New Guy (To XJ8s!)

[ptjs1]

Hi Guys,

No, I haven't defected completely from the XJS Forum - I just happen to have now bought an XJ8 as well!

With the hugely depressed prices for big cars, I decided about 10 weeks ago that I needed to buy another car, preferably an XJ8. This was because I'd just started a 3-month piece of work in Leicester. So I was travelling up from Kent on a Monday, returning on Fridays. Week 2 and I had an accident on the M1 in my Rnage Rover meaning that I needed to press my XJS into service. I decided it would actually be more cost-effective to buy a cheap XJ8 than pile the miles on my beloved XJS. I've looked at lots of cars and on Monday, I finally bought one. It's just a shame that my work in Leicester finished last week!

So what have I bought? Well, it's a late 97 4 litre Sovereign LWB. It has an interesting colour scheme - British Racing Green with Catkin interior and green top roll, carpets and steering wheel. No-one I've spoken to has seen this colour combination before. It looks in really good condition, it has good provenance, 2 owners from new. First owner had it until 2006 and it was serviced from new at supplying dealer in Inverness. Sold to second owner with 65k on clock. It now has 102,000 but most importantly to me had all chains and tensioners replaced in May of this year, although the guy selling it didn't realise this!

And what did I pay for this car which went through it's MOT on Monday? £2200!! Which at the moment (touch wood) seems a great deal of car for the money. It just goes to show what value XJ8s are at present and how the arse has fallen out of the big car market. I looked at lots of cars in the 2k - 3.5k bracket and this was easily the best for the money. I immediately changed the engine oil and filter yesterday and have done 250 miles today with a smile on my face! Gearbox oil and filter is being changed next week. I've also got what feels like a slight pulsing on the front brakes when braking gently, but I'll look at that next week also.

Yes, I'm sure there might be problems ahead (see my post in General) but right at the moment, I'm having fun!

I suspect my contribution on this Forum will be more about asking for advice on my problems rather than trying to give advice on the XJS Forum so please cut me some slack, lads!

Paul Sinnott

PS Huge thanks to Rob Jenner who has been my mentor for the last 3 months on buying an XJ8!!

[joejag308]

Paul welcome to the 308 fold,but be careful the XJS doesnt become a statue in the garage. The 308 will definitley grow on you and make any other cars seem rather slow in comparison.
We in here have recently had long periods of inactivity no one posting anything at all......we put that down to the vehicle itself, being a top rate vehicle, it cant be members of the 308 mob having no input, surely all this time without having any niggles or faults ect doesnt happen in other forums..........Joe

[daveji]

Hello Paul
Welcome to the "four door fraternity"
Please take a moment or two to put your XJ8 details in our register with a photo or two if you can.
The colour scheme is indeed unusual and it would be good to have its detailed spec on record.
I look forward to seeing your car sometime.
David

[malclamour]

Bought my first XJ8 Jaguar Sovereign on 17 December. Traded in a XJ6 3.2(bought in August for
£ 1500) and paid £ 900 cash as well...The XJ6 was a 1995 model and XJ8 was first registered in 1998..Have been reading as much as possible on the JEC website. So far have had a winter check, changed engine oil and filter also changed Brake fluid. First shock was engine cut out on busy main road, message read "Engine stalled"....Phoned AA in panic..waited 5 minutes, turned key, small cloud of smoke and everything was normal again, cancelled AA call out. This happened on Christmas eve, so will have a Diagnostic check done after the holiday...With 78,000 on the clock I suppose I should think about the dreaded tensioners which I am now aware of through this website. I would be grateful for any advice members can offer a novice.... Malcolm

[andypryce]

I ran an XJ8 for 3 years and it was the most reliable Jag I had owned, never letting me down at all.
Only 2 issues to watch for: Those plastic timing chain tensioners which can snap and wreck your engine ( sometimes a sign of wear is a rattle on starting, apparently) and the Nikasil issue, which is covered elsewhere. Otherwise I think they are pretty trouble free and great to drive, enjoy!

andyp.