My Advice/Buyer's Guide for the XJ8/XJR8 1997-2003
Discussion
captaindan said:
Thank you for the prompt reply,do you mean ebay the car or the engine, cut my losses!
Seroiusly.. work out what it's worth as it is or fixed. Then work out how much it will cost to repair.Early V8 XJ's are prone to expensive failures which in most cases cost far more to fix than the car is worth. You could spend a fortune on a new engine and then two weeks later the gearbox will pack up. Then you'll need some tyres. Next it will fail an MOT.
Older V8 Jaguars have to be a labour of love - which is fine if you can repair them yourself, and don't mind how much money you spend, but if not they can quickly bankrupt you.
Jaguar steve said:
Try Eurojag for a secondhand engine, find and contact your local Jaguar independent and get someone you know to be competent, and who has access to the Jaguar diagnostic or an equivalent system to fit the replacement.
There's a lot of "reconditioned" and "reworked" engines available. Have a look in the Exchange and Mart to see what I mean. Don't touch with a bargepole.
The other option is stick it on ebay, re - read Broardbean747's post and buy another one.
Sorry to say but frankly that might be the cheapest way to go.
Sound advice there. There's a lot of "reconditioned" and "reworked" engines available. Have a look in the Exchange and Mart to see what I mean. Don't touch with a bargepole.
The other option is stick it on ebay, re - read Broardbean747's post and buy another one.
Sorry to say but frankly that might be the cheapest way to go.
A specialist may be able to help source an engine for you, but the cost is almost certainly going to be prohibitive. I had a reconditioned 'as new' engine from Jaguar fitted by a specialist. The bill was about £8.5k - bear in mind if you decide to risk an engine with an unknown history then you are risking timing chain or nikasil problems affecting you again. The timing chains can be factored in as a cost, but there's not much you can do if the replacement engine is already on it's last legs due to nikasil - or any other issues for that matter.
Personally, I wouldn't take the risk. Cut your losses and flog it.
Excellent post, I have also hung around here for a while & ben interested in some of the comments, specifically on the Jaguar XJ models. I have finally parted with my XJ6 Sport that I have had for years, sad to part with the old lady as she was still running like a sweetheart the 6 cylinder 3.2 never giving problems.
I have scoured the trade for the past few years for a suitable replacement & finally picked up the one I wanted. A 2002 XJR100 with 50k on the clock & serviced every 12000 miles originally owned by Jaguar in Glasgow she ended up in Hull where I bought her last week to bring her back to the West of Scotland. Can I just say what a drive,,,,the power is unbelievable after the straight 6, turned a few heads from Scotch Corner over to Penrith
I am so happy with this car (not so the wife) I will be showing her at Culzean Castle in August as part of the Jag owners club line up.
"XJR" Excellent beast certainly a pedigree that Jaguar have still to match.
I have scoured the trade for the past few years for a suitable replacement & finally picked up the one I wanted. A 2002 XJR100 with 50k on the clock & serviced every 12000 miles originally owned by Jaguar in Glasgow she ended up in Hull where I bought her last week to bring her back to the West of Scotland. Can I just say what a drive,,,,the power is unbelievable after the straight 6, turned a few heads from Scotch Corner over to Penrith
I am so happy with this car (not so the wife) I will be showing her at Culzean Castle in August as part of the Jag owners club line up.
"XJR" Excellent beast certainly a pedigree that Jaguar have still to match.
Edited by thechunk on Friday 13th June 11:54
Hi everyone
I've also been reading for the last few weeks as I think in the New Year a black XJR will be on the shopping list. A couple of quick questions/assumptions that I wanted to check is possible:
- I'm budgeting about 6-8K for a 2000 XJR with full history based on prices around - does this sound correct?
- Should I go for the XJR100 if I can find one as they sounds pretty special
Any other advice? Thanks in advance Alex
I've also been reading for the last few weeks as I think in the New Year a black XJR will be on the shopping list. A couple of quick questions/assumptions that I wanted to check is possible:
- I'm budgeting about 6-8K for a 2000 XJR with full history based on prices around - does this sound correct?
- Should I go for the XJR100 if I can find one as they sounds pretty special
Any other advice? Thanks in advance Alex
Judder,
In the Jan 09 issue of Jaguar World there are 2 2000 year XJRs for sale. One looks black (diffcult to tell from the pic, it may be dark blue) 112,000 miles, £4,500 ono. The other is dark red, 57,000 miles, £9,000. There is one XJR 100 (rare car indeed, and also rare to see advertised in this mag), black, fully loaded, 37,000 miles, £11,995. If you buy the mag or browse at a shop, see page 134.
All three look to be pristine, so if your budget is somewhat less than these prices it seems you may need to aim lower or go for an average XJR. Not that I'm an owner of an XJ, I have an S-Type 4.2 V8.
In the same issue there's a possible useful aricle: Super Saloons Buyer's Guide, which covers all XJ models from 1986 to 2007, as well as the S-Type and X Type.
Hope this helps.
R.
In the Jan 09 issue of Jaguar World there are 2 2000 year XJRs for sale. One looks black (diffcult to tell from the pic, it may be dark blue) 112,000 miles, £4,500 ono. The other is dark red, 57,000 miles, £9,000. There is one XJR 100 (rare car indeed, and also rare to see advertised in this mag), black, fully loaded, 37,000 miles, £11,995. If you buy the mag or browse at a shop, see page 134.
All three look to be pristine, so if your budget is somewhat less than these prices it seems you may need to aim lower or go for an average XJR. Not that I'm an owner of an XJ, I have an S-Type 4.2 V8.
In the same issue there's a possible useful aricle: Super Saloons Buyer's Guide, which covers all XJ models from 1986 to 2007, as well as the S-Type and X Type.
Hope this helps.
R.
Your budget should get you a XJR, but unlikley to get even close to a XJR 100. You're looking in the right thread for XJ info so I'll just add to check very carefully for corrosion behind the front shock absorbers and make sure you buy a very good example with evidence of real care and a sound service history.
These cars were bought to be driven hard and no V8 XJ will tollerate long term neglect or abuse without expensive problems - which could end up costing as much as the car is worth to repair - cropping up. If you use an XJR in the manner intended it will cost you a fortune in petrol and tyres. Try to find one with evidence the secondary tensioners and all the fluids have already been changed or you'll be spending over £500 at an indy unless you can DIY.
Have a look at jagads - the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club classifieds.
These cars were bought to be driven hard and no V8 XJ will tollerate long term neglect or abuse without expensive problems - which could end up costing as much as the car is worth to repair - cropping up. If you use an XJR in the manner intended it will cost you a fortune in petrol and tyres. Try to find one with evidence the secondary tensioners and all the fluids have already been changed or you'll be spending over £500 at an indy unless you can DIY.
Have a look at jagads - the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club classifieds.
"Insurance
Even after I shopped around my fully comprehensive (all inclusive) XJR8 premium before no-claims-discount is 3000 quid (4500 euros) .I m 33 by the way, and live in a pleasant suburb without a garage. The XJ8 base premium was 2000 pounds (3000 euros). "
Where the hell are these quotes for insurance coming from on XJRs?
I've said this a number of times now but I'm 22, 5 years NCB and I only pay £520 fully comp with £250 excess. That's with Lloyds TSB (Underwritten by Chuchill).
I've got a 1998 XJR and yes it's insured properly. Shop around guys too many of us are getting screwed!
Even after I shopped around my fully comprehensive (all inclusive) XJR8 premium before no-claims-discount is 3000 quid (4500 euros) .I m 33 by the way, and live in a pleasant suburb without a garage. The XJ8 base premium was 2000 pounds (3000 euros). "
Where the hell are these quotes for insurance coming from on XJRs?
I've said this a number of times now but I'm 22, 5 years NCB and I only pay £520 fully comp with £250 excess. That's with Lloyds TSB (Underwritten by Chuchill).
I've got a 1998 XJR and yes it's insured properly. Shop around guys too many of us are getting screwed!
Wish I'd read the start of this topic before I bought my Jag
10 days into my XJ8 ownership, was cruising around M25 doing 70 in out side lane when suddenly engine loses all power. Pulled onto hard shoulder, and the car engine cut out when I stopped, and "engine stalled" displayed on dash.
Car would not start and had to be recovered home.
Car will not start, after cranking for a few seconds it does try to, but just wont quite make it.
There is no message on dash.
Car was running faultlessly before, and I'm gutted.
Before I start given money to various garages and baring in mind I'm a complete numpty with cars, is there any chance it may be something simple I can check.
Any ideas will be gratfully recieved.
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:36 pm
Car Model: XJ8 3.2
Donated: I am in the process of donating
E-mail stevesilver
10 days into my XJ8 ownership, was cruising around M25 doing 70 in out side lane when suddenly engine loses all power. Pulled onto hard shoulder, and the car engine cut out when I stopped, and "engine stalled" displayed on dash.
Car would not start and had to be recovered home.
Car will not start, after cranking for a few seconds it does try to, but just wont quite make it.
There is no message on dash.
Car was running faultlessly before, and I'm gutted.
Before I start given money to various garages and baring in mind I'm a complete numpty with cars, is there any chance it may be something simple I can check.
Any ideas will be gratfully recieved.
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:36 pm
Car Model: XJ8 3.2
Donated: I am in the process of donating
E-mail stevesilver
You might get more responses by starting a new thread. The cut out sounds vaguely similar to a widely reported throttle body problem: http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/jaguar/xj8/r49451...
I am not a mechanic. Others on here have supreme knowledge.
I am not a mechanic. Others on here have supreme knowledge.
That suggests throttle body to me. You don't say what year XJ you have but the earlier cars 98 - 2000 were subject to a factory recall for throttle body replacement, some of which may have slipped through. The later cars had a revised design which I've not heard any concerns over yet.
You'll need to at least talk to or get the car to a Jaguar indy - the nearest I know to you is Arun in Sussex but there's bound to be others - and get a firm diagnosis. A new throttle body is around £1k, but you may be able to source a good second hand one from Eurojag.
HTH
You'll need to at least talk to or get the car to a Jaguar indy - the nearest I know to you is Arun in Sussex but there's bound to be others - and get a firm diagnosis. A new throttle body is around £1k, but you may be able to source a good second hand one from Eurojag.
HTH
Jaguar steve said:
You'll need to at least talk to or get the car to a Jaguar indy -
the nearest I know to you is Arun in Sussex but there's bound to be others - and get a firm diagnosis.
A new throttle body is around £1k, but you may be able to source a good second hand one
I've got a good secondhand one if required, I can get to down to Arun if they say yes it is requiredthe nearest I know to you is Arun in Sussex but there's bound to be others - and get a firm diagnosis.
A new throttle body is around £1k, but you may be able to source a good second hand one
That is exactly what happened with my 1998 XJ8 3.2, and the problem was the throttle body as discussed above. My car started again on the hard-shoulder, but perhaps your throttle body has stuck good and proper .
Visiting a reputable Jaguar independent is a wise move. First though, here are the relevant VIN numbers (your vehicle’s unique identification) from the official Jaguar briefing document that addressed the throttle body issue. Have a quick check and see if your car falls within this range.
Service Action Number:
S514
Publication No.: 303-S514
Model: V8 XJ Series N/A vehicles
Model Year: 1998
VIN Range: 812256 to 853935
In better news, my throttle body was replaced by a Jag main dealer for +/-700 quid, so if you have the same problem you should find the indy is cheaper. Jaguar Steve is well qualified to know the correct prices, so perhaps my problem was somehow different. However I can tell you that the dealer told me the
throttle body was replaced, the bill was +/-700 quid, and I trust that dealer.
Hopefully you can be back on the road soon. You bought a fabulous car, and there are still many miles of potential enjoyment to come. Good luck!
Visiting a reputable Jaguar independent is a wise move. First though, here are the relevant VIN numbers (your vehicle’s unique identification) from the official Jaguar briefing document that addressed the throttle body issue. Have a quick check and see if your car falls within this range.
Service Action Number:
S514
Publication No.: 303-S514
Model: V8 XJ Series N/A vehicles
Model Year: 1998
VIN Range: 812256 to 853935
In better news, my throttle body was replaced by a Jag main dealer for +/-700 quid, so if you have the same problem you should find the indy is cheaper. Jaguar Steve is well qualified to know the correct prices, so perhaps my problem was somehow different. However I can tell you that the dealer told me the
throttle body was replaced, the bill was +/-700 quid, and I trust that dealer.
Hopefully you can be back on the road soon. You bought a fabulous car, and there are still many miles of potential enjoyment to come. Good luck!
wow! thanks guys for such a great response.
The car is a 1998 3.2 xj8 and although she was only running in my hands for 10 days I'm smitten. I've never driven such a comfy quiet car, and although I paid peanuts for her she ran faultlessly for those 10 wonderful days. :-).
Broadbeans orginal post is the best I've read about the xj8 and in all honesty I would probably not have bought this car after reading that.I would have looked for a 2000 or early 01 model. But there yer go lol. Its still a fantastic car, hopefully it wont be too much too repair and will be drinking vast amounts of petrol soon. It's paying Kent Jags a visit next week.
Any donations greatfully recieved.
Also, no it wouldnt start at the side of the M25 and I have tried the foot on the floor method too with no response.
cheers guys
p.s sorry for posting on this old thread but I really stumbled on this forum by accident, by googling "why wont my xj8 start" and BB's post came up, so apologies if its in the wrong place.
The car is a 1998 3.2 xj8 and although she was only running in my hands for 10 days I'm smitten. I've never driven such a comfy quiet car, and although I paid peanuts for her she ran faultlessly for those 10 wonderful days. :-).
Broadbeans orginal post is the best I've read about the xj8 and in all honesty I would probably not have bought this car after reading that.I would have looked for a 2000 or early 01 model. But there yer go lol. Its still a fantastic car, hopefully it wont be too much too repair and will be drinking vast amounts of petrol soon. It's paying Kent Jags a visit next week.
Any donations greatfully recieved.
Also, no it wouldnt start at the side of the M25 and I have tried the foot on the floor method too with no response.
cheers guys
p.s sorry for posting on this old thread but I really stumbled on this forum by accident, by googling "why wont my xj8 start" and BB's post came up, so apologies if its in the wrong place.
I wish Broadbean's email had been around earlier.
I bought a December 1999 XJV8 supercharged ( 2000) model in 2003, 18,600 miles on the clock, first owner Jaguar cars , Browns Lane (the Sat Nav home stills takes me back there!).First jag fitted with brembo braking system and main test car for these. They were virtually welded onto the wheels when changed at 65K! Jaguars had really put my car through its paces!
A clicking noise started at around 85,000 miles, thought to be loose tappets.
I saw three Jag main dealers and said "I'm worried about the big end going" and they all poohpooed my idea, one even saying "in 22 years of working as a Jag trained mechanic I have never known a V8 big end go!".
By 95,000 miles it was quite loud and I asked Fox Jaguar Norwich to look at the tappets. They came back with worst news that there were metal filings in the crankcase and the engine was doomed!
A price of around £12k was mentioned by three dealers for a replacement engine. in the end I went to a non main dealer Jag Wes Essex specialist, and for £9k got a new engine fitted and new radiator too. I asked about Nikasil coationgs, having read a bit that was available, but was told that Jaguar Motors had checked my engine number, and my car did not qualify!
I now discover that at engine number F05..... etc mine did qualify and wonder if the specialist got the discount, as on the six month check he said I needed four new tyres! My tyre specialist said I had at least 5k before they were under the limit, so I never went back to this Essex company who I believe screwed me.
Had I gone to a reputable dealer I may have got the Nikasil refund of about £3k, but even then I would have laid out £9k.
SO beware, check and check again your engine numbers against Nikasil records as you might still qualify, or at least avid a big end failure and over £12k
of repiars for a car worth about half!
Still got my Jag ( on trickle charge in a locked garage) for High days and holidays but now drive a great Honda Civic Hybrid 2007 and give the "V" sign to congestion charges and high petrol bills, getting nearly 50mpg compared to 21mpg in the XJRV8!
I bought a December 1999 XJV8 supercharged ( 2000) model in 2003, 18,600 miles on the clock, first owner Jaguar cars , Browns Lane (the Sat Nav home stills takes me back there!).First jag fitted with brembo braking system and main test car for these. They were virtually welded onto the wheels when changed at 65K! Jaguars had really put my car through its paces!
A clicking noise started at around 85,000 miles, thought to be loose tappets.
I saw three Jag main dealers and said "I'm worried about the big end going" and they all poohpooed my idea, one even saying "in 22 years of working as a Jag trained mechanic I have never known a V8 big end go!".
By 95,000 miles it was quite loud and I asked Fox Jaguar Norwich to look at the tappets. They came back with worst news that there were metal filings in the crankcase and the engine was doomed!
A price of around £12k was mentioned by three dealers for a replacement engine. in the end I went to a non main dealer Jag Wes Essex specialist, and for £9k got a new engine fitted and new radiator too. I asked about Nikasil coationgs, having read a bit that was available, but was told that Jaguar Motors had checked my engine number, and my car did not qualify!
I now discover that at engine number F05..... etc mine did qualify and wonder if the specialist got the discount, as on the six month check he said I needed four new tyres! My tyre specialist said I had at least 5k before they were under the limit, so I never went back to this Essex company who I believe screwed me.
Had I gone to a reputable dealer I may have got the Nikasil refund of about £3k, but even then I would have laid out £9k.
SO beware, check and check again your engine numbers against Nikasil records as you might still qualify, or at least avid a big end failure and over £12k
of repiars for a car worth about half!
Still got my Jag ( on trickle charge in a locked garage) for High days and holidays but now drive a great Honda Civic Hybrid 2007 and give the "V" sign to congestion charges and high petrol bills, getting nearly 50mpg compared to 21mpg in the XJRV8!
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff