This is one of those general questions that I'm trying to get past the emotions on. I love my Jag, it's been a great ride, I've kept it maintained by a Jaguar shop, not a dealer, but sadly, the transmission has started to go out. I'm advised that this is an 'A' clutch issue and tear down would be required.

I just put $700 into the rear suspension and I hate to see it go to Coventry West and sit in the weeds being slowly picked apart over time. But I can't see putting thousands into the repair either. I have other vehicles, so it's not a transportation issue, it's just the love of the Jag. Being retired, I don't have buckets of spare cash so that is weighing me down, as well as the reality of not knowing when the next major event is going to happen.

2003 XJ8 Sport.

Just looking for general feedback on retiring the Jag, or ????

Appreciate the feedback folks,
Russ

 

Pretty simple really. Fix it, or sell it to someone who can.

 

One of the problems is trying to get a shop to give a definitive estimate of how much the cost of repair will be. I've asked shops for the cost of a complete front end rebuild and they always waffle and say "we don't know how much it will cost because we don't know exactly what it needs." True enough, but I want to know the highest number. Same with my tranny, got the same response. If you have a good shop that you work with, find out the cost of R&R of the tranny will be then look for a good used transmission. Compare that to the cost of a fresh rebuilt transmission, then make your choice.
There are only two options, three actually. Fix or sell, or park it out behind the barn and forget about it. Your car looks great! Good luck.

 

the car is totaled

 

They may be jumping to conclusion that its the A drum based on the volume of anecdotes online. Sounds like they're not a transmission shop. You didn't say you heard a big bang and had the light come on and it won't go in gear or anything like that. Maybe its just the pressure valve in the valve body and can be solved with a Transgo kit or Sonnax upgrade. That pressure valve could give you intermittent symptoms and prompt a statement like "starting to go out".

 

slipping in forward means it’s done

 

Rivguy,

He did give me a quote, that includes rebuilding the transmission, reinstalling it and a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. He also replaces the rear seal at the same time to do a 'complete' job. He does a lot of rebuilds for the Jag dealership, so I know he knows his stuff, and he has been a trusted and fair priced repair shop for the last 5 or 6 years to me.

I had not thought about going the used route. I will reach out about that and find out the difference.

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions.

 

Pdupler,

I actually did hear the loud bang, and sudden stop as I was pulling up to a red light. Then after rev'ing the engine up, a second bang, jumped forward and was able to drive the rest of the way home.

I am not familiar with the Transgo kit or the Sonnax upgrade. I will look into those too.

Thank you for your feedback and suggestions.

 

Fix it: about $2000 grand or so. Nothing out there as good as this car if the transmission is fixed.

 

Unless you luck out getting a used trans that had previously been rebuilt/repaired, the newest one will be 18 years old. If you’re considering rebuilding yours, I think an estimate from a reputable transmission shop would be closer to $4k with installation.

 

I sure wouldn't consider the car totalled just yet. I'd look into a rebuilt tranny and installing it myself or rebuilding this one.
Of course you could always part it out I suppose if you have the time.

 

Well then it sounds like it really is more serious. A cheaper option than a full rebuild would be to find a good used transmission, then just upgrade the valve body before you install and fill with fluid. That will significantly reduce the risk of the replacement transmission suffering the same fate.

But just going by the one photo, your x308 looks to be very nice shape. If it were an old beater, then yeah, it'd be time to put it out to pasture, but its probably too nice for that. If it were mine, I'd have to fix it (but then I'm a DIY'er so the cost wouldn't be that significant for me rather just finding the time would be my issue.) Good luck.

 

Eastern NC checking in here, had my A-drum replaced,rebuild for $2300 total w/ warranty.

 

Get junkyard transmission low mileage cost much less .