The 308 is the best looking car, however, they screwed up when they sprayed the under coating. The undercoating traps the moisture and causes the car to rust from the frame out. I found a 99 XJ8 at my local junk yard in mint condition (great donor car) except that the frame was totally rotted out. In my search for a XJR, I found so many with the same rust problems. I now have one at the shop getting my rocker ends welded. The car has some drain or weep holes in back seat area that drip right into the rocker area. Also, in front, the sun roof and windshield drain hoses go right into the front rocker panel areas. This design with the undercoat spray which trap the moisture is a recipe for rocker & frame rot.
I am adding additional weep holes and rerouting the drain hoses. I HATE RUST!

 

If you look at the front arch liner there are places on the inside surface there are places pre-marked for hose cutouts. If you finish the job, the hoses can be routed through the cutouts. The retaining clips are already molded in. Don't know why the factory does not use them other than the work requiring payment of wages to an actual human being because it does not lend itself to robotic assembly.

The whole area needs to be treated with non-hardening rust preventative oil spray since a lot of it will be bare primer.

Look for an article by Sean B which has lots of photos of the common trouble areas.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...onsider-59153/

 

Hello all, my first post/comment/whatever ever: I have a 2003 Xj8 4.0 that I love to pieces. Unfortunately, the part of the body/frame where the rear subframe attaches, and the rear subframe itself, are both rusted out “to pieces” rather badly. This was discovered after a minor accident where I had a blowout pull me off the road and the car rolled/bounced down an embankment that was full of brush, weeds, and bushes. I suppose what I want to know is what do you all recommend regarding repairing vs. junking the car. The front left quarter panel and front bumper “skin” both need to be replaced in addition to the to rear undercarriage major rust issue that was discovered and made un-drivable. My insurance company basically gave me $6,000 (the car’s basic value minus my deductible) to work with, suggesting that the car is completely totaled and that I should junk her, but do any of you think I can get those repairs done in a shop for that amount of cash? I really love this car and I’ve only had her for about a year after wanting a Jaguar for pretty much my entire life. I’m pretty poor, and she was the best I could afford at the time I bought her, and aside from the major stuff from the accident and a very few minor bits that need a little tlc here and there, she’s a great car that I hope to keep.
Anywho… I would appreciate any advice as I doubt I’ll ever have enough money to replace her with anything anywhere near as nice.
Thank you all for your time, I sincerely appreciate it.

 

Firstly, we need several pictures to make a more accurate decision.

Secondly, going with what you said, it sounds like it’s just done for. SAFETY above all else. It’s the rust that you don’t see is what will be the determining factor.