XJR - X308 or X350?
Discussion
I've gotta XJR itch that is becoming hard to avoid. I've read a fair amount so far and got myself in tizz now as X350s are only a few K more than tidy X308s, and most early cars are past 100k now. I'll use it for 5k a year and am looking for a "sense of occasion" and some gentleman thuggery 
/ask the audience mode
Pros and cons and some consensus is what I need.
/ask the audience mode
Pros and cons and some consensus is what I need.
I prefer the X350 and I bought one.
It's aluminium, lighter, faster, more economical and better looking. The latter is a personal opinion obviously.
A fantastic car and one of the best cars I've owned. To me it's the essence of what a Jaguar should be.
Although it was an all new car it's the last of the "traditional" Jaguars which may make it more desirable in the future.
Sold mine to a friend and it's now up for sale here at a lot more than I sold it for !
http://www.devonshiremotorcompany.co.uk/DMC3.htm
It's aluminium, lighter, faster, more economical and better looking. The latter is a personal opinion obviously.
A fantastic car and one of the best cars I've owned. To me it's the essence of what a Jaguar should be.
Although it was an all new car it's the last of the "traditional" Jaguars which may make it more desirable in the future.
Sold mine to a friend and it's now up for sale here at a lot more than I sold it for !
http://www.devonshiremotorcompany.co.uk/DMC3.htm
Ecurie Ecosse said:
X350 better looking? It is personal but to me it is a grotesque pastiche of the XJ shape.
As above, the X308 can easily be made as fast or faster than the X350 with a simple pulley change.
The X350 is probably a better car, but the X308 is a better Jaguar.
The values of older higher mileage X308's compared to newer lower mileage X350's seems to answer the question.IE how long before X308'S ( and X300'S and possibly even older series 3's ) start to hold their values or even appreciate while the values of X350's just keep falling.Which then leaves the even bigger question of the values of later coupe/saloon styled XF and XJ's compared to the X308 etc.It's my bet that the values of those older XJ ranges will prove that the X300/X308 was a case of it wasn't broke so why try to fix it at least in terms of it's styling. As above, the X308 can easily be made as fast or faster than the X350 with a simple pulley change.
The X350 is probably a better car, but the X308 is a better Jaguar.
I went 350 because of the lightness and corrosion-proof aluminium construction. Looks wise I'm not too wrapped up in all the jaguar nostalgia and it looks XJ enough for me. Whatever it gives away looks at least it's not an S type lol (or X type for that matter)
Mileage wise, I had a choice of a 100k or 30k example both 2007 one owner portfolios but the higher mileage one worked out about 4k cheaper, had a proper service history which the other didn't have. After dealing with a couple of small issues which destroyed my faith in main dealers it drives impeccably uses no oil and makes very close to the 400bhp it's supposed to. So don't let mileage put you off as long as it's genuine and has a proper book of stamps.
You're right to scratch the XJR itch, I'm more delighted than I thought I would be now i've scratched mine.
SM
Mileage wise, I had a choice of a 100k or 30k example both 2007 one owner portfolios but the higher mileage one worked out about 4k cheaper, had a proper service history which the other didn't have. After dealing with a couple of small issues which destroyed my faith in main dealers it drives impeccably uses no oil and makes very close to the 400bhp it's supposed to. So don't let mileage put you off as long as it's genuine and has a proper book of stamps.
You're right to scratch the XJR itch, I'm more delighted than I thought I would be now i've scratched mine.
SM
rswift said:
"Iwent 350 because of the lightness and -proof aluminium construction"
Not quite true...a lot of niggly aluminium corrosion with these cars.
Mines in on Tuesday for some remedial paint/corrosion work.
Agreed, before I bought my 308 I went to look at a 4.2 Sport X350. It drove beautifully, but I don't think there was a panel on it (perhaps the roof) that didn't have large blobs of aluminium corrosion on it. The bootlid was going all the way around, the doors were bubbling in random places (bottom edges, and in one case around the door handle). DIY-hero spray repairs didn't improve the looks much either. Shame, as otherwise it was a great car.Not quite true...a lot of niggly aluminium corrosion with these cars.
Mines in on Tuesday for some remedial paint/corrosion work.
RJ
Tame Technician said:
X350 is better in every possible way exept the air suspention.
If only you could have X308 style coil springs and dampers on a 350 and that would be perfection.
If only you could have X308 style coil springs and dampers on a 350 and that would be perfection.
You can !
https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_JAGUAR_yid20...
I'm biased, but I'd go with an X308.
I LOVE mine - 1999, spend a shed load getting it 'right' over the last few years - pulleys & exhaust next on the list. It's brilliant & feels 'old school' and 'solid' compared to the last couple of X350's I drove.
That said - it's YOUR decision - drive both and which ever way you go, you'll end up with a great car ;-)
I LOVE mine - 1999, spend a shed load getting it 'right' over the last few years - pulleys & exhaust next on the list. It's brilliant & feels 'old school' and 'solid' compared to the last couple of X350's I drove.
That said - it's YOUR decision - drive both and which ever way you go, you'll end up with a great car ;-)
Tame Technician said:
X350 is better in every possible way exept the air suspention.
...
They're both excellent in their own ways. The 350 is more modern, and feels quite big on the road. The 308 has a more old-school charm to it, in keeping with Jaguars of old IMO. Pick whichever best suits ...
RJ
I was a jaguar technician from 1998 to 2006 so drove both X308 and X350 XJR's when they were new and as they got older. Both are great cars, but have there issues.
X308 has less sophisticated 5 speed merc gearbox and earlier 4.0 engine 370BHP. 4.0 V8 = Chains + tensionser required if not already done. Potential Throttle body issues, possible bore issues although not a problem if the car is 2000MY onwards.
The X308 Is very similar platform to earlier X300 and XJ40, this give it better ride than the X350, and some say better handling, I think this is arguable. X308 has traction control but not esp, so it will reduce wheel spin, but not save a snap oversteer moment.
X350 has the far better ZF 6HP gearbox and later 4.2 engine (400BHP) The platform is the basically the same as the later X202 S-type. Which later was used for XK and XF (so not bad at all) However the air spring just dont ride as well as the reall springs on the X308. Air springs cause a strange phenomenon over fast bumps, feels like skuttle shake on a cabriolet but its just the wheels moving up and down, you do need to be really pressing on and find a mid corner bump or some ripples to get this, but when it first happens its unsettling. I was told back in the day the air springs were not the first choice but were required as the body (all alli) is so light that without the variable air spring rate the car would be to high and stiff with just a driver and compressed down to the ground with 5 people and luggage, hence the air springs were the pressure is adjusted to give different spring rates depending on load / ride height etc.
X350 has better traction control (allows some slip for faster starts), and ESP for when it really goes wrong, very very helpfull for me on an unseen icey patch recetly would have spun + possibly crashed without it.
The light weight makes an XJR faster than an STR while being more spacious. X350 feels lighter and more lively than a X308 which while feels heavy also feels more planted on the road.
STR with reall springs and dampers handles and rides better and have the later 4.2 + 6sp box, which is why I have one
X308 has less sophisticated 5 speed merc gearbox and earlier 4.0 engine 370BHP. 4.0 V8 = Chains + tensionser required if not already done. Potential Throttle body issues, possible bore issues although not a problem if the car is 2000MY onwards.
The X308 Is very similar platform to earlier X300 and XJ40, this give it better ride than the X350, and some say better handling, I think this is arguable. X308 has traction control but not esp, so it will reduce wheel spin, but not save a snap oversteer moment.
X350 has the far better ZF 6HP gearbox and later 4.2 engine (400BHP) The platform is the basically the same as the later X202 S-type. Which later was used for XK and XF (so not bad at all) However the air spring just dont ride as well as the reall springs on the X308. Air springs cause a strange phenomenon over fast bumps, feels like skuttle shake on a cabriolet but its just the wheels moving up and down, you do need to be really pressing on and find a mid corner bump or some ripples to get this, but when it first happens its unsettling. I was told back in the day the air springs were not the first choice but were required as the body (all alli) is so light that without the variable air spring rate the car would be to high and stiff with just a driver and compressed down to the ground with 5 people and luggage, hence the air springs were the pressure is adjusted to give different spring rates depending on load / ride height etc.
X350 has better traction control (allows some slip for faster starts), and ESP for when it really goes wrong, very very helpfull for me on an unseen icey patch recetly would have spun + possibly crashed without it.
The light weight makes an XJR faster than an STR while being more spacious. X350 feels lighter and more lively than a X308 which while feels heavy also feels more planted on the road.
STR with reall springs and dampers handles and rides better and have the later 4.2 + 6sp box, which is why I have one
Tame Technician said:
I was a jaguar technician from 1998 to 2006 so drove both X308 and X350 XJR's when they were new and as they got older. Both are great cars, but have there issues.
X308 has less sophisticated 5 speed merc gearbox and earlier 4.0 engine 370BHP. 4.0 V8 = Chains + tensionser required if not already done. Potential Throttle body issues, possible bore issues although not a problem if the car is 2000MY onwards.
The X308 Is very similar platform to earlier X300 and XJ40, this give it better ride than the X350, and some say better handling, I think this is arguable. X308 has traction control but not esp, so it will reduce wheel spin, but not save a snap oversteer moment.
X350 has the far better ZF 6HP gearbox and later 4.2 engine (400BHP) The platform is the basically the same as the later X202 S-type. Which later was used for XK and XF (so not bad at all) However the air spring just dont ride as well as the reall springs on the X308. Air springs cause a strange phenomenon over fast bumps, feels like skuttle shake on a cabriolet but its just the wheels moving up and down, you do need to be really pressing on and find a mid corner bump or some ripples to get this, but when it first happens its unsettling. I was told back in the day the air springs were not the first choice but were required as the body (all alli) is so light that without the variable air spring rate the car would be to high and stiff with just a driver and compressed down to the ground with 5 people and luggage, hence the air springs were the pressure is adjusted to give different spring rates depending on load / ride height etc.
X350 has better traction control (allows some slip for faster starts), and ESP for when it really goes wrong, very very helpfull for me on an unseen icey patch recetly would have spun + possibly crashed without it.
The light weight makes an XJR faster than an STR while being more spacious. X350 feels lighter and more lively than a X308 which while feels heavy also feels more planted on the road.
STR with reall springs and dampers handles and rides better and have the later 4.2 + 6sp box, which is why I have one
Or maybe put the up to date 5.0 litre V8 and driveline combination or a well modified V12 and manual box into an X308 for an all round combination of grace and pace.While generations of Jaguar drivers have managed for years with just a limited slip diff and their own brain connected to their right foot for ESP and traction control.As for the lighter aluminium body the actual performance and fuel consumption figures v the drawbacks of lighter weight seem to suggest that the disadvantages outweigh any arguable advantages. X308 has less sophisticated 5 speed merc gearbox and earlier 4.0 engine 370BHP. 4.0 V8 = Chains + tensionser required if not already done. Potential Throttle body issues, possible bore issues although not a problem if the car is 2000MY onwards.
The X308 Is very similar platform to earlier X300 and XJ40, this give it better ride than the X350, and some say better handling, I think this is arguable. X308 has traction control but not esp, so it will reduce wheel spin, but not save a snap oversteer moment.
X350 has the far better ZF 6HP gearbox and later 4.2 engine (400BHP) The platform is the basically the same as the later X202 S-type. Which later was used for XK and XF (so not bad at all) However the air spring just dont ride as well as the reall springs on the X308. Air springs cause a strange phenomenon over fast bumps, feels like skuttle shake on a cabriolet but its just the wheels moving up and down, you do need to be really pressing on and find a mid corner bump or some ripples to get this, but when it first happens its unsettling. I was told back in the day the air springs were not the first choice but were required as the body (all alli) is so light that without the variable air spring rate the car would be to high and stiff with just a driver and compressed down to the ground with 5 people and luggage, hence the air springs were the pressure is adjusted to give different spring rates depending on load / ride height etc.
X350 has better traction control (allows some slip for faster starts), and ESP for when it really goes wrong, very very helpfull for me on an unseen icey patch recetly would have spun + possibly crashed without it.
The light weight makes an XJR faster than an STR while being more spacious. X350 feels lighter and more lively than a X308 which while feels heavy also feels more planted on the road.
STR with reall springs and dampers handles and rides better and have the later 4.2 + 6sp box, which is why I have one
are even better looking than the X308 Tame Technician said:
X350 has the far better ZF 6HP gearbox and later 4.2 engine (400BHP) The platform is the basically the same as the later X202 S-type. Which later was used for XK and XF (so not bad at all)
Thats not quite right is it? The S type and XF are both steel chassis cars, whilst the X350XJ and the later XK were both alloy chassis cars - hence their light weight. I know that some suspension components are similar (the same?) between the S/XF/XJ but the platform is most certainly different I think..
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