Hello friends.
As I wrote in my Intro I am currently considering to get a Jag as a daily driver.
I have 2 options and I do love both for different reasons.
The first option is a XJ40 4.0 liters from 1993 in stunning conditions (leather looks brand new), fully certified 100% original by Italian Historic Car Association, 1 owner only, original paint, and 40k miles on odometer. Always kept in closed garage and driven in dry weather mostly. Price about 14K US $.
The second option is a XJR X306 from 1996, British Racing Green, 1 owner only, original paint, 61k miles on odometer, beautiful interior. Price about 18,5k US $.

I probably like more the XJ40 body shape (even if it has been a bit controversial when launched back in the days) and on the other hand I love the XJR allure and the extra power coming from the turbocharged engine.
The price difference might not be the point that will drive my choice to one or other.

I would go for the one that offer stronger reliability and better daily drive experience . I am new to old Jags that's why I need your advices.
I read that one of the major issue in old Jags are related to Lucas electric system so I would probably stay away from something that is more prone to faults. I don't know if the XJ40 is equipped with old Lucas stuff or with better components.
Seems also, according to what I found reading hundreds of pages, that the X300 series was more reliable because it was a project done when Jags became 100% Ford owned while the XJ40 was and "intermediate" model.
I know that Ford doesn't always mean 100% reliability: I am aware about the engine troubles affecting the earlier production of the X308 series (realted to parts made of Nikasil) as well about the weak tensioners made of plastic.

One additional criteria in my choice is that I would also probably go for the model that can keep value a bit higher in term of youngtimer car.

Sorry for the long post (I will post the same in X300 section) and my apologize if my English is not as perfect as I wish to be.
I will wait for your comments and thank you in advance for your precious help.

Cheers from Italy
L.

 

I forgot one more info. I am not into DIY mechanical maintenance so I should rely on local Jag service point.
I am good to work on body and interior (washing, cleaning, polishing, waxing and detailing) but I can't trust myself to repair anything that is under the body LOL.

 

Both cars are about 30 years old and they can both fail at any time. If you are not able to fix anything by yourself, you will most likely spend a lot of money for having it maintained/repaired. Both cars have very low mileage for their age, I assume they have rarely been driven the last few years, maybe even have been sitting for years without any maintenance? So there is a higher risk for higher bills ;-).

I don't know from which region of italy you come, but if you have winters there with salt on the roads I would highly discourage you from using it daily, especially in the winter. The bodywork will suffer soon and the car will decrease in value faster.

The XJ40 in my opinion is still underrated and will probably never keep up with X300/308. Anyway it's my favourite, too.

 

Lukas
The XJ40 and X300 are both highly desirable cars. I have owned both types and still have a 1996 X300.
However, for you with a self-admitted low capability in the mechanical sphere I believe you are heading in the wrong direction by proposing to use one of these cars as a daily driver.
The cars you mentioned are both 30 years old and cars of this age are liable to fail for the most bewildering reasons as they have approached the "end of useable life".
My latest on an X300 was for the oil pressure sender to fail and dump the contents of the sump on the road. It was pure luck that I pulled up for a toilet stop and saw the leak before the engine could seize.
All of the rubber and plastic components have decayed, and you can expect to spend a fortune trying to fix everything.
By all means buy one of the cars you are looking at BUT do not use it as a daily driver. They are great for recreation on weekends etc. but not for the daily struggle.
I have a 4-cylinder Mitsubishi Colt and a 6-cylinder Ford Falcon utility as daily drivers.
My collection of old Jags is reserved for weekends