XJR - feasible with £8K?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm in the market for an XJR V8, and have £8K to spend. To get a car with a sensible mileage, i.e. circa 80K, this seems to mean a pre 2000 registered car.
I've read an excellent post by broadbean (?) but have some further queries I'd really appreciate some advice on.
Firstly, Nikasil. I'm aware any pre2000 car will probably have a Nikasil engine (unless replaced), but have read that any engine passing a blow by test is "unlikely" to now fail due to the quality of modern fuel. It's the unlikely bit that worries me. Just how dodgy are we talking here?
I'll likely be buying from a Jag specialist, would the warranty sold with the car be likely to cover a nikasil related failure?
Should I be considering a younger but higher mileage car?
And am I mad anyway? Is a 10 year old high performance car going to fall to bits around me? I've owned a well looked after Alfa GTV V6 for over a year with minimal problems, so am personally of the opinion a car is generally only as good as its historic owners, but am I asking for trouble?
Finally, how should I best deal with the fact I'm 25 and wanting a Jag. Perhaps I'm mad after all....
All comments gratefully received.
Nick
I'm in the market for an XJR V8, and have £8K to spend. To get a car with a sensible mileage, i.e. circa 80K, this seems to mean a pre 2000 registered car.
I've read an excellent post by broadbean (?) but have some further queries I'd really appreciate some advice on.
Firstly, Nikasil. I'm aware any pre2000 car will probably have a Nikasil engine (unless replaced), but have read that any engine passing a blow by test is "unlikely" to now fail due to the quality of modern fuel. It's the unlikely bit that worries me. Just how dodgy are we talking here?
I'll likely be buying from a Jag specialist, would the warranty sold with the car be likely to cover a nikasil related failure?
Should I be considering a younger but higher mileage car?
And am I mad anyway? Is a 10 year old high performance car going to fall to bits around me? I've owned a well looked after Alfa GTV V6 for over a year with minimal problems, so am personally of the opinion a car is generally only as good as its historic owners, but am I asking for trouble?
Finally, how should I best deal with the fact I'm 25 and wanting a Jag. Perhaps I'm mad after all....
All comments gratefully received.
Nick
Consider the straight 6 XJR on that budget, or wait another 6 to 12 months..
I take it if you spend 8k on the car you are going to be ok forking out (making assumptions!): £450 insurance, £600 a year tyres, £300 a year tax (I think), approx £70 to travel 280 miles and £300 a year service? (270 per month with a couple of tanks of fuel, and pray your diff/engine holds!)
I take it if you spend 8k on the car you are going to be ok forking out (making assumptions!): £450 insurance, £600 a year tyres, £300 a year tax (I think), approx £70 to travel 280 miles and £300 a year service? (270 per month with a couple of tanks of fuel, and pray your diff/engine holds!)
Would not expect your budget to be any problem at all for a V8. Nikasil problem is over, the rare posting worrying about it turns out to be a flooded engine leading to no compression not a Nikasil issue. Damage from Nikasil ceased when low Sulphur unleaded came in so eight years ago. Unless a car has not been driven much since 2000 there will be no Nikasil issue but beware very low mileage examples as Nikasil is damaged by High Sulphur petrol only when the engine fails to reach a high enough temperature to expel the remaining combustion products.
Issues to consider. Tensioners etc. approx £1000, gearbox oil change at 60K miles. £600 a year for tyres !! Done 21k miles in an XKR changed complete set of 18" wheels for £300 via e-bay, only wore out the previous tyres due to worn lower ball joints. Insurance now £350 inc business use, road tax on a 98, £180 and if running a V6 GTV the fuel costs will not worry you.
Issues to consider. Tensioners etc. approx £1000, gearbox oil change at 60K miles. £600 a year for tyres !! Done 21k miles in an XKR changed complete set of 18" wheels for £300 via e-bay, only wore out the previous tyres due to worn lower ball joints. Insurance now £350 inc business use, road tax on a 98, £180 and if running a V6 GTV the fuel costs will not worry you.
Thanks for the replies.
I've been to view an XJR, a 99, with 92K, from a Jag specialist in Bovington. Service history isn't perfect, but missing service in book seems to have been carried out when car has been sold by non Jag dealer, but no stamp.
The last service @ 90K was at a main dealer. An invoice for over a grand for a new supercharger seems to the be reason the last owner sold the car.
The dealer will do a full service, has already performed a blow by test and has agreed to change tensioners, as well as tidy any small issues I have with car. 6 month warranty included, asking price without any bargaining £7,995. I would be pushing for at least a 12 month warranty.
Questions: I spotted a tiny spot of rust under one wheel arch. How would the dealer rectify this and is it a likely sign of similar problems elsewhere?
Also front left side tyre was looking to be wearing ever so slightly quicker on the inside. Merely tracking, or potentially a suspension issue? This is what I'm most worried about, as I'm not sure whether the warranty would cover any suspension related problems.
Finally, if hypothetically servicing had not been carried out to ideal standard, what potential problems could arise that would not be covered by warranty?
Many thanks
Nick
I've been to view an XJR, a 99, with 92K, from a Jag specialist in Bovington. Service history isn't perfect, but missing service in book seems to have been carried out when car has been sold by non Jag dealer, but no stamp.
The last service @ 90K was at a main dealer. An invoice for over a grand for a new supercharger seems to the be reason the last owner sold the car.
The dealer will do a full service, has already performed a blow by test and has agreed to change tensioners, as well as tidy any small issues I have with car. 6 month warranty included, asking price without any bargaining £7,995. I would be pushing for at least a 12 month warranty.
Questions: I spotted a tiny spot of rust under one wheel arch. How would the dealer rectify this and is it a likely sign of similar problems elsewhere?
Also front left side tyre was looking to be wearing ever so slightly quicker on the inside. Merely tracking, or potentially a suspension issue? This is what I'm most worried about, as I'm not sure whether the warranty would cover any suspension related problems.
Finally, if hypothetically servicing had not been carried out to ideal standard, what potential problems could arise that would not be covered by warranty?
Many thanks
Nick
nick2008 said:
Thanks for the replies.
Questions: I spotted a tiny spot of rust under one wheel arch. How would the dealer rectify this and is it a likely sign of similar problems elsewhere?
Very likely by taking the car to whoever does his paint and they'll dig it out, fill it, blow it over so it looks fine. Then 2 years (if you're lucky) it will come through again. I would say it's not in the dealer's profit margin to do the job properly.Questions: I spotted a tiny spot of rust under one wheel arch. How would the dealer rectify this and is it a likely sign of similar problems elsewhere?
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