I had a 2003 4.0 xj8 motor and tranny put in my 1999 vdp has worked great for 40,000 miles-runs STRONG. American cars.

 

"American Cars"?

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ja...rs#cite_note-3
Jaguar Cars is a brand of cars made by Jaguar Land Rover.This is a British car builder, owned by the Indian builder Tata Motors since the beginning of 2008.

 

Perhaps thinking that under Ford's ownership, it was Americanized, but that influence certainly isn't felt in the construction of the XJ models up and including the x308, in my opinion. It was why I got the 03, because to me, the X350s started feeling more "bloated" and seemed to lose something, hard to describe but it was almost like it lost a tiny bit of heritage with that. But either way. I've been rather neglectful of mine, and still kicking 210+k miles later, so must be pretty resilient on the whole.

 

I tend to agree, I much prefer the X308 to the X350, to me the X350 looks like a pregnant X308, but I'm sure the owners of those will disagree with me, personal opinion I guess? Our cars can be so temperamental at times, but when you have a really good one (as you obviously have) there's not much around that's better for their age. I know with my own, I have spent so much time putting stuff right that's been down to pure neglect by previous owners, it's almost sacrilege some of the 'quick fixes' I've found, wires just twisted together and covered with masking tape...unbelievable!

I too have just finished changing my 3.2 Nikasil engine for a Jaguar Replacement steel lined one (had one too many bore wash problems) but now I've done so much work on it, I think my car will see me off.. lol I was VERY fortunate living 6 miles from a Jaguar breakers yard and found a gearbox having only done 35K miles, so that fitted nicely with the 'new' engine.

Let's hope these machines go on well into the next decade
Paul

 

Sorry I meant U.S. Models

 

I was perplexed initially when I saw that you paid $11,900 to replace the engine, then I noticed it was in 2007 when the value of a 1999 might have been higher, but still couldn't have a very nice 1999 XJR have been bought even in 2007 for less than $11,900? Maybe not.