Advice re jaguars please....
Discussion
Hi folks,
I have a bit o a quandry here. I currently own a Merc 300te estate which is a fantastic reliable efficiency wagon.
However, my intention was to buy a TVR which has hit the rocks recently due to baby number 2 which I am justifiably very happy with.
I still have a need for a sporty car, and have always admired Jaguars but have been ushered away by a very sensible wife.
I have always been under the impression they are excellent, but very expensive as they always go wrong.
Is this the case? I dont want to open a hornets nest, but would really appreciate some help in deciding whether to stick with the merc, or go patriotic with a Jaguar. And if so, which one?
Thanks for the help in advance folks,
Mike.
I have a bit o a quandry here. I currently own a Merc 300te estate which is a fantastic reliable efficiency wagon.
However, my intention was to buy a TVR which has hit the rocks recently due to baby number 2 which I am justifiably very happy with.
I still have a need for a sporty car, and have always admired Jaguars but have been ushered away by a very sensible wife.
I have always been under the impression they are excellent, but very expensive as they always go wrong.
Is this the case? I dont want to open a hornets nest, but would really appreciate some help in deciding whether to stick with the merc, or go patriotic with a Jaguar. And if so, which one?
Thanks for the help in advance folks,
Mike.
They are as reliable as any mass produced car. You do get bad ones though (made on Friday afternoons). But no less reliable than a BMW, Ford, Merc, Audi. You may hear bad things about a few but consider how many are sold each year and you'll never get debates over how good they are and how they have had no problems whatsoever 
The only recurring problem I know about (mainly because I have been told this by a breakdown man from one of the big 2 services) was a few XK8's imbolisers doing funny things but that is was easily fixed.
The dealers are also very good at sorting out any potential problems (well my local is). My XJR suffered a previously unheard of head gasket failure on it's V8 engine, instead of taking it apart and fixing they put in a completely new engine. My car was out of warranty with them but Jaguar covered the cost because as they said "this doesn't happen to Jaguar V8's". So I've got a new £5k engine in my car and no problems. I'm happy.
I am selling my car though as I fancy an open top TVR for the summer
The only recurring problem I know about (mainly because I have been told this by a breakdown man from one of the big 2 services) was a few XK8's imbolisers doing funny things but that is was easily fixed.
The dealers are also very good at sorting out any potential problems (well my local is). My XJR suffered a previously unheard of head gasket failure on it's V8 engine, instead of taking it apart and fixing they put in a completely new engine. My car was out of warranty with them but Jaguar covered the cost because as they said "this doesn't happen to Jaguar V8's". So I've got a new £5k engine in my car and no problems. I'm happy.
I am selling my car though as I fancy an open top TVR for the summer
I'm fortunate to work right next door to the mechanic who looks after my car; and he specialises in Jaguars all all ages.
What I've seen over the past three years has left me very impressed. As long as they are properly serviced at the correct intervals they are as good a car as any.
So much so that I'm currently looking at changing from my 400SE to a XJR-S although I may be tempted by an XJR (superchargers hmmm!).
What's more, having run a old (old enough to need replacement bits) Series 3 XJ6 for a while I can tell you that the price of parts left me very pleasantly suprised.
Fourwheeldrift - Are you sure your XJR engine didn't have the dreaded nickasil coating on it? I only ask since that has been the main reason for engine replacements with the early V8's.
Jaguar have since stopped using this "revolutionary coating" and have done their best to hush it up.
Although buyer beware as an iside source has told me that Jag will soon no longer be doing free replacement on early engines that go bang.
My advice - buy one. I mean , have you seen the performance figures on XJR's? What a bargain.
What I've seen over the past three years has left me very impressed. As long as they are properly serviced at the correct intervals they are as good a car as any.
So much so that I'm currently looking at changing from my 400SE to a XJR-S although I may be tempted by an XJR (superchargers hmmm!).
What's more, having run a old (old enough to need replacement bits) Series 3 XJ6 for a while I can tell you that the price of parts left me very pleasantly suprised.
Fourwheeldrift - Are you sure your XJR engine didn't have the dreaded nickasil coating on it? I only ask since that has been the main reason for engine replacements with the early V8's.
Jaguar have since stopped using this "revolutionary coating" and have done their best to hush it up.
Although buyer beware as an iside source has told me that Jag will soon no longer be doing free replacement on early engines that go bang.
My advice - buy one. I mean , have you seen the performance figures on XJR's? What a bargain.
Even the 'old' jags were never as bad as the press they got.
I ran an XJS for 3 years and did 90,000 trouble free miles in it (used it as a rep car!!!). Only thing that ever needed replacing were the airconditioning fans which used to squeek.
Also ran a Daimler for a couple of years and put about 40,000 mile onto it taking it up to 75,000. Once again, no problems.
The dealers are really, really amazing, nothing is too much trouble for them, and although I now drive a Lexus, I'll probably be going back to Jag once they replace the current XK8.
Get one, you won't regret it.
Igg
I ran an XJS for 3 years and did 90,000 trouble free miles in it (used it as a rep car!!!). Only thing that ever needed replacing were the airconditioning fans which used to squeek.
Also ran a Daimler for a couple of years and put about 40,000 mile onto it taking it up to 75,000. Once again, no problems.
The dealers are really, really amazing, nothing is too much trouble for them, and although I now drive a Lexus, I'll probably be going back to Jag once they replace the current XK8.
Get one, you won't regret it.
Igg
If you are after an XJS then I suggest you go for post 1990 model, as I think that these were galvanised as result of Fords input into quality control (at least in part). I was serious about buying an XJS last year and looked at 4 pre-1990 examples. Lovely car but every single one suffered from bad corrosion.
If it's an XJ Sport you're thinking of, as in the X300 saloon variety, then if I'm not too far for you then consider my car!! www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=8695&sc=X2QB&s=265
Its now done 81000 miles and just been serviced at 80k. All offers considered.
Mark
Its now done 81000 miles and just been serviced at 80k. All offers considered.
Mark
silverback mike said: Hello again,
What about the earlier, xj40 xjr's?
Are they worth thinking about for a daily runner?
Thanks.
The six cylinder XJR's are well worth considering (similar body shape to the V8's) and cheaper.
Straight 6 XJR
Different dash (older style), I don't like the alloys myself, they do make a different noise to the V8's. Outwardly apart from the wheels and lack of V8 badge the only way to tell the difference is 6 cyl XJR's have square front foglights while the V8 XJR's have round ones
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 5th June 22:14
I've run a 1995 XJR for about 18 mnoths now and I love it. Normally, I hate driving what I could consider a "big" car but the handling and suspension of this vehicle is first-rate. It is a great multi-purpose car. Reliable daily-driver, long-distance cruiser, people carrier and yet, when the plod isn't looking, it will accelerate and corner better than anything that size has any right to.
And, let's face it, while the Germans may think they're in the same league, they still have much to learn from the Brits when it comes to making a wood and leather interior look/feel opulent and comfortable instead of just pretentious.
If you can't spring for an XJR, try out the XJ Sport as I think it has the same suspension set-up as the XJR. I find the ordinary XJs to be too "floaty". They're like driving while sitting up in bed.
And, let's face it, while the Germans may think they're in the same league, they still have much to learn from the Brits when it comes to making a wood and leather interior look/feel opulent and comfortable instead of just pretentious.
If you can't spring for an XJR, try out the XJ Sport as I think it has the same suspension set-up as the XJR. I find the ordinary XJs to be too "floaty". They're like driving while sitting up in bed.
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