Hi guys. I found a 97 XJ6 that the owner is saying needs a motor. Im going to see it tomorrow but wanted to look into these cars first. I have had a c230, BMW 335 and now a 528. It looks like a good car and I will now more about it tomorrow. I can turn a wrench and have rebuilt the 528 and several other vehicles, so an engine swap doesnt bother me. It has 175K on it and he wants 1300. Just wanted some input from the pro's as I read thru other threads and stickies. Thanks guys.

 

Also anything known issues to look for.

 

Found the FAQ sticky

 

Found a motor near by out of a 96 with 90K for $500. Will this motor suffice? The "How To" sticky said theres not many difference in the motor. Is this a direct plug and play?

 

AFAIK it oughta be a plug n play, yes

Cheers
DD

 

Saw the car today. That was the biggest 6 cylinder I've ever seen. The interior driver seat and center console needs work as well.

 

What exactly is the issue with the current motor? Often the original owners of these vehicle have never turned a wrench in their life, and when a mechanic presents them with a bill for potential work totaling thousands, they interpret that to mean the engine is toast. I picked up mine in October for $1100 for this very reason. I asked to see the mechanics estimate and they were charging him $350 for a coil & $650 for a fuel pump, plus another $300 in misc parts plus about $1200 in labor. I replaced the fuel pump for $18, & the coil for $50. I gave it a full tuneup, & misc minor fixes all totaling under $200. So for less than $1400, I ended up with a perfect running, showroom condition looking car that had originally been advertised as needing a new engine all because the owner had been presented with a bill in an amount suggesting such and he had not clue what he was reading.

I ask, because absent running this motor with no oil, it's pretty difficult to kill it. That big straight 6 is pretty bulletproof & will easily do 300,000 miles.

 

Since you have managed the 528, you will be ok with X300. As Suede puts it, the motor is one of the best to ever come from Coventry.

Buying a super clean X300 with engine issues is one thing. Buying one in the condition you are stating is quite another. Personally, I'm against buying a non-running car because there could be ALL sorts of issues hiding behind a non-running engine such as a bad trans, bad a/c, major electricals, etc. Just these problems alone can and will set you back a lofty amount. Its really a crap shoot. If you are lucky you'll end up with the car like Suede's. Otherwise you will have $1800 invested into a money pit.

Pricewise, I think that $1300 is on the high side for the condition the car is in as described. Hit him with $700-$750. I don't think the seller is having a slew of clients fighting over his "gem". The price for the motor is very good. It'd be better if you can actually hear it run.

I recommend for you to spring a bit more and buy a clean one in a running condition. X300s are not that expensive and a clean one can be found for $3500. Clean high mileage one will be significantly less. X300 market is a buyer's market so you will have leverage simply by being a serious buyer.

 

Got it. Im going today when the mechanic is there so we can see if we can get it to start and I believe exactly what they did was run it with no oil as the dip stick was dry. The guy must've bought it not knowing it had a bad motor because I dont think he's ever heard it run, he was just told it needs a motor. I'll know more today but im not buying it without at least hearing it run.

 

Stay away from it, they are nothing but a continuous problem and no one can work on them - parts are nearly impossible to find new.