Should I get a Jag XJ X300
Discussion
I have been secretly desperate for a XJ for the last couple of years and I think I am starting to convince the wife that it is an acceptable 'investment' and wont be too costly to run, fuel and repair.
Am I being blinded by a dream? I have a new company car, she has the 530d and we have a little one due an minute now. I feel this may just be a panic response and cant justify it other than I just want it but I cant seem to shake the urge.
What is going on and should I pay attention to my lust?
In usual PH manner I await with excitement all the 'f**k it, buy it' and 'dont be a tw*t' responses! Some relevant experience would also be helpful.
Am I being blinded by a dream? I have a new company car, she has the 530d and we have a little one due an minute now. I feel this may just be a panic response and cant justify it other than I just want it but I cant seem to shake the urge.
What is going on and should I pay attention to my lust?
In usual PH manner I await with excitement all the 'f**k it, buy it' and 'dont be a tw*t' responses! Some relevant experience would also be helpful.
Yes.
They're lovely, I've had a few jags, and if I wanted trouble free reliable motoring, the X300 with the AJ16 is pick of the bunch, it's a bulletproof motor. Mine had 178k when I bought it, I serviced it straightaway, drove it every day and put 21k on it, and sold it for £250 more than I paid for it. Incredible value for money, tops of about 25mpg though.
They're lovely, I've had a few jags, and if I wanted trouble free reliable motoring, the X300 with the AJ16 is pick of the bunch, it's a bulletproof motor. Mine had 178k when I bought it, I serviced it straightaway, drove it every day and put 21k on it, and sold it for £250 more than I paid for it. Incredible value for money, tops of about 25mpg though.
Yes, but go for the highest spec you can get, Sovereign or Daimler 6, and the 4 litre version. There are a few LPG ones about to save fuel costs.
I had an LPG Sovereign, 1996 LWB. Bought at 120k, sold at 320k few years later.
I now have a later x350, but last week I was given a base model 3.2 X300 as a loan car whilst mine had some work. It seemed very old fashioned compared to the newer Jag, but was like a comfy old pair of slippers. I love them !
They better than most old Jags for rot, but check inner sills & rear wheel arches.
I had an LPG Sovereign, 1996 LWB. Bought at 120k, sold at 320k few years later.
I now have a later x350, but last week I was given a base model 3.2 X300 as a loan car whilst mine had some work. It seemed very old fashioned compared to the newer Jag, but was like a comfy old pair of slippers. I love them !
They better than most old Jags for rot, but check inner sills & rear wheel arches.
RoseyG21 said:
I have the Mx5 itch scratched. We would get rid of the BMW as Mrs Rose wont be driving anywhere near as much with the only long cruises being France or Scotland a few times a year.
LPG 4.0 V8. Any experience with this combination.
The V8 (X308) come with a new set of problems, all sortable, all expensive. You can google all of this for an in depth explanation, but Nikasil cylinder liners on early cars, Timing Chain tensioners & gearbox failure. This is the reason I kept my un-burstable 6 Cyl car for so long, and skipped a generation before buying an X350. I often wonder if I did the right thing !LPG 4.0 V8. Any experience with this combination.
The X300 were built 1994/1997. The late model XJ-S has the same engine in 4 litre guise, and is a lovely car, but an old X300 is great value for money. Personally I prefer the LWB Sovereign version, rides better than the SWB...and better than my air suspended X350, but I prefer comfort over handling (got a Suzuki Cappucino for Go-Kart ride qualities). If you fancy scaring yourself an XJR worth a look.
My old car was LPG converted at 80k, and still going strong when I sold it at 325k. My current Jag is a 4.2SE, on LPG converted at 40k, I've had it since 44k and now it's up to about 80k. It is cheaper to run on fuel than my Wife's 2litre Diesel Hdi Citroen.
I run a XKR on LPG, have only had it for 9 months and the conversion for the last 4 or 5. so far done over 7k on gas and not had any problems. Costs about the same to run in fuel as my wifes 147 1.6 that we bought it to replace. I also use it for baby transport for a 12month old with the front facing seat in the back!
The XK and X308 share the V8. I did a lot of reading around. In the end I found a 4.2 at the right price, however as I understood if a 4.0 is a early one pre 2000 then it will probably have the Nikasil liners. If it passes a blow by test then it should be fine, also look at the history wrt tensioners. Most will likley have been changed by now. Whilst the V8 doesn't quite have the same bomb proof image as the straight 6's there are many running around with huge milages on and that must say something.
Personally I prefer the shape of the X308 but that is just a personal thing.
The XK and X308 share the V8. I did a lot of reading around. In the end I found a 4.2 at the right price, however as I understood if a 4.0 is a early one pre 2000 then it will probably have the Nikasil liners. If it passes a blow by test then it should be fine, also look at the history wrt tensioners. Most will likley have been changed by now. Whilst the V8 doesn't quite have the same bomb proof image as the straight 6's there are many running around with huge milages on and that must say something.
Personally I prefer the shape of the X308 but that is just a personal thing.
From memory there were three types of tensioners
1. Plastic tensioners with spring (these are the one that break but you get a death rattle just before so if you're quick you can save the engine)
2. Plastic tensioners without spring (same as above but no death rattle just death)
3. Metal tensioners (the ones to have)
Most people buy the car and have them changed to the metal ones
Another weak point is the water pump impeller so its worth getting that changed if you are doing the above
My father in-law had an x308 XJR for 3 years and only had two problems. One was the throttle body had clogged with soot causing the car to stall randomly which was fixed by cleaning it out with carb cleaner (thanks to info on here from JaguarSteve).
The second problem was slightly more major and a week before the car was being traded in against an X350 the head gasket went!
This car had the Nikasil lined engine. You can check to see which liner the engine has by looking at the VIN number, I can't remember which way round it is but there's an S near the end on one and not on the other. There are plenty of guides online so have a look.
Back to the tensioners all three types of have been found on cars as late as 2002 so there's no real cut off date for the plastic ones.
The engine isn't too bad to work on for basic things like spark plugs, all are easily accessible which a long reach socket.
1. Plastic tensioners with spring (these are the one that break but you get a death rattle just before so if you're quick you can save the engine)
2. Plastic tensioners without spring (same as above but no death rattle just death)
3. Metal tensioners (the ones to have)
Most people buy the car and have them changed to the metal ones
Another weak point is the water pump impeller so its worth getting that changed if you are doing the above
My father in-law had an x308 XJR for 3 years and only had two problems. One was the throttle body had clogged with soot causing the car to stall randomly which was fixed by cleaning it out with carb cleaner (thanks to info on here from JaguarSteve).
The second problem was slightly more major and a week before the car was being traded in against an X350 the head gasket went!
This car had the Nikasil lined engine. You can check to see which liner the engine has by looking at the VIN number, I can't remember which way round it is but there's an S near the end on one and not on the other. There are plenty of guides online so have a look.
Back to the tensioners all three types of have been found on cars as late as 2002 so there's no real cut off date for the plastic ones.
The engine isn't too bad to work on for basic things like spark plugs, all are easily accessible which a long reach socket.
Dont tempt me with XKs! Too expensive.
Are there many LPG conversions out there? I hadnt considered that option to be honest. I do like to get my hands dirty from time to time but the Mrs would think that means the car is falling to bits, are the tensioners something I could do myself?
Are there many LPG conversions out there? I hadnt considered that option to be honest. I do like to get my hands dirty from time to time but the Mrs would think that means the car is falling to bits, are the tensioners something I could do myself?
I would stick to plan A, especially as a weekend car, a 6 Cyl X300, now very cheep to buy. Only outside visual difference is the bumper chromes, slightly different indicators spotlights etc. Inside the XJ8 looks lovely, but the X300 is still a nice place to be.
I have never done Tensioners, I think it is DIY'able but for the brave. Kits are about £300. The XJ8's have a 'sealed for life' gearbox, as do the XK8's and perceived wisdom is to change the gearbox oil at 60k or so, I have heard of quite a few failures at 100k, and it's an expensive bill) I have just had the oil changed on my X350 Gearbox, retail price is £150 for the sump/gasket £65 for the oil, and a strict temperature controlled re-fill)!
I am not saying that you wouldn't have any problems with a 15 year old X300, but the driving experience will be very similar to a later XJ8, and you won't have any of the big item's at the back of you're mind.
If you can find an XJ8 with all of this done, then thats a different matter .... don't forget to look at the Daimler alternatives. You can also scare yourself with a 12cyl version of an X300, or a Supercharged LWB Daimler version.
Big services on an X300 are 60k, so my ideal car would be an LPG LWB Sovereign with a good history, doesn't need to be main dealer, but nice to know it's been looked after, which a mileage just over 60k, or even cheaper mileage over 120k. The only big job that needed doing on mine was rear shocks, (at 250k). Specialist job to fit as you need curved spring compressor.
Early XK's are tempting at 4k though ! ...(which is cheaper than late model XJs's are selling for)
I have never done Tensioners, I think it is DIY'able but for the brave. Kits are about £300. The XJ8's have a 'sealed for life' gearbox, as do the XK8's and perceived wisdom is to change the gearbox oil at 60k or so, I have heard of quite a few failures at 100k, and it's an expensive bill) I have just had the oil changed on my X350 Gearbox, retail price is £150 for the sump/gasket £65 for the oil, and a strict temperature controlled re-fill)!
I am not saying that you wouldn't have any problems with a 15 year old X300, but the driving experience will be very similar to a later XJ8, and you won't have any of the big item's at the back of you're mind.
If you can find an XJ8 with all of this done, then thats a different matter .... don't forget to look at the Daimler alternatives. You can also scare yourself with a 12cyl version of an X300, or a Supercharged LWB Daimler version.
Big services on an X300 are 60k, so my ideal car would be an LPG LWB Sovereign with a good history, doesn't need to be main dealer, but nice to know it's been looked after, which a mileage just over 60k, or even cheaper mileage over 120k. The only big job that needed doing on mine was rear shocks, (at 250k). Specialist job to fit as you need curved spring compressor.
Early XK's are tempting at 4k though ! ...(which is cheaper than late model XJs's are selling for)
Something like this, but without the wheel arch rust !
I would have thought £1500 would be a fair price for this old barge....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-M-DAIMLER-6-LWB-4-0...
I would have thought £1500 would be a fair price for this old barge....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-M-DAIMLER-6-LWB-4-0...
RoseyG21 said:
I have been secretly desperate for a XJ for the last couple of years and I think I am starting to convince the wife that it is an acceptable 'investment' and wont be too costly to run, fuel and repair.
Am I being blinded by a dream? I have a new company car, she has the 530d and we have a little one due an minute now. I feel this may just be a panic response and cant justify it other than I just want it but I cant seem to shake the urge.
What is going on and should I pay attention to my lust?
In usual PH manner I await with excitement all the 'f**k it, buy it' and 'dont be a tw*t' responses! Some relevant experience would also be helpful.
Go for it, get a 4.0 litre though not a 3.2Am I being blinded by a dream? I have a new company car, she has the 530d and we have a little one due an minute now. I feel this may just be a panic response and cant justify it other than I just want it but I cant seem to shake the urge.
What is going on and should I pay attention to my lust?
In usual PH manner I await with excitement all the 'f**k it, buy it' and 'dont be a tw*t' responses! Some relevant experience would also be helpful.
Jags can be quite affordable to run IMO. No more costly than than a normal hatchback (bar fuel....).
I too would say go for it.
I had my 3.2 6 cyl X300 Sovereign for over 2 yrs and it never let me down once.
Only costs were usual service items which are no more expensive than on much more mundane metal.
Only cost me £300 in depreciation as well so probably the cheapest 2 yrs motoring I've ever had.
Would have another one tomorrow.
I had my 3.2 6 cyl X300 Sovereign for over 2 yrs and it never let me down once.
Only costs were usual service items which are no more expensive than on much more mundane metal.
Only cost me £300 in depreciation as well so probably the cheapest 2 yrs motoring I've ever had.
Would have another one tomorrow.
300bhp/ton said:
Go for it, get a 4.0 litre though not a 3.2
I thought the general consensus was really not to worry about 3.2 vs 4.0 as if performance is your number one priory you'll be disappointed with anything short of a XJR?X300 XJs are very tempting at the price they are at now, but the casio calculator style dashboard arrangement is enough for me to be willing to put up with the slightly higher prices and slightly less bullet proof reputations of a X308. The V8s just look like a much, much nicer place to be without a dashboard then STRAIGHT out of a 80s car.
Ha ha, kid is on the way hopefully in the next few minutes and it wont be my daily so I dont care!
Had a Saab 9000 which I really enjoyed. Huge space, comfy seats. It was a 2.0 LPT auto which would change up gear mid way through a corner...a bit worrying but a comfy, comfy car!
I have always hankered for that muted v8 burble, are the straight 6's nice in the sound department? I have driven a few 3.2 v8s and found them brisk enough. Digital dash is fine, makes me feel like an extra from Wall Street.
Changed my username to something a bit more uptodate
Had a Saab 9000 which I really enjoyed. Huge space, comfy seats. It was a 2.0 LPT auto which would change up gear mid way through a corner...a bit worrying but a comfy, comfy car!
I have always hankered for that muted v8 burble, are the straight 6's nice in the sound department? I have driven a few 3.2 v8s and found them brisk enough. Digital dash is fine, makes me feel like an extra from Wall Street.
Changed my username to something a bit more uptodate
Edited by Bisonhead on Thursday 1st December 20:55
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