Hello
Currently i have 2 jags.
1999 x308 4.0 V8
1980 xj6 s3 4.2

although the x308 has new OEM bilstein shocks, is in mint condition, my old xj6 is hands down a better handling riding car. Its like a sports car, low slung and wildly old school .. rebellious.
The suspension is superior... just tight & soft, I love the borg warner transmission, it feels like a manual.

Now i have to replace the xj6 s3, and i want to change to another model.

An experienced jaguar enthusiast on this forum recommended the x300 3.2 (because it has a more simple gearbox) to replace my xj6 s3.

I would like to ask peoples opinion on the differences between the x300 vs xj6 s3, maybe some owns both and can care to comment.

best regards
Peter

 

After having a Series III XJ6 and XJS V12 as a daily drivers for many years I changed to an X300/XJR6...which I also used as a daily driver for a number of years.

Now I'm back in a Series IIII....although its a V12....as a daily driver.

The Series III is the most modern of all antique automobiles. The XJR/6 was obviously more modern and was magnificent in many respects but, at the end of the day, isn't as Jaguar-ish as the older models. I missed the "olde world" feel of the Series III.

Additionally, my ownership experience with the XJR/6 was not stellar. It required a lot of repairs over the years and several times developed driveability issues that were difficult to sort out. I refer to the car as "The Tormentor".

My ownership experience with a Series III (6 or 12 cylinder) has generally been much more favorable....although those following my posts will note that the past year hasn't exactly been a pleasure cruise as far as repairs go .

I could spend hours on the subject but will leave it at that for the time being. Let's her what others have to say!

Cheers
DD

 

sounds like a tire problem. xj40 and later are far superior there is no comparison.

get a 4.0 has more power and the transmission is much stronger

 

Doug, seeing as you have so much experience with the x300 & xj6 s3, can you tell me the difference in how they drive.
As I said I have an x308 4.0, it lacks that sporty stuck to the road feel of the xj6 s3. The xj6 s3 4.2l engine , borg warner transmission & suspension combo is wonderful.

Will i find this magic in a x300?

is the x300 more like the x308 or the xj6 s3 in handling. ?

I agree , working on the xj6 s3 is a breeze.

best regards
peter

 

Back in the day, I had the good fortune to evolve from a series 3 V12 to an X300 XJR to an X308XJR. That I am still driving the X300 XJR speaks volumes, but I find myself much in agreement with what Doug said. The series 3 rides like no other car, and irons out 99% of bumps and road surface interference. An extremely comfortable way to travel, and Still an extremely elegant car to look at too. Not so brilliant at corners, driving past petrol stations and resisting turning into iron oxide when it rains (as it does a reasonable amount here) but 100% a real Jaguar.
Ford worked wonders with the X300, but as Doug has highlighted, there are a small number of "areas of Challenge" most notably with the supercharged car. All instantly forgotten once kickdown is engaged! A series 3 wouldnt know which direction the X300 XJR disappeared in.
As for the thread starting question, If you have a 4.0 litre X308, I would suspect that a 3.2 litre X300, fine car that it is, would be something of an anti climax as a stablemate. Although IMHO marginally more aesthetically appealing that the X308, it would be inferior in most other respects, and wouldnt present the contrast which your series 3 did.

 

I don't have any significant X308 experience and my X300 experience is with the "R" version.

My XJR/6 behaved very impressively in the corners; that's one of the features I really liked. Certainly better than a standard Series III, IMO. But....the XJR/6 suspension was significantly enhanced versus a standard issue X300 and a lot stiffer than a Series III.

The Series III certainly has a magic combination of comfort and roadholding. "Built like a tank and drives like velvet" is how I like to describe a Series III. But the suspension (and entire car) is so different from the X300/308 series that my guess is that a standard X300 car will feel more like a standard X308 car .....and not so much like a Series III.

Cheers
DD

 

I put 62,000 miles on a 4.0 X300*, very impressive go anywhere anytime...but my Series 3 is my favourite Jag not just for the unmatched comfy ride and the way it handles (which I enjoy very much, incidentally being far better than my old Mercedes W123s), but because the driver's seat is a very special place to be esthetically. These cars are so old-school with a coach-built-feeling compared to today's that it's a wonder they can keep up in traffic too. But they can. XJ was the four-door E-Type.

I've had several day-long drives in both and neither tired me out the way my "ordinary" cars do (Mazda, Toyota etc). Something I love about the Jags...drive all day, go for dinner, then maybe feel like going for a drive afterwards because it was so enjoyable.

*bought at 44k miles and sold at 106k, cost very little in maintenance, nothing unusual, no breakdowns, used it in the Canadian winter and it was awesome on winter tires.