I have a 2001 XJ8L that needs some work. I'm going to put in the left bank spark plugs and coils (already did the right bank) for $315 in parts. I have an appointment next week for rear shocks $880. I haven't had the plastic chain guides replaced yet $2500.

The Kelly Blue Book is only $3100 private party and about $1500 trade in. The shocks and chain guides are over $3300.

The car has only 88,500 miles. I bought her in 2016 for $6800 with just 47,000 miles.


2001 Jaguar XJ8L with 88,500 miles. I am torn about putting more money than the car is worth into her. But my option would be to trade it in and get some econobox. I am fairly broke so buying another Jag for cash is out of the question. My friend says to fix it and drive it until I die. I'm 64, retired and as you can see I don't put a lot of miles on her. I spend most of my time backpacking the world so she does go months without being driven. The last time was for an 11 month period.

I paid cash back in 2016, but I would have to take on a payment to trade it.

What would you do?

 

Submitted for consideration:

Could you do the work yourself?

Do you love the car?

If yes and yes keep the car.

If no to either, cut the cord.

jeffxj8

 

If you could do the rear shocks yourself, you could do them for approx $250 (OEM Bilsteins).

I would assume that if the rear shocks need doing, so do the front ones? Or have they already been done?

If you could do the primary and secondary tensioners yourself, you could do them for approx $600. (You could also take the minor gamble and only do the secondary tensioners, they are the main nemesis, and much less work and less cost).

If there is no way you could do this work yourself, or with the help of a knowledgeable friend, the monetary figures are a little high, but don't think you are going to buy an "econobox" for cheap, ordinary cars that supposedly do a zillion miles to the gallon fetch astronomically unreasonable prices, way more than you paid for your low mileage XJ8L 4 years ago.

Do some searching around, there are often good independent mechanic shops that will do things like tensioners for much less than $3,300.

If your 2001 XK8L is in really good shape, it is worth getting it into good running order so that it can serve you for many more years/miles, the economics of a "cheap econobox" are often not as cheap as you may hope they are going to be.

 

Let the rest of the work on the suspension go for now and have the primary and secondary timing chains, tensioners and guides replaced or you'll have a car worth even less than the numbers you posted.

There are a number of threads concerning the procedure should you decide to perform the work yourself.

 

First off, you have to get the value out of your head. Its worth what you feel it is....and thus if its worth getting the work done. I'm in Orlando also, post a few more times and we can PM.

Start with introducing yourself here (site requirement actually and only takes a few minutes) and read the rules, you'll see why we can't PM until you post like 7 times... https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/n...-intro-must-5/

 

I would also agree with getting the tensioners done first.

However, if you still go through with the rear shocks, make absolutely sure they’re also replacing the large donut bushings while they’re in there. There’s 3 bushings on each rear shock at the top that needs replaced while they’re in there. Depending on which brand name shocks you get, the Bilsteins come with 2 of those bushings but not the large donut one I mentioned.

 

I agree with NBCat. If you don't drive it much, don't bother with repairs except tensioners. "If it ain't broke..." I'm retired like you and own an '01 with new tensioners, change the oil and put gas in it. There is NO econobox you can buy for the "value" of your beautiful car.

 

if you like the car, put money into it, the driving experience pays it off eventually. if you want to save money learn to do the work yourself

 

I "updated" to a newer Jaguar with a fraction of the miles in 2017 just because I still have to get to work every day. The XJ8 kind of gave me a scare at about 120K miles when the alternator went out while I was on my way to a business meeting where I was the host and presenter. If you were driving to work every day like me, I'd probably tell you to get something much newer. However, given that you are "retired", you can get probably away with driving an older luxury car.

So what if something breaks and it takes you two weeks to find a part. Take Uber or Lyft for necessary trips for a while. Or maybe you want to travel. A friend of min always rents a car when he goes on a road trip. He says not only does he have peace of mind that his trip won't be cut short by old car problems, but he rather enjoys getting to drive the latest model of something different. Since you don't have to be at work on-time, five days a week, that old Jaguar is not threatening your income like it would be for me. Most problems will be only a minor inconvenience. Worst case scenario something fails catastrophically and you have to get a different car, but you'd put off spending that money for maybe years. I don't know your situation, my father retired at age 59, is 84 now and still not spending all of his fixed income, rather he still manages to save money somehow. Maybe when the old Jag finally bites the dust, you can afford a better replacement.

The most worrisome thing after you do the tensioners is the idea that you might let it sit for months at a time. Jaguars don't like that. If you are going to be gone for months at a time, I suggest keeping the battery topped up with a CTEK unit and enlist a friend or family member to take it for at least a 20 minute drive about once a month to keep all the lubricants circulated and the fuel in the tank stirred up.

 

Do the secondary tensioners yourself (easy to do; lots of instructions here, YouTube; fairly cheap parts; will need some tools, mostly electric screwdriver with 1/4in sockets). Pay somebody to redo the rear shocks and parts (mean job; people with heavy tools and lift can do it relatively cheaply; you buy the shocks and mounts). Drive it; enjoy it. There is no (imi, NO) econobox every bit as good, comfortable, safe as your car. IMHO. I miss mine, but my knees got so bad I couldn't get out of it, or repair it (it is pretty simple to fix, no worse than an Accord or Camry of the same vintage), now with new knees, wish I still had it.

 

This is why I like ebay I got 8 ignition coils for less than 100$ 1year+ still working fine . Shocks are cheap from rock auto I think 93$ for bilesten 58$ for kyb . Secondary tensioner pretty cheap and easy to do . I say keep it and diy it

 

I really appreciate the input. I am going to keep her. And after watching numerous Youtube videos, I am going to replace the tensioners myself. I bought a CTEK charger. The local Jag mechanic, The Jag Doctor, is going to change my rear shocks (I replaced the fronts four years ago).

 

This forum link to a shortcut method of replacing the rear shocks may be of interest to you, it should give you an idea of how it can be done economically, and may also be useful to your mechanic too.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-video-201680/

Also be sure to replace the upper donut bushings, they can be responsible for a substantial amount of suspension sag.

CK

 

Whenever you visit Andy, don't call him a mechanic, ...he'll tell you straight away he's a Tech. Proud homeland Irishman (huge soccer fan), he went to Jaguar school and learned correctly, ..as did Rudy. Andy is awesome, known him for years and his pricing is fair. He won't short you either, he'll make sure he takes care of the dampers as well.