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Firstly I'd like to say I'm glad to be joining this forum.
Secondly, I found a beautiful looking LOW mileage(55k) 2001 XJ8. She's green with tan interior, doesn't have the prettiest of stock Jag wheels but they'll do.
What should I look for, listen for, inspect, probe into, test etc. I'm familiar with the 90's and early 2000's Land Rover/Range Rovers, as well as Toyota/Lexus and Inifiniti/Nissan cars. But have never looked at a Jag. Timing chain rattle? Leaky valve gasket covers? What am I looking for?
I appreciate all your time and info and should be looking at the car sometime this weekend. Thank you again!
Best,
Carlos
P.S. The seller has receipts of recent brake work including all new rotors/pads in all 4 corners, as well as new speakers in all of the doors and 12 inch sub install again with receipts. He's asking 6k.
A low mileage 2001 XJ8 sounds like a nice find................you may want to state your location, cars in states subjected to salty winter roads have different problems than dry-state cars.
The main "usual suspect" on these cars is the upgrading of the timing chain tensioners, and age is as important as mileage, so if the one you are looking at hasn't had the upgraded metal tensioners done.........it needs them.
The drive shaft carrier bearing tends to deteriorate over time and may need replacing, symptoms are a vibration at 50-70mph.
Usually cars of this age are due for new shocks, and front upper shock bushings, and rear upper shock donuts.
The engine mounts are liquid-filled and can leak over time, another possible replacement item(s).
The auto gearbox can suffer from "A" drum failure and there is a Transgo valve upgrade, a recommended item.
As with any car of this type and age, it's good advice to be fervent in checking the history of the vehicle and buy the best example you can afford.
You mention non-pretty stock wheels..........not sure what those wheels are, do you have pictures?
A low mileage 2001 XJ8 sounds like a nice find................you may want to state your location, cars in states subjected to salty winter roads have different problems than dry-state cars.
The main "usual suspect" on these cars is the upgrading of the timing chain tensioners, and age is as important as mileage, so if the one you are looking at hasn't had the upgraded metal tensioners done.........it needs them.
The drive shaft carrier bearing tends to deteriorate over time and may need replacing, symptoms are a vibration at 50-70mph.
Usually cars of this age are due for new shocks, and front upper shock bushings, and rear upper shock donuts.
The engine mounts are liquid-filled and can leak over time, another possible replacement item(s).
The auto gearbox can suffer from "A" drum failure and there is a Transgo valve upgrade, a recommended item.
As with any car of this type and age, it's good advice to be fervent in checking the history of the vehicle and buy the best example you can afford.
You mention non-pretty stock wheels..........not sure what those wheels are, do you have pictures?
In Texas. Can be very dry here, has coastal cities, this one seems to have been a central-Texas car. Awesome advice thank you. They're the base model stock wheels. They look sort of boring and more on the side of class and "base-ish" lol I am comparing them to the R-spec wheels which in my eyes are some of the prettiest ever produced.
Totally agree with above recommendations. Keep in mind that the '01 is mid-run of basically unchanged 308 models. Notably, is the issue of tensioners. So, as with the 01 base 308 I bought this summer, if all checks out, and you are willing to pop $$, it is a car well worth the love and respect it commands.
One minor, nuggie thing I discovered is a common failure of trunk issues, i.e. locking/unlocking. A surprisingly easy remedy I found on mine was an easy repair to the wire harness as it snakes thru the pass side hinge. It has a "pinch point" at the bottom of the hinge, breaking wire(s). I found 5 of the 8 pinched or totally severed. You can choose what way to reconnect, but also an alternative route to avoid the factory harness route.
Test Driving a 2001 XJ8; advice?
