Here's the best Jag I've ever owned. The pic was taken outside the restoration shop on the day I picked it up after a 5 year wait ! Everything either new or rebuilt, new bodyshell, every nut and bolt is stainless etc etc etc. I drove it for about 350 miles and then.............................................. ......................its a long story !!

 

I dont see any mention of my 1999 xj8. lol Hope thats not bad news for me! I am a new owner and absolutely love it so far.

 

Your XJ8 falls under general X308 factory model code which is part of this debate. Check the forum for threads addressing areas of concern of your YM. Don't worry, there aren't many but it would behoove you to read through those: secondary timing chain tensioners, A-drums, etc. Congrats and enjoy

 

Thanks Tirefriar. Definately will check that out.

 

What year x350 do you recommend?

 

2009, but you are on the wrong forum for X350/358 and resurrecting a five year old thread (?)

 

In my opinion, speaking strictly from my Jaguar ownership history, the 2003 Vanden Plas is an obvious choice.
No nikasil on the cylinder walls and much better tensioners than previous models make the 4.0 Liter a standout.

It is true that fuel pumps and shocks seem to wear too fast for my liking, however the timeless lines, the tremendous
performance and agility combined with the well appointed interior and quiet road manners by far make up for those.
We always acquire admiring looks and nods when in the public eye, and she always shows well.

The "Duchess" and I have had a wonderful relationship with no issues other than those cited above and she is working
on sixteen years now.

RandyS

 

The air suspension in the early X350's can be an issue -- you just have to replace. A very reliable vehicle otherwise. In the X300-X308 .. the last of the R's are the best IMO. No VVT and the Benz transmission -- again it has the more expensive shocks .. it's just one of the costs of the vehicle. Have actually never had to replace one ... just the bushings. The 03's are carry overs from 02's.

The X308 got many upgrades from the X300 ... I really liked my X300 .. but not as trouble free as the later cars. Personally I don't like the LWB cars as much .. if you need the space you need the space - not a nice to drive. I replaced my SWB 95 VDP with a LWB VDP 97 .. never liked it as much.

 

 

Camry and Accord

 

Its been at least 4 years since I sold my '01 XJR and its one of the cars that I wish I kept. Since then I owned an E39 Touring, sold that and bought a 2002 CLK55 AMG which I have had for about 2 years now. The Benz has the grunt and handling but not the pace and definitely not the grace of an X308. The XJR was much more reliable than the BMW. The Touring only had about 77k miles when the plastic radiator let go and the composite engine pulley let go, luckily all at about the same time. There were other major items, such as rear suspension air bags and the seal between the block and the oil filter mount. The list didn't end there, all with less miles than I had on my XJR. Its not that the E39 was bad, the problems I experienced were quite common for this model with given options.

I am now getting ready to part with the CLK55. Its a great car, no trouble at all and is probably one of the better modern Benz models produced. However, it feels cramped at the front and has about the same rear legroom as the XK8 coupe. I have scoured ads for X308 R models, preferably 2003 M.Y. but so far nothing has really popped up on the radar. If you have a chance to buy a clean 2003 XJR with low miles, do it. That was the best Jag built in terms of reliability. Beauty is subjective, but in my eyes the X308 was the most perfect recent day Jaguar built.

 

I think that is the right answer -- a low mileage 03 (US/North American) -- if you can't afford a brand new one!

 

I've had three X308 Jaguars over the last 4 years. None of them ever left me stranded. The most problem free has been the current one, a 2002 XJR. The build date is towards the end of the 2002 run and the engine itself was built after August of 2001. I think this makes it pretty much the same as a 2003 XJR with regard to upgraded components. It's just a darn solid car!

 

 

 

I have owned 3 98-99 XJ8s and thanks to this forum fixed all the issues before they were issues such as tensioners, thermostat tower, water pump all for less than 1K each if you DIY. All three have been reliable daily drivers and long haulers with just normal wear and tear like shocks, hoses and break pads. Besides the Nikasil liners these are just as reliable as the 02-03s and with high sulfur gas phases out in the US in the mid 2000s most on the road today are unaffected. In fact there is a debate as to if the Nikasil engines are actually longer lasting with the danger of sulfur removed.

I have also given the same treatment to a 1999 XJR I purchased and the only issue that makes it a little less reliable than a 03 XJR is the darn throttle vacuum system. I put new rubber hoses on and it seems tight as a drum now.

The best part is compared to new cars and many other used cars these can be had for a song and nothing compares! I also have looked for a 1992-1996 Jeep Cherokee but people want twice as much as a decent late 90's XJ for a 200K+ rust bucket!