X350 XJ Problem areas and engine choice
Discussion
Morning all,
I quite like the idea of buying a X350 XJ for my next daily car. In fact there's a reasonable looking 2004 4.2 V8 Sport fairly near me that I could look at.
I've researched the car's problem areas which seem to be predominantly body corrosion and suspension pump failures. Is there anything else I should be concerned about, i.e. gearbox failures? I'm aware that expensive new cars tend to remain expensive to fix later in life, so generally how expensive are services/parts for these?
Is there much difference in fuel consumption between the petrol engines [3.0, 3.5, 4.2 NA]? I'm not considering the R as that will definately be too low for what I'm after!
I quite like the idea of buying a X350 XJ for my next daily car. In fact there's a reasonable looking 2004 4.2 V8 Sport fairly near me that I could look at.
I've researched the car's problem areas which seem to be predominantly body corrosion and suspension pump failures. Is there anything else I should be concerned about, i.e. gearbox failures? I'm aware that expensive new cars tend to remain expensive to fix later in life, so generally how expensive are services/parts for these?
Is there much difference in fuel consumption between the petrol engines [3.0, 3.5, 4.2 NA]? I'm not considering the R as that will definately be too low for what I'm after!
You've found the main issue which is paint bubbling. The more you look the more differing opinions yo come across as to the cause, but it's a fact lots of X350s suffer from it. Check all the body, especially anywhere there is a sharp contour or fold in the metal.
Some of the X350's I've looked at have had a rather poor orange peel quality finish to the lacquer too. Sight very carefully down the body
Some minor trim is very flimsy and two cars I have driven have shown signs of propshaft vibration. I'm not sure I like the air suspension ride quality either, it has a curiously isolated feel which is very good on minor imperfections but the ride seems much worse than a conventional steel sprung XJ on very poor surfaces.
I'd be happy with the 3.0 - it's quick and quiet enough, but you'll have to try it and see what you think. My view is modern common rail/turbo/DPF equipped diesels are to be avoided like the plauge, performance is acceptable but they are too complicated and expensive to fix to anywhere near justify the cost savings on fuel.
Gearboxes will benefit from a semi regular oil change. IIRC There have been some software issues too.
That's it really - find a good one and look after it.
Some of the X350's I've looked at have had a rather poor orange peel quality finish to the lacquer too. Sight very carefully down the body
Some minor trim is very flimsy and two cars I have driven have shown signs of propshaft vibration. I'm not sure I like the air suspension ride quality either, it has a curiously isolated feel which is very good on minor imperfections but the ride seems much worse than a conventional steel sprung XJ on very poor surfaces.
I'd be happy with the 3.0 - it's quick and quiet enough, but you'll have to try it and see what you think. My view is modern common rail/turbo/DPF equipped diesels are to be avoided like the plauge, performance is acceptable but they are too complicated and expensive to fix to anywhere near justify the cost savings on fuel.
Gearboxes will benefit from a semi regular oil change. IIRC There have been some software issues too.
That's it really - find a good one and look after it.
Jaguar steve said:
You've found the main issue which is paint bubbling. The more you look the more differing opinions yo come across as to the cause, but it's a fact lots of X350s suffer from it. Check all the body, especially anywhere there is a sharp contour or fold in the metal.
Some of the X350's I've looked at have had a rather poor orange peel quality finish to the lacquer too. Sight very carefully down the body
Some minor trim is very flimsy and two cars I have driven have shown signs of propshaft vibration. I'm not sure I like the air suspension ride quality either, it has a curiously isolated feel which is very good on minor imperfections but the ride seems much worse than a conventional steel sprung XJ on very poor surfaces.
I'd be happy with the 3.0 - it's quick and quiet enough, but you'll have to try it and see what you think. My view is modern common rail/turbo/DPF equipped diesels are to be avoided like the plauge, performance is acceptable but they are too complicated and expensive to fix to anywhere near justify the cost savings on fuel.
Gearboxes will benefit from a semi regular oil change. IIRC There have been some software issues too.
That's it really - find a good one and look after it.
Ah, thanks for the info. Is the paint bubbling purely a cosmetic issue or do you know if it leads to further problems? Assuming oil changes are carried out, do you know if the gearboxes are generally problem free?Some of the X350's I've looked at have had a rather poor orange peel quality finish to the lacquer too. Sight very carefully down the body
Some minor trim is very flimsy and two cars I have driven have shown signs of propshaft vibration. I'm not sure I like the air suspension ride quality either, it has a curiously isolated feel which is very good on minor imperfections but the ride seems much worse than a conventional steel sprung XJ on very poor surfaces.
I'd be happy with the 3.0 - it's quick and quiet enough, but you'll have to try it and see what you think. My view is modern common rail/turbo/DPF equipped diesels are to be avoided like the plauge, performance is acceptable but they are too complicated and expensive to fix to anywhere near justify the cost savings on fuel.
Gearboxes will benefit from a semi regular oil change. IIRC There have been some software issues too.
That's it really - find a good one and look after it.
I won't be comparing the ride to a previous generation XJ as I'm after something from mid-2000s onwards, so am only considering X350s. I'd also prefer one of the V8 options (rather than the V6) assuming the fuel comsuption is marginally higher than the R.
I'm afraid that if I look at the 4.2 I've clocked this weekend and it makes any V8 burble, my wallet will fall open!
Pinnt bubbling is cosmetic. It's been attributed variously to too thin lacquer to save weight and cost, contamination in the aluminium panel from the press used to form it and the use of steel rivets in an aluminium body setting up an electrolytic reaction.
There has been a number of posts, along with pictures in the X350 section on the Jaguar Forum. Several people have reported Jaguar refusing to honour the paint guarrantee claiming stonechips are the root cause and even if they do then the problem returns later as repainting addresses the symptom not the underlying cause.
I've seen some really bad examples on early cars and have not established if it's specific year/colour/aluminium batch that's worse affected.
The only suggestion is have a critical look at the body for evidence of missmatched paint, overspray or flaws in the paint prepartion. If you see any then assume the car is one affected and it'll come back.
As you know the gearbox is sealed for life. It's generally reccomended the oil is changed every 50k or so to preserve the box. You can buy a kit of everything needed from Bristol Transmissions. Apart from that there have been reports of software issues and one very aggrieved owner starting a website called the lurch but IIRC these can generally be resolved with a reflash.
Any problems you may read about the V8 such as timing chain tensioners, water pumps, throttle bodies and Nicasil bore errosion are all sorted as far as the X350 is concerned.
I'd avoid the diesel engine and buy solely on condition and history and not worry about a few MPG or bit of performance either way depending which V6 or V8 engine version the car has.
There has been a number of posts, along with pictures in the X350 section on the Jaguar Forum. Several people have reported Jaguar refusing to honour the paint guarrantee claiming stonechips are the root cause and even if they do then the problem returns later as repainting addresses the symptom not the underlying cause.
I've seen some really bad examples on early cars and have not established if it's specific year/colour/aluminium batch that's worse affected.
The only suggestion is have a critical look at the body for evidence of missmatched paint, overspray or flaws in the paint prepartion. If you see any then assume the car is one affected and it'll come back.
As you know the gearbox is sealed for life. It's generally reccomended the oil is changed every 50k or so to preserve the box. You can buy a kit of everything needed from Bristol Transmissions. Apart from that there have been reports of software issues and one very aggrieved owner starting a website called the lurch but IIRC these can generally be resolved with a reflash.
Any problems you may read about the V8 such as timing chain tensioners, water pumps, throttle bodies and Nicasil bore errosion are all sorted as far as the X350 is concerned.
I'd avoid the diesel engine and buy solely on condition and history and not worry about a few MPG or bit of performance either way depending which V6 or V8 engine version the car has.
Edited by Jaguar steve on Saturday 27th July 13:01
I've heard the diesel is bomb proof as long as you don't live in London or any other big city where you are likely to be sat in traffic for hours on end. The DPF does not like it. If you give it a blast up the motorway and clear it out, it should last for a good while.
I'm looking for an XJ diesel but would be happy to hear of problems associated with the diesel if any...
I'm looking for an XJ diesel but would be happy to hear of problems associated with the diesel if any...
Hi folks.... I have had 2 Xj's now and my parents have one too. Mine are all 350's and the first one was the 4.2 and I have the XJ TDVI now.
As everyone is saying the paint can be a bit flakey, mine has bubbled on the bottom of both passenger doors. Its going to cost about £150 to repair. Nothing to bad....
Reliability..... I would like to say they are bomb proof but I would be lying. The 4.2 had the old suspension problem, both rear wishbone bushes gone on the back. Jaguar will tell you they have to replace the arm but I have heard you can just replace the bush. Mine was under warranty so didnt care.
Also it had a problem with a throttle housing..... that was fairly simple to sort out.
My XJ TDVI, I have had it 2 years and its had a new Cat, the flexible coupling to the Turbo went.... A new rear Wishbone again, a Port Inlet Manifold Diaphragm, a new Satnav/Radio... a new Driveshaft Oil Seal.... A new seal on the Gearbox pressure sensor (not sure the specifics of that).....A new Airbag Wiring harness.... This is all on a car that's 4 years old with 49,000 miles.
ALL of this was covered under Jag's EXCELLENT warranty!!!! DON'T BUY ONE WITHOUT! This little lot has come to about £5K. Not cost me a penny up to now. No main dealer servicing, walk away!
If it was me I would stick with the Diesel.... All my probs were related to the car not the Engine really. And I get 34 MPG driving on country roads.
I also had a Merc S class (1 yr old) which was a pile of P**... Suspension, Brakes to name a few.... Before that a 7 Series, new ECU and Computer display in the car, LOTS of money to repair.
This lot sounds bad but I am going to Jag tomorrow to look at a new style XJ.... if that means anything after reading this lot
As everyone is saying the paint can be a bit flakey, mine has bubbled on the bottom of both passenger doors. Its going to cost about £150 to repair. Nothing to bad....
Reliability..... I would like to say they are bomb proof but I would be lying. The 4.2 had the old suspension problem, both rear wishbone bushes gone on the back. Jaguar will tell you they have to replace the arm but I have heard you can just replace the bush. Mine was under warranty so didnt care.
Also it had a problem with a throttle housing..... that was fairly simple to sort out.
My XJ TDVI, I have had it 2 years and its had a new Cat, the flexible coupling to the Turbo went.... A new rear Wishbone again, a Port Inlet Manifold Diaphragm, a new Satnav/Radio... a new Driveshaft Oil Seal.... A new seal on the Gearbox pressure sensor (not sure the specifics of that).....A new Airbag Wiring harness.... This is all on a car that's 4 years old with 49,000 miles.
ALL of this was covered under Jag's EXCELLENT warranty!!!! DON'T BUY ONE WITHOUT! This little lot has come to about £5K. Not cost me a penny up to now. No main dealer servicing, walk away!
If it was me I would stick with the Diesel.... All my probs were related to the car not the Engine really. And I get 34 MPG driving on country roads.
I also had a Merc S class (1 yr old) which was a pile of P**... Suspension, Brakes to name a few.... Before that a 7 Series, new ECU and Computer display in the car, LOTS of money to repair.
This lot sounds bad but I am going to Jag tomorrow to look at a new style XJ.... if that means anything after reading this lot
Edited by jagpaul99 on Tuesday 30th July 10:30
2 1/2 years ago I bought the cheapest X350 XJR I could with 100k+ miles on it.
Yes, there is bubbling in the paintwork but you can hardly see it and it doesn't seem to be spreading. Yes, I have had the air suspension warning light coming on virtually since acquisition but as it only seems to come on when its cold outside I have just ignored it. And yes I had a couple of gearbox messages which stopping and restarting cleared but after a purely precautionary gearbox oil change there has been nothing.
There are some small issues (parking sensors, sticking mirrors) but apart from that this car is brilliant - just MOT'd and serviced it at an Independent Specialist and no additional work needed, or even hinted at!
Yes, there is bubbling in the paintwork but you can hardly see it and it doesn't seem to be spreading. Yes, I have had the air suspension warning light coming on virtually since acquisition but as it only seems to come on when its cold outside I have just ignored it. And yes I had a couple of gearbox messages which stopping and restarting cleared but after a purely precautionary gearbox oil change there has been nothing.
There are some small issues (parking sensors, sticking mirrors) but apart from that this car is brilliant - just MOT'd and serviced it at an Independent Specialist and no additional work needed, or even hinted at!
If I was looking for one I think it would be the XJR that would be the only logical choice and then try to convert it to conventional spring and shocks suspension and even better manual transmission if at all possible.
Other than that it's all the complication of the recent models and the difficulty in being able to carry out such modifications that still seems to make a pre cat and pre abs series 3 the best option for my requirements and then spend the money saved buying and maintaining the modern,on plenty of modifications and keeping one step ahead of the body work on the classic,with the added benefit that even the supercharged V8 will never sound like the old V12 running with open exhausts.Although admittedly that won't really make a practical every day car.However having said that I don't think the later XJ would really be in it's element doing local/shopping runs.
Other than that it's all the complication of the recent models and the difficulty in being able to carry out such modifications that still seems to make a pre cat and pre abs series 3 the best option for my requirements and then spend the money saved buying and maintaining the modern,on plenty of modifications and keeping one step ahead of the body work on the classic,with the added benefit that even the supercharged V8 will never sound like the old V12 running with open exhausts.Although admittedly that won't really make a practical every day car.However having said that I don't think the later XJ would really be in it's element doing local/shopping runs.
Edited by XJ Flyer on Tuesday 30th July 21:42
Ian350 said:
2 1/2 years ago I bought the cheapest X350 XJR I could with 100k+ miles on it.
Yes, there is bubbling in the paintwork but you can hardly see it and it doesn't seem to be spreading. Yes, I have had the air suspension warning light coming on virtually since acquisition but as it only seems to come on when its cold outside I have just ignored it. And yes I had a couple of gearbox messages which stopping and restarting cleared but after a purely precautionary gearbox oil change there has been nothing.
There are some small issues (parking sensors, sticking mirrors) but apart from that this car is brilliant - just MOT'd and serviced it at an Independent Specialist and no additional work needed, or even hinted at!
silly question, have you tried changing the battery, these cars are really sensitive to battery voltage drops, especially if you do short journeys in themYes, there is bubbling in the paintwork but you can hardly see it and it doesn't seem to be spreading. Yes, I have had the air suspension warning light coming on virtually since acquisition but as it only seems to come on when its cold outside I have just ignored it. And yes I had a couple of gearbox messages which stopping and restarting cleared but after a purely precautionary gearbox oil change there has been nothing.
There are some small issues (parking sensors, sticking mirrors) but apart from that this car is brilliant - just MOT'd and serviced it at an Independent Specialist and no additional work needed, or even hinted at!
the parking sensors can often be cleaned up with some emery paper, the paper on the front that's painted body colour swells and bubbles with water ingress, emery paper that off and they work again
there is some guid on the web about cleaning out the mirrors, the accumulate loads of aluminium oxide from the spindles, i was shocked when i took mine off
I've had an X350 for about 3 years, it's a 2003 4.2 SE, running on LPG. I bought it with 40k on it, currently about 100k Previously I had an X300.
I agree with most of the above. I have a few areas of paint, but I'm not desperately hung up about them. I also get the occasional "Air Suspension" light when it's cold....and have done for 2 years. It is triggered when the pressure isn't reached in the time the ECU thinks it should. Rec-con air compressor about £200, or as of recent you can buy a re-build kit for £35...the P38 Range Rover boys have been doing this for years.
Odd electrical faults always seem to be either battery, or the 3 Earth points on the inside drivers wing....but neither are serious.
I have the built in Sat Nav, which at the time I really wanted, but in reality it's outdated, not that good and my iPhone is better, ditto the fully fitted car kit...I have a second sim in it, but it's not as good as the aftermarket Parrot I have in my other car.
I also agree that the ride isn't quite as good as my old LWB X300, and it doesn't look as pretty...but aside from a precautionary gearbox fluid change, and servicing at my local independent Jaguar garage (Chiltern), it's been great. The 4.2. is amazing on LPG, and is more economical in financial terms than my Wife's 2 litre Citroen diesel. The biggest surprise is how long the tyres seem to last ! I'm just about to replace the fronts, they are still legal but getting low. They were put on by the previous owner at 35k.
I don't know about other engines, as I specifically wanted a V8....but the car weighs as much as an X Type, so I guess a 3 litre would be more than adequate, my 4.2 seems very quick, especially in Sport mode. I suspect the XJR would be awesome...however you do compromise a little in the ride quality if it has the big wheels, and some costly bills if it has Brembo brakes. It would appear there is an XJ for everyone.
I agree with most of the above. I have a few areas of paint, but I'm not desperately hung up about them. I also get the occasional "Air Suspension" light when it's cold....and have done for 2 years. It is triggered when the pressure isn't reached in the time the ECU thinks it should. Rec-con air compressor about £200, or as of recent you can buy a re-build kit for £35...the P38 Range Rover boys have been doing this for years.
Odd electrical faults always seem to be either battery, or the 3 Earth points on the inside drivers wing....but neither are serious.
I have the built in Sat Nav, which at the time I really wanted, but in reality it's outdated, not that good and my iPhone is better, ditto the fully fitted car kit...I have a second sim in it, but it's not as good as the aftermarket Parrot I have in my other car.
I also agree that the ride isn't quite as good as my old LWB X300, and it doesn't look as pretty...but aside from a precautionary gearbox fluid change, and servicing at my local independent Jaguar garage (Chiltern), it's been great. The 4.2. is amazing on LPG, and is more economical in financial terms than my Wife's 2 litre Citroen diesel. The biggest surprise is how long the tyres seem to last ! I'm just about to replace the fronts, they are still legal but getting low. They were put on by the previous owner at 35k.
I don't know about other engines, as I specifically wanted a V8....but the car weighs as much as an X Type, so I guess a 3 litre would be more than adequate, my 4.2 seems very quick, especially in Sport mode. I suspect the XJR would be awesome...however you do compromise a little in the ride quality if it has the big wheels, and some costly bills if it has Brembo brakes. It would appear there is an XJ for everyone.
piquet said:
silly question, have you tried changing the battery, these cars are really sensitive to battery voltage drops, especially if you do short journeys in them
the parking sensors can often be cleaned up with some emery paper, the paper on the front that's painted body colour swells and bubbles with water ingress, emery paper that off and they work again
there is some guid on the web about cleaning out the mirrors, the accumulate loads of aluminium oxide from the spindles, i was shocked when i took mine off
Talk to me about parking sensors, one of my front ones is a little temperamental. Do you mean rub the colour from the sensor, or use a really fine emery ? I never realised the sensors had any paper on them.the parking sensors can often be cleaned up with some emery paper, the paper on the front that's painted body colour swells and bubbles with water ingress, emery paper that off and they work again
there is some guid on the web about cleaning out the mirrors, the accumulate loads of aluminium oxide from the spindles, i was shocked when i took mine off
piquet said:
silly question, have you tried changing the battery, these cars are really sensitive to battery voltage drops, especially if you do short journeys in them
the parking sensors can often be cleaned up with some emery paper, the paper on the front that's painted body colour swells and bubbles with water ingress, emery paper that off and they work again
there is some guid on the web about cleaning out the mirrors, the accumulate loads of aluminium oxide from the spindles, i was shocked when i took mine off
Talk to me about parking sensors, one of my front ones is a little temperamental. Do you mean rub the colour from the sensor, or use a really fine emery ? I never realised the sensors had any paper on them.the parking sensors can often be cleaned up with some emery paper, the paper on the front that's painted body colour swells and bubbles with water ingress, emery paper that off and they work again
there is some guid on the web about cleaning out the mirrors, the accumulate loads of aluminium oxide from the spindles, i was shocked when i took mine off
piquet said:
silly question, have you tried changing the battery, these cars are really sensitive to battery voltage drops, especially if you do short journeys in them
the parking sensors can often be cleaned up with some emery paper, the paper on the front that's painted body colour swells and bubbles with water ingress, emery paper that off and they work again
there is some guid on the web about cleaning out the mirrors, the accumulate loads of aluminium oxide from the spindles, i was shocked when i took mine off
Talk to me about parking sensors, one of my front ones is a little temperamental. Do you mean rub the colour from the sensor, or use a really fine emery ? I never realised the sensors had any paper on them.the parking sensors can often be cleaned up with some emery paper, the paper on the front that's painted body colour swells and bubbles with water ingress, emery paper that off and they work again
there is some guid on the web about cleaning out the mirrors, the accumulate loads of aluminium oxide from the spindles, i was shocked when i took mine off
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