Buying an XJ tomorrow
- Thread starter BIGWEB
- Start date
Just been up there to have a look at it. Its a really tidy thing with on marked 18" split rims and Paint work is really good too.
There were only 2 bad points on condition.
It had a cracked headlight glass. Looking at it it looks like I may just be able to replace the glass itself but I'm not sure.
The drivers side bolster was also slightly worn which doesn't concern me much.
The cad is a Ex-Demo +1 private owner with 64k on it. New Pirrelli P-Zeros all round aswell. It has 7 stamps in the book from Rybrook last one of which was 6k ago.
I have called Rybrook and they were extremely cagey about giving me details but It doesnt sound like the tensioners have been done at all.
He said there were no outstanding recalls on the car but wouldnt tell me anymore.
It will cost me the princely sum of £3600 and some RFL.
Bearing all this in mind should I buy it?
There were only 2 bad points on condition.
It had a cracked headlight glass. Looking at it it looks like I may just be able to replace the glass itself but I'm not sure.
The drivers side bolster was also slightly worn which doesn't concern me much.
The cad is a Ex-Demo +1 private owner with 64k on it. New Pirrelli P-Zeros all round aswell. It has 7 stamps in the book from Rybrook last one of which was 6k ago.
I have called Rybrook and they were extremely cagey about giving me details but It doesnt sound like the tensioners have been done at all.
He said there were no outstanding recalls on the car but wouldnt tell me anymore.
It will cost me the princely sum of £3600 and some RFL.
Bearing all this in mind should I buy it?
The headlamp you can get from JoJags dont bother ****ing about replacing the glass.
If it was me i would go for it, then if i was going to keep it i would change the tensioners, if i was selling it i wouldnt bother.
Have JoJags change the gearbox fluid, then enjoy the waft.
Get on Glyptone liquid leather for a scuff master kit to sort out the drivers bolster.
I will give you your money back when your done if you want it underwritten.
If it was me i would go for it, then if i was going to keep it i would change the tensioners, if i was selling it i wouldnt bother.
Have JoJags change the gearbox fluid, then enjoy the waft.
Get on Glyptone liquid leather for a scuff master kit to sort out the drivers bolster.
I will give you your money back when your done if you want it underwritten.
One of 2 things either nothing or...
It will refuse to start then you need a powerful jump start and some oil down the spark plugs followed by 2-5 mins of turning over till it catches, its a proper **** on.
All you need to do is let it idle for a few mins till the temp gauge moves to avoid this.
Headlights come in pairs on the plastic bracket fixing things, he might split one for you, if not 100 quid.
The flooding is nothing terminal but avoid it.
Stick a few pictures up, being a 2002 it should have all the bits thrown in as the run out year.Cup holders headlight washers etc
Last edited:
Im telling you i know i bang on about Jags and everyones sick of me but they just drive so good, what the **** else you getting for that money that comes close, i just love them cars.
Once you understand it aint a race and just plod on for good progress its a winner.
Stick a few pictures up, being a 2002 it should have all the bits thrown in as the run out year.Cup holders headlight washers etc
Does that mean that the early ones aren't really well speced? Or was the majority of stuff options rather than standard fit?
Cruise was an option funny enough, after 2000 reverse sensors were standard, electric windows all round climate, electric seats auto lights and wipers leather, power fold mirrors was an option i think, so was headlight power wash.
Lot of standard stuff, few options.
That's alright then. Cruise and all round E/W are the only things I'd have to have, anything else is a bonus. It also seems like I'd be after a 98+ car as I'm not really a fan of the dashboard clock setup in the earlier cars.
Did the "Sport" model mean anything? I can't see much other than one being a touch more to insure.
Oh, and is it wrong to be excited a little bit by the prospect of owning a Jag?
Did the "Sport" model mean anything? I can't see much other than one being a touch more to insure.
Oh, and is it wrong to be excited a little bit by the prospect of owning a Jag?
That's alright then. Cruise and all round E/W are the only things I'd have to have, anything else is a bonus. It also seems like I'd be after a 98+ car as I'm not really a fan of the dashboard clock setup in the earlier cars.
Did the "Sport" model mean anything? I can't see much other than one being a touch more to insure.
Oh, and is it wrong to be excited a little bit by the prospect of owning a Jag?
Sport models had slightly firmer suspension, if anything i dont think it makes a lot of difference.
If you do get a sport stick to 16 inch wheels, 17s and 18s make the ride harsh.
XJR's get away with bigger wheels because of the CATS suspension.
What you want is the X308 shape 1998 to 52 plate 2002 cars, the shape before that is a X300 they look similar, but more chrome on the bumpers and the **** looking XJ40 style dash i dont like either that you mentioned, they also have the straight 6 remember not the V8.
No i still get excited every time i buy a Jag even after owning probably 50 of them.
I never realized that the X300 had the straight 6. Like you say, I was getting confused because they look really similar so I assume that they were more or less the same car.
Obviously need to do a bit more research but I'm really warming to the idea. Now all I've got to do is resist the temptation of buying a cheap ropey one thinking that I'll be able to save it
.
Obviously need to do a bit more research but I'm really warming to the idea. Now all I've got to do is resist the temptation of buying a cheap ropey one thinking that I'll be able to save it
.I never realized that the X300 had the straight 6. Like you say, I was getting confused because they look really similar so I assume that they were more or less the same car.
Obviously need to do a bit more research but I'm really warming to the idea. Now all I've got to do is resist the temptation of buying a cheap ropey one thinking that I'll be able to save it
Well you possibly could, you can rent the cam locking tool from the JEC and buy the tensioner kit, that turns a 1200 quid job into a 400 quid one.
A 1000 pound suspension refresh becomes 200 quid if you got access to a press to push the bushes out.
You being able to wield a spanner makes a big difference but over all you are always best buying the best you can in the first place obviously.
Picked it up last night. Nice car! Just needs that Headlamp glass and the electric aerial is broken (doesnt go up or down)
Drives well even in the snow. Engine is whisper quiet and gearbox is really smooth. Loads of Spec on it aswell. Love the quick clear windscreen in this weather! The heated seats arent very hot though.
For such a massive car there isnt a lot of space inside. I'm quite tall and have the seat back to its maximum but still would have thought someone should be able to sit behind me.
It does need a bit more power though. I would imagine an XJR is excellent. Also It has the 18's on it and follows the camber of the road a lot. Also the steering has a strange sort of variable weight to it which feels a little strange.
All in all its a lovely motor but not yet sure its for me. I think its a little big and ponderous at the moment but maybe I can grow to enjoy the waft. I am going to give it a chance over xmas to grow on me but if not I will put it on pistonheads and move it on.
I will get some pics taken when this snow clears so you can see it in all its British glory.
Drives well even in the snow. Engine is whisper quiet and gearbox is really smooth. Loads of Spec on it aswell. Love the quick clear windscreen in this weather! The heated seats arent very hot though.
For such a massive car there isnt a lot of space inside. I'm quite tall and have the seat back to its maximum but still would have thought someone should be able to sit behind me.
It does need a bit more power though. I would imagine an XJR is excellent. Also It has the 18's on it and follows the camber of the road a lot. Also the steering has a strange sort of variable weight to it which feels a little strange.
All in all its a lovely motor but not yet sure its for me. I think its a little big and ponderous at the moment but maybe I can grow to enjoy the waft. I am going to give it a chance over xmas to grow on me but if not I will put it on pistonheads and move it on.
I will get some pics taken when this snow clears so you can see it in all its British glory.
As soon as you get your head round not rushing, those cars are a winner.
Anyway the aerial, it probably the mast sticking, iv never known it be a motor what you need is one of these
http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms/dd/Jaguar XJ8 - XJR--Electrical/1958/ANTENNA-AERIAL MAST
Unscrew the nut on the outside and pull the old aerial right out, then feed the new one in with someone in the car turning off the radio so it pulls it in, my description is rubbish search online for a good how to, its easy even iv done it.
If by some stroke of bad luck it is the motor, its 100 quid from the same company i just posted.
If it was me i would bin the 18s and put a set of 16s like mine on or if you must 17 inch celtic alloys.
Anyway give it a chance, see how you get on.
Iv just had another thought, if its tramlining badly and the steering feels a bit off, it might well be due a bit of a suspension refresh. Either way getting rid of those 18s will make a big difference to the ride.
Anyway the aerial, it probably the mast sticking, iv never known it be a motor what you need is one of these
http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms/dd/Jaguar XJ8 - XJR--Electrical/1958/ANTENNA-AERIAL MAST
Unscrew the nut on the outside and pull the old aerial right out, then feed the new one in with someone in the car turning off the radio so it pulls it in, my description is rubbish search online for a good how to, its easy even iv done it.
If by some stroke of bad luck it is the motor, its 100 quid from the same company i just posted.
If it was me i would bin the 18s and put a set of 16s like mine on or if you must 17 inch celtic alloys.
Anyway give it a chance, see how you get on.
Iv just had another thought, if its tramlining badly and the steering feels a bit off, it might well be due a bit of a suspension refresh. Either way getting rid of those 18s will make a big difference to the ride.
Last edited: