Hello. I can afford to buy either a 1998 Jaguar jx8 (110,000 miles) or 2001 jxs (80,000 miles). I've always wanted a Jaguar, so I'm very excited but worried about the longevity of the engine. Wondering if I'll have to replace it within a few years.

Can anyone tell me what to expect for engine longevity on either of these models?

Thank You!

 

Oops. I'm tired. I realize that I transposed the model letters. I meant to write xj8 or xjs.

Thank you.

 

I have a 98 XJ8 VDP. Bought it 3 years ago with 113k miles. The engine runs great and have taken it on road trips out of state in the desert heat. Main issue is the timing chain tensioners. However, with 110k most likely they have been changed.

Over the three years since purchase I have put in almost as much as i paid for the car in upgrading, repairing and replacing worn parts.

 

With any 10 or 13 year old car you should expect some amount of service work and there are lots of things besides the engine. Jaguar dealer, and even independent labor prices are going to be significantly more than other cars. My personal recommendation is that these cars, of the mentioned vintages are best owned by hobby mechanics.

 

They made the XJS up to 1996. Are you sure it's not an S type or X type?

The 98' XJ has an engine that requires some searching questions about it before buying, has it has the timing chain tensioner upgrade? (from plastic! to metal), and does it hold compression (re- nikasil bore lining) I'm sorry about technical terms, but asking these questions and getting answers will help keep the cost of running one down.

May I suggest something, find someone who knows about them, and take them along to query the sellers. It might be the best $100 you spend. Someone off this board local to you and willing to spend an hour going over the cars?

 

Everyone thinking of buying an X308 (or any other sports car older than 10 years) should take test point's advice to heart. Otherwise, you will spend a fortune to keep it running.

 

I bought my 2000 XJ8 with 111k mi on the clock and have had 3 years of hassle free motoring. Things have worn out and have been replaced, there have been no catastrophic failures. Regular maintenance is required. These are still quality cars despite the few quality lapses.

 

with due respect Spark, if someone was in the market, but cautious, they'd run a mile if taking advice like that, it makes it sound as if they're a very specialised vehicle, to be honest it ain't a Ferrari, or a sports car. Taken literally, why buy a second hand car? any car? there're plenty of broke ones out there that can donate parts to keep ours running....and plenty of handy guys. Just a thought. I'll get my coat.....

 

These cars are pretty delicate and require an attentive owner. An oblivious driver will pay big $. I'm not a mechanic and my car has been pretty expensive to maintain (transmission failure). I don't work on the powertrain but I work on everthing else. If you love cars, think about a Jag, and you will probably love the car, but this ain't a Honda/Toyota for those who just want to go from point A to B.

 

I agree that they are not that specialized which is all the more reason that one can "beat the system" by working on it youself.
It is However, not just any second hand car, as you say:
1) there is reduced competition for service- only a few shops will work on it
2) The hourly rate for MOST Jag shops is in excess of $100.00- The posted dealer rate here in Atlanta was $190. the last time I looked, as I recall. People still work on 10 year old Chevys for $40.00/ hr.
3) Parts come at a premium. again, competition and availability A rebuilt chevy water pump is $ 35.00 at Pep Boys
4) Timing belt change on a Ford will not cost you $1000.00 plus
5) Transmission fluid change for a Chevy is not $300.00 plus
5) An engine overhaul on a Ford, or a junk yard engine will be installed for $2,000 to $2,500.
Check out what an installed XJR engine runs-
Maybe there are more reasonable labor and parts availability on your side of the pond, but over here, prevailing rates are double or worse on Jaguars. I sure don't get the impression you take your car to anyone for service.
So, just to be clear, my point is that they are great cars and can be worked on by the hobbyist mechanic, but that "taking it in" can get expensive real quick. There have been several posts here recently of people suprised by $3,000 to $4,000 repair bills- Thats nearly the value of these cars.

 

Over the past year i have replaced many of the serviceable parts (octopus hoses, front shocks, alternator, tranny fluid, heater hoses, throttle body, etc.). It seemed like most of the issues started when I hit the 170,000 mark. Granted, no major mechanical problems but rather wear-and-tear items that are expected with so many miles.

Only a few things left to do, the rear shocks and the vvt (maybe the timing chain, guides and tensioners - to be safe).

Have been doing about 90% myself. It's a on-going project (hobby car) but enjoyable. Engine is strong and drives great.

 

Spark, the key point you make, the biggy, is the fact it's an import were you are. Here in the UK we have many good independent Jaguar specialists. I'd say at least one in every city. The service costs are roughly in-line with your side of the pond, £45-55 per hour indi, £150+ per hour dealer. It makes a real difference when there're companies that break Jaguars all over the place, and are willing to share knowledge. My assumption is it's the same in the USA, obviously not unfortunately.

 

My 308 were as new cars far superior to my german cars reliability and about equal to the Lexus vehicles I have owned. Over time the 308s held up well - but not to the level of the Lexus vehicles.

Spending the time to find a suitable car and having it inspected is extremely important when buying any used car. All cars have common failure points that must be verified prior to purchase. Luxury cars often surprise owners who purchase one for the first time -- used and out of warranty.

The 308's have a suspension layout that is dated in its design. At 100k its many rubber bushing and mounts are all beginning to deteriorate to some degree - and they do not like large tires popular today.

The cars make very solid used cars - were made with high quality interior components -- but they are not Toyotas.

 

They may be solid, but the dealer gets $1,200 plus for a throttle body, $900. for a security module, $400. for a fan cartridge etc, etc, etc. and that is just parts. Hobbyists will take time to scrounge around for used parts and can keep them running for a lot less, but even most indies do not have time to do that. I still maintain a ten year old X308 as a daily or even often driver makes little economic sense UNLESS you do MOST of your own work. If there were more knowledgable independents with used stock like Andrew (JagTechOhio) in Ohio, I might have a different opinion.

 

Jaguar parts are no more expensive than other premium vehicles. These cars were not built in huge numbers and the specialized parts are not available on the secondary market.

You can still find very nice sub 80k one and two owner cars that have most of the problem areas already addressed for surprising prices -- but you have to understand going in that the repair costs are higher.

I bought my first new Jaguar after college in the early 80's and have owned many since - it boils down to what you want and feel comfortable spending. I have spent almost nothing on my 02 R since it was new. But If I want to keep it and enjoy it - I have to face up to the reality of having all the bushings replaced in the next year and the possibility of an expensive repair.

If you go over and look on the Mercedes forums -- they all say to budget about 2500 to 3000 a year for repairs and maintenance for the older models.

 

One problem with the Jags is the lack of non OEM aftermarket parts. I recently bought 2 brand new headlights for my BMW 5 series for only $170. They work better than OEM. Two brand new tail lights can be had for $70. The parts list goes on and on. BMWs have alot of very cheap parts in comparison to the Jags. Labor costs are the same however. I dont know about Mercedes and the other luxury brands.

 

yeldogt-
I agree with your facts, just not your analysis. My original comment was that folks should listen to the comment that they were more expensive that other cars, not "more expensive than other premium cars". And then I stated that they did not make ECONOMIC sense if you did not do some maintenance yourself. Style sense, driving confort sense, prestige sense, all yes. To spend $2,500 to $3,000 per year average with potential to have a catastrophic failure on top of that on a car worth 5 bills might not make economic sense for some people. And my comments would apply to a Mercedes as well.
Anyway, the good news is that the facts on both sides are in this thread, and folks can make their own decisions about how much they are willing to spend to join our club!.
BTW, I have 3 X308s. And when I get the Heads back on the '99 XJR, all three will be drivable.

 

Should you purchase 1998 XJ8? Perhaps, but check:

1. Maintenance and SERVICE records. If none available do not purchase.
Otherwise check if plastic thermostat housing was replaced with a metal one. Be ready to replace thermostat, check if water pump was replaced, check spark plugs if fouled, Air filter, oil, battery, and check if plastic chain tensioners were replaced with metal ones. Some of it was done by Jaguar dealers under a warranty, but today this warranty expired long time ago.
1998 xj (all engines) were subject to blowing up due to high Sulphur content in gasoline because engine cylinders were lined with Nikasil material. In Europe Sulphur content in gasoline is lower, therefore there were less engine blow-ups in Europe.
Sulphur content of gasoline in US was lowered some time ago and Nikasil engines are less likely to blow up today.
Plastic chain tensioners must be replaced immediately even if engine runs smoothly, unless you want to pay top money for a replacement
engine ($5000 used, $12,000 new)

2. Perhaps you should be looking at 2002-2004 Jaguar XJ model (when Nikasil engine liners were replaced by steel liners, and manufacturer stopped using plastic chain tensioners) well maintained and with documented service and maintenance records and LOW Mileage.
At 70K miles (about 1124,000km) Jaguar or any other make require some serious maintenance to keep running. The cost of Jaguar maintenance is very high, unless one is able to find trustworthy Jaguar mechanic. Stay away from dealers.
3. I was able to find well maintained 1998 Vanden Plas (low cost, Nikasil engine) but I have replaced plastic thermostat housing with aluminum one, replaced thermostat, Air filter, replaced chain tensioners. So far I drove some 3,000 highway miles without mechanical breakdowns. My Jaguar now shows 42K original miles (67,416km)

Burza
1998 Vanden Plas

 

Or do what I am doing buying a X308 and fitting a Chev LS engine and gearbox, yes you end up with a 4 speed auto but a 6.0 litre engine does not need the 5 speed to make it move. No one will no there is a Chev under the bonnet either. unless the look .

 

Noticed that the OP has not responded to the thread; think we have scared her away.

All I would say is, no Jaguar is cheap to maintain, regardless of age. If longevity is the only concern, and money is no object, IMO almost any well-maintained/documented Jag may suffice.

If budget is an issue, however, look elsewhere until such a time as you can truly afford one, and that means more than just paying the purchase price. "It's not the purchase, it's the upkeep."