XJR owners forum?
Discussion
Does such a thing exist?
I'm looking at an XJR-100 on Saturday and wondered if there was a forum for doing a bit of research.
Was going to be an M5, but the ones we have seen have been a bit ropey whereas I'm hoping the XJR might be a bit better looked after.
Alternatively maybe people here could give me some ideas of what to look for, when are the major services etc?
Mark
I'm looking at an XJR-100 on Saturday and wondered if there was a forum for doing a bit of research.
Was going to be an M5, but the ones we have seen have been a bit ropey whereas I'm hoping the XJR might be a bit better looked after.
Alternatively maybe people here could give me some ideas of what to look for, when are the major services etc?
Mark
Don't know of a specific XJR forum, but this is a pretty good place to start. 
A great choice by the way, though I like the M5, an XJR is a far more 'special' car, especially in 100 form!
Things to look for:
Nikasil - search for discussions on this forum. Replacement engines common, 'blow-by' test can check condition of original engine.
Timing chain tensioners - again, plenty history on the forum. Mainly earlier cars, can let go at any time.
XJR's are heavy cars so tyres and suspension items wear.
The XJR 100 as a late model should be a safe bet. Get an extended Jaguar warranty, its pretty good.
Best of luck, I love the 100
A great choice by the way, though I like the M5, an XJR is a far more 'special' car, especially in 100 form!
Things to look for:
Nikasil - search for discussions on this forum. Replacement engines common, 'blow-by' test can check condition of original engine.
Timing chain tensioners - again, plenty history on the forum. Mainly earlier cars, can let go at any time.
XJR's are heavy cars so tyres and suspension items wear.
The XJR 100 as a late model should be a safe bet. Get an extended Jaguar warranty, its pretty good.
Best of luck, I love the 100
Thanks for that. The 100 is a 2001 car so doesn't have the Nikasil issue after doing a quick search on here.
Was impressed with the M5 in Evo recently (£20k drivers car feature), but the ones I have seen have felt too tired and old. I'm hoping the XJRs have been treated a bit better.
Also the M5 is horrifically expensive. The extended warranty (which seems to be vital with VANOS going pop all over the place at £5000 a time to fix) costs a whopping £970 per year.
Plus I see the XJR as a better contrast to our Exige.
Is there an extendable Jaguar warrany like the BMW one then? i.e. You have to keep it running, once stopped you can't start it again?
If so how much does this cost and should I expect a car without it to be cheaper?
Cheers
Mark
Was impressed with the M5 in Evo recently (£20k drivers car feature), but the ones I have seen have felt too tired and old. I'm hoping the XJRs have been treated a bit better.
Also the M5 is horrifically expensive. The extended warranty (which seems to be vital with VANOS going pop all over the place at £5000 a time to fix) costs a whopping £970 per year.
Plus I see the XJR as a better contrast to our Exige.
Is there an extendable Jaguar warrany like the BMW one then? i.e. You have to keep it running, once stopped you can't start it again?
If so how much does this cost and should I expect a car without it to be cheaper?
Cheers
Mark
Yup, I like your logic. I would expect XJR's generally to be better looked after. The image of M cars deteriorates pretty quickly once they get a few years old IMHO. 
Jaguar do an extendable warranty, not certain of the rules.
However, my last renewal was £1200!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Having said that, mine was a 1998 with 125K on it. Would guess a warranty on yours might be £900?
The only downside is the depreciation, so negotiate a good discount.
Jaguar do an extendable warranty, not certain of the rules.
However, my last renewal was £1200!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Having said that, mine was a 1998 with 125K on it. Would guess a warranty on yours might be £900? The only downside is the depreciation, so negotiate a good discount.
the m5 is a great car,there is no doubt. but have an extended drive in an xjr . totally different experience.
i have a rule of thumb when buying complex / expensive cars. i will only buy a 1 owner car with fsh. somebody who has spent 50 or 60 k is more likely to look after it than someone like me. i know it makes finding the right car but it has served me well. good luck hope you find the right car. oh by the way other road users seem to be more courteous when i drive my xjr than when i have driven any bmw, even a 318 with steelies.
i have a rule of thumb when buying complex / expensive cars. i will only buy a 1 owner car with fsh. somebody who has spent 50 or 60 k is more likely to look after it than someone like me. i know it makes finding the right car but it has served me well. good luck hope you find the right car. oh by the way other road users seem to be more courteous when i drive my xjr than when i have driven any bmw, even a 318 with steelies.
It's up for £21950, but I will want something off that.
It's a big jump up to the new shape one, just too expensive IMO, and to be frank, it just doesn't grab me. Somehow they've lost the XJ's style and grace. To be it looks bloated, like a normal big saloon from, say Merc or Audi that has been given XJ styling. Proportions don't work.
I'm sure there's a lot more room in the back though, but since our back seat passenger is only 8 months old I'm sure he won't mind...
It's a big jump up to the new shape one, just too expensive IMO, and to be frank, it just doesn't grab me. Somehow they've lost the XJ's style and grace. To be it looks bloated, like a normal big saloon from, say Merc or Audi that has been given XJ styling. Proportions don't work.
I'm sure there's a lot more room in the back though, but since our back seat passenger is only 8 months old I'm sure he won't mind...
BT52,
I like your choice. An XJR 100 alongside an Exige should be an ideal pair.
I have a '98 XJR alongside an MR2 - although the MR2 is starting to feel underpowered...
With regards to the car you are looking at, I would advise that a warranty of some kind is a must. An extended Jaguar warranty will be pricey but will help if you sell the car on. If you are planing on keeping the car for a while I would suggest an RAC 5* warranty which cost me about £1k for three years.
A 2001 model will be safe from any Nicasil and / or timing chain tensioner problems, I believe (Warranty would cover these in any case). The water pump impeller has a habit of dissintegrating causing cooling problems - this may have been sorted by 2001 but I'm not sure. (Again the warranty would cover this).
I don't know anything specific regarding the 100 but things to check for on top of all the usual tire kicking are...
Check for play in the steering column (Just had mine replaced at 105000 miles but it should have been done years ago).
Check for any odd tire wear as misaligned suspension affects the handling dramatically.
Check that ALL electrics work. Pretty reliable these days but an ill looked after car will probably have one or two things not working.
Listen for any knocking or grating from the drivetrain as this could be a sign of differential wear or worse in some cases.
Check the service history very careflly as some owners like to claim FJSH when they have used specialists rather than dealers - in which case, negotiate a nice discount.
Don't be put off by the above - it's a list of possibles rather than likelies.
Oh and by the way, when you buy it, come and join the 'R' club as my car is getting lonely
Cheers,
Iain
I like your choice. An XJR 100 alongside an Exige should be an ideal pair.
I have a '98 XJR alongside an MR2 - although the MR2 is starting to feel underpowered... With regards to the car you are looking at, I would advise that a warranty of some kind is a must. An extended Jaguar warranty will be pricey but will help if you sell the car on. If you are planing on keeping the car for a while I would suggest an RAC 5* warranty which cost me about £1k for three years.
A 2001 model will be safe from any Nicasil and / or timing chain tensioner problems, I believe (Warranty would cover these in any case). The water pump impeller has a habit of dissintegrating causing cooling problems - this may have been sorted by 2001 but I'm not sure. (Again the warranty would cover this).
I don't know anything specific regarding the 100 but things to check for on top of all the usual tire kicking are...
Check for play in the steering column (Just had mine replaced at 105000 miles but it should have been done years ago).
Check for any odd tire wear as misaligned suspension affects the handling dramatically.
Check that ALL electrics work. Pretty reliable these days but an ill looked after car will probably have one or two things not working.
Listen for any knocking or grating from the drivetrain as this could be a sign of differential wear or worse in some cases.
Check the service history very careflly as some owners like to claim FJSH when they have used specialists rather than dealers - in which case, negotiate a nice discount.
Don't be put off by the above - it's a list of possibles rather than likelies.
Oh and by the way, when you buy it, come and join the 'R' club as my car is getting lonely
Cheers,
Iain
Oops, forgot to mention that service intervals are 12000 miles or annually.
I budget £1k per service although a newer car would probably be half that.
Don't forget a new set of boots will be mighty expensive - mine are £1k all round, an XJR 100 will almost certainly be more than that.
Oh, and the dealer warranty will need to be continuous - whereas I think you'd be able to get the RAC warranty after a break providing the car has been properly serviced.
Cheers,
Iain
I budget £1k per service although a newer car would probably be half that.
Don't forget a new set of boots will be mighty expensive - mine are £1k all round, an XJR 100 will almost certainly be more than that.
Oh, and the dealer warranty will need to be continuous - whereas I think you'd be able to get the RAC warranty after a break providing the car has been properly serviced.
Cheers,
Iain
BT52 said:
Thanks for all that. Yes if the tyres aren't pretty much new I'll use that for some bargaining. They're 19" on the 100 so not cheap.
I believe the brakes may be bigger than other XJRs as well?
Yep, I think they're the Brembo's as found on Triple7's XKR 100 - very tasty indeed!
Hello!
I've just joined Piston Heads and thought I'd join in with this discussion, being a fellow XJR owner. An XJR 100? Now theres a weapon! Mine is a mildly tweaked (courtesy of Chas and the chaps at Racing Green)1998 version and is the best car I've ever had the fortune to drive! I remember the 100 coming out and admiring the subtle tweaks, very nice and good luck with your purchase.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments regarding the new shape aluminium XJ, it lacks the sleek lines and looks far too cumbersome.
Whilst posting this I wonder if there are any 'R' runs/ meetings planned for the coming (hopefully!) summer??
I've just joined Piston Heads and thought I'd join in with this discussion, being a fellow XJR owner. An XJR 100? Now theres a weapon! Mine is a mildly tweaked (courtesy of Chas and the chaps at Racing Green)1998 version and is the best car I've ever had the fortune to drive! I remember the 100 coming out and admiring the subtle tweaks, very nice and good luck with your purchase.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments regarding the new shape aluminium XJ, it lacks the sleek lines and looks far too cumbersome.
Whilst posting this I wonder if there are any 'R' runs/ meetings planned for the coming (hopefully!) summer??
My first post!
The XJR is a great car and the XJR 100 especially nice.
I recently swapped my 1999 XJR for a new shape 2003 XJR in black with ivory leather. (An XKR would be nice but no good if you have kids).
Don't be too quick to judge the looks of the new car - I had exactly the thoughts as some of you but in the right colour and spec (I have the 20" Sepang wheels) it can look great.
The old XJR has more charm but the new car is a better drive and the extra 30bhp and lighter weight make it a fair bit quicker, not that the old car ever felt slow!
Anyway - good luck with your XJR100 search - a future classic.
The XJR is a great car and the XJR 100 especially nice.
I recently swapped my 1999 XJR for a new shape 2003 XJR in black with ivory leather. (An XKR would be nice but no good if you have kids).
Don't be too quick to judge the looks of the new car - I had exactly the thoughts as some of you but in the right colour and spec (I have the 20" Sepang wheels) it can look great.
The old XJR has more charm but the new car is a better drive and the extra 30bhp and lighter weight make it a fair bit quicker, not that the old car ever felt slow!
Anyway - good luck with your XJR100 search - a future classic.
Aah, but as Racing Green will tell you its easy to gain more than that extra 30BHP and then some and get a very quick car indeed! Not much you can do about the weight though!!
How does the new XJR compare handling wise, I'm told by my local Jag Dealer (who have tried to entice me!) that the handling is improved. I feel that mine is pretty good (very good considering the size and weight) and wonder how the higher centre of gravity on the new shape affect things?
How does the new XJR compare handling wise, I'm told by my local Jag Dealer (who have tried to entice me!) that the handling is improved. I feel that mine is pretty good (very good considering the size and weight) and wonder how the higher centre of gravity on the new shape affect things?
Wow! Where did all this interest in XJRs suddenly come from?
I have to say that I rather like the idea of a new XJR - the reduced weight, extra power not to mention longer wheelbase and wider track have got to improve the handling a fair bit.
However, my concern would be whether the ride is any further compromised? I switched from an XJ40 to a '98 XJR with 18" wheels and I have to say that the ride is not as good as I had hoped for. It's still better than most cars but I was hoping for a bit more comfort. Are the new ones any better / worse?
Anyway, whereabouts are you boys based? It would be nice to get a few more XJRs at the 'R' Club meets - sick of being outnumbered by these little XKRs
I have to say that I rather like the idea of a new XJR - the reduced weight, extra power not to mention longer wheelbase and wider track have got to improve the handling a fair bit.
However, my concern would be whether the ride is any further compromised? I switched from an XJ40 to a '98 XJR with 18" wheels and I have to say that the ride is not as good as I had hoped for. It's still better than most cars but I was hoping for a bit more comfort. Are the new ones any better / worse?
Anyway, whereabouts are you boys based? It would be nice to get a few more XJRs at the 'R' Club meets - sick of being outnumbered by these little XKRs
The new XJR is most definitely an improvement in all areas - better handling, ride (air suspension) and build. Gearbox is also better - 6 speed rather than 5 and I can now change down without a jolt.
It's not chalk and cheese different but you will notice an improvement if you drive one. I was surprised how much quicker it felt over my old car - I think the gearbox helps with this. I have an AP22 accelerometer and the 30-70 time is down from 4.7s to 4.4s.
The only thing it lacks is some of the old cars charm + it still costs a shed load to buy and the depreciation is nasty.
It's not chalk and cheese different but you will notice an improvement if you drive one. I was surprised how much quicker it felt over my old car - I think the gearbox helps with this. I have an AP22 accelerometer and the 30-70 time is down from 4.7s to 4.4s.
The only thing it lacks is some of the old cars charm + it still costs a shed load to buy and the depreciation is nasty.
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