Hello,

I few months ago a test drove a brand-new looking black X308 (2002, I think) XJR with 22K miles on it. It sold the next day, but that planted the seed....

This forum has been great! I have researched the pro's and con's of the X308 vs the X350 with a lot of great info on this board. After weighing all the pro's and con's, believe it or not, I still haven't made up my mind! I find both cars to be beautiful, for similar reasons. A few weeks ago, I actually drove both of them and that didn't help (I had a slight preference for the "feel" of the X308 but that was made up for by the X350's more modern look). They are both the most beautiful sedans on the road, so don't be offended X308 owners! As for as interior, they both are top notch. I think some have complained that the X350 was a bit cheaper in materials, but that was totally lost on me - didn't see it. Performance-wise they are both in a range where it makes absolutely no difference (anything under 6.5 seconds to 60 is going to be a thrill-a-minute for me anyways).

The board did help me narrow the search down to model years 2002 to 2005 due primarily to reliability (what was the last month/year for the plastic guide rails?). The price will likely be the determining factor, making it more likely that I settle on somebody's X308 garage queen. I will keep you all posted! Also, once the deal is done, I will be very motivated to sell my own garage queen - a nearly new-looking and perfectly well sorted out 1985 BMW M635sci (if anyone is interested in THAT kind of driving experience) to make room for this new Jag-you-ar.

 

Welcome to the forum atknudsen,

Careful research and patience - that's the way to buy a Jaguar. Good to hear you found useful information here.

By 'plastic guide rails' you mean tensioners? If so, you'll be OK going for anything after August 2001.

Good luck with the search.

Graham

 

Ah, yes, I meant tensioners. The BMW M635's have plastic guide rails, which is the primary source of the timing chain issues with those cars (the plastic degrades, causing the single-row chain to fail at around 100K miles), so that's why I was confused. Normally you replace the tensioner, guiderail, and chain all at the same time...is that not true for the Jags? Just the tensioner?

 

Hi Andy & welcome aboard, good to have you here with us

Nice intro, thanks for sharing your experience of the marque and forum so far.
Hope you get the vehicle you want and we can help along the way.
Feel free to post your BM for sale in the classifieds section.

Please drop in and visit the regional section for your area, there are lots of members local to you with the same interests.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

There's a really great mix of information, camraderrie and fun here.....

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

I've manually upgraded you to full forum access so you can better view the whole site and all its features

Please Jump on in and enjoy the site.................

 

Generally upper tensioners,guides and chains. Have a look at the 'HOW TO' at the top of the X308 section for further information.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum atknudsen,

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.