I ordered a set of EBC Red Stuff brake pads online for my 2004 XJ8 and, although the part number comes up as DP3689/2C in the selection chart, I don't see how it fits. The 2013 online catalog is confusing as it lists this part to up to 2003 XJ8. But there is no listing specifically for a 2004 XJ8. The closet listing they have in the catalog is a 2004 4.2 VP, and thats a different part number. The confusing thing is that if you go through their "find the parts that fit" with the drop down selections and I put in my 2004 XJ8 it does come up with the above part number. So I ordered those. However, now that I've started the job and removed the old pads, they don't look anything like the EBC pads, in fact, there's no way these EBC pads will fit. See my photo comparing my front pads to the EBC pads. Note the ears, also the EBC is not as long as the original and fits very loosely in the caliper. Anybody know anything about this before I return and order something else?

 

Apparently Jaguar dramatically changed the brakes mid year for 2004 on the X350. It seems to be based on the VIN of your car, I have the early, the red EBC pads pictured above are for late 2004. I saw on a chart somewhere ( can't remember where ) that early is up to a VIN starting with G4, late is after that. All other retailers, even EBC, doesn't show the split. After inputting your make/model/year, half the websites call for the early version, and the others call for the later version . Am I the only one that has had this issue? When you order brake parts, make sure you get the right ones, seems you only have a 50-50 chance of getting the ones you need without first pulling the old pads for a look.

 

There is the "normal" caliper, and then the Brembo ones fitted to the XJRs.

 

I have 2004 Vanden Plas, which has the same brakes as the XJ8. The front pads you need are DP31220/2C.

If you have XJR the brakes are different.