So I write to you from sunny Spain, Jerez in the south where the sun shines, the girls are fine and we have plenty of sherry wine!! We also have Alonso and Hamilton visiting for a private Mercedes test in the F1 circuit this week so plenty of motorsports too (MotoGP, SBK, Porsche races, Lambo cups etc...) but I couldn't make any of that rhyme...

So I've been reading up for a couple of weeks and thought it best to sign up and say hello. Reason is my latest oldie parked out front in the form of an XJ8 X350 in 3.5 guise (or 3.6, depends where you read it), 2005. It found me, I didn't find it!! I've been an Italian car nut since my late teens and have had, Alfa Sud 1.5ti, Alfa 33 1.5ti, Alfa 33 1.7ie, Alfa 164 3.0 V6, Alfa 164 3.0 V6, Alfa 164 V6 24v by Zender, Alfa GTV 1.8ts, Alfa 156 1.6ts, Alfa 159 2.4 JTD Q-Tronic, Mercedes CLK W208 3.2 V6 (how did that get in there?) and now the XJ. Oh, and the family runabout mothership is a Ford Mundano TDCi yuky smelly black sooty diesel chugger.... keeps the wife happy, so happy wife, happy life and it keeps her away form my toys....

I still have the Alfa 164 V6 24 valve Super QV modded Zender Alfa Sport (say that after several glasses sherry!) which is undergoing restoration after a small engine fire. Waiting on parts was taking for ever so I went out and picked up and extremely reliable and easy to work on CLK which is comfy, not too thirsty on fuel but boy is is dull to drive, unless you take the TC off and then it's a tail happy wild thing and has me chuckle a time or two.... I ride a 2023 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 for daily use so the idea was to keep the Merc around and finish the 164 to keep me happy on the weekends. But no!! I had to go looking.....

Now I always loved the look of the XJ's since I was a teenager and saw one from my school bus everyday! Everyone only said bad things, expensive, fuel guzzling, 2 x fuel tanks, pita, etc... Then I worked in the City (London) for Bloomberg and whenever our shifts took us into late hours, we could call a limo service who would turn up in S or E class Mercs Omega's and yes, an XJ from time to time would show up. Every time I got the XJ, I just loved every minute in it. Much more special than the others. Never wanted to get out. Then my rich uncle goes and gets a fully opted out XJR with thick pile carpets etc and my love affair went got crazy, always staring when I saw one, but still, I never thought I could afford ownership of one!!



I'll write about the XJ and my buying experience separately so I don't make this intro too long. For now, hello to all! I look forward to learning and helping where I can.

 

Hello,
Congratulations on your First Jaguar, XJ!!
And a Fine specimen it is too! Probably Easily stands out among all those Alfas.

Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome to the forums zenderman,

Good to have you with us.

It sounds like you've already found the relevant model forum but if not, follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-x350-x358-28/ to the X350 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the Europe Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/europe-42/ to find other members in your region.

Please read the guidance for new members ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/n...ned-up-241802/ ) which answers many of the most frequent questions about getting started.

Enjoy the forums and your first Jaguar.

Graham

 

haha yes, defo stands out from the italians!! In fact, the only other car that had me wanting to get back in and just do nothing but drive, was the 159. Such a great car to drive, I thought.... but this XJ is just in a different league!

 

Thanks Graham, can't wait to get my sagging suspension sorted and truly enjoy the Grace part of the old Grace, Space, Pace slogan!!

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums zenderman,
Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!

 

Welcome to the Forums.