I agree with the previous reply. We're not talking an exotic race cars or Lamborghini. It's just a luxury car with some Ford DNA, and a V8 FI engine. I think TOO MANY people get scared of the Jaguar brand name from years past (gotta have two Jags - one to drive and one to be in the shop) they fear it will mean repairs that are somehow "exotic" than your Grandma's V8 Buick. Not really.

The basic components are just that - Basic. If for some reason I couldn't or didn't want tackle suspension, braking or steering issue, I would have no problem going online and buying the parts myself to save shop markup, and taking my Jag to MY ASE mechanic. - Changing tie-rods, ball joints, anti-sway bar end links, bushings, or shocks, rotors, pads, calipers, brake lines, change out a steering rack - I mean that's basic mechanic 101 stuff, nobody needs to spend "Jaguar" specialized labor rates on that stuff.

Now the timing chain and tension MIGHT be something to consider taking to a Jag specialist just because he may be familiar with doing it. But I even think a competent ASE mechanic who has done many water pumps, chains, belts, tensioners, in the past can figure out the Jag engine. There is probably a write-up somewhere that could be given to the mechanic so he as an idea of any special" things he needs to know. But honestly an '03 NA Jag engine is not that confusing to a skilled mechanic.

But again, THANKS to everyone for discussing repair issues. As I said, old cars need repairs, much of it is basic stuff.

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Also, wanted to add ... I've decided to avoid the Supercharged engine for now. My goal is not to have the FASTEST Jag. I can at least eliminate potential costly supercharger related repairs from my future. The almost 300 HP NA is no turd - it's still quick. When I need and desire speed and low to the ground handling I have my Corvette for that.

I can certainly understand the XJR having a place for those trying to combine both cushy ride and speed/handling into one car. The XJR has the sexy stance, no doubt, but The VDP can get close to that look with different size tires and Jag wheels. What I don't like is the basically non-functional rear seats of the XJR. I know Jag is known for their sports cars as well, but when I think of the Jaguar I also think opulence and luxury. Having my passengers cramped is counter to that. The the Grey Poupon tables are neat nostalgia in the VDP ... So, I guess I'll have to be chauffeured around so I can use them! HA! In my opinion the only other car that comes close to the persona of the Vanden Plas is a Bentley.

My ONLY fear in buying a used Jag is the integrity of the engine and transmission and electrical. The rest? eh, basic stuff. There is NOTHING worse in my opinion than a dreaded electrical gremlin that you can never track down - Some tiny wire in the myriad of veins and arteries that travel the span of the car that has a short. UGH! been there, done that, hate it. That's where it gets ungodly expensive to diagnose. But I really don't see wiring issues in these cars, especially if they're well maintained.

 

An advantage of the SC versions is the much tougher MB transmission. Other than the occasional issue with the SC belt and the EGR, seems no more difficult that the NA versions. IMHO.

 

I'd much rather deal with a supercharger than a ZF 5HP24. Those units love to go through A Drums. The MB 722.6 / Jaguar W5A580 is stout as can be and with the SC cars you already have the better t-stat housing and such. I view the SC cars as LESS trouble than the NA ones. I bought one for a daily driver because I felt it was a better choice than an NA XJ8.

 

This is where owning a Jaguar gets expensive ....

When components like this beak ... OUCH! You can almost buy another used Jag for that price.

What years had them? so I can avoid those years ... Click the link to see the price but be sitting down ... if you have heart condition, you've been warned.

4WHEEL Rebuild Comfort Suspension Electronic Air Spring Bag Struts | eBay

 

Again, that air suspension isnt for the same generation of car youve been asking about. Youve been talking about the X308, but then accidentally keep on mixing in models of the X350 & X358 generation. Our X308s didnt come with these air suspensions, the next gen did

 

As many have found out, you may regret not getting the supercharged car, the extra power, options and better tranny are more than worth the price differance.

I haven't heard about any "costly" supercharger repairs, bearings and a rebuild are a long way off in mileage, relatively rare and not expensive.

The Jag AJ 27 engine is very robust and reliable once a few items like tensioners and water pump are taken care of, and please don't allow it to overheat, like most aluminum engines, it does not tolerate that at all. Install a "RealGauge" kit from our own Jag Wrangler or other temp monitoring device and you should be OK.

Tranny issues can be avoided with the 722.6 on the SC car and I have also not heard about the electrical issues that were common in earlier Jags.

BTW, how do your rear seat passengers like the leg room and cushy ride in your 'Vette?
Vector

 

The BBS Montreal two piece rims are 19" not 18";
The interior sill plates have "Jaguar - XJR - 100" etched on them;
Front passenger dash has "Jaguar XJR 100" etched in silver onto the Grey-stained Birds Eye Maple;
Steering wheel also has red stitching;
Brembo Brakes;
CATS suspension.


Sweet ride and occasionally found for sale. Last I heard, there were only 50 something left in the US from the original 250 sold in the U.S., though there was an additional 250 sold outside the U.S. for a total production run of 500.

 

Hey Multi007... I appreciate help I really do. But man, honestly there is no reason to be scolding and condescending in your replies. As you can tell I'm new to these cars and I'm learning. Give me some consideration for that and don't be impatient. Thanks allot!

 

If you do consider an X350, there are companies that charge significantly less than who you found. Here's arnott industries page:

https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...20_pid136.html

$2200ish for 4 new air struts. They're well respected by many different car enthusiasts, and I used them wonderfully for my former Lincoln's air suspension. Really a great company.

 

Thanks Vector. That helps clarify some concerns I had with the SC.. Yeah, It seems to me the Jag V8 is much like the Chevy 350 in that they're both very robust engines.

So you asked me... "How do your rear seat passengers like the leg room and cushy ride in you Vette?" (insert confused) HAHAH!! Okay I get your innuendo!

You never really know how you'll like a car until you live with it for awhile. That's why I'm looking at the Jag, it would be nice to combine performance, ride quality, practicality in one car.

decisions, decisions ...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sRule

If you do consider an X350, there are companies that charge significantly less than who you found. Here's arnott industries page:

https://www.arnottindustries.com/par...20_pid136.html

$2200ish for 4 new air struts. They're well respected by many different car enthusiasts, and I used them wonderfully for my former Lincoln's air suspension. Really a great company.

Hey! Thanks for that link. That really helps in the decision process. That's actually affordable and makes buying a later model with air suspension doable. I paid about $1,000 for a set of four new Bilstein struts for my other car.

I really like the body style of the < 2003 model years, and that would be my first choice. The reason I'm considering the 2004 > models is that I see some for sale that are about the same price as older models. I can't help admit that this model year is very nice as well:

 

Can't help but admit this looks nice too...

 

I also can't help admit the captivating lines of the earlier models ..

 

When replacing it with the Arnott coil-over suspension, how does this effect the CATS system?

 

I have no idea on that, but I'd recommend sticking with the air suspension. It's very unlikely that they'll all wear out or have issues anywhere near the same time. I also don't like cars where people have switched from air or Mercedes ABC to coil over kits. It makes it harder to get the right parts over time and usually I've found the handling and ride is worse. Some buyers might view the conversion as a plus but some might walk right away.

My a8 has air suspension and at 130k miles had one air strut go. I bought a low mileage used one for 200 and it's been right ever since (10k so far!). The suspension in that car rides well and it's the best handling large sedan I've ever driven.

 

8o's...
Thanks. I've done some searching online and some say the Arnott coil spring conversion is nice. I agree though, air suspension is the way to go for comfort. The technology has come along way. As you probably already know It's use on performance high performance cars as well.

Question for all ....

I've never had a green car before, and I used to think green was an ugly color for an automobile. On some cars ilike the XK, it looks good, on other cars it really ages it. Does anyone know what color tone Jaguar's "British Racing Green" is? Is it a dark green, light green. Is it metallic? I've seen pictures online but the tone of each picture looks different. Also, I know it's not very popular color for a car but is that color considered rare for the Jaguar's?

 

Here's a pretty good list of Jaguar colors from 1980-2000: JAGUAR EXTERIOR PAINT CODES AS GIVEN BY FACTORY. Racing green is generally a moderately dark green, but there have been a lot of different shades of green on Jags over the years.

Some of the colors -- especially the Vanden Plas colors -- have a bit of a chameleon aspect to them. The "Emerald Metallic" on my VDP looks like anything from a bright Jade green to dark green to blue to black, depending on the angle and the lighting. Best bet is probably to look at an individual car in person.

I have no idea what the numbers are for various paint codes and production, but BRG (in its various guises) with a tan interior has always been a fairly popular color scheme.

 

BRG is a beautiful color. It's on the darker side. Since you're familiar with c4s, I'd say it's like polo green. It really looks great on a lot of English cars.

The Lotus Esprit I tested was brg with tan and if I later bought one, that to me on that car is perfection and what I'd seek out.

 

I noticed some have cracked wood trim. What can be done about that? Is there a company that provides replacements?

Is it real wood? It's hard to tell these days what is real wood trim and not.

Thanks

 

Thanks for the link! I have been confused about the colour of my XJR that it was goldish most of the time (well in most light really).
To my surprise I found a link that described it as "meteorite beige metallic" but I much prefer your link as "meteorite PEARL metallic". Much more pretentious sounding and thus I am changing to use it!