Advise needed: what XJ8 lwb or Daimler V8 lwb to consider?

[Virage166]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering an (1997-2003) XJ8 lwb or Daimler V8 lwb as my next family car. I won't do a lot of business / commuting miles in the car (but will use it for commuting 4 x 1 mile a day, so it will have to deal with a lot of cold starts), most miles will be made on family (holiday)-trips.

I know:
- that I need the lwb version so we can take the dog along;
- that I don't need the extra power of a supercharger (it apparently makes the engine sound less good anyway);
- that the XJ8 Sovereign is the most luxurious Jaguar model.

I don't know;
- much about the technical aspects of these cars, other than that they are actually much better build than many people believe and that early (how eary?) low-mileage cars can have engine problems;
- (regarding the Jaguar) if the 4.0 ltr engine is preferable to the 3.2.

Can anyone advise me what model to consider and what to look out for. Thanks in advance!

[GavinPearson]

I have the US version of the Daimler V8 LWB, and it is a very nice car.

I think you need to go for a later car than an earlier one, and I would say that provided it has a service history (i.e. somebody bothered to change the oil regularly) I would spend my money on getting as late a car as possible, than an earlier car with lower miles and a Jag FSH.

The reasons for this are very simple - if you buy the car an everything works, then other than the engine this is exactly as the Jag dealer would have it, and engine wise, a number of revisions were made to improve the timing chains, water pump and cylinder bore finish that make a later car a better bet.

That said, I would strongly consider a straight 6 LWB or an XJ12 LWB, which are pretty much bulletproof mechanically and electrically, have the same corrosion protection as the V8 and ride similarly.

[Prof Beard]

GavinPearson said:

That said, I would strongly consider a straight 6 LWB or an XJ12 LWB, which are pretty much bulletproof mechanically and electrically, have the same corrosion protection as the V8 and ride similarly.

Get the latest X300 Daimler Double-Six or Six you can - they are a real bargain at the moment

[Virage166]

GavinPearson said:

That said, I would strongly consider a straight 6 LWB or an XJ12 LWB, which are pretty much bulletproof mechanically and electrically, have the same corrosion protection as the V8 and ride similarly.

Prof Beard said:

GavinPearson said:

That said, I would strongly consider a straight 6 LWB or an XJ12 LWB, which are pretty much bulletproof mechanically and electrically, have the same corrosion protection as the V8 and ride similarly.

Get the latest X300 Daimler Double-Six or Six you can - they are a real bargain at the moment

Thanks for the info, but - and I know it doesn't fit Jaguar's history, I was rather surprised myself when they announced the V8 in the nineties - I love V8's in general, and the Jaguar V8 is said to be one of the greats (and they are bargains as well).

Edited by Virage166 on Monday 11th September 19:40

[Virage166]

I seem to have found the answers to all my (possible) questions regarding these cars in one superb post. For those of you who missed it first time: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=195961&f=85&h=0&hw=xj8+liners

Edited by Virage166 on Tuesday 12th September 19:19