Hi everyone, I just posted this question in the new members area but I figured here is a better chance of it being seen by people knowledgeable about this model.

I am looking to buy an x350/356 Xj8, the 4.2l in particular. Now, I know that it had undergone minor face-lift before the X358 and with it, it received number of updates (sensors, software etc).
What I do not know is whether these updates were significant enough to warrant searching just for the x356 cars made in 2005/06. That is with the updates but before the major face-lift of X358, as I don't want x358. What are the pros and cons?

I would be very grateful for any input. Thank you.

 

Pros of "X356"
1. Easily chip-tuned via OBD vs X350 can only be physically bench-tuned with dismantling ECU
..

Cons of "X356"
1. DOHS supercharged V8 with rattling chains (ecology "improvers") - family problem. X350 supercharged has SOHS - no problem.
2. No Brembo - no brakes.
..

 

Thanks for the reply. Could you be more specific, please? For example, I read that the x356 has a new throttle position sensor. Are there any other noticeable differences?
Also, how is it with spare parts? I assume that a lot is not compatible between x350 and x 356, but presumably x356 and x358 should be compatible?

I apologise if these are stupid questions, but I really couldn't find any definitive answers.

Thank you

 

There were reports of rivet problems on earlier cars (corrosion), but I'm not sure when that was addressed, or what they did and when if anything.

Anyway, later is usually always better, especially if it's not just a "bling change" like my X358.

BUT...the main reason our mental health services are clogged up, is Jaguar owners worrying themselves silly over "egg-crate grills" vs "chicken-wire grills". Are they serious?

I, on the other hand, am completely sane. I limit my worrying to whether any given dash is genuine Burl Walnut or not.. :-)

 

Cars later than about 2005 will have had a lot of the early issues dealt with. The car was late on sale, and it seems Jaguar went down the route of "every customer is a tester", so early buyers or buyers of the early cars will experience a number of issues if they haven't been dealt with under warranty. For instance the early Wabco compressors for the air suspension were notorious for early failure of the piston seal, (as mine did). The one I had fitted at not huge cost at a main agent in 2010 was still on the car working perfectly when I part-exed it in late 2016. Various "funnies" occurred with the transmission, (as per mine did), but I've had none on current X358. These are worth considering, as the style eventually grows on you !!

 

That is good to know. Thank you.

 

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Here's the technical guide for the MY2006, where you can find all differences towards the previous ones. Some things, like Bluetooth hands free for the mobile phone, can be added without much hassle.

Best regards,

Thomas

 

My 2006 VDP had corrosion on the C panel near the rear windshield. Already fixed. I think the put thicker windows and better electronics ( I've found many Volvo and Ford electronics in the car).

 

So, are the Walnut items in our cars really timber or photo filmed plastic ? I do find it hard to believe that all that wood veneer and mirror matched could be found.

 

The Walnut trim is genuine burl walnut veneer.
-Every car is different.
-If you look closely at a mirror-matched item like a door panel, you can see the join line down the middle. The mirrored sections are slightly different because they come from adjacent veneers.

All the '60's cars had burl walnut. Most of the earlier XJ6's had what i call "packing plywood" and only the high-spec'd ones had burl walnut. Same with the X-Type and XF.
What am I saying? "Burr Walnut"

Here's some mirror-matched burr/burl walnut. I was thinking of making a trophy base with it.