RE: Jaguar XJR: Spotted

RE: Jaguar XJR: Spotted

Tuesday 14th August 2018

Jaguar XJR: Spotted

The supercharged XJR will soon be consigned to history, so how about one for £6k?



While the fact hasn't been advertised too widely, it seems the current Jaguar XJR is no more. The lovable XJR575 has been taken off sale with a new XJ due at some point soon, and so if you want a supercharged V8 Jaguar saloon then a secondhand one is the only option. Because let's be honest: with the supercharged V6 now replaced by a four-cylinder turbo, it seems very unlikely that the 5.0-litre V8 will survive in its current form into the next generation of JLR models.

Without knowing any details about the replacement, that seems a shame, if not entirely unexpected as legislation tightens even further. A supercharger has been a fixture of the XJR right back to the X300, and a supercharged V8 from the X308 onwards. For more than 20 years the flagship Jag saloon has had the immediate response and endearing character of a force-fed V8; with its likely demise another interesting engine layout goes.

So how about some affordable reminiscing? The X350 XJR, despite its appearance, was a remarkably modern car on launch in 2002, the all-aluminium construction making it strong and light. It would also be the first diesel XJ, before being replaced by the car that's recently ceased production.


But we're not interested in the diesel; instead it's this, a 400hp XJR for sale at £5,995. One thousand pounds less than a Dacia Sandero, the cheapest car on sale in Britain today. In fact, this particular XJR is by far the most affordable on PH, the next similar X350s available at £9,000, £13,000 and £20,000.

The reason for its relative cheapness is the predictable one, this XJR having covered 131,000 miles. Still, that's fewer than 9,000 miles a year, and it looks perfectly alright from the inspection afforded by nine pictures. It's been with this owner for five years and the advert, while brief, does feature a few encouraging details: recent pads and discs being one, four matching Dunlop tyres the other. You'd be amazed how often the rubber is skimped on on secondhand fast cars...


Now the XJ is hardly a fault-free used purchase, with rust and some electric issues apparent, but none of its rivals then or now have blemish free track records. It would be worth having a proper inspection, as it often is with a used purchase, but the positive comments in response to the PH Buying Guide would suggest XJR ownership can be an enjoyable and reasonably stress-free experience.

Speaking of the alternatives, there are unsurprisingly very few at city car money. The days of the £6k M5 are long gone, the £10k examples now at the bottom even leggier than the XJR; this S8 is the same money but a much older design, less powerful and more wooden to drive; similarly this E55; and, well, what else is there for bargain basement V8 saloons?

While there will be more care and maintenance required in a 15 year-old, £6k Jag than a brand new car (or even a slightly less used XJR), there does seem to be an awful lot of traditional V8 appeal for not much money here. Apparently modern classic status begins after a decade and a half too, so it must be one of the cheapest classic (and fast) Jaguars around...


SPECIFICATION - JAGUAR XJR

Engine: 4,196cc, V8 supercharged
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 400@6,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 399@3,500rpm
MPG: 22.3
CO2: 299g/km
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 131,000
Price new: £58,500
Yours for: £5,995

See the original advert here.

Author
Discussion

L200animal99

Original Poster:

2 posts

74 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
Very nice but rust and electrics always an issue with Jags. You mention the mercedes and BMW M5 as alternative V8's but what about the BMW 645ci? Good looking, powerfull, normally aspirated and cheap. Apart from the odd oil leak a great car

lotus116tornado

311 posts

151 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
L200animal99 said:
Very nice but rust and electrics always an issue with Jags. You mention the mercedes and BMW M5 as alternative V8's but what about the BMW 645ci? Good looking, powerfull, normally aspirated and cheap. Apart from the odd oil leak a great car
The XJ is all aluminium so rust is not an issue.

The 645 was 70bhp down on the Jag and is a coupe not saloon.

I’m not sure you could call the E63 good looking when it looks like it’s been reversed in to a wall!


Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
L200animal99 said:
but what about the BMW 645ci? Good looking, powerfull, normally aspirated and cheap. Apart from the odd oil leak a great car
I'll pass on that engine thanks, the oil valley leak is a nasty job which gets expensive, along with a myriad of other minor issues...


rampageturke

2,622 posts

161 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
Would happily snatch one up if it were a manual.

And I know its about double the price, but would much rather an E39 M5 because of the manual.

Oliver-eppue

34 posts

74 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
lotus116tornado said:
The XJ is all aluminium so rust is not an issue.
Doesn’t stop the aluminium corroding. Which it does, fairly badly, in these cars.

unpc

2,831 posts

212 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
rampageturke said:
Would happily snatch one up if it were a manual.

And I know its about double the price, but would much rather an E39 M5 because of the manual.
This is the last car I'd have as a manual as it wouldn't suit it at all. I get why some people prefer manuals but not in this thanks. Having had that same engine and box in my old XKR I'd say they work pretty well together. That 6 speed may not be a good as the newer 8 speed ZF seemingly in everything now but it isn't bad. The M5 is a different beast altogether IMO.

borat52

559 posts

207 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
The run out XJR 575 was available with some rediculous discoujts, I had £30k off lost offrered on carwow for a new one, happened to the XK when it was ending to £35k off new XKR-S at the end.

ayman82

1,465 posts

180 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
This one has been for sale for ages, I've been watching it since April, so there must be something wrong with it if it hasn't sold by now, especially at that price.

L200animal99

Original Poster:

2 posts

74 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
I grant you the 645 looks are a matter of personal choice. I noticed it the beemer is a coupe, but to be honest the jag doesn't have that much of a space advantage. Contemporary reviews condemning the fact that for a 4 door it was difficult to get in and out. The Jag hasn't changed that much to look at since the XJ6 first approved, so hardly innovative. The subframes aren't alloy and they rust but the real problem was iron rivets which react with the aluminium panels. In fact, corrosion was a real problem for these jags which, to quote 'What car:- "was quite a feat" considering most of it was aluminium. No-one mentioned the electrics. "What car" condemned it with faint praise saying it was "reasonably dependable." The V8 fuel consumption is legendarily "vast." Anyone ever owned or even driven a 645? The oil leaks are exaggerated, mine doesn't leak, in fact apart from a sticking relay it has been ultra reliable. That has probably kyboshed it. I had a 996 before and all the forums were full of doom and gloom about the alleged weaknesses in the engine. Mainly by those who hadn't driven, let alone owned, one and repeating what they had heard elsewhere. That will teach me to venture an opinion

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
Oliver-eppue said:
lotus116tornado said:
The XJ is all aluminium so rust is not an issue.
Doesn’t stop the aluminium corroding. Which it does, fairly badly, in these cars.
Not in my experience (had a 53 plate when it was 12 years old) or that of the 54 plate one my mate owns to this day. Certainly nothing compared to the rust in comparable aged Mercedes despite all that German build quality rubbish.

I had an XJ8 4.2 Sport which while not supercharged was a lovely wafter and nothing went wrong with it in all the time I owned it. It was to be frank the best built car I have ever owned outside of my S2000. In terms of build quality it was leagues ahead of the SL55 I own today.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
L200animal99 said:
I grant you the 645 looks are a matter of personal choice. I noticed it the beemer is a coupe, but to be honest the jag doesn't have that much of a space advantage. Contemporary reviews condemning the fact that for a 4 door it was difficult to get in and out. The Jag hasn't changed that much to look at since the XJ6 first approved, so hardly innovative. The subframes aren't alloy and they rust but the real problem was iron rivets which react with the aluminium panels. In fact, corrosion was a real problem for these jags which, to quote 'What car:- "was quite a feat" considering most of it was aluminium. No-one mentioned the electrics. "What car" condemned it with faint praise saying it was "reasonably dependable." The V8 fuel consumption is legendarily "vast." Anyone ever owned or even driven a 645? The oil leaks are exaggerated, mine doesn't leak, in fact apart from a sticking relay it has been ultra reliable. That has probably kyboshed it. I had a 996 before and all the forums were full of doom and gloom about the alleged weaknesses in the engine. Mainly by those who hadn't driven, let alone owned, one and repeating what they had heard elsewhere. That will teach me to venture an opinion
Isn't this the same experience with any model though? You read the horror stories as they are all that is published (no one ever logs on to post saying their car has had no issue as there is no reason to, they only post when there is something to complain about). You say the oil leaks are exaggerated on the 645 in reply to which I would say the electrical issues and corrosion on XJ X350s are also exaggerated. At the end of the day very few cars are truly awful these days (shonky Mercs excepted).

TR4man

5,207 posts

173 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
L200animal99 said:
but to be honest the jag doesn't have that much of a space advantage. Contemporary reviews condemning the fact that for a 4 door it was difficult to get in and out.
Did they?

alec.e

2,149 posts

123 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
Funny enough, I own both a 650i and X350 Super V8, my thoughts are they are two very different cars.

XJ feels quicker, more drama thanks to that supercharger whine
Old school luxury interior in Jag and better waft.

BMW is much more sporty, fun to throw around a bit. A bit 'laggy' low down, but loves to rev. Better built, no corrosion!

My Super V8 has had all the usual mods done (and a few extra), ran 12.89 @ 107.2 mph Santa Pod.

ianwayne

6,243 posts

267 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
The E55 linked in the feature is the W210 model with 350 bhp ish.

The W211 E55 AMG model from after 2003 has variously been said to have 490 bhp and is available for under £10k. Often with issues though!

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
The S8 would have 360bhp – they received a hike in power along with the facelift from about 1999 onwards. Plus 4wd so you can get the power down without any issues. They feel and handled like a much smaller car thanks to the relative lack of weight and there's tons of room inside. I recall the Jag being described as reverse tardis in that respect.

They are a little sterile to drive but a lovely place to be while eating up the miles in a stress-free environment.

Nigel_O

2,858 posts

218 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
I do like the old Jags, but if you want a cheap but powerful barge, there's a BMW 760 in the classifieds for £6k - 438bhp of V12 waftiness - trumps the Jag in just about every respect other than "caddishness"

woody33

251 posts

107 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
lotus116tornado said:
The XJ is all aluminium so rust is not an issue.

Always amusing when such a confident but horribly inaccurate statement is madebiggrin

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
Nigel_O said:
I do like the old Jags, but if you want a cheap but powerful barge, there's a BMW 760 in the classifieds for £6k - 438bhp of V12 waftiness - trumps the Jag in just about every respect other than "caddishness"
And looks. The Jag may be old fashioned, but it has a graceful presence, the BMW.... well it's just another boxy saloon.


dunnoreally

950 posts

107 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
If you're spending £6,000 on this kind of high performance luxobrage, surely you buy on condition rather than model. Yeah, you can get these jags and various German stuff for this money, but I'll bet getting one that won't have a big repair bill in the next six months is a damn sight harder. If it were my money, I'd much rather crank the performance down a notch and drop a size to get a really good S Type V8.

Also, I'll bet anyone £20 that the top-of-the-range for the next XJ will be a 2.0l 4 pot hybrid.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Tuesday 14th August 2018
quotequote all
dunnoreally said:
I'd much rather crank the performance down a notch and drop a size to get a really good S Type V8.
Given the equal chance if big bills from either car (relatively small actually), is rather have the slightly faster one that doesn't make me puke my mouth to look at...