I am a long term X351 owner and am posting to ask for advice as I consider my first X308. I have found the X351 (2013 6 cylinder) very reliable but it now needs all 4 shocks replaced and an AC evaporator. Even when that is done it will ride much harder than I would like, particularly given I am now retired and my speedier days are long gone...

So I have found a last MY, 2003 X308 with only 50k miles, and with joyfully small 16 inch wheels. It is in pretty great condition. However my concern is given my age I am not a fan of wrenching (and am useless at it), or the stress of a car that requires high maintenance - and there are zero dealers / and almost zero Jag techs where I live. Yet I have always had good luck with the last MY of any range when buying carefully, with proper research. (In addition, my father had almost every XJ through his life, and while he was fortunate to always buy new, he never had a problem...)

But..., I live in the tropics in a very, very hot climate, and absolutely need reliable ice cold AC. So.., would a well cared for X308 normally blow properly cold AC? - or, would I just be buying an admittedly beautiful project with little likelihood of ever getting its AC as properly cold (even when on a quiet fan setting (I hate noise)), as my X351 or the alternative e.g. a Cayenne (957 or 958), or Mercedes W140, both which I know if fixed / in good condition do blow ice cold?

I am seriously tempted by the 2003 X308 though, due it its beauty and because its soft, wafting ride is something I have craved for a long time and the X351 just never got near it... and has now started to creak and rattle a bit. But I need properly cold and quiet AC. Thank you all...!!

 

I live in Texas and I find the X308 climate control comfortable in 110* F weather.(as well as the occasional single digit COLD)

The last marginal A/C was in the Series III and XJ-S Jaguars.
Early XJ40s worked OK but the Evaporators leaked when the R134a was introduced.
The X300 onward were fine.

 

Very encouraging, thank you.

If you have any further information you might wish to share in terms of what I might need to do to have a relatively stress free (and cool) experience with a MY 2003 I would be most appreciative.... Thanks..!.

 

The only things that seem to keep the A/C from cooling properly are leaks in the 'rubber' lines/hoses.
I've had to replace the rubber part and re-use the aluminum pipe parts.
I bought a 'crimping-tool' to fashion my own lines when the original 20+ year old ones fail.
A hose repair shop can duplicate the lines as well.
Compressors and CONDENSER/EVAP units are fairly reliable.
Condensers can be damaged from road debris.

 

Excellent information - thank you... As a result, now what may I be getting myself into; an X308 and an X351...?? :-) One small point, but nevertheless important; I have only one garage, so if the X308 were to be left outside (horror), would the AC be enough to cool that!!! In that she would be quasi-cooked for much of the day....

Also, I know the paint work quality on the X351 is, well, by proper standards, basically crap. Many modern Jags here suffer in the topical sun. But how would the X308 bear up sitting outside? I have a perhaps unwarranted suspicion that the X308 had much better paint quality back in the day???

Hmmn, I am very grateful to you as you have given me much to think about. If I may digress, how much smoother and waftier is the ride in a X308 (16 inch wheels) vs. an X351 (also, 19 inch wheels). In a strange way it might be a perfect combo - soft and wafty in the 308 and a rather dynamic sports sedan in the 351. When I first got the 351 some years ago, I was astonished... For with P Zero run flats on it, she handled *almost* like a (quieter) Ferrari I once had the privilege of driving; utterly surreal compared to the Jags I had grown up with. I softened the ride with non run flats, but if do buy the X308, perhaps I should tighten back up the X351's ride and enjoy the best of both worlds - old school 308 (pampering?), and dynamic, aggression in the 351...

My Cayenne project may have to wait... Thank you !!!

 

I worked at the dealer here in Texas so I know about cars sitting outside in the middle of a Summer day.
The good thing about the X308 is the GLOBAL OPEN feature with the key.
The X100 Convertibles are even better as the HOOD (top) opens as well as the windows with GLOBAL OPEN.
You can see the HEAT WAVES rise as the car opens before you have to get in!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I've owned five 308 cars and never had to replace a compressor or any other AC related parts. I've had to top up the freon a few times when the car was not getting cold but that's it. I live in the Atlanta GA rea the the AC works great!

 

Thank you both very much, this is all very helpful....

David, I see you own an X351 as I do... may I ask, do you find the cooling from the AC on your X351 to be better than your X308 or about the same? I ask as I have found the X351 to be particularly good at blowing very cold air, both very quickly and without too much fan noise required either. If the X308's AC is as good as the X351 that will kind of seal the deal for me....? Many thanks...

 

My X308, an 03 model, too, will freeze meat. It has 78,000 miles; I crack the right rear window, put it in max cool and it is blowing cold air and pushing the hot air out within minutes. On my previous unit, a 2001 with 80000 miles, I made the mistake of overcharging the AC with an ACPro unit: blew the control valve, and then another one until I released some freon (a violation of most state laws -- over five years ago!).

My first unit was nearly brand new when I bought it in June 2002 -- ac never failed in forty thousand miles . . .

But for cars that are over twenty years old, rubber and seals can fail (see Bob's #4). OBTW, where are you located . . . ?

Also, back up a couple of threads to>What did you do to your X308 Today? Go to post#5645

 

Excellent, Jim - many thanks !! And off to post #5645 I go...

 

If it's well maintained and the AC work as it should it should be freezing

 

Thank you, SJ...

 

There is a front control panel bite test I know of on the X308 , but X350 ?

This is someone's video of the X300 panel with the very same Denso design X308 climate control , Now the X350 ?

 

Great, that is very helpful as I am looking at 2003 X308/... Thank you!

 

Other than the GM AC compressor I'm using in my LS-swapped, black on black 2000 XJR which is also in Central Texas, I've had zero AC issues with Texas heat and the rest of the Jaguar AC system. I did replace the condenser as part of the build but everything else is as Jaguar built it. Strong systems for sure...

 

Excellent - thank you, 57...!

 

Without buzzing through the previous posts , an item that does not show as a fault code but does affect the cooling ultimate performance is the cleaning of the cabin temp sensor of lint , do not spray with a solvent as dries fan bearing , this is that small square vent below your steering column