Hi,

I am considering buying a 2005 XJ Super V8 with 27,000 miles for $22,000. Struts and compressor have all been replaced with Arnott air struts in 2021. I don’t know of anything else being done. The parts cost is starting to concern me as well as the reliability. For example, the parking brake modulator is $6,000. Does this part go bad commonly? How much should I expect to spend annually on keeping the car on the road?

I am considering the Jaguar or a Mercedes w221 S600.

Thanks

 

Hi Guernz,

do you work on your cars yourself, or do you have to rely on a competent mechanic? If the latter, do you have a competent mechanic not too far away? For me, that is one of the main considerations.
Has the car been maintained regularly (FSH)?

I am not aware that the parking brake modulator is commonly prone to defects. In general, regarding the brakes on the Super V8, you have to be aware that Jaguar changed the system completely in 2005. If it is a car built early in 2005, it should still have the Brembo system, for which parts are a bit more expensive. If it is a late 2005 car, it should have the ATE system.
One of the other things that were change on the supercharged cars with the introduction of the MY2006 was the fuel supply. Where the earlier supercharged cars had two fuel pumps (I do not know about the age factor, but they may go bad at around 110,000 mls), the newer cars only have one /and I don't know how reliabe the newer setup is). The older fuel pumps are very expensive, but there is the possibility to replace them with the pumps used by BMW for the M5 of the era,which are quite cheap (at least here in Germany). That was one of the solutions reported in the forum, for which I am very grateful.

You state that the air suspension has been replaced in 2021, so you should be on the safe side about that, and that is one of the major concerns with these cars. But what about the rest of the suspension? The bushings can deteriorate with age, even if the car has a low mileage. The same applies to fluids, such as transmission fluid. If never done before, a change would be beneficial.

I bought my SuperV8, built in September 2003, in 2018 with app. 110,000 mls on the clock, and I had to replace the shocks and fuel pumps. Apart from this, the car has been very reliable, but I have also replaced all of the suspension arms as a precaution, as well.

Cost? I don't know what to say, really. It depends on what I said, if you do the work yourself, or not. I do all the work myself, also because a competent workshop is far away frommy place, so, including the purchse price (9,500 EUR), special tools, and things like two sets of original Jaguar rims, one NOS and one used, and not including tax, insurance and fuel, up to now the car cost me around 30,000 EUR.
For the pleasure it gives, especially on extensive tours, I believe that that is pretty good.

Please be aware that, on one hand, parts availability might be easier for the Mercedes, but, on the other hand, they will most probably not be cheaper as those for the Jag, especially as you are talking about the S600, and the V12 is quite a complicated beast.

Best regards,

Thomas

 

I have a 2004 Super V8, it is on 196000 miles now , however I rarely use it but really like it.
Some years ago I had the parking brake control unit ( fitted up near the rear diff ) replaced, I found a good used unit for about £120 I think, I had both control cables done as well but had new ones of these .
I think as cars get older you can look into using good used components in certain instances and save a lot of money.
You mentioned it was a parking brake modulator, do you mean the electronic control module ?
I did a quick google search here in the UK and numerous units come up, brand new about £1200 but used between £60 and £160 or so .
jaguar x350 parking brake module - Google Search

I have not heard of one of those go wrong, I also have the Brembo brakes and they are more expensive to replace, however a couple of years ago I got the front ones replaced using a pattern type from " Autodoc " in Germany

 

I have been using x350 cars as daily drivers for 7 years now. First a 2003 xj8 4.2 and for the last four years a 2005 super v8.
The cars is reliable all year round +30c and -30c and snow.
The only part that has let me down (on both) is the coolant tank leaking and the rear diffs have been leaking and some issues with the cd changer.
Also the radar cruise control does not like snow and the heater is disappointing when its really cold.
Except for that is regular maintenace and upgrades/ fun bits
Compared to my previous cars (mostly audi and bmw) the jags have been the best of them

 

I have had my 05 SV8 for 6 years and she's at 135k miles now. I do 75% of my own work. My car has averaged about $2000 per year for maintenance and repair. That means some years cost $6000 and most years cost $600. The big items were a new transmission $4000 and new Bilstein OEM air shocks all around. Some part of the cooling system leaks every year or so. (Pack coolant in the trunk at all times) I am extremely happy with this beautiful car and feel joy every time I get to look at her. We do at least 4000 miles every year, mostly highway cruising back and forth to work. A 20 year old luxury car with 27k miles is GOING to cost you money. All the rubber parts are just as old and dry as a 100k car. If you aren't prepared to put $6000 or even $8000 into maintaining it some years then don't buy it.

Jeff

 

Based on my own experience with a 2003 W220 S55, and my current 2007 XJ8, the Jag burns MUCH LESS $$$$$ than the Merc!!!

 

I am not prepared to spend $6,000 on this car. With that said, I have not decided if I want to move forward with buying the car.

The owner told me the bushings were done in 2013, but it has the original rotors. The car would be coming to Pennsylvania from New Mexico.

 

At 27000 miles the original brakes will be fine.

 

If your worried about the parking break, rest easy.
Just press down on the lever, while removing the key.
Brake does not set, saves a lot of wear & tear this way.
Let mine cycle every once a while, to keep things working.
Same for the seat, pedals,mirror, & steering wheel A & B settings.
Never set my positions to remember, so they stay where left.
So when you want things to move, they just might.
My cars are both n/a, but these settings are the same for all.
As for parts, many are stock Ford, & Lincoln parts.

 

I have a couple of older, complicated premium brand cars, the XJR and a Range Rover. Both probably have a poor reputation for reliability. I have friends who own Mercs and BMW's from the same era and completely honestly none is any worse than the other in terms of reliability. It boils down to how well the cars have been looked after by the previous owners. Older, complicated cars all go wrong at some point, you are not buying a new car. Good if you are prepared to have a go at the repairs yourself. For lots of us that's part of the fun (and sometimes grief!) of owning the car.
My XJR has been good to me so far. Every year I spend around 1000 euro on various bits and pieces. Also of course the car is a lot of fun to drive. Don't make up your mind without a test drive or two.
Best of luck with whatever you choose..

 

Personally, I wouldn't pay anywhere near the $22,000 asking price for a 20 year old car regardless of the mileage. Actually, I might offer $10,000 or so for the vehicle, but no more.