do jaguars still explode?

[sport]

After having driven a xj40 to death (243,000 mls) we (my father and I who share a car) have upgraded to a 3.2 xj8 sport on a 2001 Y plate with 39,000 mls on the clock FSJH, HPI RAC Car check etc... would have liked xjr but price for mileage bad and 4.0 litre could have been great but too difficult to find; did as much research as I could re NICKASIL and belts but am still nervous that whole thing will explode... anything I should know about? and should I get a warranty extension?

As a new user; here is my jag background... which explains why I am nervous but still love jags;

Have lost a wheel of a 3.6 xj40 at 60mph winding me up in a v deep tree lined ditch in France (just so you know don't expect anyone to stop and help). This was due to bearing failure - my father servicing car on the cheap - either way would not be here if had been in small car and not a big cat.

Am also nervous as said father subsequently baught current 4.0 xj40 which had been clocked... leading to engine rebuilt, exploding coolant tubes, rusted trhough and rewelded subframe and almost more rust than car. still as said have almost got 100,000 mls out of it with little or no servicing towards the end this as we were labouring under the permanent illusion that would find newer jag with a sunroof soon.

Although panned for reliability the engine on the xj40 refuses to die and still is quite lively although drinks almost more oil than petrol, smokes and occassionally only runs on 5 or 4 cylinders. It also seems to have had no problems getting from wales back to london without a fan as surrounding cladding fell off on motorway taking fan with it... word to the wise check the metal braces on fan cladding for xj40 are still tight, if not 60mph is the ideal speed to keep engine cool with no fan, until you stop!
It also still looks ok from about 100 yards away on a dark evening.

Before you report me for jag abuse have no fear for new car as will be well looked after and properly serviced.

Anyway, any tips and advice would be appreciated, thanks.

[goodlife]

Any car, not just Jag's, will loose wheels, drink oil, blow seals and generally expire early if not properly maintained.

You get what you pay for. If you find a cheap car, there's probably a dam good reason like no service history - because the owner was too skinflint to service it.

Follow the basic fundamentals of buying and owning a Jag and it should give you trouble free motoring.

1) Don't buy one without full service history.
2) Get it inspected by the AA/RAC before buying it. This usually pays for itself by enabling you to knock the price down for the bits they find wrong.
3) If it's a Nikasil engine, get a blow-by test done by your local Jag main dealer.
4) Get it serviced by either Jag main dealer or Jag specialist.
5) Don't ignore those rattles and rumbles. Get them checked out before something goes bang or falls off.

[Sport]

Thanks for your advice, have indeed done all of this as regards new 2001 y plate sport 3.2. Am just concerned that there are other faults out there beyond the nickasil and timing chain problems I should know about.

Also can the phone on the jaguar be activated or is it like the nav button which is there but not connected to anything if nav not fitted?
if can be activated what would be the best way of doing it?