I purchased a fully documented, low mileage (65k mi) 2003 XJ8 about 3 months ago. Being time for an oil change, I decided to do it myself.
I don't always change the oil on my cars, but when I do, I drink Dos Equis.

PO was an older lady who had the Dealer change the oil & filter every 6 months, usually 3 to 4k miles. The dealer charges for parts and labor were always around $89.00. I knew I could save a few dollars and learn a bit about the car while I was at it.

I did a search on the Forum to see if this was going to be a Royal Pain In the ***, with Under-engine covers / drip pans etc. to remove just to get to the drain plug and /or filter. I'm sure there are good descriptions here, but I found none for the X308. I bought seven quarts of Castrol 5w30 and a Fram Oil Filter. No turning back now.

Here's the scoop: the drain plug and oil filter on the X308 are the most
accessible design and placement which I've ever encountered on ANY vehicle. No muss, no fuss, no hassle. And no covers to remove to get at 'em. The drain plug is on the front corner of the oil pan, placed at a 45
degree angle, which makes it very easy to access the plug and remove it without dropping the plug into the rush of hot motor oil in the catch-pan.
The oil filter is also in a great place to access. It's located just above the oil pan, on the passenger side (US left hand drive). Both items are very close to the front of the engine, so I didn't have to experience the usual
claustrophobic feeling that i do when i wiggle beneath my daughter's BMW 540i.

Bottom line, I saved enough money to make it worthwhile, and it's no wonder there are no graphics on "how to find the oil plug and filter". They're in your face the minute you get under there. I think I'll have another Dos Equis...

BTW, the Jaguar Dealer used 5w30 oil every time, so I did as well. Seems to me that the Owner's Manual recommends 10w30. This is another Forum can-of-worms, the Oil Guys debate.

I don't think I'd ever be confident enough to tackle those damn primary and secondary timing chain tensioners, but I'll be changing the oil on this car evey time.

 

Yeah, the oil change, for some anomalous reason, is easy on these cars. One of the few things that are easy! Evidently the factory figured that nothing else would ever break.

 

I bought my low mileage (63K) '03 XJ8 in April and haven't changed the oil myself yet -- 1st time was while I was on vacation, so I didn't feel like doing it! The second time it was 90+ degrees outside, so again I didn't feel like it. Each time I went to a quick oil-change place and paid about $60 -- not bad since the oil and filter alone would've cost me over $40. I need an oil change again (70K), I might do it myself - sure sounds simple enough. My only complaint is having to dispose of the used oil - I know the auto parts places will take it, but I have to get it there! LOL

 

One of my coworkers announced he would be late the next morning. He would be taking his Honda in to the dealer for an oil change. When he arrived about lunch time, I asked "Did it really take all morning to get an oil change?" He said it did. Every thirty minutes, the service rep would come into the waiting room and try to sell him yet another service they thought his 120K mile Honda needed: brake service, fuel system cleaner, timing belt, etc. I would have lost my temper.

 

I just did an oil/filter change on my '99 XJ8 and it was very easy to access.

I got Chevron 5W 30 oil with a coupon at Costco and with an O'Reilly oil filter the whole thing was under $25.

At O'Rielly auto parts, their house brand oil filter for my car is on sale for $9 and it's made by Fram, part no. MGL5618.

 

I take my used oil to the county dump (solid waste facility). It's free and they don't hassle you about it. A good oil change is when you don't get soaked and the floor doesn't need mopping afterwards.

 

I use 3qtls of Lucas Oil stabilizer, 4 qts of 10/40 and then place a galon of Lucas fuel stabilizer and upper cylinder lubricant and get on the highway up to buck-30. I also suck out one quart of trnsmission fluid at every oil change and place a fresh quart..