new to me, hope you enjoy.

 

Very nice Don! Nice to see the original lambswool mats, sadly missing from mine. How does it compare to the Mercedes?

 

I do miss my s-class, it was sumptuously laden but it also costed 127k. Now with a older but classy Jag that costed me a small fraction, I can really enjoy it.

Pros of Jag VDP:
I totally love the "traditional" looks in cars.
Jag interior looks ornate as if from pullman age (similar to s550)
pull out tables in rear, love that.

Cons:
I was hoping it will be a larger sized interior.
acceleration and braking is little jumpy, can that be adjusted?

 

The jumpiness is likely the gear box. It used to give a solid kick in mine before replacing the fluid.

 

That seems a quick fix, though do you think with 9k on the odometer (granted still its an old 06 production car), the cause is due to a transmission oil/filter being old? The feeling I was getting is, that maybe XJ8 is inherently like that. Brakes are also jumpy or to rephrase 'abrupt'. I'v to consciously apply them very gently. That said, I'm still really liking the new ride.

 

On the jumpiness (brakes and accelerator), i was thinking about the pedal adjustment feature in Jag ... what I dont know is whether the pedal 'play' i.e. making the pedal play much longer, will perhaps make it just perfect as I would wish. Also I dont know that that to begin with pedal adjustment affects the play or simply the physical placement.

In the meantime I am anxiously waiting for the winter wheels and tires that I am hoping will arrive next wednesday and then I can safely test this lovely car.

 

Real nice VDP with the elegant options.

I purchased off Ebay OEM Jag lambswool matts (identical in appearance).
About 90% same as factory except it lacks about a 1/4 in longer nap.

Concerning the learking when deacceleration if that's the issue, it might be the rear end. Jag has a rear end additive that solves the problem.

 

My wife had the S-Class when I picked up my Super V8. Her opinion as well as mine. The Jag far out performed the S-Class. Quieter, better mileage (I got 29 mpg highway with the SV8), better handling in summer. She just hugged the road and I couldn't believe how often I found myself doing 90mph in a 70mph speed zone. I wasn't intending to speed.... It just felt right. The Mercedes did well in the winter. I never drove the Jag in the winter. One fender bender in the Jag and the insurance company will total it :-)

Your car is a beauty. I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

+1 on Torrid's comment. I had a very touchy gas pedal and the car lurched when accelerating from a stop. I did a trans fluid replacement and the problem disappeared. I also cleaned the fuel system with additive and an induction cleaning.

Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years. If your's hasn't been done, that could be a contributor.

Also, unrelated, the coolant is OATS (dexcool) and system should be flushed, back flushed and refilled every 5 years. Cooling systems in the x350 are temperamental.

 

cant wait for snow tires to come, some more pics (and few of my now former car)

 

Lovely Jag-is it Zircon (blue) or Platinum (silver MDZ)?

"My eyes are dim I cannot see"............. lol

 

Nice combo.
The interior is very classy

 

It is a silver color, so I guess that would be the Jag's Platinum Silver.

 

After I decided to downsize, 'interior' in the new car, was my top priority. I didn't care for a sporty ride, but I wanted a plush interior, traditional and highly ornate, sumptous that would coddle its passengers in comfort. And thats when I came across the XJ8's. I never had considered a Jag before, but the price point of an XJ8 made me really fall in love. I know its asking too much, but massaging seats couldn't have hurt

Does anyone know, if these rear seats tilt backward?

 

Dunno for your car.
The 2006 SV8 Portfolio has the rear seats electrically reclining (limitedly).
Probably an option available for the VdP.

 

Where are those controls located? Could you tell from my rear console photo if mine is equipped with reclining seats?

 

The controls are on the external sides of the cushions for seating.
Similar to controls for the front seats

 

Here is a pic

 

very nice paydase, bet you enjoy sitting on those rear. Unfortunately, I dont have the rear reclining, as there are no buttons on the two sides

 

Thx.
I usually don't seat on the rear, I prefer driving

 

Paydase, you only live once. Try driving from the rear, just once amigo.