Discussion
Ok, my first post. But I’ve been lurking around PH website for sometime, esp the jag forum.
I’m currently considering getting an XJR8, and I thought I could ask for some advice from any current/past owners.
I’m 26 and do about 5k miles per year. So given the low mileage, I’m not too worried about 18/20mpg (that’s about right isn’t it?). What I’m more concerned with is the overall reliability of the car.
When I was 23 I had a 1994 4.0 xj40 Sovereign. I absolutely loved it to start with, but soon it became a bit of a liability. In less than a year of ownership it must have been in the garage on five or six occasions. It never broke down as such, it just seemed to constantly need stuff doing to it - rear shocks, central locking, steering rack, p/steering pump and a few consumable on top. In the end, I just lost confidence in the car and sold it.
To be honest, the car wasn’t a great example. I bought with my heart not my head. There were some big gaps in its history and it turned out to have been clocked too. I know I shouldn’t have bought it really, but when I went view it all logic few out of the window and I just had to have it. Nevertheless, the xj40 ownership experience seriously dented my confidence in Jags’ reliability.
The XJR8 has for a while now been pretty much my dream car and I’m really keen to get one. But before I do, after being “burnt” with my first jag, I thought I should go into buying-mode with my eyes wide open…so the questions I have are:
I’ve read a few posts so know about the nikasil and timing chain tensioner problems…so…
- if you buy a car with an engine replacement, is the timing chain problem fixed as well as the nikasil problem?
- if you buy a car with a nikasil engine, how often do the timing chain tensioners need to be replaced? And what’s the cost?
I’ve come across a couple of sites that talk about the gearboxs packing up. Does anyone know how common this is? Sounds expensive.
I guess other than that, I’m keen to get an idea of what the overall ownership experience is like - especially after a few months of ownership when the initial novelty factor has worn off…do the high running costs begin to annoy you? Do you have confidence in the car getting you from a to b without ever breaking down…etc etc.
Finally, in your opinion, is it worth spending the extra cash and going for a later model with the steel lined engine? Also, were there any other revisions to this later model other than the engine update?
I’m currently considering getting an XJR8, and I thought I could ask for some advice from any current/past owners.
I’m 26 and do about 5k miles per year. So given the low mileage, I’m not too worried about 18/20mpg (that’s about right isn’t it?). What I’m more concerned with is the overall reliability of the car.
When I was 23 I had a 1994 4.0 xj40 Sovereign. I absolutely loved it to start with, but soon it became a bit of a liability. In less than a year of ownership it must have been in the garage on five or six occasions. It never broke down as such, it just seemed to constantly need stuff doing to it - rear shocks, central locking, steering rack, p/steering pump and a few consumable on top. In the end, I just lost confidence in the car and sold it.
To be honest, the car wasn’t a great example. I bought with my heart not my head. There were some big gaps in its history and it turned out to have been clocked too. I know I shouldn’t have bought it really, but when I went view it all logic few out of the window and I just had to have it. Nevertheless, the xj40 ownership experience seriously dented my confidence in Jags’ reliability.
The XJR8 has for a while now been pretty much my dream car and I’m really keen to get one. But before I do, after being “burnt” with my first jag, I thought I should go into buying-mode with my eyes wide open…so the questions I have are:
I’ve read a few posts so know about the nikasil and timing chain tensioner problems…so…
- if you buy a car with an engine replacement, is the timing chain problem fixed as well as the nikasil problem?
- if you buy a car with a nikasil engine, how often do the timing chain tensioners need to be replaced? And what’s the cost?
I’ve come across a couple of sites that talk about the gearboxs packing up. Does anyone know how common this is? Sounds expensive.
I guess other than that, I’m keen to get an idea of what the overall ownership experience is like - especially after a few months of ownership when the initial novelty factor has worn off…do the high running costs begin to annoy you? Do you have confidence in the car getting you from a to b without ever breaking down…etc etc.
Finally, in your opinion, is it worth spending the extra cash and going for a later model with the steel lined engine? Also, were there any other revisions to this later model other than the engine update?
Hi Matthew,
Welcome to pistonheads.
I had the same reservations as you, I done a fair bit of research, and finally bought one last week.
1997 XJR,new engine at 40000, now done 100000, had history with the car but no detail, so rung a few dealers from the service book, managed to confirm engine change in 2001, so second generation tensioners would be fitted to this engine, obviously no Nikasil probs now, Car had a new (second hand) gearbox last year.
My only concerns are a niggling doubt about the longevity of the second generation
tensioners. If you read all the info available it seems conflicting, some say get them changed at 50000 (which is now past)as Jaguar recommend 100000, as preventative maintenance. I've rung a Few main dealers and am told dont worry about second generation tensioners, they should be ok. It seems to be if the engine has overheated and has not had regular oil changes, this can exacerbate the wear.
So I'm still undecided whether to get them done, or just enjoy the car.
The cost for doing the lot is approx £1500.
Hope this helps
Regards
Big Rumbly
Welcome to pistonheads.
I had the same reservations as you, I done a fair bit of research, and finally bought one last week.
1997 XJR,new engine at 40000, now done 100000, had history with the car but no detail, so rung a few dealers from the service book, managed to confirm engine change in 2001, so second generation tensioners would be fitted to this engine, obviously no Nikasil probs now, Car had a new (second hand) gearbox last year.
My only concerns are a niggling doubt about the longevity of the second generation
tensioners. If you read all the info available it seems conflicting, some say get them changed at 50000 (which is now past)as Jaguar recommend 100000, as preventative maintenance. I've rung a Few main dealers and am told dont worry about second generation tensioners, they should be ok. It seems to be if the engine has overheated and has not had regular oil changes, this can exacerbate the wear.
So I'm still undecided whether to get them done, or just enjoy the car.
The cost for doing the lot is approx £1500.
Hope this helps
Regards
Big Rumbly
mdowning said:
I’ve come across a couple of sites that talk about the gearboxs packing up. Does anyone know how common this is? Sounds expensive.
Was this gear box problems with the XJ8 or the V8 engined XJR. I thought the Rs used different gearboxes to their lesser siblings, all that torque...
The supercharged 4.0s use the big mercedes box which is fantasic, the 4.2s use an even better ZF one.
I haven't paid particular attention, since I don't have a V8, but I don't recall seeing anything about either of these boxes. Just the box in the standard V8s.
big rumbly said:
Fatbut said
"Mine had over 100K miles on it and everything ran sweet as a nut"
What year was yours, and did you know it's history
Cheers
"Mine had over 100K miles on it and everything ran sweet as a nut"
What year was yours, and did you know it's history
Cheers
It was a 1999 (T reg). It had full jag service history and extended warranty. The car had a single owner before me and had been used as the CEOs car for running up and down the motorway (hence the high miles).
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=195961&f=85&h=0
Los Angeles, Try the above link, theres loads of info on there, also just follow my posts on the jag forum, theres a mine of info that the good fellows of PH have contributed to.
Regards
Big Rumbly
Los Angeles, Try the above link, theres loads of info on there, also just follow my posts on the jag forum, theres a mine of info that the good fellows of PH have contributed to.
Regards
Big Rumbly
Apart from timing chain tensioners and water pump, and ps pump, mine was completely reliable up to sale at 120,000 miles.
Everything worked, not a single rattle or squeak. Much more reliable than several previous BMWs.
They are showing their age though, still colossally quick in a straight line, but brakes need upgrading.
Worth it though for the looks alone, still one of THE most elegant cars, ever.
Everything worked, not a single rattle or squeak. Much more reliable than several previous BMWs.
They are showing their age though, still colossally quick in a straight line, but brakes need upgrading.
Worth it though for the looks alone, still one of THE most elegant cars, ever.
mdowning said:
Ok, my first post. But I’ve been lurking around PH website for sometime, esp the jag forum.
I’m currently considering getting an XJR8, and I thought I could ask for some advice from any current/past owners.
I’m 26 and do about 5k miles per year. So given the low mileage, I’m not too worried about 18/20mpg (that’s about right isn’t it?). What I’m more concerned with is the overall reliability of the car.
When I was 23 I had a 1994 4.0 xj40 Sovereign. I absolutely loved it to start with, but soon it became a bit of a liability. In less than a year of ownership it must have been in the garage on five or six occasions. It never broke down as such, it just seemed to constantly need stuff doing to it - rear shocks, central locking, steering rack, p/steering pump and a few consumable on top. In the end, I just lost confidence in the car and sold it.
To be honest, the car wasn’t a great example. I bought with my heart not my head. There were some big gaps in its history and it turned out to have been clocked too. I know I shouldn’t have bought it really, but when I went view it all logic few out of the window and I just had to have it. Nevertheless, the xj40 ownership experience seriously dented my confidence in Jags’ reliability.
The XJR8 has for a while now been pretty much my dream car and I’m really keen to get one. But before I do, after being “burnt” with my first jag, I thought I should go into buying-mode with my eyes wide open…so the questions I have are:
I’ve read a few posts so know about the nikasil and timing chain tensioner problems…so…
- if you buy a car with an engine replacement, is the timing chain problem fixed as well as the nikasil problem?
- if you buy a car with a nikasil engine, how often do the timing chain tensioners need to be replaced? And what’s the cost?
I’ve come across a couple of sites that talk about the gearboxs packing up. Does anyone know how common this is? Sounds expensive.
I guess other than that, I’m keen to get an idea of what the overall ownership experience is like - especially after a few months of ownership when the initial novelty factor has worn off…do the high running costs begin to annoy you? Do you have confidence in the car getting you from a to b without ever breaking down…etc etc.
Finally, in your opinion, is it worth spending the extra cash and going for a later model with the steel lined engine? Also, were there any other revisions to this later model other than the engine update?
I’m currently considering getting an XJR8, and I thought I could ask for some advice from any current/past owners.
I’m 26 and do about 5k miles per year. So given the low mileage, I’m not too worried about 18/20mpg (that’s about right isn’t it?). What I’m more concerned with is the overall reliability of the car.
When I was 23 I had a 1994 4.0 xj40 Sovereign. I absolutely loved it to start with, but soon it became a bit of a liability. In less than a year of ownership it must have been in the garage on five or six occasions. It never broke down as such, it just seemed to constantly need stuff doing to it - rear shocks, central locking, steering rack, p/steering pump and a few consumable on top. In the end, I just lost confidence in the car and sold it.
To be honest, the car wasn’t a great example. I bought with my heart not my head. There were some big gaps in its history and it turned out to have been clocked too. I know I shouldn’t have bought it really, but when I went view it all logic few out of the window and I just had to have it. Nevertheless, the xj40 ownership experience seriously dented my confidence in Jags’ reliability.
The XJR8 has for a while now been pretty much my dream car and I’m really keen to get one. But before I do, after being “burnt” with my first jag, I thought I should go into buying-mode with my eyes wide open…so the questions I have are:
I’ve read a few posts so know about the nikasil and timing chain tensioner problems…so…
- if you buy a car with an engine replacement, is the timing chain problem fixed as well as the nikasil problem?
- if you buy a car with a nikasil engine, how often do the timing chain tensioners need to be replaced? And what’s the cost?
I’ve come across a couple of sites that talk about the gearboxs packing up. Does anyone know how common this is? Sounds expensive.
I guess other than that, I’m keen to get an idea of what the overall ownership experience is like - especially after a few months of ownership when the initial novelty factor has worn off…do the high running costs begin to annoy you? Do you have confidence in the car getting you from a to b without ever breaking down…etc etc.
Finally, in your opinion, is it worth spending the extra cash and going for a later model with the steel lined engine? Also, were there any other revisions to this later model other than the engine update?
If you want to experience the XJR for not much money, try the X300 6 pot rather than the V8. It has no problems and is generally regarded as being bombproof. I have PM'd you.
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