8, they feel so much livelier than the 6 cylinder cars, better noise, better gearbox, more free revving.
Wouldn’t worry too much about the supercharger, but ignore the 3.2 - not enough torque. I found the sweet spot was the 4.2 xj8 in the x350. The x308 looks much better but the x350 drives better and is the better daily. XJR are fun but with the mesh grille on a 4.0 it was enough for me!
Great cars though, so much character.
Sorry about the late reply guys, only now I’ve had a chance to read the thread, I’ve had a lot going on lately.
That is a stunning XJR mickrick! Royal blue is definitely one of the best colours for these. It should be fun to fix up a bit as well. I hope you get plenty of happy miles out of it and enjoy it in good health.
I would agree the X308 is a much more classic design compared to the X350, although the X350 still looks great. While the X350 would be the better daily and would feel a lot more modern while retaining a classic Jaguar look, there is something special about the X308 that I can’t quite put my finger on. Both are great cars though, and they have so much more character than most cars on the road these days.
That is a stunning XJR mickrick! Royal blue is definitely one of the best colours for these. It should be fun to fix up a bit as well. I hope you get plenty of happy miles out of it and enjoy it in good health.
I would agree the X308 is a much more classic design compared to the X350, although the X350 still looks great. While the X350 would be the better daily and would feel a lot more modern while retaining a classic Jaguar look, there is something special about the X308 that I can’t quite put my finger on. Both are great cars though, and they have so much more character than most cars on the road these days.
A two ton leather sofa just shouldn't be that quick!No problem, it seems like a lovely example. I bet it’s comical and a bit misleading seeing a leather sofa like that fly by 
. I really need my own, a bit more time to save up and I will have one. It’s killing me looking at them online but not being able to buy one, but I know it will be worth the wait.
. I really need my own, a bit more time to save up and I will have one. It’s killing me looking at them online but not being able to buy one, but I know it will be worth the wait. Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff