Well I posted this in the 308 forum under a comparison thread and didn't get any feedback...
I thought I might have better input from the 350 forum
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I've been thinking of a 350 as a new work car, I drive a lot and my TDI is starting to wear out my back and clutch leg. I've seen a few nice deals and happened to notice that my local jag dealer had an 01 XJR for sale for $10k asking. I went out at lunch and took it for a test drive. More to try the car out in general- an XJR is probably not the road car I need.

I must say my reply after my test drive was 'I didn't fall in love with it'. The salesman, who was a professional, shrugged and said 'they've come a long way' and didn't push the issue.

My main complaint was the cheapness of maybe half the interior bits. So many of the buttons, switches and plastics looked and felt so, well- it came to mind -"ford like". It's not aged well in my mind. I was able to pull the transmission surround off by hand, just a cheapo piece of plastic with a bit of chrome on it. I was not impressed and it turned me off on the whole car.

So is the 350 a big step up in interior quality, switch feel etc?
or will I be disappointed if I go look at one of those too?

I'm very happy with my interior, but you really need to go and look at an X350 to make your mind up. It's on a different planet to the old XJ6 Series 3 I once had. I have never really looked at an X308, to be honest, they are too heavy on fuel for a retired UK driver !

I've had both cars and I felt the interiors in both were pretty good. I wouldn't say the X350 interior was a major improvement in terms of fit and finish, it's just a lot more roomy inside. The wood and leather of the Jag interiors usually lifts the ambiance quite a bit. The Ford parts sharing is not obvious externally........ but yes, most of the buttons are plastic as they are in almost everything else these days

If you have a look at a Bentley, you will find gorgeous wood and leather but most if not all of the switches are plastic and/or Volkswagen. Same goes for Maserati, ie nice wood, leather and clock, but all of the electrical stuff is sourced from other car makers and it does look a bit hodge podge inside.

I've always thought Jaguar interiors were way above the average, but I am a life long Jag fan, so maybe my opinion is biased. I often have to tell people off for touching bits of the car the first time they get in it because for most folks it does seem there is a bit of a sense of occasion to the Jaguar interiors.

If you have only seen one car, maybe go and see a few others...... What are you driving today? (That will inevitably impact how you see the Jag)

for the feedback...

I'm coming from the Audi/VW world. I drive an 03 VW currently but have owned other Audi's and BMW's etc. My wife drive's an S6 (wagon with the v8).
I drove my friends 07 Cayenne yesterday and it had a decent interior, not the prettiest, but it felt substantial.

Even getting back in my VW after the XJR I was surprised to feel how much nicer all the switch gear felt comparatively. Just more substantial or even 'german'. It didn't look nearly as lovely, with the wood etc, but it did feel better.

I guess all those car reviews I read over the years talking about how nobody was doing interiors as well as the VAG group were right.

I did look at a newer XJ and just looking inside (it was locked), it did look like a step up. I'll have to find one that I can sit inside or drive.

YOU really do need to sit in one and maybe have a test drive. I cannot fault mine on anything interior wise, frankly.

ALL automakers are working under constraints. You want solid, positive-acting switches, for example - lay a hand on a restored 'warbird' aircraft's cockpit gear.

But... the various government, insurance, and similar legal-liability interested guru's do NOT want flesh-ripper toggle switches in consumer motorcars.

They want smoothed-in rockers, flat elastomerics, or 'break-away' instead. Touch-screens and voice-activation, even.

And then there are the bean-counters...

Alright, I drove an 04 XJ8 today...much. much improved interior quality feel over the 01 XJR. I do love the lines of the XJR, it's just downright beautiful. This XJ8 in BRG looked very sharp still...however, the interior was up to the standards that I was expecting. I don't think I could live with the earlier car.

I could drive this one - in fact I quite enjoyed my drive. The lighter body and 294hp felt just fine for the freeway driving it would see with me.

Before you plop down your money, see if you can try out a Super V8.

You might like it.

Once smitten you will have an intense passion for the XJ350. I absolutely love my 06 XJR, interior wise the seats are as comfortable as any and the finish/fit is as good if not better than most luxury cars for this age of vehicle. My only wish after having 2011, 12 and now 13 model year Fords is that the 06 XJR had the same technology such as MyFordTouch, alas it did not exist at that time. Examples would be the touchscreen Nav system without a bullet jack for MP3 or bluetooth music compatibility or the comparitive to new vehicles graphics on the touch screen.

All in all though, I can't imagine not having the XJR......... It is always such a pleasure to drive, has a unique sophisticated feel and now with new ceramic brake pads recently put on no brake dust weekly to clean up on the rims!

I think that would be a bad idea

Supercharged V8 can never be a bad idea. DO IT!

If you really care about how the interior looks and feels, make sure you check out all the different examples of XJ interiors. I'm still looking for the right combo after a looking for over a year. There is a big difference in the way is feels to sit in a plain 2006 XJ8 without the roughed leather seats and then sit in a Portfolio edition.

Are these pads available for the standard XJ8 too?

I have had a European Audi for 10 years and thought the build Quality and interior was impeccable. She never broke down or needed repairing
I now have an XJ8 and think its a step above interior quality wise. Not sure yet about the mechanicals, but apparently its like owning an Alfa Romeo. You know when you buy it you are buying into all its faults and quirkiness!!

That's why Jeremy Clarkson says that you are not a true petrol head until you've owned an alfa Romeo.

So I purchased rothwell's XJ8: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/p...g-green-99615/

I prefer the 8 over the R for the gas mileage, high 20's on the interstate, which is where she will spend most of her time. near 300 horsies should be fine for me.

Now I just have to figure out a time to fly down and pick it up.

congrats on the purchase! that a fine piece of machinery right there

I've owned both. The X350 dash rattles MUCH more, due I think to the Aluminum body/frame. The X308 wood tends to crack easier, and I don't think the leather on the 308 is as good a quality. Yes, the mileage onthe x350 is phenominal.