Breathe easy, I am not starting another "what oil is best?" Thread.
but I decided to do my own oil change for once, as I am planning a big road trip in 5 days towing a small sailing dinghy, and it's 30'C here.
i ducked down to the local Repco and by good luck Castrol Edge fully synthetic is on special. I was then faced with a wide choice of viscosities, so we looked it up on the shop computer which as usual had a V8 engine listed for an X300 XJR
anyway, I bought 5W-40, then got back to the car to find my mechanic had put 5W-30 in it last time. A quick look on the net and many others are using 5W-30.
so, unusually for a Kiwi male, I thought for once I might actually read the instructions first, and after a long search of my messy boot/trunk I found the handbooks
and low and behold, jaguar recommends 5W-40 for temps over 20'C (as well as many other viscosities), but they only recommend 5W-30 for temps up to 15-20'C
So I got it right first time for once, and I'll give the 5w-40 a go...

 

Yes AL, you did the right thing. Everyone would agree that new, fresh oil is better than old used oil!

Where do you get the oil filters there? I find I have to order them as they are not so common in stores. Same with air filters.

Sailing sounds fun. Should be easy to tow a dinghy with an XJR!

 

I bought a stock of about 6 genuine Jag oil filters a few years ago after a bad experience with a Fram that took too long for pressure to come up - I think it had no non-return valve. I didn't like the sound of those big ends rumbling at start-up.
I also have a Bosch filter to try some time - I expect that to be good quality.

the XJR tows a dinghy as if there is nothing behind it. Storms up long hills. I have to be careful not to go too fast as it bounces the trailer and knocks the wooden dinghy (a Starling) around too much

 

Well done AL, even for a Kiwi.

30c, so a COOL summer over the ditch.

We just sent 41c your way, but Mother took it North a tad and Sydney and BrisVegas got burnt. Melbourne sweltered in 37c, HA.

Enjoy the break mate.

 

Have been running Shell Helix Ultra (Fully Synthetic) 5W-40 in my XJR since purchased 5 yrs ago, not a problem.
You are on the right track Al.
I would not like to run 5W-30 here in Australia, although many of the much newer local vehicles seem to.
Interesting regarding the oil filters, I noticed long ago certain Jag parts sellers here in Australia selling Baldwin BT364 filters for Jags. Whilst it certainly does fit & meets most criteria it does not have a Anti drain back valve so you fit at your own peril. The correct Baldwin filter is BT7424 which can be obtained at a reasonable price here in Aus.

John Herbert

 

FWIW I use BT292 on my Jags. It also has a anti-drainback valve

Cheers
DD

 

Yes I too have used a BT292 which is a suitable choice.
A comparison on the following Baldwin filters is as follows -
BT7424 (Jaguar specific) ADBV, 20lbs By pass valve, gasket 71.4 x 62.7 x 6.4mm
BT292 ADBV, 30lbs by pass valve, gasket 71.4x62.7x5.2mm
BT364 No ADBV. 20lbs By pass valve, gasket 71.4x62.7x5.2mm
BT536 No ADBV, 30lbs By pass valve, gasket 71.4x62.7x5.2mm
As can be seen other than outside dimensions, filters are similar, however it appears the Jag specific one has a slightly deeper gasket, 6.4 vs 5.2.
With a good clean engine & regular filter changes, the higher by pass pressure does not appear to be an issue with the BT292.

John Herbert