OK guys, I'm looking at XJRs in the 15-18k range and the mileage runs around 80,000 miles. If I buy one , I'd like to hold on to it for a few years. Anyone has an XJR with 200+ k Miles?

 

Like most modern up-market cars, these Jaguars can run the marathon, there are some high mile owners on this forum, but parts for any repairs reflect the new car price, not the severely depreciated price of a high-miler. Having said that, the aftermarket can supply many commonly used parts for a lot less, but these tend to be the fast movers.

You are bound to have to replace suspension parts, wheel bearings, and so on at some point when building up the miles. Can you stand the cost of a new/rebuilt supercharger, for instance; these don't last forever ?

The cost of repairs also does not, unfortunately in my experience, do anything to stop or even slow down depreciation; spending $2000 dollars on keeping the car smart has no effect, it remains an old high-miles car. I kept a Rover 75, my last car, in apple pie order, it was immaculate in fact, but it still only sold for less than £2000. Mind you it only cost £4500 to start with, so maybe I did well !!

Classic cars are another matter of course. Maybe if you keep the XJR for long enough it will become a classic.

 

Thanks, I'm not looking at the XJR as an investment, just a reliable daily hack that I won't lose my butt on in terms of maintenance. I currently own 14 cars, 11 of which are Mercedes Benz ranging from 1970-1991. The 1991 is a 560SEL and is my current daily. It has 253000 miles on it and runs like a train. I try to stay on top of what needs to be done.

I also have a 70 300SEL 6.3 with air suspension and a 79 450SEL 6.9 with hydraulic suspension so air suspension does not concern me. It’s just a matter of time before a rebuilder turns up with a low cost solution.

The 560SEL is still a good daily, but sucks gas at 13mpg and the a/c is not up to par with modern cars (important in Texas).

I'm now deciding between a Mercedes Benz E55 and the XJR. Both are supercharged, both have non conventional suspension (The MB has air over hydraulic shocks). For about $17K, I can either with about 80-90k miles. Neither will be worth anything in 5 years so depreciation is not important. Durability is, and I'm more interested in what annual upkeep costs will look like or how the car holds up with say 250,000 miles on the clock.

While the 560SEL may now only be worth $3000 on a good day. It's still built like a bank vault, all the electrics work and I would not hesitate in jumping in it and driving it to California and back if I needed to. It's also very easy to work on and parts for the most part are very cheap. I don't expect the new cars to be as simple but I'm hoping that I would not have to lift the bonnet up as much either.

 

W126 MB S Class it still regarded the best and most reliable car in MB ever build up . I honestly prefer modern Benzes W221 or present gen E Class .

 

I agree I have a spotless 04 xjr but has over 120k miles...but looks better than a new one to me....I will keep her...

 

alabbasi, I am here in Dallas also. I am planning on buying an XJR in the next couple of months. Only an XJR for me. The looks, ride, stying, interior appointments all together make for a lock. The E series, while great cars, do nothing for me styling-wise.

My opinion is that the differences in upkeep are a wash between the two models you are considering and then comes down to preference. For me, the XJR might as well be alone in a parking lot full of Mercs, Bimmers, Porsches, like a supermodel in a crowd of plain-Janes.

 

Thanks for your input, I agree that they are very beautiful, but I'm trying not to make an emotional decision. This is how I got to owning 14 cars in the first place

 

It is emotion more than anything else when buying one of these...
and the other part of the old saying saying of "buying German with your brain" is not always true .

 

One day I went to look at a black 2005 XJR, Ebony on Charcoal, with 20" Sepangs at Boardwalk Porsche in Plano, at Park and the Tollway. It was almost flawless, with 48K miles. There were Carreras, Boxsters, 3 series, 5's, 7's, etc., all around it. Nice cars all of them, particularly a C4S that was parked right next to it. But in my eyes, it was kind of like a swan among ducks. Or like a refined, classy gentleman in a tuxedo sitting in a conference room with a bunch of jocks in warmup suits.

Again, though, I reiterate that the quality issue is a wash. The quality and cost of maintenance on an E55 and XJR cancel each other out. So then, one, in my opinion, has only the emotional decision left to make. And then, there's no argument. Park an E55 next to an XJR, and tell me what you think.

 

Drive the a$$ off of both cars, and tell me what you think. The E is a hoot to drive, but I think the XJ is a much more engaging car. The seats alone are a lock. I feel so bolted into the car. And the air suspension to me is just the best. Many criticize it for what I like best about it. It doesn't isolate every road imperfection, but it tames them ALL. I'm gushing and will now stop.