XJR Model types
Discussion
XJR 6 (X300) was made from 1995 - 1997. It made 320-ish bhp, out of its 4 litre supercharged straigh-six engine.
XJR V8 (X308) was made from 1997 - 2002. It made 370 bhp out of its 4 litre supercharged V8 engine.
XJR 6 is generally considered to be "bulletproof" and more reliable than the V8 version (which is not to say that the V8 is unreliable - just that you need to do your homework well before buying one - to help you with that, there's an excellent post on this board which you can find HERE)
XJR V8 looked nearly identical to the XJR 6 on the outside, but was more modern and up-to-date on the inside, with more toys too. I think its CATS (electronic) suspension was also new, I don't think the 6 had this (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).
I owned an X308 XJR (2000) for six months and loved it. Personally, I wanted a more modern car, and extra power was very welcome too (over the straight-6). In those short six months, I only had one small problem (although it took a while to diagnose) with an airflow sensor which I actually bought the car with, which when replaced (not expensive) transformed the car to the beast it was supposed to be.
Hope this is of some help, either one you decide on, I'm sure you'll be very happy as they're both great value for money at the moment - but be prepared to visit the pumps often!
XJR V8 (X308) was made from 1997 - 2002. It made 370 bhp out of its 4 litre supercharged V8 engine.
XJR 6 is generally considered to be "bulletproof" and more reliable than the V8 version (which is not to say that the V8 is unreliable - just that you need to do your homework well before buying one - to help you with that, there's an excellent post on this board which you can find HERE)
XJR V8 looked nearly identical to the XJR 6 on the outside, but was more modern and up-to-date on the inside, with more toys too. I think its CATS (electronic) suspension was also new, I don't think the 6 had this (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).
I owned an X308 XJR (2000) for six months and loved it. Personally, I wanted a more modern car, and extra power was very welcome too (over the straight-6). In those short six months, I only had one small problem (although it took a while to diagnose) with an airflow sensor which I actually bought the car with, which when replaced (not expensive) transformed the car to the beast it was supposed to be.
Hope this is of some help, either one you decide on, I'm sure you'll be very happy as they're both great value for money at the moment - but be prepared to visit the pumps often!
VLadman is almost right wiht all his info.
XJ40 - Late '80s-'94. 3.6L & 4.0L Straight sixes. These were basically just a slightly tuned and well specced standard XJ40 and isn't really anything special performance-wise.
X300 - '95-'97. Supercharged 4.0L straight six, 340bhp. Bulletproof supercharged straight 6. Only downside is it uses the same 4-speed auto as the XJ40 which is a bit slow to change which nullifies some of the power upgrade. CATS suspension an option.
X308 - '97-'03. Supercharged 4.0L V8, 370bhp. Lots of things to look out for but a definate step up performance-wise. 5-speed 'box makes most of the modest increase in power over the X300. CATS suspension standard.
X350 - '03-present. Supercharged 4.2L V8, 400bhp. Aluminium body, longer wheelbase, wider track. I haven't driven one so can't really comment on performance.
XJ40 - Late '80s-'94. 3.6L & 4.0L Straight sixes. These were basically just a slightly tuned and well specced standard XJ40 and isn't really anything special performance-wise.
X300 - '95-'97. Supercharged 4.0L straight six, 340bhp. Bulletproof supercharged straight 6. Only downside is it uses the same 4-speed auto as the XJ40 which is a bit slow to change which nullifies some of the power upgrade. CATS suspension an option.
X308 - '97-'03. Supercharged 4.0L V8, 370bhp. Lots of things to look out for but a definate step up performance-wise. 5-speed 'box makes most of the modest increase in power over the X300. CATS suspension standard.
X350 - '03-present. Supercharged 4.2L V8, 400bhp. Aluminium body, longer wheelbase, wider track. I haven't driven one so can't really comment on performance.
NormanD said:
groomi said:
X350 - '03-present. Supercharged 4.2L V8, 400bhp. Aluminium body, longer wheelbase, wider track. I haven't driven one so can't really comment on performance.
I took one round Goodwood, for a large saloon I was impressed.Also, was the 6-speed box noticeably different from the 5-speeder?
a8hex said:
groomi said:
Only downside is it uses the same 4-speed auto as the XJ40 which is a bit slow to change which nullifies some of the power upgrade.
With that much torque, the main reason to change down is to make a nicer noise 
There isn't much power/torque difference between the s/c straight 6 and the s/c V8, but the 'box exaggerates it IMO.
groomi said:
NormanD said:
groomi said:
X350 - '03-present. Supercharged 4.2L V8, 400bhp. Aluminium body, longer wheelbase, wider track. I haven't driven one so can't really comment on performance.
I took one round Goodwood, for a large saloon I was impressed.Also, was the 6-speed box noticeably different from the 5-speeder?
In that respect I found the car handled and braked well for a Saloon it felt quite agile.
I have not driven the earlier XJ's so in that respect I could not comment.
groomi said:
a8hex said:
groomi said:
Only downside is it uses the same 4-speed auto as the XJ40 which is a bit slow to change which nullifies some of the power upgrade.
With that much torque, the main reason to change down is to make a nicer noise There isn't much power/torque difference between the s/c straight 6 and the s/c V8, but the 'box exaggerates it IMO.
The gearbox is the only part of an X300 which isn't "practically perfect in every way"
w824gb3 said:
Don't forget there was a (rare) 5 speed MANUAL transmission available on the 94-97 XJR. Apparently it transforms the car. Pity my XJR-6 was an auto.
When I was buying my X300, I wasn't decided on whether to buy new or used. I saw one manual "Sport" the comment from the dealer at the time was "DON'T" you can't shift them. No one wants an Manual Jag, it was about 25% cheaper than the equivalent auto and he wasn't expecting to be able to sell it. He commented that they would only take them back in for part exchange and that I'd loose a fortune if I bought one.I suspect there is a big difference between the new car market and the used one when it comes to desirable features. It's probably different when it comes to XJRs as well.
What are you looking for from the car?
I've recently bought an X300 XJR 6 Cylinder. I could have bought a V8 but i was put off by the various (very expensive) problems that can occur.
The 6 cylinder car is also the last jaguar that you can realistically service and repair yourself without a range of specialist tools. That was a big consideration for me as a long term purchase.
As for performance well yes the v8 is a little more powerfull but i can assure you the 6 is a very fast car!
The thing to remember is any of these cars were £45k - £50k new and as such are expensive to maintain so the trick is to take your time look at plenty and buy the best you can find.
I've recently bought an X300 XJR 6 Cylinder. I could have bought a V8 but i was put off by the various (very expensive) problems that can occur.
The 6 cylinder car is also the last jaguar that you can realistically service and repair yourself without a range of specialist tools. That was a big consideration for me as a long term purchase.
As for performance well yes the v8 is a little more powerfull but i can assure you the 6 is a very fast car!
The thing to remember is any of these cars were £45k - £50k new and as such are expensive to maintain so the trick is to take your time look at plenty and buy the best you can find.
I've got an X300 XJR auto which I've owned since October and have done about 1900 miles in. Can't fault it in any way. I use mine as my "get around car" as my summer toy sits in the garage. It's a superb car and I plan to keep it indefinately. Can't think what I would want in it's place as the early V8's had well documented problems and the later XJ shape doesn't look nearly as good IMHO. Bloody thirsty though - actually drinks more than my 5.7 V8 Camaro 
Getting around 17mpg average and I don't drive it hard, especially with fuel prices at the moment. Still worth it though 
Getting around 17mpg average and I don't drive it hard, especially with fuel prices at the moment. Still worth it though RedBull said:
Bloody thirsty though - actually drinks more than my 5.7 V8 Camaro Getting around 17mpg average and I don't drive it hard, especially with fuel prices at the moment. Still worth it though
Is that around town and/or hard driving? If not, then it shouldn't be as bad as that... Getting around 17mpg average and I don't drive it hard, especially with fuel prices at the moment. Still worth it though groomi said:
RedBull said:
Bloody thirsty though - actually drinks more than my 5.7 V8 Camaro Getting around 17mpg average and I don't drive it hard, especially with fuel prices at the moment. Still worth it though
Is that around town and/or hard driving? If not, then it shouldn't be as bad as that... Getting around 17mpg average and I don't drive it hard, especially with fuel prices at the moment. Still worth it though I get about 18 around town/commuting in my 3.2Sport X300 so the XJR isn't really costing anymore. The misses used to have a 1.8L Passat auto, doing the same sort of motoring it would only do 22. So the way I looked at it Jag 18, Passat 22? nope no thanks I'll take the Jag thanks.
As to finding a replacement. I've had mine for 12years and still haven't found anything I'd rather have as a daily driver. Well a new XKR maybe but I need the space mine gives. Like wise I would not personally choose the newer XJ as it prefer the looks of mine. The ride in the new one is pretty amazing though but I prefer the feel and particularly the steering of my X300.
As to finding a replacement. I've had mine for 12years and still haven't found anything I'd rather have as a daily driver. Well a new XKR maybe but I need the space mine gives. Like wise I would not personally choose the newer XJ as it prefer the looks of mine. The ride in the new one is pretty amazing though but I prefer the feel and particularly the steering of my X300.
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