I'm conflicted. Ive had my 94 XJ40 for about 4 years and I really like the car. Ive always loved the look of the XJ40s with the large headlights and the car has that old world classic feel with the wood and leather yet has a modern feel with the actual reliable fuel injection, 4 speed auto and all the power equipment. Also not having a sunroof has always been a plus.

That being said it is getting a little rough looking. Here in the S/W the trade off for no rust is paint and trim take a beating in the sun. All the dirt roads and dust also take their toll on the chrome and glass.

Now getting closer to 195,000 miles I've been contemplating something a little newer. I could get it repainted, new glass, a new headlight (small BB sized hole in the glass and both are pitted and dull) and try and recover the front seats. But part of me can't see putting the kind of money into it when newer cars with 80,000 fewer miles can be had for 3-4k.

Im going to look at an 01 XJ8 tomorrow supposedly owned by an older gentleman and being sold by his son. While id love to have an XJR they all seem to be overpriced in this market.

Thoughts?

 

Too bad Jeh, less and less of us every day .. BTW you know about the XJ8's and the nikasil thing, right? Gotta check the engine numbers!!

all the best with whatever you decide

Larry

 

Ive read about the Nikisal thing and will check out the engine numbers ect but i have to imagine if the one I am looking at is running then its been taken care of. The other thing is the upper tensioners and if that hasn't been handled its probably a good negotiating issue for a few hundred off

 

I understand your feelings completely, and my '92 only has 82K miles. A lot of little things sum up to one big whole. I'm not looking forward to the cooler weather, the door lock motors start to refuse to unlock at about 40 degrees ambient. It happens every year... The clear coat just above my windshield is getting white and hazy. The rubber/"chrome" bodyside trim is peeling, can't be purchased new. List goes on and on. I completely get it!

I remember reading lots of posts on XJ40 forums bashing X300s for their looks or for having less distinctive features (okay, I've spotted *one* switch that appears to be a run of the mill Ford window/power lock switch. It'll probably be the last switch I'll ever have to replace, too... I jumped for my '96 XJ12 anyway, and now the looks have grown on me and I love the all-Denso ECM system. Nothing Lucas in sight. The GM 4L80E transmission shifts silky smooth and if I need to ever have it rebuilt, any GM truck tranny shop can do it with their eyes closed and cheaply.

As far as the X308s, look out for the engine numbers, as mentioned above, and try to find one that has had transmission services. Even though NA cars have "sealed for life" ZF units with very expensive fluid, they need attention, and the procedure for filling (there's no dipstick) is pretty tedious. BMW E38's use the same ZF transmission, there's tons of info on their forums about ATF and the procedure. XJRs of those years used a MB transmission.

Good luck with your search!

-Nick

 

Dammit. It sold before I could go look at it.