edit - How do I delete this thread?

I can't find a guide online, but I'm sure I've seen them in the past.

I've seen a 1997 XJR. Although it isn't what I want (heated seats, cruise control - that I hope to retrofit, and the premium sound system - something I plan to upgrade), it's hopefully mechanically solid.

The later XJRs had automatic wipers, heated seats, a premium sound system, and cruise control. How about traction control? How about the seats? Any change in comfort with the revised seats?

 

I don't have much to add, but I will say I'd love an early XJ6R with that 4L engine, but just can't do that x300 interior. Those switches on either side of the steering wheel have to be the worst thing I've ever seen in an interior...ever.

 

on the 97 with the inline 6 the standard stereo system has the speakers driven by 2 final stage amplifiers inside the stereo head , so the speaker wires migrate from the front

With the premium stereo system it uses the exact same stereo head but the speaker wires from the aft trunk

The final stage speaker amplifier is a separate unit in the truck where the speaker wires come from

The interior of the XJ8 makes me want to throw up with load noises.

The engine does not have timing chain and guides breakdown and the transmission is a GM 80E for the supercharged

you may notice some timing chain rattle on start up but was addressed by a tensioner upgrade that the 97 may already have from the factory , it will have a large cast arrow on the external mounted tensioner

They can be obtained from a salvage yard

 

Keep shopping, there's a whole Can Bus changeover from UK 99' to AJ27. These cars options are plug and play, the later you go, the better it gets ....generally.

 

Agreed. First time I sat in one I thought it was some aftermarket add on.

 

I've been searching for nearly a year..finding one that requires little to no work is a myth. The closest one I've seen has had loads of mechanical upgrades, and a few body panels resprayed but the sill is rotten..I need a black XJR by July.

 

Estate sales are probably your best bet. A person who has been taking loving care of one of these
cars, will probably not wish to part with it. Someone who inherits it may be willing to. The ones that
no one has taken care of along the way are going to be problematic to the point where it may be far
cheaper to buy a good example from a respected dealer.

You are probably not going to find a well-kept Jaguar X308 for cheap, but you may find several rust
buckets that some people might think are worth something.