Looks like I've yet to check anything off the list posted here... Looking back I haven't even spent too much time working on the car this year vs the past year. Replaced wheels finally, now they actually hold air and don't vibrate. Old chrome wheels were corroded so bad the beads wouldn't hold air, didn't know how bad it was until I had the tires pulled off.

Did wheel bearings a while ago to try and help with the howl, no solve. Now that the wheels are done and the howl is prominent again, I guess it's time to attack that next with some chassis ears.

For squeaks and rattles... Got a few done, but there's always a few more to do.

 

For what it's worth, my howling ordeal was solved w/ a different weight rear diff oil. Found this out after doing the wheel bearings twice lol.

 

Mid-point of the year's passed so I will modify/ad a few more, some like re-dying my seats has been pushed down in priority.

Final decision to tint or not & what shade if so.
Driver Side Brake Duct Replaced : HNC4469AF
OEM Mats : GNA9581ABAEK (wishful thinking I know lol)
Bigger OEM Exhaust Tips : NNC6721BA
Engine Detailed,Wrap Covers, Replace Weatherstripping : AmeriSeal, part number 19600
Wood Panels Restored
Dye/Refurbishing Seats

 

Still @ it ! In talks concerning my wood & seats restoration.

 

KC, ran across this web site for wood restoration. Don't have any experience with them, nor know anyone who has, but thought it may be of interest to you if you don't already know about them.............

Madera Concepts - Jaguars

 

Now that the weather is cooler, i will tackle the rear suspension bushing replacement and the smaller blower pulley....already did all 4 shock mounts and bushings.....i will also replace the solar sensor and demister panel...now it is about money more than time

 

I've contacted those guys you linked before. Was not impressed w/ their familiarity of what a complete X308 interior set was & their prices were also a bit much for what I'm looking for($2,000+).

There's a guy on eBay whose work looks stellar, but he's lacking a bit in the communication department. His process is, I ship my wood to him, he restores then returns within 3 weeks. I am a bit uneasy w/ the shipping of my wood & having to risk loss or damage not once but twice lol. But he has several sets of wood on site that I'm getting pics of, trying to best match mine & I'll just keep my old wood once the restored set arrives. I mean the price is the same either way.

Add paint windshield cowling & wiper arm to list should be done this weekend.

 

Progress !

 

Subtract seats add,

Install wood overhead console
Repair 3rd brake light(cover,bulbs & mount)
Paint seat belt buckle buttons

 

Everyone’s mileage will vary, but I had very good luck with Madera. I had them restore my XJR wood trim, and I couldn’t be more pleased. It was literally flawless in every way. Recently I bought a mismatched wood piece for the overhead console off eBay, and I had Madera re-veneer and stain it to match my other trim. Again, I was impressed and it looks great on the overhead console.

For what it’s worth, Madera is a little pricey, but man, in my experience, their work is the best I’ve seen.

As far as my 2019 To Do list, I have decided to add picnic trays to my XJR. My interior is black, but I bought a set of cashmere seat backs with trays from a Vanden Plas off eBay. I will re-cover them in black to match my interior, and send the wooden trays and trim to Madera so they can match it to the rest of my trim. They will re-veneer the pieces so that the wood grain matches the other trim. I plan to use the black map pouches from my old seat backs on the “new” seat backs.

I’m pretty excited about the picnic trays. Not sure why, but I think they add to the car. I love doing stuff like this, so it will be a fun project.

 

This was a cool project, thank you King Charles for the tip. Here are the results. Well, two of the four anyway!

 

Very subtle & cohesive, I like it !

 

New fuel filter.

Engine Oil and filter. Amsoil 5w30 or liqui moly 5w30

New air filter.

New serpentine belt.

Thinking to change the water pump and the plastic housing and thermostat but the cooling system works good .

New led bulbs for the fog lights.

 

This year had the trans rebuilt, painted the trunk and roof, badly needed. I've owned the car for 10 years so far,

2019 picture, have had the car for 10 years now.

Repainted trunk and roof 2019
it's still kicking like a newer car.

 

When I first saw this post pop up on the x308 home page, I couldn't bring myself to even read it because it filled me with dread to think of what might need to be done!

I'm glad to say, on reflection, I've ticked a whole host of items though including:
a new catalytic converter, new u joints on the half shafts (that was a major learning experience ! ) , new steering rack, new front springs, painted the calipers silver, painted the rear wishbones with black Por15, cut out and re welded some significant areas on the rear wheel arches, replaced both rear wheel bearings, painted the rear wheel arches with Por15, replaced the small ecm fuse box in the engine bay, and put some nice new halogens in the headlights and reset the alignment too. Plus some new door card connectors to stop the rattling.

I'm hoping that's shortened my list for both December and for 2020! :-)

​​​​​​

 

Nearing the end of 2019, progression is still in effect.

Modified/Updated List

Wood Panels Restored
Paint seat belt buckle buttons
Driver Side Brake Duct Replaced : HNC4469AF
Seat Covers
Fine better suited floor mats for AEK

 

May have found OEM AEK mats just awaiting good pics, but if as billed they are mine. Came off a 2003 X308 that was totaled w/a mere 23k mileage.

 

I feel like I am playing whack a mole with my repairs. Having trouble keeping up to the repairs but I am on the east coast of Canada and drive my 03 XJR R1 year round (lots of salt used here in the winter). Did you have any luck yet with the trunk struts? I have the same problem with trunk staying up and it cracked me in the back of the head last week!

 

Guy never came through w/ his "perfectly mint" floor mat pics, so that hunt continues.

 

Final 2019 repairs checkin:
-solve inconsistent pulling left - DONE!! it was radial pull from one/both front tires. they were also both worn unevenly with left side being more worn on each tire, and left tire being more significantly worn there, probably due to said radial pull
-solve 30mph/57mph howl -DONE! after much prodding and trying different things, accidentally solved this by replacing tires
-design and 3d print a better cupholder -forgot about this, maybe I'll get a chance this year
-go on a bunch of long drives that I've been putting off for way too long - sort of? did a few long drives, hopefully more now that pulling is solved
-address interior squeaks and rattles - some. driver door card done, sunroof somewhat done, need to address squeak/rattle from center console latch, and front windshield vents
-get a spare key cut/programmed - nope... got a pass-thru interface to hopefully program a key once i get it working
-a new windshield would be nice - nope but this may be a higher priority now that the pull is solved, mine gets pretty bad glare from pitting from its previous life
-paint repairs also are another long-term wishlist item, if I get the important things done - nope