When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My 1st Jaguar was my Dads 86 VDP in 1992. I have been with out a Jaguar since 2019 when my 1999 VDP-SuperCharge Triple Black motor died. I had twice before filled the cylinders up with Mystery oil to soak for a week and was able to fire back back up but not the 3rd time. I currently drive a 2019 300s Hemi it’s only got 11k miles on it and it costs me $700 a month. It’s a waste of money and I honestly don’t like driving it. Carvana is coming is coming Wednesday. Giving me a check for $34.7k. I paid $38.5 for it. Thanks COVID. anyway. I am torn between getting a x308 or x350. I had a 2003 Stype R I bought with 7 miles on it and drove it to 196k miles until the electrical system melted down. I found a 2007 XJR low miles and a 2002 XJR low miles. I am leaning towards the x308 because I know the model inside and out. Going to take a drive to see them both Friday. My 98XJR was a beast. I did the UK Powerhause upper/lower Pulley, Big intercooler, high flow cats and borla. It was incredibly fast. So I will probably go this route again. The 4.0 motor though as we know is weak asf thanks to Nikisil issue plus chain tensioners. It’s a journey with the x308. Literally need to do the tensioners no matter what what. Will report back.
I can tell you from my own experience that the X350 is, well, in a word, superb. Appearance aside (but I like the appearance) it is leagues ahead of any earlier Jaguar (I have owned many of them): super-luxurious, fast, no transmission issues, no engine issues (the 4.2 litre engine is bullet-proof), the most comfortable car I have ever owned (and which I regret selling).
I’m very partial to the X308 platform for the sake of much easier to work on. The X350/356 supercharged cars are a pos to work on. The TB mounted on the back of the engine have a conglomerate of coolant and air hoses make it VERY challenging to work on when you have to pull the charger off. The suspension even with the air suspension bypass coil overs need all the arms replaced because of the large bushings everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, when the suspension is completely rebuilt and a good set of Michelin tires are fitted, they are very comfortable and handle well. The engine bay and trunk mounted fuse boxes go bad because of relays that are permanently mounted inside of them. I will always say X308 R cars vs X350/356 R cars even though the 308 vs 350/6 both have their pros and cons. This is just my opinion.
If you are daily driving, I would try to get the newest car you can afford in cash, that you like. By 20 years old (regardless of mileage), with all the brittle plastics, rubbers and vinyls and the difficulty of obtaining replacements thereof, they kinda need to be treated with kid gloves, not pounded on the pavement. I really liked wafting about in my X308 and tried to get as many years as I could, but when I once didn't quite make it to a critical business meeting where I was the featured presenter, I was motivated to "update" to something newer. Maybe if you work from home or have some flexibility, but if its critical that you get to work on time on a regular basis, then newer is better.
I kept the x308, spent about a year of weekends fixing all the oil leaks, redoing all of the suspension and a million other little tasks (and a million still needed), spent probably close to $3,000 in parts and supplies. However 99.5% of it is still 20 years old and feels like it could snap off in my fingers if I merely sneeze. So now it goes to dinner occasionally and I've displayed it in a few car shows. But like I'm looking forward to for myself in a few years, it has earned its retirement.
there’s no important reliability differences between the late 4.0 and 4.2. if the 02 has an engine made after august 01 it doesn’t need the tensioners touched.
Always thought the X350 looked a bit bloated but I stumbled upon this Palm Beach edition w/ the to me never seen before carriage top option . I like it a lot !
That, it does! Actually, while I think the X308 body is among the most beautiful Jaguar has created, the later X350 body has its own appeal, and this model is one of the best Jags ever, in every way. I regret having sold my 2004 model (see the photo in my earlier response #2 above).
I've recently experienced am x350 xjr. It rides a lot nicer than an x308 xjr. Interior is more modern. But that's it. I never found myself turning back to look at it. As I do my x308 xjr. X308 is just more cool. Also, the seating position in the 308 feels right. Feels like you're sitting on top of the x350, when you're in it.
there’s no important reliability differences between the late 4.0 and 4.2. if the 02 has an engine made after august 01 it doesn’t need the tensioners touched.
The Search is on for Nxt Jaguar
