xjr soooooooooooooo disappointed.
Discussion
Benn lurking on here and elsewhere for a few months now. Ummed and ahhhd about an x308 xjr. The wife finally gave me the green light to buy one and I have been looking ever since. Missed out on one last week, bought another but found out the car had previous issues. Went to see another last night and was left feeling underwhemled. Dont know if it is because things have moved on and cars are becoming better but I was expectinbg the car to be better than it was. I think the most disappointing aspect was the CATS suspension. I was truly expecting a magic carpet ride, instead all got was a sea sickness feeling and absolutley NO confidence in the corners. It appears to me that trying to suit sporty cornering and lazy cruising has left the car not particularly good at either. OR have I test drove a lemon. I so wanted this car to be great....
Think I need to have a word with Big Rod to see if he can sort me out with a look at his new steed......
PS Are they all rusty? Even the one where the owners tell you it has no corrosion has it...... I'm a bit confused by that.
Think I need to have a word with Big Rod to see if he can sort me out with a look at his new steed......
PS Are they all rusty? Even the one where the owners tell you it has no corrosion has it...... I'm a bit confused by that.
Think you must have got a dodgy one!!
In the last year I have had a cerbera, a 350z, a boxster 3.2s , a Subaru impreza 555, and 2 x tvr chimaeras, and a BMW 850. Sold them all and have ended up with 2 xjrs each with supercharger pulley mod. And I am really pleased with how quick they are and how well they handle for such a big car. The xjr would definitely give the other cars a run for their money . I'm really happy with how much car I have got for the money.
Lester
In the last year I have had a cerbera, a 350z, a boxster 3.2s , a Subaru impreza 555, and 2 x tvr chimaeras, and a BMW 850. Sold them all and have ended up with 2 xjrs each with supercharger pulley mod. And I am really pleased with how quick they are and how well they handle for such a big car. The xjr would definitely give the other cars a run for their money . I'm really happy with how much car I have got for the money.
Lester
lestershaw said:
Think you must have got a dodgy one!!
In the last year I have had a cerbera, a 350z, a boxster 3.2s , a Subaru impreza 555, and 2 x tvr chimaeras, and a BMW 850. Sold them all and have ended up with 2 xjrs each with supercharger pulley mod. And I am really pleased with how quick they are and how well they handle for such a big car. The xjr would definitely give the other cars a run for their money . I'm really happy with how much car I have got for the money.
Lester
So you keep your cars for quite a long time then In the last year I have had a cerbera, a 350z, a boxster 3.2s , a Subaru impreza 555, and 2 x tvr chimaeras, and a BMW 850. Sold them all and have ended up with 2 xjrs each with supercharger pulley mod. And I am really pleased with how quick they are and how well they handle for such a big car. The xjr would definitely give the other cars a run for their money . I'm really happy with how much car I have got for the money.
Lester
I didnt even mention all of them, also had a range rover a land rover and a mitsubishi delica lol
Ivehad my chimaera 500 a year ! I expect to keep my xjrs for a long time, both 1998 with tensioners and gearbox oil changed etc . Black one 75,000 miles for nights and blue 62,000 miles for day times :-)
I absolutely love the way it delivers it's performance ! Already surprised a few cars. Looking for a van now for my mountain bikes
Sound tyres and correct suspension geometry will transform the ride and handling of any XJ.
If a V8 is down on performance or running rough the first and easiest thing to do is to take the airflow meter out of its housing and clean it. Shot of carb cleaner on the air temp sensor (the little brown glass bulb you can see) and the flow sensor (the two tiny white rectangular cylinders deep inside the tube you have to really look for) will improve performance and refinement.
They aren't all rusty but some cars have severe corrosion on the body rail reinforcing plate where the front subframe V mount is bolted to the rail. Look behind both front shocks for any evidence of corrosion, rust stains or bubbling underseal. Other XJ specific rust points are round front and rear screen seals and check the usual bottom of wings, doors and wheelarches and sills you'll find corroding on any 10+ year car
If a V8 is down on performance or running rough the first and easiest thing to do is to take the airflow meter out of its housing and clean it. Shot of carb cleaner on the air temp sensor (the little brown glass bulb you can see) and the flow sensor (the two tiny white rectangular cylinders deep inside the tube you have to really look for) will improve performance and refinement.
They aren't all rusty but some cars have severe corrosion on the body rail reinforcing plate where the front subframe V mount is bolted to the rail. Look behind both front shocks for any evidence of corrosion, rust stains or bubbling underseal. Other XJ specific rust points are round front and rear screen seals and check the usual bottom of wings, doors and wheelarches and sills you'll find corroding on any 10+ year car
Edited by Jaguar steve on Wednesday 1st August 06:41
i had cornering issues with my 99 model, cats didnt seem to make its mind up where it wanted to be!! Since put on a set of lower, uprated springs £300 from Powerhouse Sheffield. This has really improved the handling and given more confidence in cornering. I have also replaces all 4 tyres and gone from 255 to 245 ZZ5's which seems to have eliminated a lot of the tramlining i was experiencing.
while i was at it i had the upper pulley changed, rude not to, though i havent noticed a blistering diffference.
Not been on track since the upgrades bur on familiar roads there is a marked improvement.
Test drives are available and encouraged if you are near the south coast;)
D
while i was at it i had the upper pulley changed, rude not to, though i havent noticed a blistering diffference.
Not been on track since the upgrades bur on familiar roads there is a marked improvement.
Test drives are available and encouraged if you are near the south coast;)
D
Also worth noting that the cars are designed to wallow over for a certain angle, then no more. This gives a compliant soft ride on the straight bits and a certain amount of roll in the corners, until it reaches a set angle, then it leans no further.
So if you're brave and are willing to throw the car into a corner it will quickly take the slack out of the suspension and you get a nice controlled corner. Do it a bit more half heartedly and it may fell a bit wallowly.
The suspensions are not designed for the race track but for comfortable road use.
OP, what car are you coming from?
So if you're brave and are willing to throw the car into a corner it will quickly take the slack out of the suspension and you get a nice controlled corner. Do it a bit more half heartedly and it may fell a bit wallowly.
The suspensions are not designed for the race track but for comfortable road use.
OP, what car are you coming from?
Piersman2 said:
Also worth noting that the cars are designed to wallow over for a certain angle, then no more. This gives a compliant soft ride on the straight bits and a certain amount of roll in the corners, until it reaches a set angle, then it leans no further.
So if you're brave and are willing to throw the car into a corner it will quickly take the slack out of the suspension and you get a nice controlled corner. Do it a bit more half heartedly and it may fell a bit wallowly.
The suspensions are not designed for the race track but for comfortable road use.
OP, what car are you coming from?
I'm coming from lots of different cars from rs4, passat to a vivaro van lol...... however, the only comparable car would be an e class merc....So if you're brave and are willing to throw the car into a corner it will quickly take the slack out of the suspension and you get a nice controlled corner. Do it a bit more half heartedly and it may fell a bit wallowly.
The suspensions are not designed for the race track but for comfortable road use.
OP, what car are you coming from?
Need to get in touch with Big Rod as it appears he is in Fife too... Rod where are you !!!!!
Jaguar steve said:
Sound tyres and correct suspension geometry will transform the ride and handling of any XJ.
If a V8 is down on performance or running rough the first and easiest thing to do is to take the airflow meter out of its housing and clean it. Shot of carb cleaner on the air temp sensor (the little brown glass bulb you can see) and the flow sensor (the two tiny white rectangular cylinders deep inside the tube you have to really look for) will improve performance and refinement.
They aren't all rusty but some cars have severe corrosion on the body rail reinforcing plate where the front subframe V mount is bolted to the rail. Look behind both front shocks for any evidence of corrosion, rust stains or bubbling underseal. Other XJ specific rust points are round front and rear screen seals and check the usual bottom of wings, doors and wheelarches and sills you'll find corroding on any 10+ year car
Steve, with regards to the rust on chassis rail etc. Does this render the car a basket case if it were to fail an mot? Is it fixable or once the car is at that stage better left to rot in peace?If a V8 is down on performance or running rough the first and easiest thing to do is to take the airflow meter out of its housing and clean it. Shot of carb cleaner on the air temp sensor (the little brown glass bulb you can see) and the flow sensor (the two tiny white rectangular cylinders deep inside the tube you have to really look for) will improve performance and refinement.
They aren't all rusty but some cars have severe corrosion on the body rail reinforcing plate where the front subframe V mount is bolted to the rail. Look behind both front shocks for any evidence of corrosion, rust stains or bubbling underseal. Other XJ specific rust points are round front and rear screen seals and check the usual bottom of wings, doors and wheelarches and sills you'll find corroding on any 10+ year car
Edited by Jaguar steve on Wednesday 1st August 06:41
The car I tested was fine performance wise just the sloppy handling. However, this would be my first jag and just something they all do..... must admit it felt like I was pogoing round a roundabout at one point and me wondering if this was normal for CATS equiped cars. Do the shocks and springs on these cars require changing perhaps..... Are they expensive or is there an alternative that does away with them completely? So many questions I know but I need to know because I may walk away because of a dog and be none the wiser....
I suspect many of these are suffering from very tired suspension and drive nothing like they did from new. There are a lot of rubber components in the suspension, without getting into the wear on the dampers, and because suspension degradation takes place over time owners often don't notice. Ride / handling balance on these cars is still rather unique and very good, when in good health!
dme123 said:
I suspect many of these are suffering from very tired suspension and drive nothing like they did from new. There are a lot of rubber components in the suspension, without getting into the wear on the dampers, and because suspension degradation takes place over time owners often don't notice. Ride / handling balance on these cars is still rather unique and very good, when in good health!
That is exactly what I would like to try out.....chancha said:
Piersman2 said:
Also worth noting that the cars are designed to wallow over for a certain angle, then no more. This gives a compliant soft ride on the straight bits and a certain amount of roll in the corners, until it reaches a set angle, then it leans no further.
So if you're brave and are willing to throw the car into a corner it will quickly take the slack out of the suspension and you get a nice controlled corner. Do it a bit more half heartedly and it may fell a bit wallowly.
The suspensions are not designed for the race track but for comfortable road use.
OP, what car are you coming from?
I'm coming from lots of different cars from rs4, passat to a vivaro van lol...... however, the only comparable car would be an e class merc....So if you're brave and are willing to throw the car into a corner it will quickly take the slack out of the suspension and you get a nice controlled corner. Do it a bit more half heartedly and it may fell a bit wallowly.
The suspensions are not designed for the race track but for comfortable road use.
OP, what car are you coming from?
Need to get in touch with Big Rod as it appears he is in Fife too... Rod where are you !!!!!
My car's being picked up tomorrow to be taken to a recommended Jag specialist in Pailsey as the idling misfire eluded the skills of the garage I took it to initially. I'm expecting a horrible bill for that.
While it's there I'm having them do a transmission fluid changed and the geometry checked as it's wonderful on a flat road even in VERY wet conditions but put a camber change in there and it's quite frankly terrifying.
I suspect the handling is down to the comedy name tyres on the back, but they're brand new so providing I survive wearing them out I'll wait and get a 'good' set on in due course.
BTW, the rusty triangular mounts isn't a huge issue. The garage across the road from me has done quite a few and didn't wince at the potential prospect of maybe having to do mine so it's not 'game over' so far as I can see.
ETA:- I still love it, so I'm going to fix it. (Until I run out of money, then it might face the same fate as my last leaper!! LOL )
Edited by Big Rod on Sunday 5th August 00:45
Hi.
Finally someone who agrees with me, thought I was going mad!
I had an X308 XJR for a year. Went to look at a few cars, most of which had something horribly wrong with them. One in particular had no power at all, you could floor it out of a junction in sport with no drama whatsover.
Finally found a good one. Would light up the TC at anything less then 60mph(!) was on the correct Pirellie PZero tyres, FjSH etc etc.
I never really got on with it. I agree completely, the ride is jiggly all the time but then you put it into a corner and it's like it lurches...you turn in, then the car settles, then you have to turn in again. I never got confident with it, ever. I could never place it properly. In stark contrast, other Jaguar's I've had/driven (S1 XJ6, V12 XJ-S, X300 etc) have all been very consistent and predictable. They aren't sports cars but at least I know what's going to happen. The only thing that helps is changing the tyre pressures, I ended up with the lowest the book said was OK in the back to make it more comfortable, and the most I was allowed in the front to make turn in better.
My personal opinion is that the wheels are too big and wide.
It was looked over by a specialist (he races Jaguar's so should know what he's talking about) who took it for a 50 mile test drive and pronounced it fit.
Everyone else loved it, A few of my friends borrowed/drove it and they all though it was fantastic. I did have a few nice drives in it; along fast, quiet, smooth country roads but they where few and far between. When someone offered me what I had paid for it I sold it.
Afterwards I tried a 4litre XJ8 on 16inch wheels and that was much better. Still gobs of power, but with more predictable handling and a much better ride. Perhaps you could try a Daimler Super V8?
Sorry if I have offended anyone, just my opinion of the car. I happened to not like it. I think they are awesome cars, I still stop and look at one if it drives past it's just not for me.
Finally someone who agrees with me, thought I was going mad!
I had an X308 XJR for a year. Went to look at a few cars, most of which had something horribly wrong with them. One in particular had no power at all, you could floor it out of a junction in sport with no drama whatsover.
Finally found a good one. Would light up the TC at anything less then 60mph(!) was on the correct Pirellie PZero tyres, FjSH etc etc.
I never really got on with it. I agree completely, the ride is jiggly all the time but then you put it into a corner and it's like it lurches...you turn in, then the car settles, then you have to turn in again. I never got confident with it, ever. I could never place it properly. In stark contrast, other Jaguar's I've had/driven (S1 XJ6, V12 XJ-S, X300 etc) have all been very consistent and predictable. They aren't sports cars but at least I know what's going to happen. The only thing that helps is changing the tyre pressures, I ended up with the lowest the book said was OK in the back to make it more comfortable, and the most I was allowed in the front to make turn in better.
My personal opinion is that the wheels are too big and wide.
It was looked over by a specialist (he races Jaguar's so should know what he's talking about) who took it for a 50 mile test drive and pronounced it fit.
Everyone else loved it, A few of my friends borrowed/drove it and they all though it was fantastic. I did have a few nice drives in it; along fast, quiet, smooth country roads but they where few and far between. When someone offered me what I had paid for it I sold it.
Afterwards I tried a 4litre XJ8 on 16inch wheels and that was much better. Still gobs of power, but with more predictable handling and a much better ride. Perhaps you could try a Daimler Super V8?
Sorry if I have offended anyone, just my opinion of the car. I happened to not like it. I think they are awesome cars, I still stop and look at one if it drives past it's just not for me.
OP - I'm in Edinburgh if you want to see mine. Just back from the specialists for tensioners, gearbox, tracking, various suspension bits, stainless exhaust, brakes and a pulley upgrade. I think it goes well, and it's pretty flat and predictable corners.
Here it is in Reader's Cars:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Big Rod - good stuff with Douglas - he should sort you out.
Here it is in Reader's Cars:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Big Rod - good stuff with Douglas - he should sort you out.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
OP - I'm in Edinburgh if you want to see mine. Just back from the specialists for tensioners, gearbox, tracking, various suspension bits, stainless exhaust, brakes and a pulley upgrade. I think it goes well, and it's pretty flat and predictable corners.
Here it is in Reader's Cars:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Big Rod - good stuff with Douglas - he should sort you out.
On it's way an hour ago.Here it is in Reader's Cars:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Big Rod - good stuff with Douglas - he should sort you out.
Looks like it'll be getting a carbon copy of what you had done to yours initially.
Thanks for the tip.
Hi guys, thanks for all the posts and I apolgise for not getting back sooner. Done a deal on 2002 car, one owner, blue with ivory interior.... pick it up on sunday cannot wait. It is thanks to all on here that I've decided to take the plunge...... rod, I'm just outside Dunfermline too
chancha said:
Hi guys, thanks for all the posts and I apolgise for not getting back sooner. Done a deal on 2002 car, one owner, blue with ivory interior.... pick it up on sunday cannot wait. It is thanks to all on here that I've decided to take the plunge...... rod, I'm just outside Dunfermline too
Gimme a shout then bud'! (I'm about 6 or so miles to the west of D'line.)Get mine back on Saturday, (hopefully!), and the diagnosis wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be so I got a couple of other things done while it was in the care of someone who also cares!
Can't wait to drive the thing again!
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