Purchased X308!

[DougX]

Hi All,
Just purchased a 1999 seafrost coloured X308 to go with my 2005 seafrost XK8. It has a few issues such as requiring a new alternator, new headlining, small amount of rust beneath the offside rear window area and a little rust on the offside front wing. I am told underneath is solid. It only has 57,530 miles since new and covered only 20,000 miles since 2005! Haven’t collect vehicle yet as it is a non runner and needs a MOT. Can anyone advise me as to any other know issues I should be looking for?

[Andy P]

Hi DougX,
You don't say if it's 3.2 or 4.0 litre,I take it it's normally aspirated as opposed to being supercharged.
Try and find out if the tensioners have been replaced with the alloy bodied ones,top and bottom along with the guide rails.
Plastic thermostat housing replaced with the alloy one.
Gearbox drain and refill(has it been done).
If it's 4.0 litre it will be the same engine as the XK8 so all the precautions you have hopefully taken with that will apply to the X308.
Other issues might be the front chassis legs and rear A-Frame and other hidden corrosion along the sills.
If you have the Reg No which I would think you should have if you have already bought it,do an MOT history check.
Link Provided.
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ ... 1503085139
Sounds like a good car and IMO well worth saving.
Post some photo's if possible.
Good Luck .
Take Care.
Andy

[DougX]

Thanks Andy for the advice. The car is a 3.2L, not supercharged. Not sure about tensioners but will try and find out if they have been changed. The car has covered only 242 miles since 2010! I believe it has just run to the MOT station and back each year. I will ensure a full service is undertaken before having it MOT’d and will put it on a ramp at work to check the condition underneath. I did check the gov mot website and was shocked to find the mileage over the past 13 years was so low. Not picking it up until the 22nd as I have to arrange car trailer and storage at my garage where I work but for...............£300 I think I have a bargain, don’t you?

[Andy P]

Hi DougX,
Very much so my friend,can't really go wrong at that price,well done .
There's a garage in Paignton which is near me,they have one going for £400,good condition but won't start.
I was very tempted but I don't think "er in doors" would be too impressed .
Haven't really got the space anyway.
Never mind.
Good luck with it,sound good.
Keep us informed with how you get on if you can.
Take care.
Andy

[Orkney]

Hello from sunny Orkney - today anyway!
As has been said, should be worth saving, providing the underneath is sound. Most other stuff can be sorted at a price. There is a good piece on pistonheads by a guy called Jaguar Steve well worth a look and top chain tensioner replacement and gearbox oil change high priorities. A good code reader is also helpful but many of the error messages are caused by a less than perfect battery.
This could be the beginning of a nice article for the magazine, there is very little in the Mag at the moment as these cars bottom out but will hopefully get more of a following in the future. Pics are always welcome!

Regards,
Ian

[DougX]

Thanks Orkney. I will put together an article once the work is finished. I will be documenting every aspect of the project. I have had it on a ramp today and found two big holes either side of the underside by the front wings. I intend to get this sorted. The rest of the underside is solid, but as the car has only undertaken 232 miles since 2010, a lot of the metal could do with a wire brush clean.

[Andy P]

Hi DougX,
Thanks for the update.
Keep them coming if you have time and enjoy.
Good luck.
Andy