I would second the motion on most, if not all, of these faults -- especially the trunk or the boot to our Brit colleagues. But here's my favorite annoyance: The cruise control and stereo switches on the steering wheel do not light.

On a dark road, very much a pain.

 

Americans drink too much crap while driving. It holds a can (normal sized) or cup of NORMAL sized coffee. (BTW Grey Poupon fits perfectly)
As far as the initial question, the car has no real faults IMO. I have owned it for 8 yrs now and it has never needed a single dealer visit except for some recall a few years back. I think trunk is plenty large. Highway mileage 28++ is outstanding, interior still looks like new. When suspension goes I'll change it. They don't last forever!! I had a 1998 XJ8 prior to this and there is no comparison. suspension is much better sorted. Rear end doesn't wander in breezes etc and obviously its quite a bit quicker. Great sleeper car.

 

192 lbs and just drove 1184 miles over a three day period and was absolutely as comfortable as I've ever been. No complaints here regarding the seats. Trunk is a little tight but a small price to pay.

 

BTW lots of people drink too much crap. Coca Colas fastest growing markets are not in the USA. Cupholders work fine.

 

They should light up
This picture was taken in darkness without flash to try and show the stereo switch lit up...pic doesnt do it justice as they are very easy to distinguish in the dark (lights on and ignition on)

 

I also don't like how the headliner begins to sag after a few years. It happened on my 87' XJ6 and now on my 04' XJ8. This shouldn't happen on a luxury vehicle such as this.

P.S. Keep in mind, in hot temperatures I keep windows open and cover the vehicle along with placing a sunvisor.

 

How's that project going? Any pics? Curious to see the transformation...

Cheers!
Vance

 

Agree with other issues discussed.

Plus - last night on the way home got a TRAC Off and ABS not available error. Although it was not present this morning the dealer said (had it in for scheduled replacement of front end bushings) not to worry about it until it completely fails but the cost is approx 2800.00 USD?
Is there a replacement/core swap plug and play option - can't see spending that type of money?

 

I own a X308 and I find this is interesting topic. I think the rules would prevent me from biting it and posting it on the X308 section. You all mind if I post about the X308 here?

But if not, I test drove many X350s and can go from there.

 

whoa! ya'll got quiet as hell on me. I'll just mosey on back to the X308 forum.

 

Ok with me

 

BuckMr2,

Thanks for the photo.

I am not sure the steering wheel controls on the 2001 XJ-8 light. Your later model maybe, but are you sure about mine?

L

 

Sorry didnt realise yours isn't an X350 don't know about steering wheel switch lighting on earlier XJ models.

 

My biggest irritation is the timer on the recirculate. I know you can push a button to override the timer, but I live in Texas and essentially would like to push it once in April and not change it until October.

 

Aint life a bitch. The only thing i didnt like was dealing with the broke dick air ride.

 

Front cupholders. Not deep enough and sizes are odd which I could deal with if not for it's location. Access requires moving the center armrest back and arm hangs off front. Second is that with drinks in the holder, they interfere with access to the gear shift.

 

My only real gripe is trunk space. My 95 xj6 had noticeably more trunk space. You could s,juggle a family in there.......and the x350 trunk doesn't appear to be air conditioned like the 95

 

I can't even believe someone said that.

 

O.K. here goes, sorry it's a bit long.....but you did ask.

I have always wanted a Jag so for my 70th birthday last year I treated myself to a 2007 XJ8 VDP. Dark green, tan interior, 43,000 miles, classic, a beauty. Bought it from a dealer who finds the car, checks it out and brings it into town for you.

They didn't check it out well enough, the back end was groaning. Took it back to them three times, still groaning. Then took it to the local Jag dealer. Diff was burned out but don't worry, covered by the extended warranty you bought. Car off the road three weeks, parts from England. Ah, gee, sorry, new diff is different design, old prop shaft won't fit, need new part. Not covered, warranty company walks away, leaves car in bits, not driveable, costs me $2000 to put it back on the road. Litigation.

Took it in to my service station for oil change. Kept overnight. Needs headlight bulb. Who knew? My 1999 SAAB 9-5 tells me when bulb is out, Jag doesn't. We shopped around for you, Sir, and saved you a hundred bucks. Saved on what, exactly? Bulb cost me $249. Get on internet, find two-pack for $94, Philips, made in Germany, ship to son in U.S. Canadians getting hosed again.

This spring, had Jag dealer service the air conditioning. Month later, not as cold as it should be. Take it back in. Ah, compressor is shot. Covered by extended warranty but they have located a used unit, take a week to get here. Right, I'm off on vacation for three weeks, see you when I get back. Took it in Thu morning last week. Thu afternoon, sorry, keeping it overnight, bigger job than we thought. Fri afternoon call, sorry, broken stud, we have to send it out to machine shop. Next Tue morning, sorry, used unit no good, new part ordered from England. Gee, we are driving to see grandchildren in U.S. on 6th, can I have car back on 5th? No chance. We'll take the SAAB, bless it, 500 miles. So right now, car is still off the road for another three weeks. In 16 months I have driven it 5000 miles.

One other complaint - the paint is very soft. You only have to look at it and you get a scratch. No scratches on 13-year-old SAAB.

Why do parts have to come from England? Is there no parts store in North America?

I have had many cars over the years. I have never had to replace a diff or A/C compressor and this one has done only 48,000 miles.

I now realize what a great car the SAAB is. We love it.

Morals of the tale:

There's no fool like an old fool.
Be careful what you wish for.
Vee get too soon old und too late schmart.

 

Sounds like your problem is with your dealer Doug, not your car, don't you guys in Canada have a lemon law where you could reject the car? It might concentrate the dealers mind on fixing things properly?