Thinking of an XJ

[parrot of doom]

I'm driving a TVR Chimaera right now, but thats not going to be for ever and sooner or later I think I'll have the whole 'fast car soft top noise' thing out of my system.

I really fancy either a XJ, or a BMW 7 of some kind. I see plenty available in the autotrader for around the £5000 - £7000 mark, and I was wondering what the potential problems are, and what would be the best XJ to get? Reliability, smooth drive (definitely want auto), and reasonable frugality would be nice.

[groomi]

For that budget an X300 straight six would be best. Go for the 4.0L Sovereign or the supercharged 4.0L XJR. Pretty much bomb proof and a much nicer place to be than the Beemer.

Alternatively, get a long wheelbase V12 XJ40 - very opulent and the best ride this sid of a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. There should even be a coupke of grand left for the fist service

Go out and try them, but don't be tempted by a high mileage, cheap V8. The last thing you need with a cheap Jag is unreliability.

Hope that helps.

[parrot of doom]

Would you say the 7-series or Jag is better? I like both, but would prefer to buy British.

[groomi]

Well I may be a little bias, but I'd say the Jag is superior in every respect except interior space (not that it's small).

The Sovereign has such a good ride that the 7-series is just fidgety by comparison, and the XJR will run rings round the Beemer in performance terms.

Take your pick

[victormeldrew]

A8.

[groomi]

victormeldrew said:

A8.

[parrot of doom]

I did think about an A8, but previous experiences with my Audi TT have pushed me well away from Audi.

Would still give serious consideration to a 2.5 diesel VAG though, provided it came with lots of toys.

[parrot of doom]

<a href="http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/dealerservices_photoad.asp?abname=asmcarsales&pageid=1&id=200527198777611">http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/dealerservices_photoad.asp?abname=asmcarsales&pageid=1&id=200527198777611</a>

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/dealerservices_photoad.asp?abname=asmcarsales&pageid=1&id=200525197303972


Something like that looks good to me.

>> Edited by parrot of doom on Saturday 20th August 17:31

>> Edited by parrot of doom on Saturday 20th August 17:32

[8Pack]

What I can say P.o.D. is that the XJ series Jag is a car that you: "go the long way home in" because it's such a nice drive, you DON'T want to get out of it!

But beware it's faults, buy either the old 6 cyl or a later 2001+ V8.

Mines a 2000 4.0ltr V8(reg: may 2000) and "perfection" so far after 25k. According to what I understand it has Steel not the dreaded nikasil bores but I'm NOT
sure yet about the chain tensioner problem which "Groomi" has furnished me with some information on.

If you get a good one, you're hooked forever!

Visit: www.go-lpg.co.uk and select Jaguar in the "conversion gallery" list, follow the thread there.

Do take a look at the: X308 1998-2003 V8 page and the "nikasil lined Engines" link there in. My car, for info (may 2000) Vin ends in: F18003 which is accordingly - steel bored.





>> Edited by 8Pack on Sunday 28th August 05:03

>> Edited by 8Pack on Sunday 28th August 05:06

[groomi]

8Pack is correct about the Nikasil and Tensioner issues with the earlier V8s. If you want to go the V8 route, then you'll need to spend at least £10k on an early model with a replacement engine or spend more on a post 2000 model - don't be tempted by the ones kicking around at £8k.

If your budget is £5-£7k then the straight six X300 is the only place to be. Personally, I prefer the interior from these cars.

So have you looked at any yet?

>> Edited by groomi on Sunday 28th August 09:32

[parrot of doom]

Not yet, too busy working.

[parrot of doom]

http://tinyurl.com/bqpl7

What think thou of the cars in that link, particularly the XJ6 with 56000 on the clock, and the XJ8 with 96000 on the clock?


/edit: I understand how to read the bore type from the engine number (8 for Nikasil, F for steel), so would either of these models be good for lpg conversion?

>> Edited by parrot of doom on Sunday 4th September 21:24

[parrot of doom]

Oh yeah, and these look like bargains too:

www.go-lpg.co.uk/sale.html

I'm definitely aroused (er..) by the first Jag...

[a8hex]

groomi said:

Well I may be a little bias, but I'd say the Jag is superior in every respect except interior space (not that it's small). The Sovereign has such a good ride that the 7-series is just fidgety by comparison, and the XJR will run rings round the Beemer in performance terms. Take your pick

I've got the baby of the range, a 3.2 X300 Sport. A mate has a 735, when I drove it I couldn't believe how slow it felt compared with the Jag in normal driving. It seems way down on torque.

Cheers

Ken

[Bill Carr]

I'm thinking of getting an XJ too, so am staging a mini thread-hijack I've found a rather nice looking N-reg XJ6 4.0 Sport not too far away. Dark green, cream leather, 92k on the clock.

www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/scripts/stockList/vehicleDetail.asp?laf=SHOWROOMLNKS&dealer=8854&vehicle=363&ss=

Am seriously thinking of chopping in my MX-5 for it. I like the idea of it as a faintly practical, luxurious and stylish motor. Anything I need to look out for? I should point out that I've never ever driven a car as big as that, nor have I driven an automatic. So, er, tips for a newbie?!

[a8hex]

Mine is a 3.2 Sport, if I was replacing it with another I would go for the 4Ltr version.
Partly because more torque is always usefull :-) although the 3.2 doesn't feel short on that front.
But mostly as the 4L gets a better gearbox. The early 3.2s have a mechanical box which is OK most of the time but I think it's the only part I'm not 100% impressed by.
Also the 4L gets traction control. Coming from the MX5 you'll be used to rear wheel drive. I'd previously had a Celica GT4 and at least once would have prefered to had traction control. If you do get the rear end out of shape, it is very easy to control. I guess being that long it tends to come around slowly and give you plenty of time for some opposite lock.

I can't comment on the mileage, I've had my 94M car for over 9 years now, but it's only done about 53K, so it's only just about run in. During that time the only major work it's needed other routine services was the suspension bushes needed replacing after about 8 years. Some years it has literally gone from 1 service to the next without me lifting the bonnet.

Hope you have fun with it if you do decide on the Jag.
Cheers

Ken

[Pettsie]

My 1999 3.2 has traction control. Turn it off and leave the thing ion sports mode - For such a big car it really does go very well!

(If you are the driver of the BMW 330 on the A32 on Wednesday - sorry to spoil your day but that's the way it goes - don't play if you don't want to lose!)

[a8hex]

99 is a V8 isn't it?
94 is still a straight six

The traction control was an option.

[8Pack]

The better V8's are the 1998-2004 X308's, beware of the "nikasil" and tensioner problems, so the later the better. As I've said my: May 2000 XJ8 has steel bores not nikasil so that's OK, still not sure when the final solution for the "tensioner" problem was fixed and Jaguar seem "reluctant" to tell anyone.

All I can say is that mine is trouble free so far and has 25k+ miles on the clock including European motoring where the Germans just loved it. Some oncoming BMW drivers weren't quite sure what they were looking at! .......