Hello All,
Been a forum member for a while and bought a S Type R earlier this year. A lot of fun but maybe a bit too much attitude. Already own a Lotus and a turbo Miata for serious anti social behaviour.
We enjoy the comfort of a modern, full sized Jaguar. This will be a daily driver for a retired pilot and spouse with the ocassional road trip and club drive. Any suggestions about which engine to avoid and any year/model with better reliability? Anyone care to suggest a price range or candidates?
Phil in Tenn
03 STR
73 Lotus
03 Mazdaspeed Miata
a couple of other drivers

 

If I had your stable and wanted a Jag to drive, I'd probably opt for a 2008 VDP, cost not being an object. Why? Cooled seats and Bluetooth. Unless you require the bump in HP that the SC would bring. But as you said, you've got other rides to satisfy your speed jones.

As far as reliability goes, you'll do great with 2004-2009's. They are as a group pretty darned reliable. Just scope out the provenance of the car you end up in love with. As a car owner, it looks as though you must know how to do that already. Welcome, and enjoy.

 

Hello,

Do either of you or anyone know if the interior compartment measurements of the 2008 and 2009 (358) is different from it's XJ VDP's predecessors (2004 - 2007 350's)? Do the newer models (358's) differ in the front compartment than the 350's?

Need to know if they are the same or if they started being different in 2008 and 2009's. I like the feel of the 2004 - 2007 but don't know if I go with a 2008 and 2009 if they will feel the same (sitting behind the wheel and passenger seat). Something makes me think that the dash is higher on the 358's and maybe that's just my impression thinking they started to adopt the interior design of the S type.

Thanks,

Ron

 

The seats in the 2008's are 'all new' so the seating position may be slightly different but the majority of the cabin should be the same.

The list of differences from the 2008 Technical Guide are:

OVERVIEW
The XJ 2008 model year (MY) update provides changes to the vehicle in the following areas:

Exterior Changes
• Front and rear bumper design
• Upper and lower grilles
• New Jaguar growler and badges
• Door mirrors with turn signal repeaters
• Side power vents
• Rear spoiler

New Features
• HD Radio™ (only with Navigation)
• Integrated satellite radio (only with Navigation)
• Bluetooth phase 2
• Climate-controlled front seats featuring heating and cooling

The internal headroom is the same in the 2007 and 2008 brochures (Front:1010mm, Rear:980mm)

 

If back seat room is a concern stay away from the 04 model, it did not have the long rear seat. came back in o5 on.

 

I would say to try and stay above 2006 MYs cause they had thicker windows. Then decide which years you prefer for body style. Depending on price and mileage I could go either way. I prefer the 358 grill but not the bumper. The cooled seats in the 358 are a plus but not if the price is far greater (depending on where you live). I would suggest to look for a low mileage 06-07 VDP and then replace the front grill with the 358 grill. The car may have a few more miles than an 08 on average but you'll save at least $5K which should cover any addition repairs that would arise sooner than an 08.

 

As Muddybear said, I do like the grille on the X358 but not the bumper or the so called power vents but most of all the Leaper does not come on the X358. How can one drive the last of the classic Jags without a leaper so the X350 gets my vote.

 

. . . you can always put a leaper on a 358, like I did. I had to have a leaper! (first pic at the dealer, the second pic after adding leaper) Sorry, not the best pics. Also, I think the 358 is the last model that looks good with a leaper . . . although I realize there is a difference of opinion on this subject.

 

There is an issue with the 2007 and later models if you ever decide to convert to coil springs as that gives you a fault message that apparently the earlier models do not have. This issue can be found in some of the air suspension threads. As for reliability, the engine itself seems fine apart from fairly usual electronic sensor problems and problems with the radiator overflow tank cracking. The air suspension is a source of major issues for many in the US and in the tropics, but strangely doesn't seem to be a problem in the UK.

 

Where can one get the 358 grille? I want to go with a mesh grille but don't like the Mina one. I much prefer the bigger gauge mesh of the 358.

 

VERY hard to find! Nothing of the original grille works with this type of conversion, trust me on this. I barely found a salvage car after months of looking. The unit was also damaged, so I had to buy the surround from the dealer.

You can check the NEW prices here, and once you do, you'll know why most of us waited patiently for ebay or salvage yard opportunities.

 

Wow, those prices are ridiculous. Anyone own a 3D printer? We could start our own production...

Honestly though, all I want is for someone to make a grille insert that apes the 358's thick mesh gauge and spacing. I don't need the surround with the growler logo, etc - I've already got the leaper, and in my opinion one logo is enough. The Mina grille looks like the mesh on a screen door to me by comparison. It's sort of shocking that a third party hasn't come up with a replacement yet.

 

Does anyone know the gauge for the x358 mesh? I found this site which sells pre-cut mesh specifically for use in car grilles:

Woven wire mesh grills are perfect for car radiator grilles vents

Edit: here's another site: http://catalog.darbywiremesh.com/vie...esh/car-grills

 

Can the Bluetooth stream music or phone only??

 

Wolfy, as far as I know, and have read... there isn't any bluetooth streaming possible for audio. This is strange though, as when I play my voicemail messages that are waiting for me (meaning I don't call in) it plays through the head unit. If that's a media file being played, why can't it 'stream' it? Anyway, that's what I know.