I drive 100 miles everyday (80 of it very nice highway). A few years ago I picked up a 1998 x308 hoping to drive it 2 days a weak during the summer months. I actually have two of these cars and have driven them less than 300 miles. A master mechanic was going to show me how to work on these but he had health problems. I have dropped almost $4,000 into one of the cars and it is still undriveable - I live in a rural area - almost no one will work on these x308 cars - the old time guys that work on mgs and xj6 claim the mine is too new and the normal mechanics claim it's too old.

Not giving up on driving a jag, I am thinking of selling my x308s and getting a different jag

I know this question has been asked a thousand times - but the world has changed in the last 2 or 3 years and I have seen a slew of 2010-2015 x351 cars listing for $5,000 - $11,000.

I am pretty familiar from reading lots of past threads the major issues with modern jags, I have test drove an x351, an 87 xj6, and a 08 x350 (as well as my own 98s)

In the last 2 weeks I have an the opportunity to get any of the following:
97 xj6 90k $4,000
03 xj8 70k $3,300
2010 5.0L x351 100k - $6,000
2015 3.0 x351 110k - $11,800

Any thoughts ?
I like the idea of a 97 xj6 (the mg guys will work on it) BUT the 80s version I drove had the lowest roof of any car I have been in - my head left an impression in the roof - are the late 90s xj6 similar?
the 03 is like my 98 BUT with metal timing tensioners (low enough miles to get the transgo in the valve body)
The 2010 x351 I test drove I thought was the nicest interior of any car I have ever been in - But I have heard these are nightmare vehicles one website said it ranks 39th out of 40 cars for reliability and customer satisfaction BUT maybe the guy that paid $20,000 two years ago for his x351 would be less upset today if they only paid $10,000 ??
also would a 2015 3.0 bypass most of the famous issue with these cars ? (timing chains, overheating, etc.) ??? Was even thinking of a 2012 XF ---- but I had an C-series Mercedes and I thought it was a horrible little car, so worried I would find the XF to be like the C-series ???

Thanks for any thoughts, sorry for the long post but my family and friends will lambast me if I get one more problematic jag

Thanks

 

x351 itself as a car is pretty much in same level than any other car in level of issues. All majour parts, transmission, brakes, suspension, most electrics, locks, etc are available thru car parts networks, since these are made by majour carpart manufacturers (Bosh, Denso, ATE, ZF/Lemförder, Bilstein, ...), not by Jaguar.
Almost all problems on x351 come from engines. Petrol V6 and V8 (made by Ford) suffer few weak parts on coolant systems what can cause total engine destruction. (fix by alumium parts have come available and 7th version of water pump seems to be good?) And like almost any other modern engine with chain, the tensioner/chain needs service. (later models are better)
3.0L diesel (made by PSA/Ford - not sold in US) do need oilchange twice than descripted and correct oil (C1). If this is done, its pretty much bullet proof. (belt driven timing and even waterpumps last high mileage - my 3.0l diesel have now 316.000km / 197.000mil)
Most reliable engine are inline four pot 2.0l petrol (made by Ford). Its well tested and used on millions in other platforms as well.

Any car what have been negleted and not serviced will have big issues, so when looking around check the service history. It will not only tell the car but also from previous owner.
All cars made around y2000 are already more in level of hobby that daily driven. I would purchase as new as afford, so my vote goes to the 2015 3.0 x351.

(note: XF have same engines)

 

Thanks Vasara, that's the type of feedback I am looking for. The huge drop in price of the x351 and the numerous ones I see online with blown motors is making me hesitate. About 6 or 8 years ago around me the price of x308s dropped like crazy. Cars that were selling for $6,000 - $8,000 were suddenly not selling for anything more than $3,000. I thought it was because the newer gen. x350s became affordable BUT after owning and seeing more I think the x308s became so cheap because they are known to be ticking time bombs with the zf trannies. Even if you can catch one of these in time to do the pressure valve they are all still going to need an expensive headliner repair, expensive clear coat fade and or peel repair, obsolete suspension parts, coolant hoses through the middle of the engine.
So I am wondering if these Tata x351 jags are old enough that we know what the next 3-5 years expenses are going to be ? and is that why they are suddenly so cheap ?

Also no one says much about the difference in 3.0 vs 5.0 gas - Am I drawing the wrong conclusion by piecing different threads and youtube videos together ? But it was seeming like to me the 5.0 has most of the issues and the 3.0 more bullet proof ? or is it just that the 5s were original and 4 years older than the 3 ? Side thought, do the 3 and the 5 need high octane gasoline only ?

 

Its the age thing. When car comes in certaint age, its not anymore attracts byuers so the prices drop.
Tata defently changed the thinking on JLR. Its not worth to desing an component, what can be purchased outside tested and proofed. (well, Ford could test the coolant system bit more on V6/V8)

3.0 V6 petrol are newer than 5.0 V8. Its same lump, just 2 cylinders left unused on V6. Still less reported issues on coolant system on V6 than V8. I think its from the size/amount of the coolant in the system. V8 have more coolant and engine generates more heat. Still the expansion tank are same. Air cap in expansion tank works like pressure buffer. (air squeeses when coolant expands -> More coolant: More expand -> Same air cap = Higher pressure. Pressure are known to push all seals and seams. Water pump and plastic coolant parts are under more stress on V8 than V6.
Note: This is just my theory.
(i used to race and i always kept coolant level well bellow min to have max aircap. Never stopped by burst hose etc. Other reasons like driver error; yes)

About high Octane gas i am not sure what is counted high in your country. We have 95 and 98. Both are suitable. Some countrys have 92 or even lover. Best to check owners manual (sticky section of x351 forum)

 

Edward, I have owned a 5.0L 2012 XJ and a 3.0L 2016 XJL. The motors are the same. If you look at the 3.0L block, it has spots for 8 pistons. Just the back 2 cylinders (one on each side) is filled solid. Jaguar did this to keep the 3.0L and 5.0L engines as identical as possible. So, both pretty much use all the same parts. Yes, the later cars have a new design water pump that seems to help with water pump failures, but now the problem is all the plastic coolant tubes in the car. But, with that being said, the ones that normally crack for whatever reason have been re-created in aluminum. So, if you are going ot pay someone to "bullet-proof" your X351, it will run you probably around $1000 to get the parts and have them do the work. Not too bad to have peace of mind. Can't say that I have really heard of other issues with the engines. If there is something else that goes wrong with these engines, it is the fuel injectors. But, run quality fuel, shouldn't have an issue.

Yes, both engines in the X351's require premium fuel. Both engines are going to get around 25 MPG. Both are going to make relatively the same power. So, saying one is better than the other is really hard to judge. The one thing I will say is having the 5.0L with the 6 speed tranny is nice as the car does not seem to shift a lot and when accelerating, you simply ease your foot into the pas pedal and the car sticks to a gear and you from rounding a corner to highway speed in 1 gear. The 8 speed will do the same thing, but you have to work a little bit to help it hold a gear. Kinda like passing, the 6 speed simply kept the gear and around you went. THe 8 speed you will probably drop a gear and then go around. But, you are also looking at 2000 RPM at 70 mph with the 6 speed and 1500 RPM at 70 mph with the 8 speed.

I drove my 2012 out to 145K miles with no major incidents except for 2 failed water pumps/pipes. Still had the original timing chain and guides. Was making no noises and I am sure would have been good out to 200K miles. But then, I wasn't always getting the car up into the high RPMs.

I say get the 2010, save a little money and enjoy a nice car for a steal.

 

Thanks Chris and Vasara - this is the type of feedback I have been looking for. The x351 like most jags seems to have very split views. A few guys on youtube claim it is the best value in luxury (cheaper than Audi, Mercedes, lexus) but some sources I have always trusted like Edmunds and such say things like bad interior creaks and rattles and reliability rating 2 out of 5 stars, and ranked 47th out of 48 luxury full size cars.

So this makes me feel better - I might still jump more at a 2005 or 06 XJ just because they are a more known entity for me and the coil over swaps for the air shocks would limit huge repair costs But after test driving the x351 there is no doubt these newer jags have a lot more driver friendly features - I was surprised at how authentic the Massage seats were - when I first heard about them I expected a weak vibration type thing not the solid kneading action, wow.
are things like brakes and exhaust reasonable on these ? I know on some of the Mercedes simple pads and rotors can runover $1,500. I guess I will be seeing if autozone or napa have these parts (no autobahn around me)

 

Yeah, i always lose my trust for influers if they once claim something what is not true. (you know they do it for money? i mean any money)
x351 interior is very silent.(*) No leather to leather contacts on seats so no extra sounds compered for textile interior. (*2) Also the quality of leather used are superior compared MB, Audi or Volvo. Check pictures of used high mileage vehicles in different brands. Exsample leather MB steering wheels are notorously bad reputation to lose the surface as low as 50t km (31t mil) (seats last though, so its just weird that steering wheels not)
The brakes are made by ATE. so you can find pads and rotors from aftermarket parts shop. If i remember correct the rear pads are same than Focus. (exept SC V8)
Exhaust are stainless steel. Will last vehicle age. (my 2010 Diesel have original after 316t km, i live an area with 4 months winter and lot of road salt)
Also the x351 rear air suspension seems to be from another planet than models before. Very rare reports of failing, even high mileage.

(*) Sunroof are known to make creaks, a lot of creaks, but there are few simple cures. Mostly cured by adding grease on area where rubber pads on glass lands when closed. This prevent same area from rust too. Some wipes these rubber pads away or add spacers to the frame that the pads dont land at all, but i think its not wise idea.

(*2) Naturally any old vehicle have an history. If somebody have dismantled exsample the dash and put it back togehter wrong or without proper grease in mount pads these will make sound in every tiny movement, like they will do in any other vehicle. This is even notable when the vehicle is otherwise quiet. However: XJ is not most quiet vehicle i have been own or driven. MB S series are very good and also some Volvos and Peugeot/Citroens are whisper level vehicles. But having an sporty suspension have its toll.