Jaguar S-Type or XJ8
Discussion
I dont mind taking one for the team but at least I have done a search and couldnt find anything relevant.I find it hard to believe this hasnt been asked before though.
Whilst searching through the ads for Jaguar S-Types I keep seeing lovely looking XJ8`s (X308) so I began to wonder how an S Type compares with an XJ8 bearing in mind I am considering a 2002/2003 S-Type V6 at 4 to 5k.
From what Ive been reading on the XJ8 unless already done and before anything else you need to budget for changing the waterpump, chain tensioners and a gearbox oil change ?
Whilst searching through the ads for Jaguar S-Types I keep seeing lovely looking XJ8`s (X308) so I began to wonder how an S Type compares with an XJ8 bearing in mind I am considering a 2002/2003 S-Type V6 at 4 to 5k.
From what Ive been reading on the XJ8 unless already done and before anything else you need to budget for changing the waterpump, chain tensioners and a gearbox oil change ?
Well I've had an X300 and now an S-Type, and I'd swap my S for an XJ8 in a heartbeat. It rides FAR better, it looks far nicer, the interior is much nicer (particularly the earlier S Types, which are very poor in this regard and mediocre in most others). The S-Type is more of a drivers car I suppose, but it always feels a bit like it's 80% of the Jaguar experience to me.
Dave
Dave
Can't help you choose between the two but certainly a £4/5k budget will buy you a very nice XJ, and bear in mind the overall running cost difference between the two cars will easily be wiped out by unscehduled repairs. Having said thet a well cared for XJ is usually pretty reliable and there's quite a few specalist independents around too.
If you but a post 1999 XJ then concerns about waterpumps, throttle bodies and any remaining doubts about the Nicasil coatings on the bores don't apply.
You will need to confirm they've been done or change the secondary timing chain tensioners have been changed for the latest metal bodied type, change the gearbox and 'diff oil and check for corrosion behind the front shocks.
Personally I'd avoid any XJ on larger than 16" wheels - the tyres are expensive in larger sizes and the lower profiles on the bigger rims give a very firm ride espaially when combined with sports suspension.
Have a look on PH Classisfieds, jagads and Cars and Clasics - there's often
nice looking examples up for sale within your budget. Drive a few and see what you think.
If you but a post 1999 XJ then concerns about waterpumps, throttle bodies and any remaining doubts about the Nicasil coatings on the bores don't apply.
You will need to confirm they've been done or change the secondary timing chain tensioners have been changed for the latest metal bodied type, change the gearbox and 'diff oil and check for corrosion behind the front shocks.
Personally I'd avoid any XJ on larger than 16" wheels - the tyres are expensive in larger sizes and the lower profiles on the bigger rims give a very firm ride espaially when combined with sports suspension.
Have a look on PH Classisfieds, jagads and Cars and Clasics - there's often
nice looking examples up for sale within your budget. Drive a few and see what you think.
macp said:
Cheers Steve I was hoping to get a reply from yourself.I guess you mean the difference in the running costs between the two cars would be based on the fact that the S-Type will be a good bit younger.
Well neither of them in your budget is exactly new so who knows what might be about to go wrong - what I meant to say was even though the S Type is better on fuel and may look cheaper overall to run you've only got to have somthing to go pop to wipe out the difference in annual cost between the two.Although it's hardly worth worrying about I think a good reasonable mileage XJ may hold its value a little better than an S Type too. Values fell gently over the last couple of years but seem to have firmed more recently, especially for a good one
Again I can't say much about the S Type but expect around 25/27 MPG from a XJ8 on a motorway cruise - if you're really anal you might just nurse one up to 30 - but more like 18/22 round town.
16" Tyres are from £90 each - Falken ZE 912s are a good budget choice but they seem wear pretty quickly, parts suppliers like British Car Parts are pretty competitive and dispite what you may have heard about the XJ8 being difficult to work on most routine replacements like discs/pads/bearings are no more difficult than any other modern car. Even the secondary tensioner change is not beyond a reasonably competent DIYer. Suspension bushes are hard work but can be done at home too with the correct spring compressor and a cheap press. Gearbox and 'diff oil changes are a bit of a challenge but not impossible - so that's more or less the XJs little foibles covered.
There's two ways to buy an older car IMO. Either - buy Bangernomics - sensible and very cheap and just scrap it when it goes wrong, or spend a lot of time looking for a really good one and take real care over maintainence, rustproofing and read and learn as much as you can to try to preserve it.
I think you have hit the nail on the head there Steve when you mention preserving the car.I have heard this before and I think now that anybody buying a nice one is a caretaker rather than somebody simply buying a Jag as a nice thing to use as an everyday vehicle.Not that they are not capable of this but do you get my meaning ?
Much as I love the XJ8 I think the S-Type is going to suit my needs better.I would feel guilty using an XJ8 in the way I want to use it and I think swmbo would go off on one if I bought one then immediately had to cough up several hundred quid for maintenance.
Much as I love the XJ8 I think the S-Type is going to suit my needs better.I would feel guilty using an XJ8 in the way I want to use it and I think swmbo would go off on one if I bought one then immediately had to cough up several hundred quid for maintenance.
The XJ8 is the enthusiasts car and values may plateau a bit for good late cars (fingers crossed!) There is something special about them and they are certainly proper Jags (S-type is Ford / Lincoln based I believe). While the tensioners issue is unique to XJ8s (and XK8s), I suspect the S-type has sealed for life gearboxes/ diffs? too. In general, you do not run any Jag saloon for its running costs but iron out the simple bugs and touch wood they / mine seem pretty reliable.
Drive both and go for the the one that inspires you - the XJ8 is just such a beautiful car!
Drive both and go for the the one that inspires you - the XJ8 is just such a beautiful car!
I was looking for a car to replace an A4 quattro was looking for 4wd and a NA petrol motor oh and an auto box. Looking at X-Types, then S-Types well they are cheaper and are “more car for the money” had ticked 4wd off the list by now. Then a mate mentioned I should look at the XJ. Within 3 weeks had got a XJ8 with 2 previous owners and FSH with 65k for £2.8k and with out a word of a lie it is a new car. Done 8k init now and every one of them with a smile on my face.
Every second hand car can and will have some form of mechanical malady but as the 2 mates at work got 2 ex-demonstrator BMW’s in the same week as I got the XJ they were calling me a fool and condemning the MPG I would get etc. Can you guess how many times the 2 of them were back at the dealer with this and that that did not work, had packed up, trip splitting.
Get a XJ8.
Every second hand car can and will have some form of mechanical malady but as the 2 mates at work got 2 ex-demonstrator BMW’s in the same week as I got the XJ they were calling me a fool and condemning the MPG I would get etc. Can you guess how many times the 2 of them were back at the dealer with this and that that did not work, had packed up, trip splitting.
Get a XJ8.
That is just the kind of provocation I do dont want 
I spoke to swmbo the other day and she screwed her face up when I mentioned 20mpg.Fuel consumption forms part of the three key questions she normally asks closely followed by VED & insurance
I have seen a 2000 X plate just up the road and drove it to but the dealer is asking 4k and it needs a gearbox and suspension/steering revamp.Still drove lovely though.
Im fighting it but god its difficult and I just cant look at anything else with the same enthusiasm.
Cant believe you only paid 2.8k up here anything nice is silly money from the dealers.Is yours a 3.2 or 4.0 ?
I spoke to swmbo the other day and she screwed her face up when I mentioned 20mpg.Fuel consumption forms part of the three key questions she normally asks closely followed by VED & insurance
I have seen a 2000 X plate just up the road and drove it to but the dealer is asking 4k and it needs a gearbox and suspension/steering revamp.Still drove lovely though.
Im fighting it but god its difficult and I just cant look at anything else with the same enthusiasm.
Cant believe you only paid 2.8k up here anything nice is silly money from the dealers.Is yours a 3.2 or 4.0 ?
Edited by macp on Tuesday 26th October 11:07
Go it in Dundee, and I hate to tell you about my mate who got a proper nice XJ6 (98,000) for 900 quid.
It is a 3.2 and in reality it is quick enough, in sport mode. My good lady loves it. In fact I had a XF on demo for the weekend last week and she said and I quote “it is a bit tacky inside” “it is not as sleek to look at as the XJ”
At £2.8k I really can not see deprecating much and if the biggest issue is a low MPG I can take that easer than say loosing 12k on a 320d over 3 years. And unlike a 320d the indicators work too.
I looked at a few and would expect a bloody nice XJR (8) for that sort of ££££
Insurance is low, remember boy racers don’t drive XJ’s…. well that is what I told the police last time they stopped me. ;-)
VED is as cheep as it can be as they are as a rule pre 2001 so £220 (I think) a year.
PS: I got my one in Dundee. so you are down south
It is a 3.2 and in reality it is quick enough, in sport mode. My good lady loves it. In fact I had a XF on demo for the weekend last week and she said and I quote “it is a bit tacky inside” “it is not as sleek to look at as the XJ”
At £2.8k I really can not see deprecating much and if the biggest issue is a low MPG I can take that easer than say loosing 12k on a 320d over 3 years. And unlike a 320d the indicators work too.
I looked at a few and would expect a bloody nice XJR (8) for that sort of ££££
Insurance is low, remember boy racers don’t drive XJ’s…. well that is what I told the police last time they stopped me. ;-)
VED is as cheep as it can be as they are as a rule pre 2001 so £220 (I think) a year.
PS: I got my one in Dundee. so you are down south
I just bought a '99 XJ Sovereign and love it to bits. Just after I got it I swapped for a friends S Type that I did some work on. Getting out of the XJ and driving the S Type convinced me I did the right thing!
As previously said, drive both before you make up your mind.
Yes you can buy for £2.8k that's what I paid (and with a few new bits and some work it really is like new) but only if you are in the right place at the right time. I still have the chains, tensioners, pump and gearbox oil to do.
Pay up to £4K if you can find a fully sorted car and you will be in pocket! Avoid anything that doesn't look like new! (A few cracks in the leather can easily be fixed as can scuffed bumpers)
As previously said, drive both before you make up your mind.
Yes you can buy for £2.8k that's what I paid (and with a few new bits and some work it really is like new) but only if you are in the right place at the right time. I still have the chains, tensioners, pump and gearbox oil to do.
Pay up to £4K if you can find a fully sorted car and you will be in pocket! Avoid anything that doesn't look like new! (A few cracks in the leather can easily be fixed as can scuffed bumpers)
macp said:
You lot have really done it now I cant stop searching the classifieds for jaaaaaaaags.
Having driven one I could definitely get used to that magic carpet ride and virtual silence.
Having driven one I could definitely get used to that magic carpet ride and virtual silence.
Only Mr Clarkson (and a close friend when she's half way through her second bottle of wine and therfore quite substantially pissed) calls Coventy's finest a Jaaaaaag.A Gentleman will always refer to his XJ as a Jag-u-ar, but the 'Merkans apparently still think it's pronounced Jag-war. HTH
The more you think about it, the more you realise Jaguar is a brilliant name for a car. The first thing you think of is the Leaper; mentally everything else falls into place after that.
Hence full marks in the Clarkson pub bragging test:
'I've got a Nissan' = 'want another drink mate?'
vs 'I've got a Jaguar' = 'which one'/'can I see?'
Hence full marks in the Clarkson pub bragging test:
'I've got a Nissan' = 'want another drink mate?'
vs 'I've got a Jaguar' = 'which one'/'can I see?'
macp said:
I dont mind taking one for the team but at least I have done a search and couldnt find anything relevant.I find it hard to believe this hasnt been asked before though.
Whilst searching through the ads for Jaguar S-Types I keep seeing lovely looking XJ8`s (X308) so I began to wonder how an S Type compares with an XJ8 bearing in mind I am considering a 2002/2003 S-Type V6 at 4 to 5k.
From what Ive been reading on the XJ8 unless already done and before anything else you need to budget for changing the waterpump, chain tensioners and a gearbox oil change ?
I actually don't mind the look of the S-Type, but for me it'd be XJ everytime. It is better looking, it is posher, it is more classy.Whilst searching through the ads for Jaguar S-Types I keep seeing lovely looking XJ8`s (X308) so I began to wonder how an S Type compares with an XJ8 bearing in mind I am considering a 2002/2003 S-Type V6 at 4 to 5k.
From what Ive been reading on the XJ8 unless already done and before anything else you need to budget for changing the waterpump, chain tensioners and a gearbox oil change ?
And on a really silly note, but highly important to me. The XJ (including the brand new one I think) all use Jaguar's own supremely smooth IRS as developed all those years ago (evidently several newer versions exist, but it's still the same design).
The S-Type doesn't. It uses a Ford based IRS setup. This for me would be the real clincher.
Jaguar steve said:
macp said:
You lot have really done it now I cant stop searching the classifieds for jaaaaaaaags.
Having driven one I could definitely get used to that magic carpet ride and virtual silence.
Having driven one I could definitely get used to that magic carpet ride and virtual silence.
Only Mr Clarkson (and a close friend when she's half way through her second bottle of wine and therfore quite substantially pissed) calls Coventy's finest a Jaaaaaag.A Gentleman will always refer to his XJ as a Jag-u-ar, but the 'Merkans apparently still think it's pronounced Jag-war. HTH
Its looking more and more likely there will be an XJ sitting on my drive soon though.
300bhp/ton said:
macp said:
I dont mind taking one for the team but at least I have done a search and couldnt find anything relevant.I find it hard to believe this hasnt been asked before though.
Whilst searching through the ads for Jaguar S-Types I keep seeing lovely looking XJ8`s (X308) so I began to wonder how an S Type compares with an XJ8 bearing in mind I am considering a 2002/2003 S-Type V6 at 4 to 5k.
From what Ive been reading on the XJ8 unless already done and before anything else you need to budget for changing the waterpump, chain tensioners and a gearbox oil change ?
I actually don't mind the look of the S-Type, but for me it'd be XJ everytime. It is better looking, it is posher, it is more classy.Whilst searching through the ads for Jaguar S-Types I keep seeing lovely looking XJ8`s (X308) so I began to wonder how an S Type compares with an XJ8 bearing in mind I am considering a 2002/2003 S-Type V6 at 4 to 5k.
From what Ive been reading on the XJ8 unless already done and before anything else you need to budget for changing the waterpump, chain tensioners and a gearbox oil change ?
And on a really silly note, but highly important to me. The XJ (including the brand new one I think) all use Jaguar's own supremely smooth IRS as developed all those years ago (evidently several newer versions exist, but it's still the same design).
The S-Type doesn't. It uses a Ford based IRS setup. This for me would be the real clincher.
Next door neighbour has just bought another Bentley and just been having a look around it. What a stunning uber gentlemans car its an Arnage Red label in metallic peacock blue with magnolia leather.Although on another level it reminded me of the Jag XJ8 I drove just last week and has made me desire one even more.
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