Discussion
thinking of changing my car, currently have a 3.2 x300, its been a good car,very reliable ,but always been hankering after a xjr, want some more oomph, how does the normaly asp, compare with the xjr6, xjr8, prefare the earlier looks, plus bit scared of possible money pit, of later cars,ie tensioners, gearboxes ,how does performance compare, not just 0-60, but mid range cheers in advance
I am in a similar situation, i have a 3.2 X300 and i know the next step will be the XJR! I will gor for the V8 model when the time comes,i have been looking on Auto trader and PH classifieds and 2000/2001 models often go for around 4.5k. Finding excellent XJR6's is getting harder these days, with a lot that i have looked at needing cosmetic work. Look for a good V8 with a sensible mileage, a full history and the tensioners and water pump done and you will be fine. The performance of the V8 is superior in every way, with 370bhp compared to 322bhp and the V8 is lighter also. Apart from some minor details, the exterior is the same as the X300 and the interior has grown on me. A friend of mine has an X plate XJ8 non supercharged and has had no problems at all with it, he is still running it with the older tensioners and
water pump etc. He does about 12k a year and has it serviced on the dot. You might want to test drive both to see the difference for yourself.
water pump etc. He does about 12k a year and has it serviced on the dot. You might want to test drive both to see the difference for yourself.
I have driven both, my friend has an X300 3.2 sport, I have an X308 XJR.
Looks are personal preference, but the x308 XJR looks more different then you would think. Also the interior is much nicer (IMHO). Aside from the engine both cars drive pretty much the same, the XJR is a bit more taught, but the X300 is a bit more comfortable...the XJR is better when pushing on on fast roads, the X300 better the rest of the time but the difference is pretty small really except on badly surfaced roads where the X308 XJR sometimes doesn't act as you'd want a Jaguar saloon to (probably because of the 18inch wheels).
Personally, I don't have any preference for straight6/V8 engine, both are lovely. Similarly the difference between gearboxes is negligible, the X308 is a bit smoother but changes more often (5 speed vs 4 speed) so it's pretty much the same.
As for an X308 XJR engine vs X300 3.2 sport there is no comparison. A 3.2 X300 is a very nice car, and not slow. It's just a great car to cruise round in. The XJR does that but, on those special times when the roads are quiet you can open it up you are transported to a different world. There's so much power available it just makes the whole car come alive for you, in a way the 3.2 just won't do. You'll have to try it for yourself but the best thing is the XJR keeps all that's great about the 3.2 but adds a whole other dimension to the car.
I leant my XJR to my friend for 2 weeks, he got 21ish mpg out of the XJR, he gets 26ish out of his 3.2 sport on the same journey. He is on here, I'll see if he wants to come on and give his impressions from the 'other' side.
Looks are personal preference, but the x308 XJR looks more different then you would think. Also the interior is much nicer (IMHO). Aside from the engine both cars drive pretty much the same, the XJR is a bit more taught, but the X300 is a bit more comfortable...the XJR is better when pushing on on fast roads, the X300 better the rest of the time but the difference is pretty small really except on badly surfaced roads where the X308 XJR sometimes doesn't act as you'd want a Jaguar saloon to (probably because of the 18inch wheels).
Personally, I don't have any preference for straight6/V8 engine, both are lovely. Similarly the difference between gearboxes is negligible, the X308 is a bit smoother but changes more often (5 speed vs 4 speed) so it's pretty much the same.
As for an X308 XJR engine vs X300 3.2 sport there is no comparison. A 3.2 X300 is a very nice car, and not slow. It's just a great car to cruise round in. The XJR does that but, on those special times when the roads are quiet you can open it up you are transported to a different world. There's so much power available it just makes the whole car come alive for you, in a way the 3.2 just won't do. You'll have to try it for yourself but the best thing is the XJR keeps all that's great about the 3.2 but adds a whole other dimension to the car.
I leant my XJR to my friend for 2 weeks, he got 21ish mpg out of the XJR, he gets 26ish out of his 3.2 sport on the same journey. He is on here, I'll see if he wants to come on and give his impressions from the 'other' side.
Edited by varsas on Thursday 27th May 16:35
Dynamicaly the V8 is a much better car - but it's been maligned due to the problems associated with the earlier V8 models, and the lack of routine maintainence in the service schedule.
I've had 3.2 versions of both XJ's over the last 10 years and there really is no comparison - the X308 was a massive leap forwards in terms of performance, refinement and driving dynamics. You can't have everything though, and I'd still choose an X300 over an X308 for ultimate ride comfort on the poor surfaces most of the UKs roads present. I owned both 6 and 8 cyl cars for a while and that highlighted what an improvement the V8 was over the 6.
If you want to avoid grief I'd suggest you spend some time looking for the very best example you can find, you'll need to ensure the timing chain tensioners have been changed to the latest metal bodied type, the gearbox oil and filter has - even though the XJR has the stronger MB gerbox - been changed at at least 50k intervals and the car has an absolutely bombproof service history. If it's an pre 2001 example then you'll also need to have the waterpump checked, and might as well fit the later type whilst it's off to avoid the potential for overheating.
XJRs are bought to be driven hard and if they are will chew brakes, tyres and suspension components to bits very quickly. Even if it's mechanicaly sound chances are a thrashed high mile example will be tired, rattly, and have horribly sloppy handling.
I'd check the reinforcing plate behind the front shock mountings and the rear wheel arches and screen surrounds for corrosion and make sure absolutely everything works. Personally unless you really want the performance I'd avoid an old, high mileage XJR - there's just too much potential for it to turn into a money pit. They do occasionally turn up as cherished low mileage examples on PH and the Jaguar Approved network and that'd be where I'd start looking.
See if you can get a drive in a non supercharged V8 too. If the 3.2 6 cyl car is your benchmark then you might be surprised how much quicker and more agile the V8s feel.
I've had 3.2 versions of both XJ's over the last 10 years and there really is no comparison - the X308 was a massive leap forwards in terms of performance, refinement and driving dynamics. You can't have everything though, and I'd still choose an X300 over an X308 for ultimate ride comfort on the poor surfaces most of the UKs roads present. I owned both 6 and 8 cyl cars for a while and that highlighted what an improvement the V8 was over the 6.
If you want to avoid grief I'd suggest you spend some time looking for the very best example you can find, you'll need to ensure the timing chain tensioners have been changed to the latest metal bodied type, the gearbox oil and filter has - even though the XJR has the stronger MB gerbox - been changed at at least 50k intervals and the car has an absolutely bombproof service history. If it's an pre 2001 example then you'll also need to have the waterpump checked, and might as well fit the later type whilst it's off to avoid the potential for overheating.
XJRs are bought to be driven hard and if they are will chew brakes, tyres and suspension components to bits very quickly. Even if it's mechanicaly sound chances are a thrashed high mile example will be tired, rattly, and have horribly sloppy handling.
I'd check the reinforcing plate behind the front shock mountings and the rear wheel arches and screen surrounds for corrosion and make sure absolutely everything works. Personally unless you really want the performance I'd avoid an old, high mileage XJR - there's just too much potential for it to turn into a money pit. They do occasionally turn up as cherished low mileage examples on PH and the Jaguar Approved network and that'd be where I'd start looking.
See if you can get a drive in a non supercharged V8 too. If the 3.2 6 cyl car is your benchmark then you might be surprised how much quicker and more agile the V8s feel.
If we are comparing a straight 6 XJR with a V8 XJR, I can tell you that I would have the V8.
X300 straight 6 was a great car a the time, but the gearboxes it was coupled to made it less fun to drive than it really should have been.
When the X308 came along it was like chalk and cheese. A very lithe engine, with a really superb transmission, more grip, better brakes and a nicer interior.
X300 straight 6 was a great car a the time, but the gearboxes it was coupled to made it less fun to drive than it really should have been.
When the X308 came along it was like chalk and cheese. A very lithe engine, with a really superb transmission, more grip, better brakes and a nicer interior.
varsas said:
I have driven both, my friend has an X300 3.2 sport, I have an X308 XJR.
Like Varsas said, we've had the opportunity to drive both.In terms of the actual ride of the car, its pretty much like-for-like. Get some decent tyres on the X300, make sure all your bushes are solid and it'll drive almost exactly like an X308 (in similar condition), quite, comfortable.. they both drive like Jaguars.
In terms of power though.. there is just no comparison. Sure, the 3.2 moves along nicely enough when you want it to, but the Supercharged 4.0 V8 is just in a completley different league. Low down, mid range, top end.. pfft.. the 3.2 may aswell be a 2.0. It just pulls and pulls and pulls and pulls.. any gear - foot down - and we have lift off! BUT.. it does it in typical Jaguar style.. without fuss or noise.
MPG-wise, I'm getting over 26 mpg from the 3.2 and in two weeks driving the XJr I only got 2 or 3 mpg less so that shouldn't put you off owning one.
Initially, I was looking for a V8 308 but had trouble finding one in budget, so I got the X300, which now, I prefer. If I was going to get an XJr I 'think' my first choice would be to find a nice X300 XJr. I've no experience of driving one but on paper it doesn't seem to be a million miles away from the V8's specs.
Edited by UncleRic on Friday 28th May 07:54
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