I am a long term X351 owner and am posting to ask for advice as I consider my first X308. I have found the X351 (2013 6 cylinder) very reliable but it now needs all 4 shocks replaced and an AC evaporator. Even when that is done it will ride much harder than I would like, particularly given I am now retired and my speedier days are long gone...

So I have found a last MY, 2003 X308 with only 50k miles, and with joyfully small 16 inch wheels. It is in pretty great condition. However my concern is given my age I am not a fan of wrenching (and am useless at it), or the stress of a car that requires high maintenance - and there are zero dealers / and almost zero Jag techs where I live. Yet I have always had good luck with the last MY of any range when buying carefully, with proper research. (In addition, my father had almost every XJ through his life, and while he was fortunate to always buy new, he never had a problem...)

But..., I live in the tropics in a very, very hot climate, and absolutely need reliable ice cold AC. So.., would a well cared for X308 normally blow properly cold AC? - or, would I just be buying an admittedly beautiful project with little likelihood of ever getting its AC as properly cold (even when on a quiet fan setting (I hate noise)), as my X351 or the alternative e.g. a Cayenne (957 or 958), or Mercedes W140, both which I know if fixed / in good condition do blow ice cold?

I am seriously tempted by the 2003 X308 though, due it its beauty and because its soft, wafting ride is something I have craved for a long time and the X351 just never got near it... and has now started to creak and rattle a bit. But I need properly cold and quiet AC. Thank you all...!!

 

I live in Texas and I find the X308 climate control comfortable in 110* F weather.(as well as the occasional single digit COLD)

The last marginal A/C was in the Series III and XJ-S Jaguars.
Early XJ40s worked OK but the Evaporators leaked when the R134a was introduced.
The X300 onward were fine.

 

Very encouraging, thank you.

If you have any further information you might wish to share in terms of what I might need to do to have a relatively stress free (and cool) experience with a MY 2003 I would be most appreciative.... Thanks..!.

 

The only things that seem to keep the A/C from cooling properly are leaks in the 'rubber' lines/hoses.
I've had to replace the rubber part and re-use the aluminum pipe parts.
I bought a 'crimping-tool' to fashion my own lines when the original 20+ year old ones fail.
A hose repair shop can duplicate the lines as well.
Compressors and CONDENSER/EVAP units are fairly reliable.
Condensers can be damaged from road debris.