Sanity check please

[mike123]

Probably rather a strange topic but I do around 18k miles per year usually in longish runs say 150-300 miles stay a couple of nights and then drive back. Probably about 2 or 3 times per month. I do consultancy work and there isn't much about locally.
For the past 4 years I've used S types a diesel and now an STR, but in my spare time I've worked up a 1990 MX5 which is my winter / snow car, the 2.7D wasn't bad but I didn't fancy the STR in iffy conditions.

I had a thought that an XJ 40 or X300 might be an interesting alternative to another modern Jag and get away from lots of depreciation; although I would be prepared to spend the money on parts and maybe even enjoy fitting them.
I'd also thought about an lpg conversion but I've just read the comments on the BB.

What does anyone think, would a late XJ40 or X300, well maintained, be up to this kind of work ? Does anyone else use them like this ?

Thanks Mike

[robv12]

Mike, my opinion and thoughts are these , all though they will not count for much!!

LPG I would avoid, from experience I have never seen a good install on a 40 or 300 and in some cases they were frankly dangerous, I know others will disagree with me here

However as a long hauler the 300 is difficult to beat, better built than a 40, and a nicer drive imo, I regularly do huge mileages in my 40,s and 300's with a 300 R being the cream of the crop, for everyday work look at a 4.0 slightly quicker, about the same on fuel if you are carefull, some talk of nearly 30 mog, realisticly budget for 25/27 on a long run at sensible miles per hour

Spec wise the Sport is the nicer ride imo, but can be sparse on toys, so look for a well specced car when it was new, Sovs and Daimler have nice spec, but are a little soft for me, LWB cars are good if you want extra room in the back

V12 these days is a bit of a fright on fuel for every day use, look at sub 20 mpg here, expensive when they go wrong too

XJR is great but again watch the fuel figures i see just 20 on mine

4.0 and 3.2 engines and boxes are unburstable 250K miles is common now

body wise look for rusty rear wheel arches on all cars, expensive to repair correctly, bulkheads are starting to go on these now, front shocker absorber top mounts are another area to check, later cars 96/97 seem to suffer with sill to floor join rust as well, check in here well from underneath, it is double skinned and not seen from above, have seen solid cars have to have two feet of new metal let in

check all the toys work, top spec cars have a lot to check

so in summary, I would look for a 4.0 Sport with some spec, or a 4.0 Sov or Daimler.LWB if you prefer, I reckon £3K will buy you the best 1997 cars there is if you pick the right car

[DEREK1951]

I suppose it all depends on what you want from the car , i regard my xj40 Daimler as a special occasion car , i take it to shows , holidays and visiting friends and family , i generally pamper it but it would swallow up three hundred mile journeys without even breaking into a sweat .
The x300 is no doubt a very accomplished mile muncher as Rob has said , but for me [and many others] it's just a very reliable modern type car , some will say quite rightly in my opinion that the interior isn't up to the standard of the forty .
One look at the quality of the interior of a xj40 Daimler such as the green one for sale [as pictured in my Beaulieu post] would surely prove my point , then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder i suppose .
As you can imagine i am biased but at the prices that even the best xj40's are achieving they are incredible value for money and will not break you wallet either in servicing or depreciation , go for a '93/'94 model as these are the most reliable years .

The one thing i like most about mine is the way i feel after a long journey , i don't feel exhausted but almost as fresh as when i started out ,

Derek..

[mike123]

Rob, Derek.
Thanks for all the comments, seems like my initial thoughts were not too far off the mark. I hope to come to the XJ40 seminar, posted the booking form yesterday, so I'm sure I will have a chance to build up my knowledge. I couldn't make the X300 event due to family commitments but I expect there will be a lot of common ground.
Anyway lots to think about and plenty of time, don't intend to change the STR for at least 12 months - unless of course a rush of blood occurs!
Thanks again. Mike