XJR - XJ40, X-300, X-308, X-350???

[Evna]

I am currently pondering the possibilty of buying an XJR... something without inter-galactic miles preferably, but on viewing the many available I have found myself pondering which model to go for, having found many stunning examples from non supercharged XJ40 XJR models through the 6 cylinder supercharged, V8 4.0 litre and the 4.2litre XJR's some of decent price and value and others I feel somewhat expensive for their miles. Was hoping to try and find an XJR 100 but not a single one to be found (unless someone knows different).
I wonder if any members have any views on which to go for and their reasons for taking that view... pointers on what to check for when viewing the vehicle or checking history etc will be appreciated... or of course should I just go for an XKR instead??
Thanks in advance.

[ChrisDixon]

It really depends on how much you want to spend and how you will use the car. Any model could be considered a bargain if you buy right, but if you have £10K to spend a high mileage x350 has to be worth looking at. There is an excellent comparison of the X300. X308 and X350 XJRs in the May 2008 Jaguar World Monthy. You may be able to get a copy from here:
http://www.jaguar-world.com/cgi-bin/purchase.cgi?s=bi
Regards, Chris.

[Evna]

Many thanks for that Chris, I will indeed get a copy of that issue of the Mag.

Price is not such an issue as rather than it earning nothing in the Building Society at present I'd rather enjoy it... My only constraint has always been that I have never spent more than 10k on a car as I just don't think they warrant it... Have owned new cars back 25years etc and honestly never found anything special about it to recommend it, so since the late 80's have always opted for classics or nearly new 12mths to 3yrs old. So around 10k is likely and for something extra special I might stretch to 12k ish!

I have to say that the X-350 I found a little disappointing in the looks department compared to the 300 and 308, I think it looks a little 'portly' in comparison... I think the redesign of the front last year made it look more aggressive but those are well out of the price range at present. I also have to say that I am not looking to purchase anything with over 100,000 miles and hope to get something with around 50 - 75,000 if possible

Missed a 2002 308 last week which ticked all the boxes and seemed ideal... but then they always do when you've missed them!!

Thanks again
Ian

[robv12]

ah what a dilema

I'm gonna chuck in my two penny worth here and be prepared to be shot at!!!

out of all the XJR's the best drivers car is a 300 MANUAL, fact!!, I've had four now, all high mileage, all great cars to drive, BUT the downside is you WILL lose your licence, they just beg to be driven fast

300 autos, well built, go on forever, and 1200 quid gets you in one now, loads about, buy a late one with good spec and colour, sub 3K should do it

for rarity go for a late battery in boot 93/94 XJ40, not the quickest there is but available in auto and a few manuals as well, and not that expensive

I would avoid the early XJ40 XJR's unless you can find a really good one

XJRV8's get a good one and it;s a rewarding car, get a bad one and you'll suffer the 'throwing money into a pit' syndrome. I was lucky I had a 98 Nikasil car with 120k on it and it was a peach, BRG and Ivory, look at the later 01 and 02 cars, price wise now a 97R will start at 3K, and go all the way up to about 7K for an 02 plate

of course you could think about a Daimler Super V8, all the luxury and space of a LWB Daimler with XJR performance, hard to find

X350 R's are probably the most underated car there is, I have a 3.0V6 350 at the moment 110K and it's like new , the best car I have ever driven, but it lacks soul, unlike my manual 300R, having just been reaquainted with a 350R I would seriously consider one now, especially when I tell you a friend bought a 52 plate, black and black, 98K miles with one owner for way under 9k

hope this helps

[Evna]

Thanks for the replies thus far... have also had a great email from David Marks with his thoughts...

I have looked at few XJR's up to now... some with intergalactic miles but most still worthy of love and care.

One thing that narks me more than anything however is how traders and dealers try to give cars with a less than adequate service records the title of 'Full Service History'...

One very recent example was an XJR100 I viewed in Nottingham... 2001 Model with 50000 miles, and 2 Owners... which had apparently been part exchanged by owner 2 against a new Bentley (which the trader felt made the guy someone who lavished love and money on his cars?) He wouldn't let me test drive it but drove me about a mile down the road and back and it seemd to drive fine. The Trader had advertised it as having Full Service History. The car had the usual handbooks a current MOT and the Sat Nav Disk but no other paperwork or supporting provenance... the service book had 5 service stamps (one being pre-delivery inspection) and as it had done 50000 he figured a service for every 10000mls...was full enough to give it a £12,000 asking price. On discussion he wouldn't accept that whilst it was a service history of sorts... it certainly wasn't a 'Full' service history... he wouldn't accept that Servicing is every 10000miles or yearly whichever occurs first... needless to say even though the car was nice and apparently rarer than hens teeth... I decided to pass on it and thus the search continues