Hello friends.
As I wrote in my Intro I am currently considering to get a Jag as a daily driver.
I have 2 options and I do love both for different reasons.
The first option is a XJ40 4.0 liters from 1993 in stunning conditions (leather looks brand new), fully certified 100% original by Italian Historic Car Association, 1 owner only, original paint, and 40k miles on odometer. Always kept in closed garage and driven in dry weather mostly. Price about 14K US $.
The second option is a XJR X306 from 1996, British Racing Green, 1 owner only, original paint, 61k miles on odometer, beautiful interior. Price about 18,5k US $.

I probably like more the XJ40 body shape (even if it has been a bit controversial when launched back in the days) and on the other hand I love the XJR allure and the extra power coming from the turbocharged engine.
The price difference might not be the point that will drive my choice to one or other.

I would go for the one that offer stronger reliability and better daily drive experience . I am new to old Jags that's why I need your advices.
I read that one of the major issue in old Jags are related to Lucas electric system so I would probably stay away from something that is more prone to faults. I don't know if the XJ40 is equipped with old Lucas stuff or with better components.
Seems also, according to what I found reading hundreds of pages, that the X300 series was more reliable because it was a project done when Jags became 100% Ford owned while the XJ40 was and "intermediate" model.
I know that Ford doesn't always mean 100% reliability: I am aware about the engine troubles affecting the earlier production of the X308 series (realted to parts made of Nikasil) as well about the weak tensioners made of plastic.

One additional criteria in my choice is that I would also probably go for the model that can keep value a bit higher in term of youngtimer car.

Sorry for the long post (I will post the same in X300 section) and my apologize if my English is not as perfect as I wish to be.
I will wait for your comments and thank you in advance for your precious help.

Cheers from Italy
L.

 

I forgot one more info. I am not into DIY mechanical maintenance so I should rely on local Jag service point.
I am good to work on body and interior (washing, cleaning, polishing, waxing and detailing) but I can't trust myself to repair anything that is under the body LOL.

 

The 96 XJR with the supercharger may give you issues with having to replace the compressor impellor ( not turbocharged ) bearings in it as well as other supercharger issues , oil seals

I do not have the supercharger , but others have the experience in the area

The X300 series normally aspirated inline 6 / AJ16 engine ( 25 more factory horses or 10 % than the earlier XJ40 AJ6 ) can have it's out of gate power increased by a simple many used Andy Bracket that biases the timing by 5 degrees , simple plug and play / no adjustment , the normally aspirated will have a factory smoother suspension

The valuation of the normal aspirated X300 ( grouped along with the early 98 - 99 X308 / V- 8 ) is certainly very less than supercharged and supercharged has less parts available , not concerned about maintaining the exit resale value

The X300 engine and transmission are very good for many miles

The only thing Lucus on the X300 is the Mass Air Flow meter that gives I would say the same reliability of any other car not being 100 % perfect

They purposely got away from Lucas ( replaced with Nippon Denso ) on the X300 , can't say for the XJ40

New front and rear seat skins are available from L Seats .com at a decent price , not just a cover over original skins

The XJR has a little different seat than this for normally aspirated version seats

1995-1997 Jaguar XJ6 Custom Real Leather Seat Covers (Front) - Lseat.com

The X300 has a galvanized dipped body before paint , can't say for the XJ40

The model got Fordized as the X308

There is a X300 buyer's check list to go over while purchasing

There are a couple of active Italian X300 NA and supercharged owners on this forum to personally visit maybe

This is a normally aspirated AJ16 4.0 liter engine with Andy Bracket and aftermarket sourced exhaust kit ( I think original catalytic cats ) , it's kind of a turn on

 

I have owned Jaguars since 1972 and the X-300 is the most the most reliable one I have ever owned. The prettiest is the XKE and the XK8 but hands down the most comfortable and reliable is my 1995 X-300 and Parker 7 had been a Godsend for info to track down problems and keep her running well.

 

The XJR will be a lot more fun and it is well built. Its a real sport sedan.

Or get both. The XJ40 would be like a lovely wife, the XJR would be like a firey mistress. With the added benefit of still having a Jaguar to drive daily if your Jaguar is in the shop.

 

One thing to note, some of the "Lucas" electronics on the X300 were outsourced to various other companies and branded Lucas. I have an XJR6 and its quite cramped to work on and repairs can be more difficult because of that. For you that just means more labor on the repair bills. When its working it pulls like a train. Maybe not a lot of initial punch, but it just keeps building and building until you wimp out lol.

 

Since you're in Europe, see if you can find one with a manual transmission. They're not the most precise-shifting, but still worth a try. For everything else, be aware that you're talking about a car that is 30 years old, and even the most reliable cars that are that old will have issues with old rubber components needing replacement, including seals that may be hard to reach.
Never mind, I saw your question is about two specific cars. Late XJ40s have some of the X300 improvements in terms of reliability updates, so as a daily you may be okay with that one. I quite enjoy my XJR, but your mechanic may not like you because of its extra complexity with regard to cooling hoses and the challenges of maintaining the supercharger and its system. It can be still reliable, but will require more money spent more often on replacing pieces that wear out because of the extra heat from the supercharger.

 

Can the supercharged intercooler coolant electric pump electrical brushes fail and not even know it ?

My cabin heat same other electric water pump brushes were only good for 110 K mile , and it only runs 1/2 the miles