XJ a safe buy?

[dema]

Hi
Looking to get rid of the company car in a couple of months and go back to privately own my own vehicle.

With my search criteria’s, I keep coming back to the 2012/13 XJ 3.0d.
Seem a lot of car for around 13 to 15k with an average of 60k on the clock.
Have not driven one and never owned a Jaguar before so:
What is the reliability like?
Considering the price from new, how expensive it is to fix when things go wrong?
My journeys can vary from a few miles a day to 500 miles a day. Would an average of 30mpg be achievable (doing circa 18k a year)
Being a RWD how bad is the car on icy/snowy roads ( I live in a very hilly area)
What is the best Jaguar forum to get more info and possibly, to buy from (pre company car, I used to buy from owners car forums as generally cars a better looked after)?

Thanks

[a8hex]

dema said:

Hi
Being a RWD how bad is the car on icy/snowy roads ( I live in a very hilly area)

Can't help too much with most of your questions as my XJ is from the 90s and although it was very reliable that's probably not relevant to age range you're looking at.
What I would say about RWD in winter is just stick winter tyres on it. LadyB8's car is a RWD Merc and swapping over to winter tyres totally transforms it in bad weather. Cost you an extra set of wheels, I don't know how much the standard one for a modern XJ, for the Merc they were very reasonable, less than put a set of steels on was going to cost. After that you're not going to really spend more on tyres as you'll just wear out two sets over twice as long a time period.

[piquet]

dema said:

Hi
Looking to get rid of the company car in a couple of months and go back to privately own my own vehicle.

With my search criteria’s, I keep coming back to the 2012/13 XJ 3.0d.
Seem a lot of car for around 13 to 15k with an average of 60k on the clock.
Have not driven one and never owned a Jaguar before so:
What is the reliability like?
Considering the price from new, how expensive it is to fix when things go wrong?
My journeys can vary from a few miles a day to 500 miles a day. Would an average of 30mpg be achievable (doing circa 18k a year)
Being a RWD how bad is the car on icy/snowy roads ( I live in a very hilly area)
What is the best Jaguar forum to get more info and possibly, to buy from (pre company car, I used to buy from owners car forums as generally cars a better looked after)?

Thanks

My first xj 351 was 2013 ( but ?MY2014) xj portfoilio 3.0d
i did over 110k miles in it
it had a few electrical niggles when I first had it, tracked down to a bad voltage stabiliser, apart from that was brilliant. Needed recovering only once when I mis fueled it
Serviced it at least once a year and whenever milage required
Was bought off me by the independent who had been servicing it who ran and loved it for a year and has now been bought off him, still looked amazing when i last saw it
If you look after them then in my experience they are really reliable and via an independent not expensive to service or fix
30mpg will be easy to achieve they do that around town (assuming you're not starting it driving it 2 miles switching it off every 24 hours because like all modern diesels they are designed to heat up fast)
if you can stay at 70 they will do 50mpg on the motoroway and will go even higher if you drop to 60...
Extremely comfortable, i've spent 14 hours driving it on a day without a problem
They have a winter mode, with winter tyres and sheet ice i couldn't lose the back end no matter how hard i tried in the car park
You can get snow chains for the back, in 8 years have never used them, but as a reserve with deep snow and hills i carry them
I only sold mine to replace it with a facelift long wheel base autobiography when they cancelled the electric xj

[dema]

Thank you both,
I would be happy to invest on winter tyres.

All reviews seem to be pointing towards a reliable car (better than newer XF?) good handling and super comfy…
I’m not a boy racer but, I don’t like to hang around either, so I may not see 50mpg but that’s ok (company will reimburse 33 a mile).
A presume that retro fitting an apple car play is not an option?

Anything to watch out for when buying second hand? FSH will be a must like with any other cars
Thanks

[reddiesel]

I have never owned one but like all aluminium cars pay attention to the Bodywork . Not every Bodyshop is skilled in working in Aluminium and due to both the age of the early models ( almost 14 years ) and the fact that most were Diesel and many subject to Leasing Agreements , dogs inevitably will be out there . You want a good wedge of Paperwork and a full Service History . Get yourself one of those free Apps for your phone , Vehicle Smart is a good one . Key in the registration and check the cars mileage and MOT history , use the knowledge as a price reduction tool if any MOT advisories havent been rectified .

[dema]

Great tip on the app and aluminium body work repair !
Thanks

[alabbasi]

Nothing safe about a high end luxury car and that goes double for Jaguar.

[anonymous-user]

I just impulse bought a 2010 Portfolio 3.0d from BCA, based on some crap photos and a gut feeling. It turned out to be a two owner from new, last owner 10 years car with a FMDSH and an owner who apparently lavished money on it and it's an absolutely brilliant car, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. They appear pretty reliable and robust if you're doing the sort of driving that suits a diesel, and consumables are really quite cheap too.

The J marked Dunlop tyres are woeful though, my car had a full set and is like Bambi on ice in the rain; if the supercharged cars came with these I can see why they got a reputation for being very spiky on wet roads, these were so bad I wouldn't let the car kickdown on the motorway. Proper ditchfinders.

Loads of them around, and values PLUMMET once they get to 100k so take your time and pick a car you really like with good history, there is no need to settle for a tired old dog or an interior colour scheme you don't like.

I tend to absolutely hit book economy figures in every car I own and so far the XJ is turning out to be a genuine 40mpg car in mixed usage, and on long runs I've managed well into the 50s without dawdling too much. Unless you do loads of crawling traffic I'd fully expect 40mpg from it.

If you need decent ice/snow performance the only way to get it in ANY car is to fit winter tyres/all seasons. Modern summer tyres with their big grooves all the way round the circumference can't get any purchase on snow at all, they're dreadful even in FWD Volvos and stuff like that. With a set of winters on you'll be fine, much better than a 4x4 on summer performance rubber.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 22 October 18:08

[SmithCorona]

An XJ can be an excellent car, we have had 3 and still have (and will 'til it dies) a 2018 one.

Earlier ones (pre-15) have some electrical issues, the 3.0L V6 can suffer from oil dilution issues (espescially in a car that has done 5-6k per year) and crankshaft issues (more of a LR issue). These would both be terminal if they happen at that age.

The car is good in winter mode, tyres can be expensive due to width, brakes aren't cheap either. Suspension revision through life means the earlier ones have a bit of a brittle secondary ride, which is sorted, especially post-17. Note, they are air at the back - a replacement would be 1k a side.

Infotainment is not great until ICTP came along, neither is rear space for the size of car. Boot space is very good.

Depending on the seats (R-sport particularly) and your size/shape, you may feel offset from the foot pedals. Economy is easy 35+ on the motorway, 27 in town. You can get 45. The early ones had a crap gearbox, like the FFRR of the time. Look for the 8spd instead.

As mentioned above, Aluminium body, handles amazingly for its size, though a couple of panels would also be terminal if needing to go through insurance. I can't comment on indy servicing as mine go to MDs, but parts are expensive.

Would I recommend a post-facelift to do 18k per year, without a doubt, can I recommend a 2011 one, much less so. They definatly got better over time.

It depends whether you are prepared to pay for the upkeep - which is why they are knocking about at 10k, and are prepared for one big bill being relatively terminal.

[jamesbilluk]

dema said:

Hi
Looking to get rid of the company car in a couple of months and go back to privately own my own vehicle.

With my search criteria’s, I keep coming back to the 2012/13 XJ 3.0d.
Seem a lot of car for around 13 to 15k with an average of 60k on the clock.
Have not driven one and never owned a Jaguar before so:
What is the reliability like?
Considering the price from new, how expensive it is to fix when things go wrong?
My journeys can vary from a few miles a day to 500 miles a day. Would an average of 30mpg be achievable (doing circa 18k a year)
Being a RWD how bad is the car on icy/snowy roads ( I live in a very hilly area)
What is the best Jaguar forum to get more info and possibly, to buy from (pre company car, I used to buy from owners car forums as generally cars a better looked after)?

Thanks

I've had a 2016 3.0D XJ for a couple of weeks now, I absolutely love it! But can't answer a lot of the questions due to the ownership time, but I'll try. It feels a very well put together car, no rattles at all, nsd such a lovely place to be. Being a 2016 it does suffer some issues with the Diesel particulate filter being the Euro 6. You should be fine with a 2012/2013 though.

With regards to MPG, with a mix of town driving, and main roads, its getting 36mpg. A motorway trip will see even better than that. Folks on the forum I frequent can see up to 50mpg. With the aluminium body, they only weigh about 1800kg, which helps a great deal, and handles beautifully as well, far better than somethi g it's size should, it really shrinks around you. Would you be looking at the Short wheelbase one? At over 5 metres long, Parking it can be fun sometimes..

Forum wise, I would join here 'Jaguar forum' really lovely helpful bunch! I've been a member there since I bought mine, and the information I've got from there has been very useful, I'm XJimmy on there.

https://www.jaguarforum.com/forums/xj-xjr-x351-201...


A very useful thread from an member called Jim, lots of great info on there from this page

https://www.jaguarforum.com/threads/jims-xj-x351-o...

Edited by jamesbilluk on Saturday 22 October 19:28

[dema]

SmithCorona said:

An XJ can be an excellent car, we have had 3 and still have (and will 'til it dies) a 2018 one.

Earlier ones (pre-15) have some electrical issues, the 3.0L V6 can suffer from oil dilution issues (espescially in a car that has done 5-6k per year) and crankshaft issues (more of a LR issue). These would both be terminal if they happen at that age.

The car is good in winter mode, tyres can be expensive due to width, brakes aren't cheap either. Suspension revision through life means the earlier ones have a bit of a brittle secondary ride, which is sorted, especially post-17. Note, they are air at the back - a replacement would be 1k a side.

Infotainment is not great until ICTP came along, neither is rear space for the size of car. Boot space is very good.

Depending on the seats (R-sport particularly) and your size/shape, you may feel offset from the foot pedals. Economy is easy 35+ on the motorway, 27 in town. You can get 45. The early ones had a crap gearbox, like the FFRR of the time. Look for the 8spd instead.

As mentioned above, Aluminium body, handles amazingly for its size, though a couple of panels would also be terminal if needing to go through insurance. I can't comment on indy servicing as mine go to MDs, but parts are expensive.

Would I recommend a post-facelift to do 18k per year, without a doubt, can I recommend a 2011 one, much less so. They definatly got better over time.

It depends whether you are prepared to pay for the upkeep - which is why they are knocking about at 10k, and are prepared for one big bill being relatively terminal.

Thanks, the hidden bills are the main worry to be honest, as mentioned, I’m aware of the cost of the car from new and what I would pay for 10 years later.. bills are not going to be cheap

[dema]

Thank you Jamesbilluk.
I did come across your post on here. Beautiful example !

Edited by dema on Saturday 22 October 19:59

[jamesbilluk]

dema said:

Thank you Jamesbilluk.
I did come across your post on here. Beautiful example !

Edited by dema on Saturday 22 October 19:59

No problem! And thank you

Happy hunting! They really are alot of car for the money.

[ChocolateFrog]

alabbasi said:

Nothing safe about a high end luxury car and that goes double for Jaguar.

[fatboy b]

alabbasi said:

Nothing safe about a high end luxury car and that goes double for Jaguar.

I bet you’re the life and soul at parties

[reddiesel]

alabbasi said:

Nothing safe about a high end luxury car and that goes double for Jaguar.

Especially when buying secondhand I think you are totally correct when saying this . Armed with enough knowledge however , I think a diesel X351 could be a painless enough experience . Bentley Continentals and Astons I would be avoiding . My main worry with all this technology is the electronics and unlike some Range Rovers they seem to be ok . 14 years since the Models introduction , Parts are relatively inexpensive and can be sourced from a variety of Suppliers both new and secondhand . As always steer clear of the Main dealers and instead find a good Independent .

Edited by reddiesel on Sunday 23 October 10:34

[dudleybloke]

fatboy b said:

alabbasi said:

Nothing safe about a high end luxury car and that goes double for Jaguar.

I bet you’re the life and soul at parties

He's a poet, and doesn't know it.

[Trevor555]

If you want a "safe buy" luxury barge for sub 15k then the Lexus LS is worth a look.

Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 23 October 16:28

[SmithCorona]

I have to agree, despite my abovementioned history with XJs.

At that age I'd be going Lexus.

[dema]

Lexus seem to beat everything when it comes to reliability but, the only diesels available are the IS, which don’t really float my boat..

Would a 2.0d XF be a safer bet? The 3.0d seem to be over budget. Lovely cars (apart from the rear lights) but don’t seem as reliable?

Edited by dema on Sunday 23 October 17:52