Advise on buying an XJ6/8

[cotoole]

Hi my name is Chris O'Toole
I recently joined JEC and am base in Galway Ireland.
I have a 05 X Type 2.0d but want to but an Xj or S Type of older age.

I am currently looking at a 97 XJ6, a 97 XJ8 and a 99 XJ8 all for about 4K with average 80K miles.

I am also looking at a 99 S Type

As this is my first venture into the older car area, can anyone tell me if a car of this age and milage will mean loads of expensive bills, whether to expect loads of problems with bodywork of this age and likewise for the engine.

Would there be any club member I could ring to discuss same.

Many Thank Chris

[Straight6DOHC]

I'm an owner of an XJR6 (X300). I bought it because I felt I'd have a better chance of maintaining it myself - over an XJ8 (X308). However, you have a decent budget.
First thing to do is try an XJ then try an S type because they are both quite different. i'd say you need to experience both before you decide to pic the avenue you wish to follow. As you've posted on the XJ forum, I could give you advice on that.
The XJ is Jaguar's flagship model. It stands above the S type. Many of the rust issues (which really are not a lot) the earlier XJ6(X300 1994-1997) have been adressed by the XJ8(X308 1998?-200X) rear wheelarches spring to mind. But then you have to offset that with chain tensioners and Nikasil issues on earlier XJ8. You'll need to do a search on those issues as I'm not too up on my XJ8.
As you mentioned the XJ6, it is often regarded as having the most bullet/bomb proof/best engine Jaguar made - that might cut down on 'expensive' bills and leave some left over for less expensive bills. £4000 is a lot of money for an X300 and you could even get a very, very good XJR6 for that and have some left overs for....fuel and.....hmmm, not much to go wrong with an X300.
But I'm biased. Await further advice from the S - type people and the XJ8 people.
Good luck, Chris. Keep us posted and try all cars - X300 X308 and S - type.

[cotoole]

Many Thanks Straight6.

From looking at adds in the For Sale section of the club magazine I thought €4000 was not that much to spend as anyone with under 80K miles seem to be aboy 3-4K sterling.

Have you had any problems with rust on your car? Is it best to get a car with unser 100k miles?

Would it be possible to give you or any of the other XJ owners a call some time to discuss my queries this in more detail?

My email is chris.otoole@hotmail.com

Many Thanks again for your advice, Chris

[robv12]

chris, you have a pm, Rob

[DavidEm]

Hi Chris,

Did you find a suitable XJ6? I have a 1995 3.2 that's covered 150,700 miles to date and still going strong. So, don't worry about high mileage