Hey Guys. Back in 1998 I owned an XJ8L. Loved the car, but I am a sports car guy. In 1999 I sold the XJ8L and bought the XJR. I had that car (among others including a Ferrari), until 2005 when Porsche came out with the 997 C2S Cab.

So, I traded in my XJR. My son cried. But I moved on and owned many and still own many exotic sports cars. But when ever I am asked which was my favorite, my response was always the XJR.

Sometimes I got strange looks. Or "You have owned Ferrari's, Porsches and Lambos and that was your favorite? The reason being is that it was an everyday car. Never gave me an issue and I loved it.

Now in 2014, my son got his permit and begged me for an XJR. At first I was , "NO WAY". Not for you. Lets just get a Caddy ATS and call it a day. But he was persistent, and I starting getting that feeling again (that ex girlfriend feeling).

So, I found one a few weeks ago in Michigan. Black with the oatmeal interior. Mine was Black on black. Anyway, I love the car all over again. Never realized how small it was! Also, I remember it being sooo fast 15 years ago (nothing was faster than a 5.4 0-60 15 yrs ago!).

So, I have a few questions. I want to bring the car into this century. Has anyone ever installed Blue tooth? I have the original shocks all around. Any suggestions on new shocks?

Anything else while doing the shocks for the suspension, front and rear, that I should do as preventive measures? Want to keep the feeling stock. Head light upgrades without getting crazy?

The OEM are not as good as anything today. Is there any maintenance on the supercharger? I remember just a belt change? Plugs and wires. Any suggestions and if I remember the originals went for 100,000 miles.

I want to change anything on the car that is in reason, before it fails. The thermostat housing? Fuel injectors. Should they be cleaned.

The transmission. I remember the dealer telling me that the fluid is forever. I would assume this is not true! And at 80,000 miles it should be changed. Also, 2002 Aluminum tensoners or plastic? I know its a lot of questions, but I am on many other boards, and I know that you guys know more than most.

As I do with other cars.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi Garyres

You have posted on the X350 forum, so I assume you are considering a purchase of the all-aluminium car introduced in 2003 in the UK. If so, then be reassured that this model range, (called the X350 series), did carry forward the XJR model name, and it had the supercharged V8 engine just like your 1999 car, but a much improved engine so much more reliable.

However this model series introduced all-air suspension, totally different to your old car. It has to be said that this suspension is much more expensive to fix than the old one, but is better all round if you can accept that. If you don't, then it can be converted to steel coils using an after-market kit but for me the air system is superior. The transmission is a 6 speed ZF.

The car is physically much bigger than the previous model, and for me, a UK owner, it is a LARGE car, not so much if you live in the US, of course !! Being built of aluminium, (there is very little steel in the car), it is much lighter, and uses less fuel as a result, even with that supercharger on the XJR.

The car is basically constructed like an aircraft fuselage, being assembled from aluminium pressings, riveted and glued together. Many owner have taken the cars well past 200k miles, the editor of our UK Jaguar Enthusiasts Club has his well beyond that figure and there are others. Unfortunately the cars can suffer from the peculiar corrosion syndrome with aluminium called "crevice" or "filiform" corrosion, that manifests itself as bubbling under the paint in places where there is a crevice that holds water, and, (more important) excludes atmospheric oxygen. In these circumstances, with a paint defect, the aluminium allows a little corrosion cell to form that gradually creeps along under the paint. It looks very unsightly, but is mostly harmless, but is a nuisance if you want to be a proud Jaguar owner! It can be rectified of course, and I have had a few places fixed on my car, a 2003.

Prices for these cars are a real steal at the moment, so look around, you should find some excellent examples. Make sure the service history is up-to-date and the previous owners have cherished their car. Service is every 10k miles OR yearly whichever comes first.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks. I moved it to the correct location. Didn't realize.

 

Hey Guys. Back in 1998 I owned an XJ8L. Loved the car, but I am a sports car guy. In 1999 I sold the XJ8L and bought the XJR. I had that car (among others including a Ferrari), until 2005 when Porsche came out with the 997 C2S Cab.

So, I traded in my XJR. My son cried. But I moved on and owned many and still own many exotic sports cars. But when ever I am asked which was my favorite, my response was always the XJR.

Sometimes I got strange looks. Or "You have owned Ferrari's, Porsches and Lambos and that was your favorite? The reason being is that it was an everyday car. Never gave me an issue and I loved it.

Now in 2014, my son got his permit and begged me for an XJR. At first I was , "NO WAY". Not for you. Lets just get a Caddy ATS and call it a day. But he was persistent, and I starting getting that feeling again (that ex girlfriend feeling).

So, I found one a few weeks ago in Michigan. Black with the oatmeal interior. Mine was Black on black. Anyway, I love the car all over again. Never realized how small it was! Also, I remember it being sooo fast 15 years ago (nothing was faster than a 5.4 0-60 15 yrs ago!).

So, I have a few questions. I want to bring the car into this century. Has anyone ever installed Blue tooth? I have the original shocks all around. Any suggestions on new shocks?

Anything else while doing the shocks for the suspension, front and rear, that I should do as preventive measures? Want to keep the feeling stock. Head light upgrades without getting crazy?

The OEM are not as good as anything today. Is there any maintenance on the supercharger? I remember just a belt change? Plugs and wires. Any suggestions and if I remember the originals went for 100,000 miles.

I want to change anything on the car that is in reason, before it fails. The thermostat housing? Fuel injectors. Should they be cleaned.

The transmission. I remember the dealer telling me that the fluid is forever. I would assume this is not true! And at 80,000 miles it should be changed. Also, 2002 Aluminum tensoners or plastic? I know its a lot of questions, but I am on many other boards, and I know that you guys know more than most.

As I do with other cars.

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome Back. It is very impressive that you and your son are so fond of the XJR considering the cars you have listed in your signature and that you offered the new Caddy ATS as an option.


First off - confirm that you have the 3rd generation secondary tensioners. Likely yes, but best to be certain.


For shocks stick with the Bilsteins and change the upper shock mounts front and rear when you change the shocks. Also change the anti-sway bar bushings and end links front and rear. You can check the front ball joints and the control arm bushings while doing the shocks and the anti-sway bar links.

 

Thats impressive that your son would lust for such a car. I have a few friends who love their caddies, ats, cts, and even a cts-v that I've been so tempted to pursuit several times, but at the end of the day, I love the lines and the charm of the Jag.

Rocklandjag got to most of you inquisitions, however as for updating the stereo and incorporating bluetooth, you most certainly can. It's a little doing and I personally had a local audio shop help me with my install, but I picked up a Kenwood bluetooth ready radio head unit, the face plate to retrofit the radio in the center console, and wired in the mic up the windshield pillar. The radio now can wirelessly play music off my iPhone, as well as receive and make phone calls.

 

"the old girlfriend feeling", I like that.
There's a couple of ways to check if it needs the tensioner update, if built before mid Aug 2001 then it'll almost certainly have plastic - to confirm it's a case of removing a cam cover.

Superchargers of this age at least benefit an oil refresh, how to's are found using the search function, again b.t. installs and HID installs are almost plug and play - the motorola 605 has been used by many forum members, as with HID kits and using BMW lamp adaptors. Lots of info already posted by other forum members who've gone down the same route in updating what still is one of the best saloons made.

The t-stat housing on the R never gives issue, the t-stat on the other hand can be unless it's o.e.m. peanuts money.
Injectors, unless there's a fuel issue, leave it be, unnecessary ins and outs of these has led to a blown engine (damaged seals).
If doing the shocks, consider refreshing all the bushes, there's quite a few.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks guys. This is why I joined this forum. I am bringing these posts to my mechanic. I will be doing this work next week. As for the Kenwood head unit...which Audio place did the install? I see your from New York. Also, do you remember the model number for the Kenwood? I definitley want to keep the face plate. There is a reason Jaguar designers gave it that look. Also, great car show in Manhassett today. Whose going? I will be there with my Lamborghini (silver and black), and my wife is bringing the Bentley (silver and bright red). If you see me, please introduce yourself. If you can only go to one show, this is the one! I'm meeting at exit 48 on the LIE at the Exxon Station. R8-V10, F430, and a few 911 Turbos at 11:00-11:15. Of course my Jag friends are welcome to drive with us!
Rocklandjag: As for offering the ATS, its all wheel drive and I like it more than a 3 series, and the lease is much better. Believe it or not, Caddy had come a long way. The interior of all the Caddys are very well done.I am not a truck fan (I do have a Navigator L), and the other choice would be a jeep. Also, the reason I purchased the Jag, is if there is a chance my son doesn't like it, I will ship it to my house in Florida (to be next to my 76 Caddy) and get him the ATS. The other reason that made me get him the Jag, living in the North East, is snow tires have come a long way since I owned the XJR. My old XJR was not driveable in snow back in the day. Now, that has changed.

 

Welcome back and congrats on your purchase.

In addition to all that was mentioned, I would definitely have the coolant system system gone over if components haven't already been replaced in the vehicles history. Check out such items as the valley hoses and octopus hose which are well hidden and can slowly leak with age. These engines don't like overheating.

Also check out the air filter and make sure there isn't any oil in it, if so the part load breather might require cleaning. Old/bad batteries in these cars can start playing games with the electronics, worth a test of that too.

 

Thanks. Adding your revs to my list.

 

Hi Garyres,

Welcome to the Jaguar Forums!

I have merged your initial thread in the X350 forum with your thread in the X308 forum so all the replies will be together.

Please visit the New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum and post an introduction.

Cheers,

Don

 

I personally had a Kenwood Excelon KDC-X998 head unit installed as well as HID headlights installed at Brooklyn Car Audio. A nice local shop here in Brooklyn, New york with a bunch of stand up guys. I kept the original radio if I ever want to revert back, but I love the features on the new head unit!
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