I just did a comprehensive inspection using the checklist provided by Jaguar forum. The good:

It only has 45K miles and its in pristine condition. Its really belong by an elderly lady.

She had the upper radiator hose, thermostat, and thermostat housing replaced 4 weeks ago for $750.00. I found the receipt in the club compartment.

Recent new battery.

No tensioners rattle at cold temperature start. I will replace with update tensioner right away.

No humming noise at rear end at any speed.

I let the engine idled warm for 30 minutes and test drive on instate and bumpy road for six mile and there was no coolant leak, no oil leak or weird noise what so ever.

The transmission shifted smoothly.

I jacked up the car and no rust or any weird frame damage.

I can have it for $5,500.00. She was asking for $7,500.00


THE BAD:

1. Very bad vibration starting at 50 mph to 65 mph. I can see the passenger chair shaked. Its still has the oem P4000 tires which had inner camber wear(rear). The tires are dry rod from storage. I do have a bulletin printout from Jaguar but need members help to determine if it something else beyond old tires.

It steered to the left, again, it is tire or something else?

2. I see oil stain at the differential. The oil stain located at the front bearing and not the left or right, However, no humming noise at any speed.

3. Repainted front fender and passenger door. The repaint job was excellent but i can see some orange peels. All Vin numbers on all doors, hood, and trunk are matching. The lady did not have a clue. She is a second owner and bought it used from the high end used car dealer. She drove less than 15K miles in the last six years.

4.Inside rear mirror oil leak ( not a big deal). already have one to replace.

5.Sag Head liner. Not a big deal. a weekend job

6.Driver door hinge makes noise when fully opened ( not a big deal) same on my 97 and easy fix


MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE VIBRATION. PLEASE HELP. IF ITS BEYOND THE
TIRES AND ALIGNMENT THEN I WILL WALK AWAY.

 

Sounds like the Propshaft. SNGBARRET part has two prices, one for $900 and $1200. Dealer will charge $1650 installed. Smooth as butter once installed. Did you check the airbox for oil?

 

Although the propshaft can cause the vibration, it is much more likely to be the tires given your report of their condition. In either case, fixing the mechanical stuff is much easier that attending to any cosmetic problems.

 

Bad control arm bushings are hard to diagnose.

 

I was thinking tires as well. But the violent shaking he describes pushes me toward the prop shaft.

 

Understandable, but if the tires as old and bad, Id lay money on tires. After my car was in storage for 4 years with minimal movement, it was a nightmare. I thought the car went to junk, terrible vibration, rough ride, poor traction...just tires, smooth as silk after.

Chris

 

Will 1997 xj6 wheels fit 2000 xj8? I can swap the wheels and tires temporarily from my 1997 xj6 for test drive and pay if the vibration goes away. If not I will walk away.

 

Could you simply try swapping the tires from front to back and see if the vibration moves from the rear to the front?

 

I am with Dragon and Benz. Try the tires first, these cars are cats, need good paws.

 

All four tires are bad shape from my inspection. Inner camber wear rear tires with some thread but no uneven wear. Front tires have more wear along the edge than the center and some thread. All four are dry with cracks along the tires wall.The bad part is I drove 3.5 hours just to inspect and test drive. Three options: 1. swap my 1997 xj6 wheels to 2000 XJ8 for test drive (prefer option) if they interchangeable; 2. shell out $60.00 for balance on the old tires before and test drive for vibration (not very good idea due to old tire and flat spot?) . Paid the seller $5,5000.00, put on new tires before drive 3.5 hours back?

 

I think you buy it/chance it. 45k miles on the XJ. hard to find at this juncture in time the x308's are fast becoming very rare to find in above average condition four M&B 17's is $500-ish. You already know it needs tires if its needs a prop shaft it wouldn't be the end of the world. Would really like to see pictures

 

+1 on buy. Those old tires are not very flexible and will have a almost permanent set, what people often call flat spotting because it causes a similar effect.

 

If the tires are in as bad a shape as you say, I would subtract the price of new plus alignment, buy the car and replace all four. Tires that old are not worth fiddling with and spending money on an allignment or a balance.

I did that and new tires made a big difference on my lightly driven Jag a few years ago.

Could the pulling you describe also be a wheel bearing in the front? Mine was, even though it didnt make any of the usual noises.

 

I had a dry rotted tire blow out on me while driving on the highway. It's not worth the risk and the car will ride so much better with new tires.

 

The car is in pristine condition, only 45K, has some history, can be driven home... sounds like a good deal. I had similar situation with my car(vibration and inner tire wear), turned out tires and one front bearing.

I would get the car because I like it, want it, and in worst case it would not cost a lot to put some used parts to fix it. But I would not get it if I did not have another car as I would expect car will need few weeks to get sorted out (if bearings and bushings need replacement to get alignment right).

Make sure all electric buttons work - it could be pain to trace and fix them.

 

I will ask my brother in California for the last advice. He's 20 years veteran foreman, Jaguar Master mechanic.

I paid $28,000.00 for the 1997 XJ6 with 35K miles more than a decade ago. I think $5,500.00 for the 45K miles Jaguar, $550.00 for new set of tire, and another $1,000.00 maintenance cost still is a good deal when compared to $28,000.00. I just feel bad to let go/sell the 1997 XJ6 with 92k miles. It also still in top notch condition.

I will post photos and update of purchase if I get a yes from my brother.

 

Not really. Put a pry bar in between the bushings and bend. If they move, it's time for some new bushings.

 

Just some interesting facts:

2000 Jaguar cost $56,000.00 in 2000 or $76,000.00 of today money

If I pay $6,000.00 for the jag with set of new tire today is the same of $4,800.00 in year 2000. That's is $70,000.00 plus discount....after drove 45K miles.....

 

Yeah.. At the end of the day you're driving a "top of the line" Jaguar! Just try not to top out at what it books for unless you plan on keeping it a long time.

 

My wife drives around 5,000 miles per year. I be happy if she can drive it for next five to six years. The style is timeless. When I first saw and inspected the Jaguar yesterday, I was shock of the pristine paint job and the mint interior. Not many cars now a day on the road that can compares to Jaguar paint job.

The car's title is still under the elderly late husband name; she holds on to the car as a memory of her husband. The grandson was helping her to sell because she no longer drive.