My 2001 Jaguar XJR
Discussion
Always enjoyed this section on the forum, so thought i should contribute now i have my first "serious" car.
Picked it up just two weeks ago and couldn't believe i had finally bought my first V8. I haven't done many miles yet, 200 ish, but it's been faultless so far and is everything i wanted it to be. Refined, graceful, but brutish and quick when it needs to be.
I hope people enjoy the photos.
Cheers
Charlie
ps it was only temporarily parked in the disabled bay for the purposes of a photo just a few hours after purchase. I had to get some immediate evidence of owning it just incase something happened!
Picked it up just two weeks ago and couldn't believe i had finally bought my first V8. I haven't done many miles yet, 200 ish, but it's been faultless so far and is everything i wanted it to be. Refined, graceful, but brutish and quick when it needs to be.
I hope people enjoy the photos.
Cheers
Charlie
ps it was only temporarily parked in the disabled bay for the purposes of a photo just a few hours after purchase. I had to get some immediate evidence of owning it just incase something happened!
Cheers for all the compliments, much appreciated. Nice to know others feel the same about the car as i do!
In response to the comment about coach lines from 8cyclinder, it doesn't appear to have any. That is great knowledge though and i appreciate the information so i will double check once it's back from garage i've left it at. It hasn't had a respray as i checked for any paint overspill in typical areas when i bought it. Who knows, but i'll look into it.
Regarding mpg, the trip computer says that over it's life (or since it was last reset) it has averaged 16.7 mpg. Not something i'm bothered about as i don't use it daily. I choose not to leave it on that display often though.
In terms of history, it's stamped up to 60k in the log book, with comprehensive history and receipts over the whole of its life. Not a huge amount in the last 2 years though, lots big tyre bills though.
Someone mentioned getting it checked over by some experts, which is exactly what i've done. I dropped it at the Jag Workshop in Ravenscourt Park yesterday for a full 90k service and general check over. I've also asked for it to be tracked/laser aligned as i don't think it's quite spot on. Hopefully there won't be a big bill at the end of it, but i'll update this thread with the results if people are interested.
In response to the comment about coach lines from 8cyclinder, it doesn't appear to have any. That is great knowledge though and i appreciate the information so i will double check once it's back from garage i've left it at. It hasn't had a respray as i checked for any paint overspill in typical areas when i bought it. Who knows, but i'll look into it.
Regarding mpg, the trip computer says that over it's life (or since it was last reset) it has averaged 16.7 mpg. Not something i'm bothered about as i don't use it daily. I choose not to leave it on that display often though.
In terms of history, it's stamped up to 60k in the log book, with comprehensive history and receipts over the whole of its life. Not a huge amount in the last 2 years though, lots big tyre bills though.
Someone mentioned getting it checked over by some experts, which is exactly what i've done. I dropped it at the Jag Workshop in Ravenscourt Park yesterday for a full 90k service and general check over. I've also asked for it to be tracked/laser aligned as i don't think it's quite spot on. Hopefully there won't be a big bill at the end of it, but i'll update this thread with the results if people are interested.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Unless it's already been done, I would get the upper and lower tensioners changed for the latest types and the transmission fluid changed - will help prolong the life of the car.
In addition, the lower supercharger pulley upgrade from Powerhouse is highly recommended.
Finally, when getting the alignment done get the wheels balanced again as well - the cars are very sensitive to that.
And they sound great with a sports exhaust system
I believe it has the most up to date tensioners already so thankfully i won't be shedding out on those. In addition, the lower supercharger pulley upgrade from Powerhouse is highly recommended.
Finally, when getting the alignment done get the wheels balanced again as well - the cars are very sensitive to that.
And they sound great with a sports exhaust system
Funny you mention Powerhouse pulley upgrades, i have looked at them and it is certainly an attractive proposition. However i'm in no rush to increase power, as coming from a series of small engined old hatchbacks i'm not particularly craving more power at the moment. But give it time...
Thank you for the advice on the wheel balancing, i will ask my chap at the Jag Worpshop to do this.
I collected the car from The Jag Workshop on Saturday after taking it in for a 90k service and general check over, so thought i would update this for any interested parties.
I had the following work done:
general service (oil, all filters, plugs, brake fluid etc)
1 tyre
replaced anti roll bar links
new steel tensioners to replace the plastic ones
cam cover gaskets
all wheels rebalanced
tracked
Total cost came to £1655 which i was happy with. A chap called Mike seemed to run the place, and i can't praise his handling of business well enough. He kept me informed whilst the work was being done and always gave me an idea of cost whilst never pushing for extra work. I highly recommend them to any Jag owner looking for a good garage in the area. The handful of XJRs, as well as XKRs and E-types i saw whilst dropping off and picking my car up told me i'd picked the right place.
After a hoon around the home counties in the afternoon i gave it a wash and wash. What a superb motor; i couldn't be happier with this great value superbarge.
I had the following work done:
general service (oil, all filters, plugs, brake fluid etc)
1 tyre
replaced anti roll bar links
new steel tensioners to replace the plastic ones
cam cover gaskets
all wheels rebalanced
tracked
Total cost came to £1655 which i was happy with. A chap called Mike seemed to run the place, and i can't praise his handling of business well enough. He kept me informed whilst the work was being done and always gave me an idea of cost whilst never pushing for extra work. I highly recommend them to any Jag owner looking for a good garage in the area. The handful of XJRs, as well as XKRs and E-types i saw whilst dropping off and picking my car up told me i'd picked the right place.
After a hoon around the home counties in the afternoon i gave it a wash and wash. What a superb motor; i couldn't be happier with this great value superbarge.
For people interested in buying one of these i thought would update this with costs i have had since purchase in October 2012, as i thought one or two may appreciate this. Here's a list of running costs, excluding tax, insurance and MOT tests. It has worked out to c£1,955 per year to run. In the 2 years and 4 months of ownership i have covered around 7k miles.
This is in reverse date order, so most recent work first.
• April 2014 - 91,348 miles
o Service
o Front discs and pads
o New exhaust tips
o Wax oil both sills
o Refit rear bumper
o Fuel system cleaned
- £928
• May 2013 – 86,696 miles
o Laser alignment, front
- £45
• May 2013 – 86,577 miles
o Front subframe V mount
o Front anti roll bar bushes
o Lower ball joint arms
o Top wishbone bushes
o Rear anti roll bar link arms
o Weld both front chassis legs
- £1,935
• Oct 2012 – 85,048 miles
o 60k service
Oil, filter, air filter, brake fluid, fuel filter, plugs
o Top timing chain tensioners
o Both cam cover gaskets
o Anti roll bar links
o 4 wheel tracking
o NSF trye
o Wiper blade
o Fuel cleaner, catalyst cleaner
- £1,655
This is in reverse date order, so most recent work first.
• April 2014 - 91,348 miles
o Service
o Front discs and pads
o New exhaust tips
o Wax oil both sills
o Refit rear bumper
o Fuel system cleaned
- £928
• May 2013 – 86,696 miles
o Laser alignment, front
- £45
• May 2013 – 86,577 miles
o Front subframe V mount
o Front anti roll bar bushes
o Lower ball joint arms
o Top wishbone bushes
o Rear anti roll bar link arms
o Weld both front chassis legs
- £1,935
• Oct 2012 – 85,048 miles
o 60k service
Oil, filter, air filter, brake fluid, fuel filter, plugs
o Top timing chain tensioners
o Both cam cover gaskets
o Anti roll bar links
o 4 wheel tracking
o NSF trye
o Wiper blade
o Fuel cleaner, catalyst cleaner
- £1,655
Apologies to not replying to this sooner.
I try and take on those costs with an open mind, as i paid very little for the car. Yes; they do seem high. But unfortunately it's a big heavy car that gets most of its life on terrible london roads so i assume this explains all the bushes, drop links, wishbone work. My mechanical knowledge is limited, however it does surprise me that this area of the car has needed so much attention given i barely do 3,000 miles a year in it.
I take it to the Jag Workshop who seem very honest and knowledgeable. They charge £70 per hour labour, excl VAT. I have little choice as i have no workshop/garage facilities. I would rather take these bills on the chin and feel safe in the knowledge it's in good order. It has never let me down.
Even though i've spent £2k a year on it, and £3.3k purchase cost, i still think for me there is very little to touch it in terms of all the boxes it ticks.
I try and take on those costs with an open mind, as i paid very little for the car. Yes; they do seem high. But unfortunately it's a big heavy car that gets most of its life on terrible london roads so i assume this explains all the bushes, drop links, wishbone work. My mechanical knowledge is limited, however it does surprise me that this area of the car has needed so much attention given i barely do 3,000 miles a year in it.
I take it to the Jag Workshop who seem very honest and knowledgeable. They charge £70 per hour labour, excl VAT. I have little choice as i have no workshop/garage facilities. I would rather take these bills on the chin and feel safe in the knowledge it's in good order. It has never let me down.
Even though i've spent £2k a year on it, and £3.3k purchase cost, i still think for me there is very little to touch it in terms of all the boxes it ticks.
JagXJR said:
The mistake most people make is to say I can afford to spend £xxxx on a car (any car), not I have £xxxx for the car and £xxxx for the running costs.
I can't agree with this more. I went in knowing that annual cost may end up being chunky so i must be prepared for that, even though my annual mileage is low. However i knew i wasn't paying a lot for it initially, and i feel previous owners may have not cared for it as much as me so i would rather make sure it is in peak condition. I think of it as insurance.Also, as someone else mentioned, whilst many parts i have replaced are not expensive in themselves, the labour associated with it really adds up. I sadly have no access to garage facilities so take this cost on the chin.
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