Hey guys,

after my car was rammed by a van, it needs a front end rebuild. Obviously I would be getting some used parts (I can't really give a poop about the colours). So, in the last few days, I've been thinking what way I should go with my old banger.

For a start, it is now 20 years old and mechanically it was sound (just needed some new rubber bushes on the front axle as well as the tranny refitted, otherwise it is technically great). It just looked tatty, because I was more so attracted to the mechanical aspects of it...

I replaced most parts, so I've been investing heavily into this car. And that means I want to keep it. With a mere 203k km (nothing compared to my older cars) and a full service history from day 1 until now, I want to change it's appearance. So, when I get the "go ahead" from the insurance and when I then get the parts together, I was going for a respray and lowering... Before the original fetishists start shouting: the car is NOT worth taking to a classic car status. It has been welded in several areas by several owners and the results are mildly spoken "ok". Even in meteorite pearl (current colour) it wouldn't look right, as the colour has started to fade BELOW the clear spray... The clear spray itself is fine...

Would you guys hate me if I did this:


The car would be a flat darker green (not BRG but more so a grass green), lowered by an inch or so and sit on a set of 17" Jaguar Sport rims (see below) in an anthracite metallic colour... The jacking points would be cut off (I think it looks dreadful with those tubes welded below the car) and replaced by a different kind of jacking point... Probably just a flat sheet of metal cut to the right size to fit there.

These are the rims:


The front grill as well as the rest of the chrome parts (door and window trims are matte black) would be a high gloss anthracite metallic... Different tailpipes would also be fitted, just to make sure everything goes together.

If you hate it, it is good. If you like it, it is good. But that is my plan to turn my current rather sad looking XJ into something more presentable...

Opinions? Ideas?

 

I don't see the need to lower it; but it will look great.

 

In the picture the car is already lowered

 

Some interesting ideas, but I'm not sure about that particular shade of green. I like your replacement wheels though.

 

You're the owner so do what you want! I say go for it but +1 against lowering yet, see what the Sport wheels look like before modding the suspension?

 

It def needs to be a bit lower. But that is something for a little later. First job is to get the old bugger together again and then paint it.

Although, what good are plans, if I can't rebuild the car in the first place?

 

It is very hard, if not impossible, to show a matt color well in a Photoshop pic, it will always looks way better in real life.

I think you will really need a vivid green color to compensate for the matt, and to still let the car show her lines.
Your choice to go grass green is probably right, as a darker one will flatten everything.

On the ride height, I spend a lot of time measuring, thinking and visualizing.
Even had a free lowering session when my front shocks collapsed.

My conclusion is that a combination of the ROW XJR ride height together with a tire outside diameter of 26.7" (677mm) is the best looking, and keeps the comfort.
The wheel wells are full, the top of the tires is just below the fender lip, but just a tat.
In your case 245/50R17 tires do just that.

Any lower, and it starts to look kind of weird on any other angle than from 90 degree sideways.

 

That color's not my cup of tea even though I am fond of green tea lol. But do what you like, after all it's your baby !

Mine's going through a "revival" as well.

Godspeed

 

Okay, day 8 of someone crashing into my car: the insurance can't be bothered to do anything. The company has said it was their fault. The insurance claimed on Monday, that they only need a list of parts and would then solve the case by latest Thursday. No answer yesterday so I phoned them today... "Oh, we have forgotten you". Yeah, like hell you have!

So, one week of an insecure future for my tatty old Jag. We'll see what the next week brings. I guess another week of phoning behind people who are just *****-gobs... I've even said to them, if they simply give me ~€3000 I'll be happy. I can get the car all done for about that price. They would be looking at ~€4000 if they do it themselves...

What a disappointing company... Claims to be the best of the best (here in Northern Germany) but is worse than my cheap insurance company who sorts a claim within 2 days! Not kidding! I hit the back of a BMW X3 last August (with my XJ - I had a dented bonnet and grill that is it, his bumper "exploded" all over my car). 2 days after telling my insurance I got a letter saying "Claim is sorted". And that wasn't even a clear case of who was at fault!

 

Yeah I call car insurance legalized extortion lol. Good luck sir !

 

Yeah. Really annoying. Should have an answer next week. Hopefully.

 

For 3K euro you could buy a very good replacement here in the UK.

 

Not here. Jags go for overrated prices. For some reason, the X308 prices are around €10000 for a good condition model. Mine was only €2500 and was in a "usable" condition. It had some issues but nothing I couldn't solve...

For 3000 I would only get a wreck nowadays.

 

as far as lowering it I say fine,my 96 is that low and it handled very well.it was my first jag and come to find out its because the springs were worn out.

 

I had not seen this thread yet when we messaged earlier. To be honest, I had seen it but had not yet read it.

I am sorry for your troubles.

You can have my bonnet for free if you want to pay to ship it. My grill is on eBay, but we could work something out if you need it.

 

On the topic of color:

A guy who came to look at my XJ8 before I scrapped it had a BRG XJ8 that was painted over with a chameleon green-blue-purple that looked really cool. The door jams were not done and it was a near match at the right angle. It looked cool.

 

Stage 1 has started, after the insurance is now writing my car off: new/used parts ordered...

1x left front wing/fender
1x right front wing/fender
1x bonnet/hood with no leaper
1x front bumper
1x left mirror (autofolding to bring that function back)
1x right mirror (also autofolding)
1x rear left light (X300, chrome free)
1x right rear light (X300, chrome free)
1x 17" Sport rim (X300 XJR) - one of mine is broken, the lip cracked off a long time agi before I bought them
1x black interior J gate trim
1x front right airduct for brake with bracket
1x XJR grille (X300, the prettier one!)
2x bumper mounting bracket at front
4x original JDM spec illuminated side markers
1x fitting kit for front bumper
2x front indicators for bumper
2x 'US style' indicator module (aftermarket)

A few more stages to come yet...

Stage 2: refitting of tranny, getting car back together again and running
Stage 3: getting car home again
Stage 4: getting all the parts fitted and adjusted prior to painting
Stage 5: getting car painted and finished
Stage 6: lowering the car, if needed

Stay tuned!

 

pfew... you are for sure not going to have any problems to figure out what to do o your free time.. :-)
The green colour on the first pictue on the thread looks really kind of cool.. almost military style.. but still not... made me wonder what a Jag would look like in "City Camo".. That would be badass..

/E

 

Well, just bought another part I wanted yonks ago: a new 'six light' in matt black, to match mine, as it is leaky and the frame has detatched from the glass (someone tried to break in). Boy, my car will be nearly new again

 

And some more parts ordered... Will be looking like Christmas here soon

4x door handle gaskets
1x rear bumper fitting kit (screws and co)

I can't wait to get started!