Buying an XJR?
Discussion
Hi guys, just looking at the Classifieds and XJR's are so cheap in the UK compared to Australia. I have aways had a soft spot for one and the ones around £10-13,000 seem amazing value!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2077946.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2091371.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1833061.htm
If you get one checked out and it has low good lowish mileage and a full Jag history are these good buying now or will I be in tears over the next couple of years? A mechanic mate of mine said the older ones used to have big problems over 70,000 miles, electrics and engine in particular but surely Jag ironed ironed out a lot of these problems in 2000+ vehicles right?
Cheers
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2077946.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2091371.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1833061.htm
If you get one checked out and it has low good lowish mileage and a full Jag history are these good buying now or will I be in tears over the next couple of years? A mechanic mate of mine said the older ones used to have big problems over 70,000 miles, electrics and engine in particular but surely Jag ironed ironed out a lot of these problems in 2000+ vehicles right?
Cheers
I've had a nightmare with mine, although it's getting better.
Throttle body was on it's way out, which (I'm guessing) caused rich running (Possibly cool also, as it also gave a thermostat error) which in turn destroyed the cat.
Each of these gave me an engine error light (and several from the cat failure, meaning 8 in the space of 6 weeks) before it was all sorted. The car seems to be running well now, nothing gone wrong for 1 month.
However, diagnosing the car threw up another problem, not with the vehicle, but with Jaguars new SDD system, which couldn't connect to various modules on the car. (This affects a very limited number of XJs) While all the dealerships involved in this (3 months, 70-80 phone calls) have been pretty good, I still only have a vague "will be sorted by an SDD update" from Jaguar themselves, and no date on when that may happen.
So, much as I like the car, (and I really do) I wouldn't buy another. And I'm really struggling with buying another Jaguar. That's a shame, as I thought/hoped this would be the first of many. Perhaps, if Jaguars system update fixes the module diagnosis, and the car runs without fault for the next 6 months I'll regain some trust in Jaguar.
Throttle body was on it's way out, which (I'm guessing) caused rich running (Possibly cool also, as it also gave a thermostat error) which in turn destroyed the cat.
Each of these gave me an engine error light (and several from the cat failure, meaning 8 in the space of 6 weeks) before it was all sorted. The car seems to be running well now, nothing gone wrong for 1 month.
However, diagnosing the car threw up another problem, not with the vehicle, but with Jaguars new SDD system, which couldn't connect to various modules on the car. (This affects a very limited number of XJs) While all the dealerships involved in this (3 months, 70-80 phone calls) have been pretty good, I still only have a vague "will be sorted by an SDD update" from Jaguar themselves, and no date on when that may happen.
So, much as I like the car, (and I really do) I wouldn't buy another. And I'm really struggling with buying another Jaguar. That's a shame, as I thought/hoped this would be the first of many. Perhaps, if Jaguars system update fixes the module diagnosis, and the car runs without fault for the next 6 months I'll regain some trust in Jaguar.
Big Tav said:
Although I am aware that stories like that can happen to any brand I heard Jags were a risky buy. I absolutely love the look of them but I get the feeling the repairs would break my heart. I know what my luck is like...
To be honest though, I know that the modern Jags are very good, as you say it can happen to any marque, and they are certainly no worse than others.That's what makes it so annoying though, the problems with mine are related to Jaguar garage systems and not the car, but it's caused me bills (which Jaguar approved did decide to pay, after initially refusing), stress, breakdowns, a fair few work hours, and I still have no date on when this 'system update' which should fix the problem.
Pretty poor from Jaguar. And the main reason, regardless of how reliable their cars are, that right now I wouldn't buy another.
I gather this SDD system has caused problems for many dealers.
SimonV8ster said:
So was the belt and tensioner problems sorted out by 2001 ? Or do they still need replacing after a certain amount of time ? (i'm talking about a 2001 car with 87K miles)
All cars had chain driven camshafts. These are not a problem. Early cars had plastic chain tensioners, which were made out of...plastic and could fail. Jaguar acknowledged the problem, and brought out the phase2 tensioners...which were no better then the first. Eventually metal, phase 3 tensioners were developed, these solve the problem.Early cars also had (scary music and thunder noise) the nikasil issue and plastic water pumps, which could be problematic.
A 2001 car will have had all these issues solved. The chains are not a service item, i'm not 100% sure if the tensioners still need checking periodically?
Ok just looked at a car and really like it - only thig thats troubling me is will it fit in my gargae ??!!
Does anybody know what the CORRECT dimensions are of a 2001 XJR ? I've found different dimensions, I suppose some include wing mirrors and others don't !!
Its so close I need to know !!
Does anybody know what the CORRECT dimensions are of a 2001 XJR ? I've found different dimensions, I suppose some include wing mirrors and others don't !!
Its so close I need to know !!
varsas said:
SimonV8ster said:
So was the belt and tensioner problems sorted out by 2001 ? Or do they still need replacing after a certain amount of time ? (i'm talking about a 2001 car with 87K miles)
All cars had chain driven camshafts. These are not a problem. Early cars had plastic chain tensioners, which were made out of...plastic and could fail. Jaguar acknowledged the problem, and brought out the phase2 tensioners...which were no better then the first. Eventually metal, phase 3 tensioners were developed, these solve the problem.Early cars also had (scary music and thunder noise) the nikasil issue and plastic water pumps, which could be problematic.
A 2001 car will have had all these issues solved. The chains are not a service item, i'm not 100% sure if the tensioners still need checking periodically?
All X308s left the factory fitted with either mk1 or mk2 plastic tensioners. The metal bodied version was introduced alongside the 4.2 engine and became avalable as a retro fit for both 4.0 and 3.2 earlier versions soon after.Unless the tensioners have been changed they will be plastic bodied. Easy enough to check - just whip off the RH cam cover and have a look. Orangeish or cream tensioner body then it's plastic so get rid - grey metal and you're OK. Best have an actual look too as a reciept saying the tensioners have been changed may simply mean the mk 1 type has been swapped for a mk 2.
SimonV8ster said:
S6 Devil said:
Hi Si, About time you bought yourself another decent car! I bought an XJR about 2 months ago, loving it!
We might have to compare Jaaaaagggss then as I've found one in the right spec and colour combination !! SimonV8ster said:
Is it an easy job to change the tensioners ? Do you have to change the chain at the same time ?
Changing the secondary tensioners on their own is an reasonably easy job. You'll need a cam locking plate and a crank locking peg, both of which can be hired from the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club. Hire is in the region of £50 and the new tensioners and bolts will cost you £100 or so. You might want to change the associated gaskets and seals too - that'll be another £40. I didn't when I changed mine and waited to see if I had any leaks. 40k on it's as dry as a bone still.Chances are if the engine has had regular oil changes and not done space shuttle mileage all the chains, slippers and primary tensioners will be OK - but you'll find most mechanics prefer to change the whole lot as that's much more involved and earns them a lot more cash.
Indy should charge no more than three hours labour for secondary tensioners alone and up to a day's labour for changing the whole lot.
SimonV8ster said:
Thanks for the info Steve - not quite the 1-1.5K people have suggested then to do the job ?! Unless you go to a Jag dealer I guess.
Yes S6Devil, its the one in Surrey.
By the time you've paid for a timing chain kit, gaskets, coolant, oil change and the labour and VAT then yes, it'll easily go into four figures for the complete chain swap. Yes S6Devil, its the one in Surrey.
There was one indy - Luxton in Surrey IIRC - advertising the complete job at an all in price under a grand 'tho a while ago.
SimonV8ster said:
S6 Devil said:
Hi Si, About time you bought yourself another decent car! I bought an XJR about 2 months ago, loving it!
We might have to compare Jaaaaagggss then as I've found one in the right spec and colour combination !! 
ARAF said:
SimonV8ster said:
S6 Devil said:
Hi Si, About time you bought yourself another decent car! I bought an XJR about 2 months ago, loving it!
We might have to compare Jaaaaagggss then as I've found one in the right spec and colour combination !! 
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff