First Jaguar - 1999 X308

[Grey0610]

Hi everyone - as the title suggests I've just bough my first Jaguar, 1999 X308 XJ8. I believe this is a 2000MY from the VIN which ends Fxxxxxx and therefore I assume the later A27 engine, which is nice. Question: is it possible to get the original specification for the car from somewhere as I'm interested to know what (if any) factory options were fitted? The car has wood steering wheel and 17" Celtic alloys for example and would like to know if these were factory options or after market.

Thanks in advance...

[XJ_Driver]

Hi Grey0610,

Welcome to X308 ownership! Which model do you have there?

Kind regards,
John.

[Grey0610]

Hi John - it’s just the 3.2 Executive, in Seafrost. Any thoughts on getting hold of original spec? I got a sheet on interpreting the VIN in terms of model, build location etc. but looking for factory fitted options etc?

[XJ_Driver]

You could try searching for an XJ8 brochure for the appropriate year, which should provide detail of the Executive spec, plus available factory options. ebay is probably a good source for this.

Cheers,
John.

[davidr]

I would suggest contacting Jaguar Heritage and getting a Heritage Certificate. Thus will give you many of the details you are looking for such as build date, specification, engine number etc etc. If you talk to the guys there they may have access to the original build sheet.

[richardt@richardsel.plus.com]

Hi Grey, and welcome...

I've had three XJ8 -- two 3.2L (Sport & Exec) and a 4L LWB with all the toys.
Despite having to spend a little to get them the way I wanted, was very satisfied with all three

You can get original spec as sold from your car's details that's held on file at the original selling dealership listed first page of service book. If you mention your membership of JEC then they're more than likely to send you out a print. One of the three dealers of my cars though took issue with my request citing (using) the Data Protection Act to say that the info contained the original buyer's details so couldn't be given out. Eventually they agreed with suitable application of a felt tip marker It's called the DDW (Direct Dealer Warranty, I don't know why)

You've taken a risk getting a '99MY. So long as it wasn't used for any length of time in an area of the UK still selling sulpher petrol (phased out in 2000) that aspect should'nt have affected your Nikisil cylinder-lined engine.

Heritage Certificates (last I bought was for a Mk IX some three years ago) cost £40 each

[Grey0610]

Thanks for the replies, welcomes and advice. I emailed jagcrc@jaguarlandrover.com to see if they could help and received a rapid response with a summary specification list, including options such as sports suspension, Celtic alloys, CD autochanger and front cup holder, which was just what I was looking for. I may still try contacting supplying dealer (Mead of Bolton or their modern equivalent - Farnell?) but given the car is ~20yrs old and the issues of data protection etc. I don't hold out much hope.

[richardt@richardsel.plus.com]

Didn't realise jagcrc@jaguarlandrover.com were doing details' print outs for us. Thanks for the info

Good stuff --they now obviously realise (and to be fair VAG were coming round to this belief too before all their faffing about on emissions' cheating) that older marques seen on the road looked after by enthusiasts are a free advert for them. My two dealers were almost (with the exception of concerns over Data Protection Act) by return.

Post a pic Good luck!