Jaguar XJ 3.2 or 4.0
Discussion
So my friend who was after the C Class has taken a fancy of a Jaguar XJ. There is two local to us:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408243...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408243...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140...
Blue one looks like a LWB and to have been 'got at' to some degree (non-standard exhaust, 'Jaguar' badge on dash, aftermarket stereo, heavy tints etc.). That would ring alarm bells for me.
The red one looks a bit tired inside, but may just need a professional leather clean. Otherwise unmolested.
For me, I'd be leaning towards the red one. As the above poster said, not much in it engine-wise, but the big killer on these is rust - often where you can't see it behind the front spring on the inner wing / subframe mount. They both need checking very carefully for corrosion and then buy on condition.
The red one looks a bit tired inside, but may just need a professional leather clean. Otherwise unmolested.
For me, I'd be leaning towards the red one. As the above poster said, not much in it engine-wise, but the big killer on these is rust - often where you can't see it behind the front spring on the inner wing / subframe mount. They both need checking very carefully for corrosion and then buy on condition.
The 3.2 is really quite weak. Not so much peak power that's inadequate as the torque, it's really not good enough for proper fat man wafting.
Be really careful buying these, they're mostly rotten as anything now, years of bodged up repairs, and the X308 V8 models were quite brittle of trim so are often very shabby. Don't get fooled by "shiny on top".
The X300 straight six (and V12) cars are much better IMHO, loads more character, mechanically and electronically much tougher, cooler and higher quality interiors. They're all slow and crap by any modern objective standard so feeling more "proper" like the straight six cars do is a bit win. I've had several of all varieties and always find the X308 V8 cars a bit disappointing.
I'd expect absolute perfection in pretty much every way for £4k-£5k for a non supercharged car.
Be really careful buying these, they're mostly rotten as anything now, years of bodged up repairs, and the X308 V8 models were quite brittle of trim so are often very shabby. Don't get fooled by "shiny on top".
The X300 straight six (and V12) cars are much better IMHO, loads more character, mechanically and electronically much tougher, cooler and higher quality interiors. They're all slow and crap by any modern objective standard so feeling more "proper" like the straight six cars do is a bit win. I've had several of all varieties and always find the X308 V8 cars a bit disappointing.
I'd expect absolute perfection in pretty much every way for £4k-£5k for a non supercharged car.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Friday 28th March 21:33
So we went and had a look at the blue one. Oh dear. It’s not very nice. We found this one on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205197145143?mkcid=16&a...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205197145143?mkcid=16&a...
Mr.Nobody said:
So we went and had a look at the blue one. Oh dear. It’s not very nice. We found this one on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205197145143?mkcid=16&a...
£3.5k for a CAT N 3.2?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205197145143?mkcid=16&a...
GOL wants the best around for £4-£5k. Needs an MOT too, so been for sale for a while.
I would up your budget and seek out a low ownership cherished example with a day 1 service history (Jaguar and Specialist).
In the long run it will pay dividends. My Dad had an XJ40 4.0 and I’ve driven an X300 4.0. They do perform very well and is probably the preferred engine option.
In the long run it will pay dividends. My Dad had an XJ40 4.0 and I’ve driven an X300 4.0. They do perform very well and is probably the preferred engine option.
tomsugden said:
The red one looks as if it's had a whack up the rear. The bumper is out of alignment. Look at the distance at the top of the bumper vs the car, and the distance to the exhaust on each side.
It's more likely the rear bumper mounts have started to corrode and weaken. They're a plastic and aluminium construction, and the aluminium part turns to dust, letting the bumper drop.OP, go have a look at the red one. It's had some work on the underneath, subframe etc has popped up on MOT in the last 5 years, but not appeared on subsequent ones, so it looks to me like it's had money put into it. The 3.2 is a bit less pokey then the 4.0, but it's not exactly an XJR anyway so not really a point to worry about. It'll still purr along just fine.
The X308 was quite a step up in refinement over the X300, with a much more plush interior. The V8 was a great engine too once you address the weak spots (timing chain tensioners upgraded to newest spec, valley hoses and plastic joint checked/renewed, plastic thermostat tower replaced for updated aluminium one). The biggest thing i can say is don't be in a rush with them. The ZF 5 speed in these are getting on a bit, and most haven't been maintained properly (gearbox fluid and filter every 6-8 years or 60k miles, whichever comes first). They're now due to age susceptible to damage if you're not being sympathetic to them. Don't put it into D until your RPM drops below 900 on a cold start (the AJV8 warms up very fast, so never more than 5 minutes idle even in sub-zero temperatures) as the gearbox oil pressure is at its highest when the oil is cold (therefore thickest) and the RPM is high relative to the roadspeed (which is zero because you're parked haha). It's not uncommon for the valve block or the A drum, or both to be cracked by being subjected to high pressure 1st gear selection from park. ZF don't make the internal parts (other than the filter) anymore, so you're left with second hand parts.
Good news is, there is a massive industry around Jaguar, so lots of garages with specialist knowledge. They're not the cheapest car to put right, but once right, they're not expensive to keep that way (with sone mechanical sympathety and knowledge)
Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Sunday 30th March 09:33
Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Sunday 30th March 09:35
If I were looking to spend three grand on a Jag right now I'd be going to look at this one
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1814757
4.0 XJ6 that had virtually five grand spent on it five years ago including a rear wheel arch replaced. The MOT history doesn't mention rust but that's not to say there isn't any since it's been sitting for a few years by the looks of it. But worth a look, I'd have the 4.0 straight six over the 3.2 V8 any day and as GoL says the interior is better built (apart from the clock display which always disappears).
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1814757
4.0 XJ6 that had virtually five grand spent on it five years ago including a rear wheel arch replaced. The MOT history doesn't mention rust but that's not to say there isn't any since it's been sitting for a few years by the looks of it. But worth a look, I'd have the 4.0 straight six over the 3.2 V8 any day and as GoL says the interior is better built (apart from the clock display which always disappears).
king arthur said:
If I were looking to spend three grand on a Jag right now I'd be going to look at this one
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1814757
4.0 XJ6 that had virtually five grand spent on it five years ago including a rear wheel arch replaced. The MOT history doesn't mention rust but that's not to say there isn't any since it's been sitting for a few years by the looks of it. But worth a look, I'd have the 4.0 straight six over the 3.2 V8 any day and as GoL says the interior is better built (apart from the clock display which always disappears).
This does look like a good example to be honest. The only anomaly for me is the colour looks to be Phoenix Red, which I don't recall being an option possible on the '96 X300 (it's the launch colour for the XKR, which debuted in 1997). So possibly its had a respray or its a very late 96, but then that might be why it looks to be in such solid condition. https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1814757
4.0 XJ6 that had virtually five grand spent on it five years ago including a rear wheel arch replaced. The MOT history doesn't mention rust but that's not to say there isn't any since it's been sitting for a few years by the looks of it. But worth a look, I'd have the 4.0 straight six over the 3.2 V8 any day and as GoL says the interior is better built (apart from the clock display which always disappears).
Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Sunday 30th March 11:07
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