Wanted. X350R with sport suspension in black or green.

[J44EAG]

Now looking for an X350R in good order.
Prefer black but emerald green an alternative.
Prefer MY 2006 but might consider back to 2004.
Mileage 90k -130k max.
Must have sports spec, heated screen and seats, sat nav and preferably phone hook up.
Panels and paint must be good. Air con and heating must be fully working.
Sunroof would be a bonus.
Happy to consider a car with worn suspension or noisy supercharger or other small minor defects.

PM, mail or phone me if you think you might have a suitable car.

Mike

[barrywi]

Mike the sunroof has a tendency to leak if you can manage without. I think all 350s have heated screen and seats . The sat nav is ok but almost invisible in bright sunlight. The aircon is really cold , so if it is not then walk away.
You say you want sports suspension but I am not sure what the difference would be as the standard CATS suspension adjusts to fast cornering anyway. Maybe different air bags?

[robv12]

not all 350 had heated seats, some didn't even have memory seats!! not all had heated screens, but later, 2006 onwards, XJR was fairly well specced, I like sunroof though, sat nav is outdated and difficult to use imo, I use a Tom Tom, but the touch screen for audio and climate is a great boon, I like it. 200MY cars onwards also had Bluetooth so another bonus

enjoy the search Mike , if I can help with cars my way or close to my travels always happy to have a look see for you

[ManxNeil]

Mine doesn't have heated seats. The only problem I had with the sunroof was a break in the mounting frame. Even when the sunroof panel was sitting slightly askew prior to the frame being replaced it didn't leak.

[J44EAG]

Thanks for the advice, guys. All gems of wisdom eagerly received.

A frustrating time for me at present. Funds held up yet again. Hopefully some wonga available soon. In the meantime some great cars escape my grasp.

The XJR market seems very volatile. Huge variances in pricing on similar cars, year, mileage, history and spec. The same doesn`t appear to be the case for N/A petrol and diesel models where I can judge quite easily what I think the price will be for a particular car, so many miles, such and such a year and so on. The market is awash with late model diesels, some with quite low miles. I`d take a stab at one if only it wasn`t for the issues surrounding the type.

I went through Confused for an insurance quote. Hastings seem to like me. Three alternative grades of policy with more add ons the more you pay. The XJR is Group 47, I`m 57, 9 years NCD, no claims, accidents or impending persecutions, locked car park at night, non business use, 6k miles per year, sole driver, windscreen, legal, NCD protected, £8k value, example MY2004 XJR. £22-28 per month. Just shows what a bit of age and lack of claims history can do to bring premiums down.

I`ve also considered some Super V8 models. Even long wheel base.

I take the view that I should buy either XJR or Super V8 in preference to other derivatives. In years to come when I come to sell the car, I need to be able to pass on the type which people looking for a modern classic will be looking for. Base models will inevitably be not so desirable. The golden rule has always been to buy the top of the range.

Old J44, the V8 S-type is still going well so no real need to rush with a sale. I intend to buy an XJR outright with cash in its own right. What J44 eventually fetches does not influence the purchase of a 350 in any way. Quite what this modified V8 will sell for is anyone's guess. I`ve had one enquiry from an STR owner. He was interested in it for the exhaust alone! Apparently Miltek have now ceased to produce a modified big bore cats back system in recent months so I now know the exhaust has a value!!

So as always, I sit and wait, peruse the web sites and fill in my asking price spread sheet. The great day is eagerly awaited.

Mike

[robv12]

Go on Mike you know you want to!!

[J44EAG]

Yes. Ticks all the boxes. Probably outside my price bracket but as you are a mate, there would probably be a sizeable discount available to me.

As said, funds are not yet to hand. Probate sucks! This week, then next week, then at least another month, etc, etc.

Mike

[J44EAG]

As you may have seen in my resent posts about the importance of HPI type checking for vehicle status, I had a close escape just before going to see what appeared to be a suitable car. That particular car had been marked as Cat D six months after being registered late in 2003. Enough already said about that fiasco.

Come early hours last Wednesday, I located another prospective car, this time in Rochdale. This one checked out OK with no hidden history. Made April 2004, 77K miles, ten Main Dealer stamps, seemingly as bright as a new pin and available for £8950. I suggested £8300 on the phone and two minutes later a figure of £8500 was agreed subject to the car being as good in the flesh as it was shown to be on the advertisement.

Early Friday morning saw my great pal, Dave Rex and I on the road to Rochdale. The 255 miles covered in just over four hours. A nasty non stop trip above Birmingham with the M6 and M62 a total nightmare. We found this absolute belter of an XJR, very similar in appearance to the one I once saw David Marks driving. After a look around and a quick drive around the block, the decision was made. "First to see will buy" really did apply. So I bought it!

The only apparent fault appears to be one rim centre cap missing. Not a problem. A faultless run home and a day to be remembered for a long time. All I have to do now is get my own plates on the car and return V8UPU back to the seller. Decent of him to be so trusting. A few pics here.

A beautify presented car that is a joy to drive.

Mike