Thinking about an XJ Sport - What to look for?
Discussion
Hello Peeps,
I fancy a change from my Alfa 156 v6, and would like something with a bit more "presence". On my way home I have just seen a nice looking black XJ-Sport auto with black wood & cream leather. It is a part ex to clear, so I expect a few issues. The car is up for £1995 which looking at current prices is perhaps a bit on the high side, but I am still quite keen to take a look and perhaps test drive it tomorrow. I know very little about these big cars except for the poor MPG and high running costs, but am curious to know the common faults with this model.
It has an M-reg plate, but this could be private so not sure if it is actually a 95 car. This Jag looks slightly newer if anything (97-98?). It also has goodyear F1's all round, so at least the previous owner was not a cheap-skate with tyres. The drivers seat was showing some wear, so perhaps the mileage is high(ish).
Any other tips greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
I fancy a change from my Alfa 156 v6, and would like something with a bit more "presence". On my way home I have just seen a nice looking black XJ-Sport auto with black wood & cream leather. It is a part ex to clear, so I expect a few issues. The car is up for £1995 which looking at current prices is perhaps a bit on the high side, but I am still quite keen to take a look and perhaps test drive it tomorrow. I know very little about these big cars except for the poor MPG and high running costs, but am curious to know the common faults with this model.
It has an M-reg plate, but this could be private so not sure if it is actually a 95 car. This Jag looks slightly newer if anything (97-98?). It also has goodyear F1's all round, so at least the previous owner was not a cheap-skate with tyres. The drivers seat was showing some wear, so perhaps the mileage is high(ish).
Any other tips greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
It's gonna be an early V8, so expect issues. The obvious ones are the nikasil engine problems, the timing chain tensioners and the water pumps which were prone to failure.The auto box is a sealed for life unit and is again prone to failure. That said, I know of people who have these cars and have had no problems at all, but these are in my opinion, the main issues, there are others, but these are the ones that are gonna cost you big money if the car proves to suffer with them in time. I decided on the X300 6 cylinder model for these reasons and it has proved to be very reliable up to now, I paid a grand for it! If you are on a budget, these are the ones to look at. I love the V8's and my next car will be the V8 XJR, but i would budget about 5-6k for a later one that has been well serviced and looked after.
I'd not be too concerned about a Nicasil engine now - if one has survived the 10 years since the phasing out of high Sulphur content fuel then chances are it'll last just as well as a later engine with cast iron liners. A quick check is to lift the oil filler cap with the engine hot and check for excess crank pressure - which might be nothing more then a blocked breather - or take off the intake trunking and look for excessive oil deposits inside the trunking and throttle body. Lumpy idle and poor cold starting are symptoms of Nicasil failure too.
Several engines have been changed under warranty so you might find an early car with both the later liner engine and revised waterpump fitted. Secondary timing chin tensioners ought to be changed for the later metal bodied type and the gearbox and 'diff oil changed at really no more then 50k intervals - and if the car you're looking at has been well maintained by it's previous owner then these jobs may well have been done. The gearbox should be silky smooth and silent, any hesitation in taking up drive, rough changes up or down or noises from the box is a danger sign.
Listen with the bonnet open for a cold start rattle and as soon as the engine has fired - make sure it really is cold - take off the coolant header tank cap and look for turbulence in the coolant at around 2000 RPM, if you see movement then chances are the pump is OK.
Carefully check the tyres by sight and feel for uneven wear, a little light feathering is OK but anything more obvious especially on the fronts may indicate wear in the suspension bushes. Whilst you're getting dirty have a really carefull look at the reinforcing plate where the front subframe is mounted to the body behind the front shocks. These are prone to corrosion and if badly gone are a difficult repair. Check the rear arches and screen surrounds for rust too, I've seen a couple of X308s starting to go here.
Rear shocks can get a bit rattly, drivers seats are prone to wear and obviously check for accident damage and that all the goodies work. Expect between 28 and mid teens MPG depending on how and were you drive it.
Several engines have been changed under warranty so you might find an early car with both the later liner engine and revised waterpump fitted. Secondary timing chin tensioners ought to be changed for the later metal bodied type and the gearbox and 'diff oil changed at really no more then 50k intervals - and if the car you're looking at has been well maintained by it's previous owner then these jobs may well have been done. The gearbox should be silky smooth and silent, any hesitation in taking up drive, rough changes up or down or noises from the box is a danger sign.
Listen with the bonnet open for a cold start rattle and as soon as the engine has fired - make sure it really is cold - take off the coolant header tank cap and look for turbulence in the coolant at around 2000 RPM, if you see movement then chances are the pump is OK.
Carefully check the tyres by sight and feel for uneven wear, a little light feathering is OK but anything more obvious especially on the fronts may indicate wear in the suspension bushes. Whilst you're getting dirty have a really carefull look at the reinforcing plate where the front subframe is mounted to the body behind the front shocks. These are prone to corrosion and if badly gone are a difficult repair. Check the rear arches and screen surrounds for rust too, I've seen a couple of X308s starting to go here.
Rear shocks can get a bit rattly, drivers seats are prone to wear and obviously check for accident damage and that all the goodies work. Expect between 28 and mid teens MPG depending on how and were you drive it.
People do change the bumpers for later V8 ones occasionally & they even the headlights & back lights (clear on the V8), the best way to tell is to have a look at the interior, the X300 (6 cylinder) has the square instument pod cut into the top of the dashboard & square interior door handles with a rectangular surrounds (set into square wood veneer panels), the V8 has a flowing theme on the interior, the gauges are `frenched` into the dashboard (& doesnt have an oil pressure gauge or ammeter) & the door handles are curved with no chrome surround (in elongated tear drop veneers).
I`d be very concerned about a 6 cylinder thats done up to look like a V8...
If its a 6 theres very little to worry about mechanically, the bigest issue would be rust. Rear arches, leading edges of the sills, trailing lower edge of the front wheel arches, sunroof & screen surrounds.
Undersides can be rusty depending on where it `grew up`, countryside cars have to drive through cow/animal crap, this can disintegrate cars quite quickly, seaside cars have an obvious problem with sea air. Also be aware theres an increasing number of cars affected by flood damage in recent years..
Jaguar suspension is superb, so even a bad one will still drive & feel better than a good `normal` car, but obviously there will be wear & deterioration after 10-15 years. Check for any suspension noise & odd tyre wear, tracking down can be a pain & replacing bushes & shocks can end up being costly.
As has been said, the V8`s can have issues, the nikasil problem isnt a big deal anymore, as someone said, the high sulphur fuel that caused it has gone now. Timing chain tensioners are probably the biggest cause for concern, the plastic the early ones were made from gets brittle with age, infrequent oil changes rapidly increase the problem. Gearboxes can go, this depends on the type of driving its had to endure as much as anything, the same applies to ay car, its not a weak box by design. There was a recall on throttle bodies after a number of them started causing engines to cut out at speed. These were changed free on the majority of cars, but the odd one will have slipped through the net. Jaguar recently stopped changing these free, call your local dealer with the chassis number &/or reg & they will be able to check.
Rust, see above, PLUS check the front chassis legs (especially the NS) behind the brake pipes, mud can build up & cause MOT failing rust to the leg, also check the inner wings where the shock turret panels join the inner wings.
It shouldnt cost significantly more to run than the Alfa, fuel & insurance will be about the same, parts prices will also be similar (very little goes wrong on them, its arguably more reliable than an Alfa electrically), even servicing with a specialist will be similar.
Two grand is about right for a cosmetically immaculate XJ6 Sport, with a good history, with 60-80,000m on the clock. An average one with about 150k on the clock will be roughly £800- 1000.
I`d be very concerned about a 6 cylinder thats done up to look like a V8...
If its a 6 theres very little to worry about mechanically, the bigest issue would be rust. Rear arches, leading edges of the sills, trailing lower edge of the front wheel arches, sunroof & screen surrounds.
Undersides can be rusty depending on where it `grew up`, countryside cars have to drive through cow/animal crap, this can disintegrate cars quite quickly, seaside cars have an obvious problem with sea air. Also be aware theres an increasing number of cars affected by flood damage in recent years..
Jaguar suspension is superb, so even a bad one will still drive & feel better than a good `normal` car, but obviously there will be wear & deterioration after 10-15 years. Check for any suspension noise & odd tyre wear, tracking down can be a pain & replacing bushes & shocks can end up being costly.
As has been said, the V8`s can have issues, the nikasil problem isnt a big deal anymore, as someone said, the high sulphur fuel that caused it has gone now. Timing chain tensioners are probably the biggest cause for concern, the plastic the early ones were made from gets brittle with age, infrequent oil changes rapidly increase the problem. Gearboxes can go, this depends on the type of driving its had to endure as much as anything, the same applies to ay car, its not a weak box by design. There was a recall on throttle bodies after a number of them started causing engines to cut out at speed. These were changed free on the majority of cars, but the odd one will have slipped through the net. Jaguar recently stopped changing these free, call your local dealer with the chassis number &/or reg & they will be able to check.
Rust, see above, PLUS check the front chassis legs (especially the NS) behind the brake pipes, mud can build up & cause MOT failing rust to the leg, also check the inner wings where the shock turret panels join the inner wings.
It shouldnt cost significantly more to run than the Alfa, fuel & insurance will be about the same, parts prices will also be similar (very little goes wrong on them, its arguably more reliable than an Alfa electrically), even servicing with a specialist will be similar.
Two grand is about right for a cosmetically immaculate XJ6 Sport, with a good history, with 60-80,000m on the clock. An average one with about 150k on the clock will be roughly £800- 1000.
Had a better look today, my research last night suggested an 8 Cylinder late 90's car and it did turn out to be a 98 S-Reg running an M-reg private plate. 103,000 miles, but history not too detailed (no reciepts). It had a new engine in 2005 with Jaguar certificate, and stamps in the service history went to 93,000.
Dealer suggested it was owned by an older gentleman who got ill and passed away, but I was more suspect of his claim that the car was too big to fit on his car lift (?!). There was a bad scuff on the rear wing and various tiny carpark dings too. Engine sounded good, but tyres and exhaust seemed less likely to much more life. Walked away, but have to say I really want a nice X308 now, preferable a dark coloured sport model.
Am I being seduced by the looks, would I be better off with a X300 6 Cylinder? Anyone know of any better examples under 2K?
Dealer suggested it was owned by an older gentleman who got ill and passed away, but I was more suspect of his claim that the car was too big to fit on his car lift (?!). There was a bad scuff on the rear wing and various tiny carpark dings too. Engine sounded good, but tyres and exhaust seemed less likely to much more life. Walked away, but have to say I really want a nice X308 now, preferable a dark coloured sport model.
Am I being seduced by the looks, would I be better off with a X300 6 Cylinder? Anyone know of any better examples under 2K?
DaveShark said:
Had a better look today, my research last night suggested an 8 Cylinder late 90's car and it did turn out to be a 98 S-Reg running an M-reg private plate. 103,000 miles, but history not too detailed (no reciepts). It had a new engine in 2005 with Jaguar certificate, and stamps in the service history went to 93,000.
Dealer suggested it was owned by an older gentleman who got ill and passed away, but I was more suspect of his claim that the car was too big to fit on his car lift (?!). There was a bad scuff on the rear wing and various tiny carpark dings too. Engine sounded good, but tyres and exhaust seemed less likely to much more life. Walked away, but have to say I really want a nice X308 now, preferable a dark coloured sport model.
Am I being seduced by the looks, would I be better off with a X300 6 Cylinder? Anyone know of any better examples under 2K?
Looks are up to you of course - I've owned both 6 and 8 cyl XJs and personally prefer the more fluid design of the later car overall.Dealer suggested it was owned by an older gentleman who got ill and passed away, but I was more suspect of his claim that the car was too big to fit on his car lift (?!). There was a bad scuff on the rear wing and various tiny carpark dings too. Engine sounded good, but tyres and exhaust seemed less likely to much more life. Walked away, but have to say I really want a nice X308 now, preferable a dark coloured sport model.
Am I being seduced by the looks, would I be better off with a X300 6 Cylinder? Anyone know of any better examples under 2K?
There's been much debate about the 6 vs the V8. Although visually similar there's no doubt in my mind the 8 is a much better car to drive, cc for cc it's far quicker and much more refined than the 6 but has lost a little of the ride quality of the earlier car. Drive both and see what you think - they really are chalk and cheese dynamicaly IMO.
However, £2k leaves you with a dilema - it'll either buy you a really good XJ6 which, providing it has been really well looked after and has no evidence of corrosion should go on for years, or a later V8 which could quite easily at that price be a complete money pit - it may not be of course if it's been really well looked after but it's a gamble.
There's little difference in running costs between the two, the XJ6 is generally a easier DIY car, the oily bits are more robust and the electrics are nowhere near as complicated - so I'd spend time looking for a clean rust free XJ6 with history at your price. Try the PH classifieds or Jagads.
There is an alternative if your handy with a spanner.. do as I did & buy a lightly damaged salvage XJ8 with low mileage & history.
With prices as they are it doesnt take much to write an XJ8 off, just about any accident is enough to leave them cat D`d as Jaguar bodywork prices are high (roughly £1000 for a bumper, £700 for a bonnet, £200 for a grille etc). However, use second hand parts on a car with a light frontal (£150 for a complete bumper, £50 for a bonnet), be patient & you should be able to find panels in the same colour as your car, negating the need to do any costly paint & you should be able to come in under your 2k budget.
With prices as they are it doesnt take much to write an XJ8 off, just about any accident is enough to leave them cat D`d as Jaguar bodywork prices are high (roughly £1000 for a bumper, £700 for a bonnet, £200 for a grille etc). However, use second hand parts on a car with a light frontal (£150 for a complete bumper, £50 for a bonnet), be patient & you should be able to find panels in the same colour as your car, negating the need to do any costly paint & you should be able to come in under your 2k budget.
I'd be tempted to holdout for a good X308,they can be found at this money! Don't get me wrong, the 6 cylinders are fantastic and if you don't drive a V8, the 6 will feel great to drive,I bought the X300 and love it, but I know at some point I will get a V8(probably the XJR). I would put a check list together and stick to it, read up on the V8, ask questions and don't rush into it, these cars can seduce you very easily.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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