Well,today my drivers door (left-hand-drive)mirror got damaged,so I'll be scouring the local salvage yards for a replacement for a '95 Vanden Plas. It has the chrome mirror. Does anyone know if the mirrors from an XJ8 (308) are the same (same mounting/same plug) ? I always seem to find lots of standard XJ6 painted mirrors but not the chrome ones so I'm looking to broaden my options.

 

I find that a good place to start with questions of compatibility like this is the jaguar classic parts site. It lists everything for the X300 and the X308 and allows you to check whether the part numbers are the same, which many are. They may not have the parts in stock, or you may not like the prices, but nevertheless an invaluable reference source.

 

It's a nice idea to check jaguar classics when looking for compatibility.

Unfortunately lots of parts used on more than one model invariably get another number and another price. One small piece, the retainer for the brake servo vacuum pipe going into the manifold (can't find the number at the moment) comes as a kit with the brass ferrule and plastic clip with "O" ring, X300 $30.

Same item different number S type $18. Sense? There is none

 

Overtheatlantic,
I am not sure I follow what you are saying, as jaguar classic don't currently support the S type, nor as far as I recollect is there any engine commonality with the X300.
If you are saying different suppliers charge different prices, and different parts can be substituted, then I agree, but I am not sure this is new news.
For what it is worth, the part numbers listed for the chrome door mirror cover are the same for the X300 and the X308, as are the prices.

 

This should make my point clearer. Original X300 PART NO. NBC3184AA - .CARTRIDGE is the same part as used on S type, PART NO C2S15816. This the retaining socket for the brake servo vacuum line, both the same item, different numbers, different prices. Rel fun eh.

 

X300 and X308 mirrors are interchangeable as far as I know.

My painted mirror shells/covers on my XJR are pretty chipped up and the clear coat is peeling and I've been trying to decide to repaint them or just get some of the chrome VDP shells. So I keep an eye out for used mirrors, but even many of them have chipped covers after all these years.

But if one isn't looking for something perfect, there are a lot out there such as on eBay for about $50.

.

 

I managed to pick up a mirror from a late 90's XJ8 and they are interchangeable. Cost me only $10 and took a couple of minutes to swap on my chrome VDP mirror cover.