Ok I have been eyeing this 2005 XJR for about 3 weeks now, one owner car the car runs and drives everything works....I am wondering why the motor only has 138k, rebuilt engine/used engine?

Guy is pretty firm at $2500 I am going to go see it tomorrow morning any thoughts??

Says the interior is in great condition.

WILLING TO TACKLE THE MAJORITY OF THE LABOR MYSELF!!

Im going to bring a scanner with me (not jag specific)

​​​​​​2005 Jaguar XJR (One owner) Needs some work
​​​​​​Mileage: Car-238,000 Engine- 138,000
Engine light on, needs to be cleared.
Motor Runs Strong
Needs front suspension work
Windshield has a crack
Slight body damage on passenger door and other areas.
Interior is clean the air shocks are failing in the front rus and drives.......
All power equipment works.

 

Is the odometer reading 238k? $2500 is potentially a good price. However, I would pony up the the cost of having a prepurchase inspection by someone who specializes in Jaguars. A dealer price will cost about $150. Part costs such as suspension can run $1k per corner.

 

The headlights look foggy - spent it's life outside?
Looking at the dirty mags, can't the seller be bothered doing anything?
Other than that, the listed faults are just about everything?

 

A reasonably honest advert, but do be aware that what is listed represents a lot of work and there is probably a lot more than the advert says. One would think the owner might clean the car before advertising it ! It is quite possible the original engine suffered an overheat episode, and was replaced as the cheapest option. It is unlikely to have been a replacement factory engine, more like a used one, hopefully of known providence. With a CEL illuminated I would be very cautious.

 

The advantage of "one owner", in this case, is that at least you know who's responsible for it's poor condition.

P.S. Oh Fraser! SLK 2015 your first ever Merc? I just bought an A180 2016 my first ever Merc (for a small runabout)
But my heart is firmly planted in my Jaguar...anything more and we might both get thrown out

 

Get the engine code (or codes) and post them back here. Many are easy to address, some... can take time to track down.

 

Thank you all for your input, I was thinking if the front suspension was done I would convert to coil overs. Will keep you all posted.

 

Get the codes scanned and go from there. Even, if you drop $2500 into it for a sum of $5000, that is a good buy if it holds up. Would make a wonderful parts car too.

 

Okay went to go take a look at the Jag start it up fine drove fine upon startup I noticed a rattling coming from the front end of the motor then it would stop and then it would get increasingly loud like obnoxiously loud and then it was smooth right back out see recording.

The only engine codes that came up are as follows
P0455 x2P0457 x2 P1000 x1
Curb rash on all four rims interior was not bad driver seat would need to be reupholstered and the rest needs a good cleaning.

Car accelerates pretty hard, the front suspension will need new bushings without a doubt, the air suspension has already been converted to BCR coilovers.

Here is the video to the rattling noise I was referring to and then multiply that times 5 because there was an intermittent obnoxiously loud crying noise but I can never record it so I'm not sure if it's the supercharger or what........https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/bRhupvYOtja2

 

Hi Chris
I always tell people I wanted to see the Dark Side before I curl my toes up ! The Merc has some rather peculiar features that defy logic, but drives very nicely and the wife can get in and out easily, which she no longer could with our MG Midget, so it was time to move on. Funnily enough, I have been seeing complaints about Jaguar dealers for many years on the forums. Well, I can tell you it is no different with Mercedes-Benz !!

 

I think there are far better cars out there that look way better and need less work for probably a tad more cash. I am one that can do engine work no problem, but that interior and some of the body work is going to cost a pretty penny.

 

I would pass, & save up some more cash, just my.
Bought two myself, both in pretty decent shape really.
Spent more than $2500 on each ones suspension.
Doing the work myself, have put around $4,000 in each.
Both now run,& ride great, but needed a lot of neglected maintenance performed.

 

I agree the difference between the price point is roughly about,$1000.....I appreciate the feesback5!

 

I can respect the opinions! Slightly more work than I was looking for I also have a line on a low mileage 01 VDP that is still held by the original owner, runs and drives perfectly FULLY loaded , admits that there are smaller issue such as o2 sensors need to be replaced....stack of service records from 00 until 21 original owner when new and runs great! He is only asking $1K ?? CLEAN absolutelyt clean!!!

 

2k isn’t a terrible price. unless he has receipts don’t assume the engine was replaced. noise is probably a busted sc coupler. my 200k mile STR sounds similar

suspension can be rebuilt cheaply if you know what you’re doing

 

I replaced every suspension part on my VDP front to back. Upper & lower control arms, inner & outer tie rods, sway bar links, toe links, hubs, spindle ball joints, rotors and brakes which was roughly $1700 in parts. (I ended up replacing the air shocks as well which is not included in that price.) That was buying all original parts (except the ball joints) and using the interchangeable S-Type and Lincoln parts. Saved a ton on labor but it did take some time. Luckily my car has 78k miles and spent it's entire life in the south so had no issues taking anything apart (except the frustration of getting to the driver toe link end between the tank and splash shield - not much room there at all). The car listed here however is rough with a capital "R". Looks like a Copart special and wouldn't be surprised if it popped up in Google searching the VIN . Just too much wrong even at $2500 - trim pieces, lower grill, marker light, gas door, bodywork, paint, interior, engine, and that mileage is high enough to worry about the trans, differential, etc. Not to mention the rear is sitting lower than the front and the drivers rear is lower than the passenger side. If it has been converted to coils those need replacing. Hard pass.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Don’t buy that car it’s a mess. There are much much better examples for good prices. Be patient or buy a giant bottle of ibuprofen because it’s gonna be a headache.

Griff

 

Yes I decided to take a pass on this one and like you suggested I'll just keep saving and waiting

Thank you everyone for your input!!

 

this is an example of where patience can save you so much grief. What do people say about jags especially? a cheap jag is often the most expensive in short time.

for comparison sake, down in tampa bay area of florida I came across an XJR 05 last august for $3100 145K very nice condition all around. another 04 xjr that needed shocks with 125K for $3000 also overall in great shape as far as wheels/paint/interior.
Just keep looking and something much nicer for a little more will pop up.