Hello, fellow felophiles. I own an X308-generation XJ and am contemplating moving up to a used X351 XJL. (Can't afford a new one.) The X351 model has been on the American market long enough that its reliability and runnng costs at higher mileage levels should be well known, at least among the owner/Jag enthusiast community.

I've got an excellent, non-dealer, Jaguar-only service shop here in Oakland, and my previous three X308s all provided me superb reliability and reasonable maintenance costs.

I'm calling out to (especially) higher-mileage X351 owners for your cost-of-ownership experience. Is the car fundamentally sound? Are there any areas where preventive maintenance is advised? Does the V6 offer substantially superior fuel economy compared with the normally aspirated V8? Would you recommend buying a well maintained used one?

The only people I trust when evaluating a car are the enthusiasts who own them. Please take a moment and give me the straight dope. I am especially interested on a non-flashy configuration: RWD V6 LWB, but generously optioned. Thanks in advance to you X351 owners who can spare a moment to share their thoughts.

 

I purchased my 2011 XJL 4/2016 with 32k on it. I had to do the waterpump after purchasing it because it developed a leak and the 'warranty' that came with car would not cover it saying it was a pre existing problem. Luckily I own a shop so repairs are no big deal to me. Now at 56k, car has been very good. No issues, no oil leaks, no oil consumption issues. The V8 gets 23-26mpg on the freeway. The only annoying issue is the cracking sound I get from the roof area when the car flexes, was told maybe the noise is from fixed glass. I am too cheap to have someone look closer into that right now. I get so much compliments for this car that I have never gotten from anything else I have owned. Don't know how long I will keep this car but really enjoying it right now!

 

John, I bought my car at 33K miles and now am at 68K miles over a 2 year period. So far all I have had to do is the rear brakes and a new set of tires. Rear brakes were probably replaced too early, but I would rather replace them too often than after they have destroyed the rotors. As for annoying problems, nothing really out there. Sure, the roof pops occasionally, but if I wanted to fix that, then I would dig into it. The only other problem I have had is random errors with the suspension and that seems to be related to having the battery low in voltage (gotta love modern day electronics). I figure the car is 5 years old and is probably due for a battery here soon. But, I am going to keep this battery till I start seeing more indications that it needs replacement.

Alvin, there is a fix for your roof issue. IN short, what you have to do is drop the head liner and then loosen all the bolts and then loc-tite them as you torque them (don't recall the torque for the bolts, but it is pretty low like 5 ft-lbs or something of the like). Other members have taken their cars into the dealer recently and this was the fix.

 

I got my 2011 XJ Portfolio with 55k'ish miles. Now I'm at 72k over about a year. It's too fun not to drive. I basically always offer to drive my friends.

My one major issue was a constant P0106 code due to a crack in the plastic cylinder head topper (I don't know what it's officially called). It lowered my MPG and caused a rough idle. I was able to fix it myself by sealing the crack.

I also have bunch of small things that I notice and plan to fix in the future. Passenger window wasn't going up automatically, cooled seats don't work very well, shaking wheel while braking and at 40-53MPH, headlights need new bulbs, and a door speaker with weird bass crackle.

The 2 things I wish I could change is the shop I use (also the only Jag dealer), and getting Jaguar's SDD software to work for free.

 

Bought a 2011 with 35k miles. 2 weeks later head gasket blew and that combined with suspected previous owner overheating problem caused the engine to blow. would have cost 30k to get fixed/replaced but had warranty so no cost to me (THANK GOD).

Since then have put 20K miles on it so really the NEW engine is only 20K old (which is still pretty young) so i have no problems. Except that BIG one when the engine blew.

After it got fixed i got an extnded warranty good for 100K miles or 4 extra years. Not sure would own this car without a warranty. I do loose sleep over this from time to time.

 

k117 chris, it is not that simple. You replace all the bolts with new smooth heads not serated. Install nylon washers between head(3) and metal track assemblies. Special spacer for blind motor in front. Additional bolts and nuts added. Torque is very important and 4nm or 6nm depnding on which bolt. The initial problem and the first few "fixes" where to tighten the assembly. This proved to make worse or not repaired. The correct fix is that the assembly must be free to slightly move as the body is twisted, driveway inclines etc....

 

Where and how did you go about getting your 1st and 2nd warranty after purchase? Also which warranty companies did you use?

 

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WARRANTY AND AN EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT


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A "warranty" is a promise (a contract) by the manufacturer of a product to repair or replace it at their expense within a specified period of time for specific failures caused by defects in materials or workmanship. Only a manufacturer can issue a warranty. The Jaguar Select Certified Pre-Owned program IS a warranty because it is backed by the manufacturer, Jaguar. It extends the original manufacturer's warranty subject to certain limitations and exclusions. The Jaguar Select CPO Warranty is a real extended warranty.

So-called "Extended Warranties" that are sold by Jaguar dealers and by other sellers on the internet are not real warranties. They are extended service contracts issued by various companies unrelated to Jaguar, and are like an insurance policy for car repairs.

Upon the expiration of the original factory warranty, Jaguar dealers will offer to sell you an "extended warranty" for various lengths of time and miles at varying prices. Jaguar dealers sell them because they're highly profitable. But they're not real warranties.

Salespeople often intentionally confuse consumers by saying "extended warranty", when what they're really selling is an "extended service contract". Even if that so-called "extended warranty" is summarized on a Jaguar dealer's letterhead, it is an extended service contract, and not a warranty. BUYER BEWARE! Aftermarket extended service contracts contain deductibles, exclusions and limitations that are often ambiguous and are used to deny claims. YOU MUST GET THE ENTIRE CONTRACT AND READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE YOU SIGN AND PAY FOR IT! A sales brochure is not enough to make an informed decision. You must do your own due diligence. Those contracts typically state that the contract itself is the sole governing authority, and that you cannot rely on anything said to you or given to you in writing by or from anyone else.

If you think a particular extended service contract is attractive, be sure to Google it for complaints before you buy it.

Companies that underwrite extended service contracts are in business to make money. They have mountains of data, know the likelihood and cost of repairs by vehicle and component, and how to price their products. They also know how to write the fine print to deny claims. Any extended service contract company that loses money won't stay in business.

Think of it this way. It's like a casino in Las Vegas; the House always wins. Why? Because it's their game and they make sure that the odds are in their favor. Sure, once in a while someone hits the Jackpot. But that's just how the House keeps everyone else in the game - to make them think that they, too, will be winners. That's the same business plan for companies that sell extended service contracts.

Buying an extended service contract is a crapshoot. Just know that the odds are against you. And if you make a claim, get ready for an uphill battle.

And some are total scams.
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life...rvice-contract

So, is there anything else that I can do? Yes. Assume that the cost of the extended service contract is $5,000. Instead of paying that money to the seller, put it in a separate savings account in your bank and use it only to pay for repairs that would have been covered by that extended service contract. If the exclusions and limitations would have denied or limited payment of that claim, treat that repair money the same way. Odds are that at the end of the term of that contract, you'll still have money left over in that bank account. That's the equivalent of the company's profit.

Forum members will tell you about their great experiences with their aftermarket extended service contracts, but few, if any, will tell you about getting ripped off because their claims were denied. That's because they sold "that POS Jaguar" and left the Forum.

As I said earlier, it's a crapshoot. Although occasionally someone will hit the jackpot, the House always wins. Jackpots are a psychological warfare tool the House uses to make losers think that they can win, too. Don't forget that you're the amateur playing against the pro and the odds are against you.

It's your car, your money, and your choice. If buying an extended service contract helps you to sleep better at night, then maybe it's worth the cost. Unless those pleasant dreams turn into a nightmare.

Stuart

Source: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...rranty-244182/

 

I got both warranties from Jaguar dealership. They cut me a deal because of all the problems I had. But I still have the car and it’s been pretty reliable after I had everything replaced 🤣.

 

Oh ok.. so for clarification.. (I don't want to assume) Did you buy your vehicle from the same dealership you purchased your warranty? You purchased the vehicle without a warranty and after the issues you were able to buy a warranty and didn't have any issues with the claim? Did you get the 2nd warranty from the same dealership? Sorry for all the questions.. Just seeking clarification..