217K on my XJR. All chains, guides and tensioners just done. Nikasil engine on 5K service intervals using Castrol Syntec from new. Original engine, gearbox and diff.

 

My 2000 VDP has 175k miles and is still going strong. I bought it with 80k on it and within a year the transmission went out. I have replaced 3 ignition coils, front passenger wheel bearing, rear driver side wheel bearing, alternator, 2 water pumps, replaced falling down headliner, two sets of tires, replaced plastic coolant lines, replaced plastic thermostat housing, replaced plastic coolant distribution pipe, 2 fuel pumps, replaced pwr antenna, replaced twin radiator fans/shroud, replaced windshield washer pump, replaced battery, and have gone through several sets of brakes and rotors. Owning a Jag is a labor of love and I haven't had any car like it and plan to keep her running as long as I can. Outstanding repairs still to make: The telescoping steering has failed as well as the power sunroof and the flimsy cup holder has broken. There is a shimmy under acceleration with an accompanying low pitched sound that indicates another wheel bearing is about to go, should have that fixed this week however.

 

2001 XJR with 72,983 miles.

Bought her August 10th with 71,500 miles.

Planning on swapping out the timing chain tensioners, timing chains, guides, etc. myself soon.

Since purchase, I have:

-bought new tires.
-alignment.
-replaced the cup holder.
-replaced the ash tray.
-replaced the high mount brake light.
-replaced an interior dome light.
-changed the oil.
-added fender repeaters.
-detailed and cleaned the interior.
-clay barred and waxed the exterior.
-and a bunch of other little things.

She looks GREAT! I get compliments daily.

She drives GREAT! I have a stupid grin EVERY time I get in the driver's seat.

I absolutely LOVE this car!

Stewart

 

I see that the last time I posted in this thread, 10/17/2012, I had just under 79k miles on the odometer, now it's just under 99k -- didn't drive as much this past year as I normally do! I bought it with 63k in April 2012, so it's been driven by me approximately 36k in 18 months.

My Jag goes everywhere with me, even camping!

 

I bought my XJ8L in February 2005 with just a hair over 84K on the odometer. She's been my daily driver since then and now is just about to hit 153K miles.

I had to replace the fuel pump last year. I had "the standards": timing chain, tensioners, water pump, replaced about a year after I got her and learned of the chronic issues with same. She's still on her original transmission and transmission fluid.

My biggest semi-chronic problem has been with the ignition coils randomly dying. Many shops will tell you to "replace 'em all" when the first one goes. I adamantly oppose that advice based upon my own experience and what I've heard from others. There really seems to be no rhyme or reason to these things dying. If my memory serves me correctly, I still have five of the original eight ignition coils in my car (it might be four). Though it hasn't happened to me, personally, there are individuals who report replacement coils going out equally as randomly as the originals. This issue, if you carry an OBD reader and a couple of spare coils, can be fixed at roadside with nothing more than a ratchet/socket and screwdriver. The last time I had one die several years ago I pulled over and was back on the road in about 20 minutes.

I've had zero issues with the nikasil liners, but of course the U.S. has only had low-sulfur fuel available for as long as this car's been on the road.

Now, I'll commit heresy and probably be drummed out of the forum, but I would definitely look only at 1999 and later cars (preferably 2001 and later - I think '01 is when the nikasil disappeared). Ford's involvement with Jaguar improved their quality and reliability by leaps and bounds. The 1999 model year was the first with absolutely no Lucas electrics (at least if memory serves).

Another thing I've definitely learned is that these cars are deceptive when it comes to issues triggered by a low battery. The battery can still have more than enough reserve left to start the car, but if the power is pretty much all being drawn to start it you are going to get a lot of spurious warning messages. I've had several chronic messages, including the dreaded "GEARBOX FAULT" at start up or very shortly after, disappear after replacing my battery. I'm astounded that the car doesn't self-monitor the battery and warn you when it's getting "sketchy" as far as the car's needs are concerned.

I have absolutely no regrets about buying my car and have had a blast driving it these past eight, nearly nine, years. The only thing that's different now is that I'm reaching the age where getting in and out of this car is becoming challenging because of how low-slung they are. Regardless of how much you might love them, definitely drive one and check out how the ergonomics suit you.

 

Hi Brian,

I think your write-up is dead-on from what I have encountered...esp the ignition coils. I have had one instance where the OBD seemed to indicate a faulty coil that actually turned out to be a faulty spark plug. I have also experienced the random faults with a dying battery. When my alternator began to fail, there was no lights or other indication that there was a problem...the car started and ran fine. As the battery drew down the dash lit up like a Christmas tree and I was getting every fault message such as gearbox fault, restricted performance, etc. I only learned I had an alternator issue when it stranded me on the side of a road as I tried to limp home and found the battery had completely drained. I took the alternator to a rebuild shop and was surprised to find out there isn't parts available to rebuild one. Thanks to this forum, I learned the issues with getting the alternator in and out - not a lot of room to work. However, even with the issues of an aging car, I would never part with it. She still looks great and runs like a dream once you excise all of her demons periodically.

 

This can, of course, be the case. When all you generally have to go on is a P03XX code, indicating a misfire on a given cylinder, it could be any of a number of things. In most cases, though, if all had been entirely well and you get a sudden restricted performance message and horrible behavior from the engine it tends to be the ignition coil.

I've never been in the habit of carrying any spare spark plugs, perhaps I should add this to my "emergency repair kit" in the trunk!

Amazing, isn't it?

There are several things I've been very surprised aren't a part of the OBD monitoring, and battery level is one of them. The other is fuel pump "is it operating or not" monitoring. It should be easy enough to do both of these things.

 

Bought my first jaguar two weeks ago, the car has 168000km on the odometer

Fix my ABS problem
Bought two tires for the front
Clean most of the electrical plugs and fuse box.
Recalibrate spark plug IFR5N gap at 1.1mm

This is all until now

In the near future
Change all filters, oil and antifreeze liquid.

 

M on ity 1999 has 141,000

 

In my case I have two(2000) xj8s....one a long,the other base/sport package.....
The long has approx. 109k and purchased from a jag mechanic(2nd owner) with jag documentation /servicing including upgrades (secondary tensioners), replaced rear headliner exterior just about flawless....I would say in the 15 years I have had jags this one is easily the best in terms of condition /performance....used primarily as a week end rider.

The other jag (also platinum silver)....was purchased at an auction....so I have very little knowledge of what was done to the car and/or what needs to be done. It has approx. 15k. I would rate the exterior a 2, and the interior average for a car its age. When bought had new tires and fresh pads....but admittedly I took a chance on her re engine and trans condition but than again i bought it pretty cheap. I put new plugs and wires on the car and had my mechanic do a run through so it runs pretty good at this point....no red light issues or restricted performance message.

need a driver side door panel lens.....got a fender emblem from stuart...and affixed....If i wind up keeping the car my plan would be to use it as an everyday car....and put the long in storage.....in 2014.

 

108,000 on the 2001. Runs great and looks great. 42,000 on the 2007. Also, runs great and looks awesome.

 

205,000 on my '04 XJ8 and figure I might keep it around forever, they just don't make another classic good looking car like that. Regular maintenance and good mechanic nearby, but nothing major yet. Would be lying if I said I wasn't looking at new engine options.

 

My 1999 now has 145,000 mils on it. Has a oil problem that needs repair or new engine. Beautiful maroon color and snazzy looking. Will keep it forever !!!

 

190,000 on my 98 VDP. Spent $8,000 on MX the past 3 years. Drive it every day.

 

Bought my 4.0 litre Sovereign Dec. 2006 with 132,000klm
Now, 7 years later it is showing 200,532klm.
Still on original Nikasil motor, 8,000klm oil changes using
Penrite HPR5 and purring well.
Had the full chain setup replaced with gen.111 tensioners when I bought it, along with new serpentine
belt, water pump and thermostat

Yay!...the magic 200,000 photo - Max Heazlewood photos at pbase.com

 

Just coming up on 104,000 on my 2002 XJ8. I've been really pleased and surprised, this car is much more reliable than I anticipated when I bought it in 2007 with about 47,000. Did have about a year where it sat unused (it's a long story), but put in a new battery and fuel pump and now it drives like a champ. Love love love driving this car! A good car and good dogs = life is good
Have a tune up coming up and I would appreciate any advice forums members would like to offer. I have a friend doing the work and this is the first Jag he's worked on, so we're both learning, since I get to procure the parts. Just spent hours trying to find spark plug wires for my car - stop laughing - and finally figured out it's not like that. Any sage advice is most welcome.
Thanks.
MagnoliaFrangipani

 

2000 xj-8. purchased recently with 77k on it and at 81.5 now. just experienced my first snow with it and it handled it like a tank. traction control was great and however hard I tried to swing the rear end out it held in a straight line and control was great. loving my xj!

 

98,700 as I pulled into my garage today after picking it up at the shop where I had the transmission rebuilt! Hoping for another 100,000.

 

So, my 2001 VDP S/C currently has 63K miles or about 5K a year. Looking at it another way, at an initial cost of > $91K (sticker price + sales tax + gas guzzler tax), exclusive of fuel (argg!), maintenance, and repairs (fortunately very few), this wonderful vehicle currently costs me about $1.45 every mile I drive. Good news; that goes down as the mileage goes up! Cheers!

 

1999 XJ8. 120 K miles. Love the car and hope to keep it indefinitely although throwing a lot of money into it and trying my patience. New transmission at 100K, just replaced timing chain tensioners and guides and water pump. Now having heating issues and occasional "traction control failure" warning lights. Would love to have this car for 300K if I could. IMHO, best looking, classic modern Jag.