Hello all,

First post and I have some questions about the sanity (my sanity that is...) of buying a 16 year old, 130k mile XJR. I live in Perth Western Australia and have spotted a XJR that appears to have been maintained by the last owner in the manner which is required since 2005. Originally the car came from the UK. The only cosmetic damage is a small scape to the front bumer and small repair required to the leather on one seat. I can see the drivers seat leather is worn - the cream leather is creased etc. Everything else apparently works as it should...

It is a gorgeous looking car and fits my needs for something a bit bigger as an always garaged, weekend driver (and the odd drive to work) - I'd be doing 6-8k miles a year in it.

I'm not scared of spanners, but don't want a money/time pit. I did that when I owned Citroens and don't want to go back!

So, in terms of mileage, is 130k excessive? Given appropriate maintenance, how long do things like the engines/head gaskets/superchargers last?
How readily available 'consumable' parts? On the plus side for living in Australia, is there's no snow/salt to deal with...
I've got a good idea of what to check myself and would back that up with an expert opinion.

Just looking for some general advice...and trying to keep the grey matter involved in the buying decision process, beautiful looking bit of gear though!

Cheers,

Chris

 

Chris,

As you are NEW, welcome to our side.

Is WA back on "miles" now, mmmm. I know its another world waaaay over there, but still KM's me thinks.

Anyway, enough rubbish.

At 130K kms it is just run in.

Basic maintenence is all that the X300 ever needed. Nothing really odd with the S/charger.

Clean air/fuel/oil, and coolant maintenmence was all they asked for.

However at 16 years numerous items will be "on the edge".

When I got mine, NOT an R, but a "big block 3.2, it had 140k kms, and I gave it a MAJOR service, MY way.

ALL new hoses
ALL new belts and idler pulley.
ALL fluids drained, and I mean ALL, and refreshed with synthetic, except the brake fluid, which was refilled with Dot4 PBR.
New rotors and pads.
New brake hoses.
New ball joints.

Soooo, after 3 years it now has 195k kms, just done the rear shockers, and fuel pump, and apart from little things, like a rattle here, a squeak here, has never been a better car in ALL the Jaguars I have owned, and there have been MANY.

The XJ-S V12 which is now "hers", has been in the driveway since 1996, and had the same MAJOR treatment back then, and 200k kms later is still super reliable. Taken us twice all the way around this Aussie Island coast road, which is a huge ask of any car, and we were NEVER stranded.

So let the "grey matter" rest a tad, and enjoy the car, and the moment. These are AWESOME machines, and once bitten you will NEVER go "normal" again.

 

Welcome to the forum Chris,

Better make you mind up fast or Grant could be making the 2800 mile treck across the Nullarbor to snap it up himself!

+1 to his advice and enthusiasm for the X300. I had a 3.2 a few years back and put 65K miles on it in three years with very few issues.

Just keep in mind it's a high end vehicle so spares and consumables are priced accordingly.

Graham

 

Thanks for the welcome Grant and Graham!

Sorry, I've caused confusion by trying to avoid confusion - the car has 210k kms on it (I converted to miles for those in the UK/US).

Having said that, the condition is pretty damn good and a lot of car for the money. I would want to do as much as possible myself without it becoming a nightmare...

I looked at the parts prices on the britishparts UK web site and they didn't seem too bad - do you both get your parts locally or overseas?

Cheers,

Chris

 

Chris,

I'll leave it to Grant to make the relevant comment on parts availability in Australia as I'm 10,731 miles (17,266 Km) away from Perth in a straight line.

The only sensible way to run older Jaguars is to do as much of the work yourself as possible. As you're happy to adopt this approach, you'll find all the help and advice you need on the forum.

Graham

 

Same answer, 210K is a PUP, buy it and drive it daily, what a waste sitting in the shed, really.

I get from Jagdaim in Melb when I REALLY need genuine, but sooooooo much available here aftermarket, that call is a rarity. Service items are ALL aftermarket for all my Jags.

The hoses, sadly, are genuine only, gates and MacKay have not caught up yet with the X300.

I have a list of part numbers for what I got for mine over the years, so PM me if you want it. The R will be similar in so many areas.

Always remember with parts, to think outside the square, as many cars use the same parts in a lot of cases.

 

At the top of this section you find a buyer's guide. in the "How To" thread. But Grant has already given you the basic run down :-)

Cheers
DD

 

The AJ16 motor is bullet proof as long as it hasn't been abused. X300 parts are easy to obtain anywhere down here - even authorised Jag dealers have them.

If the car is a UK import, I'd check that it doesn't have any rust before ou buy.