What's the new xj like ?

[windsorrob]

Have been looking at some of the current model xj's as thinking of a change over the next 6 months or so. Early ones are around the 20k mark.

Just wondering if anyone on here has much experience of these (i.e. I think its known as the x350 - the aluminium one).

What are the engines like - on the face of it, even the 3.0 seems to go ok due to the light weight, but, also given the light weight, the 4.2 doesn't appear much thirstier ?

Best model - I'm thinking the sport due to looks / equipment chiefly ? Any thoughts ?

Any known problems ? How often is the servicing ? I think the old range was every 10k which would be a problem for me - being used to BMWs variable.

Anyone got an XJR on this model ? Worth going after over the 'normal' models ?

Finally, am I old enough ! (32) Suppose I should be after an M3 or 911, but on a motorway commute or town traffic, love the comfort of a big saloon, and after sitting in a few of the new xj's, I think it's just about the most comfort you can buy. God, think I'm sounding like my old man !!!! A Jag man also.

[Phil Hopkins]

windsorrob said:

Have been looking at some of the current model xj's as thinking of a change over the next 6 months or so. Early ones are around the 20k mark. Just wondering if anyone on here has much experience of these (i.e. I think its known as the x350 - the aluminium one). What are the engines like - on the face of it, even the 3.0 seems to go ok due to the light weight, but, also given the light weight, the 4.2 doesn't appear much thirstier ? Best model - I'm thinking the sport due to looks / equipment chiefly ? Any thoughts ? Any known problems ? How often is the servicing ? I think the old range was every 10k which would be a problem for me - being used to BMWs variable. Anyone got an XJR on this model ? Worth going after over the 'normal' models ? Finally, am I old enough ! (32) Suppose I should be after an M3 or 911, but on a motorway commute or town traffic, love the comfort of a big saloon, and after sitting in a few of the new xj's, I think it's just about the most comfort you can buy. God, think I'm sounding like my old man !!!! A Jag man also.

Hi Mate,

I've driven the entire range, the 3.0 isn't underpowered at all for the reason you gave above. But equally, the 4.2 V8 isn't particularly thirsty either (again, for the reason above). If it was my money, i'd probably be tempted to look for a V8 purely for sound and performance.

I prefer the sport purely for the looks, though in terms of an investment, the SE tends to be more saleable. You could always get an SE and have it de-chromed & stick a mesh grille on. Equipment level on the earlier SE's was greater than the sport, so more toys. - I'd also do your best to hunt one out with Navigation as this wasn't standard on any of the earlier cars, but does make it infinately more desirable in the long term.

Servicing is 10k or 12 months, but is actually quite reasonable (I think we charge circa £300 for a big service - plus, if you're a regency club member - any vehicle over 3 years old qualifies for free - the service is discounted further still).

The XJR is an absolutely fantastic car, 400bhp in a saloon that weighes slightly less than a baked bean can! Though I reckon you'd struggle to get one the south side of £30,000. If you can stretch to it though, i'd go for it all day long. It's still refined, yet extremely dynamic and sporty. Having driven one around millbrook proving ground I can guarantee you'll absolutely fall in love with it.

I don't think age is as much of an issue these days, I got my first X-TYPE company demo when I was 19. Absolutely loved it and all my boy racer mates (I was young and naive ) actually thought it was quite cool and a little different from the normal scooby/evo/civic type R thing. I don't think you can beat an XJ in Midnight with 20" alloys in the cool stakes.

Unlike driving a Porsche or a BMW of some description, you'll find people actually give you quite a bit of respect on the road when driving an XJ, to the extent that people peer inside to see who you are. The XJ is still widely perceived as a cut above the german competition - how true this is, i'm not at liberty to comment

I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever car you buy, try and get a decent test drive from a dealer - that's the best way to see if you fit with the XJ. I reckon you'll end up buying one after it (providing the salesman isn't a complete muppet)

HTH

Phil

[a8hex]

Age is no bar to owning a Jag. I was about your age when I bought my first one (which I still have).
There are plenty of owners younger than you, some of whom hang around here. One of my nephews is thinking about an XJ next year I guess he'll be about 23 then (sorry if I got that wrong - He lurks here sometimes)

I've spent a week driving an X350 around in the US, you can borrow them from Hertz's toy box

The ride is unbelievable, the Highway from San Francisco upto Sacramento is rough pot marked concrete, and driving the X350 over it is in someways odd. You can see the road surface, you can see the holes in it, and your mind expects it to go bump, but it doesn't. Inside the car all is serine and smooth.

My normal mount is a X300, the X350 is bigger, it is a smoother ride and it's quieter.
I felt though that there was less feedback, the steering seems more remote, and the brake peddle softer. The brakes work fine, better than the X300 but they didn't feel it.

I don't know whether the cars are setup differently in the UK and US, it might be that the US spec is deliberately softer.

I also took the car for a bit of a thrash up Highway 1 north of San Francisco, to get a chance to play and see what the handling was like. Here the car was suprisingly agile, it turns in well and stays very true to the line. Combinations of corners where dealt with more surely than my X300, rapid changes of direction and back again tend to be what really shows the weight of the car. I guess there are only so many places the suspension designers can hide the mass.

I was impressed with the handling, but would have liked a little more feel to the steering and brakes. Having said that there was more feel than in the (previous shape 2001) E-Class MB I also get to drive very often. Also I didn't really have the car long enough to get used to the feel.

The one I drive was pale gold in colour, this doesn't do the looks any favours in my book.
I still prefer the looks of the X300 and X308 models, they are more lithe, more cat like.


Cheers

Ken


>> Edited by a8hex on Friday 26th May 11:49

[windsorrob]

Guys,

Thanks for the informative replies ! Question for Phil I think - Is the dechrome an easy job (I imagine the grill must be) - any ideas on cost ?

cheers,

Rob.

[Phil Hopkins]

Yes mate, certainly around the bumpers is easy as they're just clip on units anyway. I *think* the grille is about £250-300 fitted and a similiar amount for the bumper corners. The only chrome bits you'll have problems with are the window surrounds, they're sealed units and cost a fortune. They look pretty good anyway!

[Phil Hopkins]

In actual fact, i've changed many a grille in my time and it's only a 5 minute job. Four bolts and it's sorted!

[windsorrob]

cheers Phil. On a related issue - I do have option giving the BM to the Mrs and hence having access to at least one 4 door saloon (which I need). I could then get an XK (not the new one, the just replaced one).

I'm a bit twitchy on values of these at the moment as I would imagine they are bound to drop over the 6 months, hence making one even better value. Would you go along with this view - i.e. will drop in price now the new one is out ?

[Phil Hopkins]

I'm sure they probably will drop at a more rapid rate, though I suspect it'll balance out again soon enough. Older XK's already represent extremely good value for money or as one of my colleagues states "a lotta flash for ya cash matey".

[jagseven]

I have the XJR (X350) in Midnight with Ivory and 20" wheels. I bought it when it was 15 months old and have now owned it for almost 18 months and done about 12k miles (now 17k in total)

I'm 35 so don't worry about the old man stuff - I bought my first jag when I was 26 (a V12 XJS) and have had jags ever since. My previous car was the old shape XJR and the new XJR was a big advancement - it's a shame Jaguar didn't reflect this in the styling.

The car handles very well for a big luxury saloon but it's no sports car so it's probably better to think of the XJR as a normal XJ ie. luxury car that rides brilliantly that just happens to have 400bhp for blasting you down the road when you're in the mood. The car has been generally reliable other than some known warranty issues such as new brake discs (the orignal discs warped and made the steering wobble under braking). More recently a squeaky steering rack was cured with a whole new steering rack. It's worth checking what warranty work has been done.

Cost wise I typically get about 23mpg (I can get 27mpg on the motorway). A service was around £250 I think. I recently benefited from a tyre recall that meant I had 4 new tyres for free (worth over £1000) which was nice!

I have the XJR because I need a saloon to fit the kids in - if I could have the XKR (old shape) I'd probably have one of them, preferly with a soft top. I suspect an XKR will hold its value better than an XJR despite the new XK. Happy shopping!

[octanebooster]

Having read the thread a few weeks ago, I've just bought one! Seriously impressive car, definitely a few rungs above an S Type in quality and refinement. Traded in my 4.0 S for a 3.5 XJ SE. Not quite as quick, but engine and improved 6spd gearbox are better matched and fuel economy is a good 5mpg better. Like the SE trim, but will be colour coding the grille shell and fitting chrome mesh grilles soon!

[pwig]

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