X300 colour and Sport question

X300 colour and Sport question

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theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Friday 28th September 2012
quotequote all


3.2 Sport, really like the colour and wheels, looks a bit different to the usual!

Also on the subject of Sport spec X300's are there any mechanical differences to their siblings? or is it just cosmetic? (shadow trim, bigger wheels etc)

theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Friday 28th September 2012
quotequote all
a8hex said:
They did three levels of suspension:
soft: used in the Sovereign and base model
hard: used in the XJR
& in the best Goldie Locks tradition
Just right: used in the Sport.

The other difference is the most of the brightwork is black or body coloured on the Sport rather than chrome.
The seats are different too, again the Sport gets the best pick wink
Badges and a few other minor differences.

X300s get proper 6 cylinders in a line engines, while X308 get a poorman's spec 4 cylinders in a row design.
X308's also get cheaper, less easily damaged bumpers.

Picking up a theme yet?
I've had my Sport for over 16 years now, she comes of age in a couple of months.
Great stuff, thanks. Do you find the power of the 3.2 adequate? I'm not after mental performance (selling my TVR after 18 months of that!) just something that's comfy but goes when needed.

theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Friday 28th September 2012
quotequote all
After some legwork it turns out I can insure a 4.0 6 banger for the same as a 3.2.....

Hmmm....that makes the choice a bit wider but now i'm actively looking for 4.0 Sports!

theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Friday 28th September 2012
quotequote all
Jaguar steve said:
The 4.0 has better performance when heavily laden and also benefits from a electronically controlled gearbox. There's no penalty in fuel consumption in the real world either - your only problem may be finding one.
You do seem scarce. Found one on classicandsportscar but knowing my luck it'll be sold!

theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Saturday 29th September 2012
quotequote all
no17 said:
theironduke said:
You do seem scarce. Found one on classicandsportscar but knowing my luck it'll be sold!
Nice manual Turquoise 4 litre Sport on eBay right now
My budget is only 1k so i'm assuming it'll be out of the question?

theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Saturday 29th September 2012
quotequote all
dbdb said:
I have long wondered why most X300s seem to have been sold in a low-ish spec, whilst the majority of XJ40s were sold with a high spec - by far the most common XJ40 is the 4 litre Sovereign.

4 litre X300s are about, but most of them seem to be 3.2 Sports or the base 3.2 XJ6. I wonder if the bigger spenders had moved on to German cars or the Range Rover by the X300's time.

I have a 3.2 litre XJ40 which has less power than the X300 3.2. It's not fast but I have never been in a situation when it hasn't had enough performance - it has certainly never struggled with hills and I don't find three passengers makes much difference - and I have some 'mighty' friends.

I'd buy on condition not spec - I would rather have a lovely well cared for base 3.2 than a tired 4.0 Daimler, so don't discount the 3.2. Try it first though because people's perception of performance can differ. I suspect JaguarSteve has been spoiled by all that creamy smooth V8 power!! wink
Totally buying on condition, powwwwwwwer /Clarkson/ really isn't an issue, after 18 months of TVR'ing i'm looking for waft!

Condition is the big one, along with history, ticket etc, but i'm also being quite picky on trim and colour! Ideally want a sport, black would be perfect but I do like that blue above or carnival red also stands out...all with cream cow smile

theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Saturday 29th September 2012
quotequote all
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C310300



Going to view this tomorrow.... 4.0 (AJ16) Sport

Colour wouldn't be my first choice but seems to have been loved and looks straight.

theironduke

Original Poster:

6,995 posts

188 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
quotequote all
Well.....it was a bit of a mixed bag

Lots of advisories on the MOT, two of the wheels are in need of attention, battery is the worse i've ever seen! (must have gone bang, no acid left and plates visible....he had to jump it to start it, and wondered why!) V5 not in his name.

Car itself drives nicely and is very tidy bit spidey senses say no.