Help urgently required on X308 XJR purchase!

[jcuthell]

So I went to look at this one:

It drives wonderfully. Couldn’t believe the difference to the N/A 4.0 and even by modern standards I thought it was fantastic. A guy stopped me in the car park to say how lovely it is.

http://www.rstcars.co.uk/used-cars/jaguar-xj-4-0-v...
Good points:

• 2 owners. Went through paperwork registered by Park Lane Jag in December 98. Sold to guy in Bracknell in 2001 and owned by him since
• The wheels are unmarked on P Zero Rossi tyres. Offside front has a couple of k mileage left in it. Full size spare brand new Pzero Rossi tyre
• Wheels unmarked and probably worth circa £1.5k – look how rare they are on ebay
• Lovely paintwork two dings one in rear wing about 10p size one in drivers door. £50 each to remove.
• 14 services. Cost ranging from £150 to £600 by an independent. £600 included welding to fix rust
• Air con cold, electricals look ok
• No evidence tensiors and timing chain changed but started from cold it sounded perfect

Bad points
• 2 dents above
• Chromatic drives mirror discoloured – passed mot but really needs new glass
• Drivers seat could do with colonisation approx. £50
• Sills are starting to rust. Passed mot with no advisories in Jan but will obviously need attention at some point. Another common problem

My question is how bad are the 'bad points' and how costly potentially?

Many thanks,

James.

[Jaguar steve]

jcuthell said:

So I went to look at this one:

It drives wonderfully. Couldn’t believe the difference to the N/A 4.0 and even by modern standards I thought it was fantastic. A guy stopped me in the car park to say how lovely it is.

http://www.rstcars.co.uk/used-cars/jaguar-xj-4-0-v...
Good points:

• 2 owners. Went through paperwork registered by Park Lane Jag in December 98. Sold to guy in Bracknell in 2001 and owned by him since
• The wheels are unmarked on P Zero Rossi tyres. Offside front has a couple of k mileage left in it. Full size spare brand new Pzero Rossi tyre
• Wheels unmarked and probably worth circa £1.5k – look how rare they are on ebay
• Lovely paintwork two dings one in rear wing about 10p size one in drivers door. £50 each to remove.
• 14 services. Cost ranging from £150 to £600 by an independent. £600 included welding to fix rust
• Air con cold, electricals look ok
• No evidence tensiors and timing chain changed but started from cold it sounded perfect

Bad points
• 2 dents above
• Chromatic drives mirror discoloured – passed mot but really needs new glass
• Drivers seat could do with colonisation approx. £50
• Sills are starting to rust. Passed mot with no advisories in Jan but will obviously need attention at some point. Another common problem

My question is how bad are the 'bad points' and how costly potentially?

Many thanks,

James.

New s/h mirror. Last one I bought was £40 from Eurojag. Two different identical types

You can buy a paint recolouring kit for leather seats. £ No idea.

Unlikely chains will have stretched and need changing with that mileage and history. You'll need to identify which tensioners you have fitted though. Only way is take the cam covers off and look. Metal bodied 3rd gen set form £75 plus new different length bolts. Easy DIY. Absolutely sure it was a proper cold start?

£600 is a lot of welding. Where was it needed? Waxoil will slow corrosion. I'd get an independent MOT and not the Traders buddy one for a true assessment of any remaining corrosion.

Why/how is the OSF tyre worn? Not the others? Even wear on individual tyre is ok, uneven or serious feathering indicates geometry issue.

[deadslow]

It looks and sounds a nice car, but I would say its worth more like £3k if its not immaculate. I don't think the mileage is relevant unless its perfect nick. Check if its got the big brakes, they are expensive to replace.

[Orcadian]

The mot history shows chassis leg corrosion and failed one side, advisory for the other. Not sure where the 'chrome pack' is as advertised unless it's black chrome?

One wheel looks to have a little dink and although the dealer thinks it develops 270 horses, it's actually 370.

Sills are difficult if needing extensive welding due to the amount of trim removal to do it really well. As Jaguar Steve says I would want a proper cold start and non partisan MOT.

My leather colourant kit came from Furniture clinic, perfect match and lovely DIY job for well under £100 with enough to do the whole car and more.

Must have some leeway on price plus a useable warranty.
Ian

[jcuthell]

Thanks all for the feedback.

So I went back to the dealer. The lowest he is going to accept is £5k which I think is too much given the work required. It did drive well but I am concerned about the rust and that wasn't even with me looking under ramp. I asked if him he had it rot and he said it was lovely yet obviosuly I was able to pick this rust out easily.

I think I just need to be patient. What I have confirmed is that I want (have driven today). I guess I go with a solid one for £3k or a lovely example for £5k. There is just so much variation in price and I have only ever bought nearly new so takes time to see what good is.

Steve - your comment about tyres one was replaced in December 13 as a single rather than pair so I couldn't immediatley say whether it's geometry or just a puncture etc.

Thanks again guys.

[Zippyworld]

I have in the past asked to look at V5 to take details fir insurance and memorised previous owners details and called him !

[deadslow]

have you seen this:
http://www.jaguarclassifieds.org.uk/?page=cars&amp...
a bit above your budget, but these cars are VERY hard to sell, so price probs negotiable.

or this:

http://www.jaguarclassifieds.org.uk/?page=cars&amp...
well under budget, and with an easily checkable condition/service history

[Zippyworld]

I have to say Ithink this car is worth the asking price. Based on experience, if it needs cam chains and tensioners then its got to be a grand less, the dealer will learn this if he doesnt already know it.

[jcuthell]

deadslow said:

have you seen this:
http://www.jaguarclassifieds.org.uk/?page=cars&amp...
a bit above your budget, but these cars are VERY hard to sell, so price probs negotiable.

or this:

http://www.jaguarclassifieds.org.uk/?page=cars&amp...
well under budget, and with an easily checkable condition/service history

Thanks for these . The second is sadly sold!

[jcuthell]

Zippyworld said:

I have to say Ithink this car is worth the asking price. Based on experience, if it needs cam chains and tensioners then its got to be a grand less, the dealer will learn this if he doesnt already know it.

Did you mean not worth it?

[jcuthell]

Lovely colour shame about mileage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182065803968

[Zippyworld]

jcuthell said:

Zippyworld said:

I have to say Ithink this car is worth the asking price. Based on experience, if it needs cam chains and tensioners then its got to be a grand less, the dealer will learn this if he doesnt already know it.

Did you mean not worth it?

No, I meant worth it, subject to a little haggle ! Seriously I do.

[Zippyworld]

Theres another current topic here and there I mentioned that mine has an agreed valuation for insurance at £6500, which I am sure will go to £7k this year. OK mine has had all the work done. What I am saying is the car is worth the price( subject to tensioners and chains) even with a bit if cashput in to get it right, based on your own estimates. Hope that makes sense
Check out the headlining, they can sag at thus age, bit like me

Edited by Zippyworld on Friday 25th March 07:42

[Orcadian]

The 200,000 mile Daimler SV8 on fleabay got to £1500 but didn't meet reserve.
I'm not sure who might take on a complicated car with such a high mileage. It did look good in the pics but could be a bag of crap underneath. I know I paid high money for mine 2 years ago but having been over it with virtual magnifying glass I definitely made the right decision.
Hope you get something to really enjoy, they are fabulous cars,
Ian

[jcuthell]

A couple of good looking ones came up and went in hours yesterday.

With baby number 2 expected in 10 days I will have to pick up my search in a few weeks but if anyone hears of anything do let me know!

Thanks James

[Orcadian]

Yes, it looks like folk are starting to take notice of good supercharged versions of the XJ8, real wolves in sheep's clothing,
Hope all goes well, not having any kids, I am given to understand that the first one is made of glass and the next one of rubber!
Rob Jenner on the Jag Enthusiasts site seems to know of all the good 308's out there. I can pm him for you if you are not a member - in a few weeks of course.

Ian

Edited by Orcadian on Saturday 26th March 10:54

[1stRaven]

I have an T plate XJR coming up for sale in a few months. I 've spent the last year in getting everything road worthy as my Dad had it stood for 9 months while he was trying to sell it but I'm almost there. I just keep finding more items to fix before I am happy to sell the car.

It is surprising to see the differencing in pricing across the range of cars but they are great fun to drive.

[P700DEE]

jcuthell said:

Lovely colour shame about mileage

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182065803968

Whats wrong with the mileage ? 140K is not high for age of car. These cars take mileage well, buy on condition not miles. I'd much rather have a great car on 200K miles with the work done than one on 70K with potential issues to appear once it starts getting used Also genuine mileage, these are not hard to clock.

[jcuthell]

Orcadian said:

Yes, it looks like folk are starting to take notice of good supercharged versions of the XJ8, real wolves in sheep's clothing,
Hope all goes well, not having any kids, I am given to understand that the first one is made of glass and the next one of rubber!
Rob Jenner on the Jag Enthusiasts site seems to know of all the good 308's out there. I can pm him for you if you are not a member - in a few weeks of course.

Ian

Edited by Orcadian on Saturday 26th March 10:54

Thanks Ian your offer would be much appreciated. I've learnt a lot in the past few weeks and seen a few. Just need to be patient! Thanks again all

[jcuthell]

P700DEE said:

Whats wrong with the mileage ? 140K is not high for age of car. These cars take mileage well, buy on condition not miles. I'd much rather have a great car on 200K miles with the work done than one on 70K with potential issues to appear once it starts getting used Also genuine mileage, these are not hard to clock.

Agree I quickly came to that conclusion but it sold in hours. Lovely car not seen it before.