www.jec.org.uk

Have been looking for some time for a replacement for my 20 year old X308 - 124,000m in superb nick but time to upgrade.
Would it be an XK or an X350. X350 was more practical and fitted into my budget much better.
Have aquired a beautiful Metalic Blue 2006 4.2 SE having only had 3 (enthusiast owners) only done 64,500m and in like new nick inside and out.
Thrilled doesn't quite describe getting such a superb upgrade. My X308 was a great car for 7 years but this is so much more..
Definitely made the right decision and look forward to many years of pleasurable motoring

Congrats on the new purchase; that's a nice colour. The X350 is a wholly different class of car to the X308 (and the dreaded V8 chain tensioner problems are all sorted). I had a 4 litre 308 for about 9 years (sold it with 165K miles on the clock) but the difference in interior comfort and space makes it poles apart. The ride can be somewhat different in character to the 308 depending on whether the model has sports suspension or not; from the picture it does not look like you have 19 or 20 inch low profile wide wheels, which with sport suspension can give a seriously harsh ride (ask me how I know!) You will have lots of toys to enjoy with the SE spec, and you will benefit from better handling, fuel economy and performance thanks to the aluminium body.

Enjoy!

Back in 2003, the X350 really showed what Jaguar could achieve. State of the art technology many years ahead of its time albeit in a seventh edition of the much loved XJ format.

I`m about to celibrate two years of driving my much loved and rather modified MY04 XJR. Mine is now mostly used on motorways for which this car truely excells. The V8 in any form is a total revelation and any eventual change of car will be a most difficult choice. Almost everything Brian says about the car is absolutely true. Sports suspension models can be a fair bit firmer but adjusting tyre pressures helps the issue a little. Personally I favour that suspension as I do drive the car pretty hard on occasions so this particular set up plus uprated suspension bushings is great for me but perhaps not to all tastes. Each to his own.

Please take a good look at all the material we have collected on running a 350. A trawl through suspension and engine sections will give you a fair idea of how to look after this car. If you have any issues, please post your question and we will be happy to offer our experiences.

Enjoy your new car. I`m sure you will not be disappointed.

Mike K

Aristocat2009,

6 years ago, I also went from a 120k X308 4.0 to a 70k X350 4.2 SE. I ran the car for 5 years putting another 80k on it and sold it a few months ago to a fellow member. Great car, fast, great handling and averaged 30mpg.

As you've realised, the 2 cars are a generation apart. Notwithstanding a similar front end look, they are so different as to bear little comparison.

Look after the car, with plenty of periodic and preventative maintenance and you'll have a great ownership experience.

Good luck

Paul

Here is what Paul and I thought when we put our cars back to back for a shoot-out. viewtopic.php?f=280&t=10897

Then Roger and I did a similar test as here. viewtopic.php?f=280&t=11591

Wonderful cars indeed.

Mike

Aristocat209,

Do remember to book it straight in for a gearbox fluid and filter change!

Good luck

Paul

Lovely car, great colour. fantastic mileage