so i need a couple of experienced thoughts from this forum 98 XJ8 L 127k 3,100 Firm, 2 Owners, the second owner has all records since he owned the car, the transmission was rebuilt by the first owner now from what ive been told is that the timing tensioners have not been replaced, and i just found out that there is a small spot of rust behind one of the back wheels. This car is located in Chicago, which is 4 hours from me, so im trying to see if this car is worth the 4 hour drive

1998 Jaguar XJ8 L, Great Condition, Perfect Carfax, NON-NEGOTIABLE

 

It's *not* perfect (steering wheel cover, dry leather- looks like it was not garaged) but its probably worth close to the 3k they are asking. Tensioners should be checked and replaced if needed via zip tie method before driving that 4 hours home though.

 

this is one of the only reasonably priced XJ8's i have found, ive done the full timing replacement on past cars, so it shouldnt be too much of a task, what exactly is the Zip tie method? not familiar with that one, and thanks for the opinion, just what i needed

 

this is a 2000 XJ8 with 83k on it, for 4,200, is this a better deal? chains have been replaced, and opinions are well appreciated
2000 JAGUAR XJ8

 

Better paint, I personally do not like that interior color though no matter what the price is. Timing chains are NOT a problem with these cars.... Make sure the tensioners were replaced..

This one looks to be a better value, but they are close together so you can see both within an hour or so and pit them against each other. I lived in Schaumburg in the 90s those houses look veeery familiar.

 

Oh, I almost forgot-


Do it.

 

are you saying do it for the second?

 

Look at both, buy the best one.

 

I'd take the 2nd(2000) one. Do research on the tranny and outstanding problems with it.

 

thanks for all the info everyone, i will need to set up a time to go down and check them both out, hopefully i can talk the 2000 guy down by telling him im going to go look at another one

 

When I purchased my, I drove 4 hours each way twice to purchase my, first was the test drive, second was to purchase.

Do you research as much as possible, get the vin #, call the dealership, letting them know you are thinking about purchasing it and do they have any info on the repairs thats been completed. Since, the dealership shops are on a network, any dealership should be able to pull up any info, IF the work was performed by jaguar.

 

Thanks sbreeden, just messaged the user with the 2000, for the vin # and asked if there are any outstanding issues like Morpheus said

 

I got mine for $4000 from best friend. He had poured lots of $$ into it and it was in pristeen condition. I researched everything on it but the tranny. I had it 7 days and it bit me. $3800 dollars later, waiting for the next investment.

 

what was the problem with your tranny?

 

so i called the Jag dealer near me, in Troy, MI gave them the VIN # they could only give me the dates of when it was serviced, and told me to call the dealership that serviced it, so i call that dealership up, which is Jaguar Elmhurst, in IL asked if they could give me the service history, and he said they dont give out that kind of information.... im a bit confused here, how do i get the service history?

 

A drum.

 

im going to guess its not supposed to look like that, is that a internal transmission piece? or is that in the bell housing?

 

Wow, they wouldn't give that info out, when I call my in, they gave it. Maybe it was the wording. I told the dealer, I PURCHASED the car and needed the service history. They even faxed it to me and gave me a complimentry inspection.

 

Safi- that is the drum that sits right below the bell housing in the tranny-

there is a snap ring that goes weak and allows for a piece of the top part to fracture and eventually break off- see where the outer lip looks like it is missing material? it is.(usually causing a "clunk" starting from a stop) and other various problems associated with metal and leaking pressure in a trans. There are reinforced ones available that should last a lifetime after replacement.

 

so if i am to buy a jag that has not had service on the transmission, can i replace that ring right away before it fails then creating a even bigger failure?