A black XJR just arrived at S-type Forum Headquarters

[J44EAG]

I got one!

87k miles, CATS, gas beige leather.

A bit tired in places but worth a punt. Drives nicely now I`ve cleaned the throttle body of minor crud.

One rear lower damper bush, noisy supercharger and a hole in the nearside chassis leg. A few scratches on body work and drivers seat tatty.

MOT mid August needed so I`ll have to get on with it.

J44EAG S-type up for sale.

Sorry no pics presently. Having a spot of frustrating photo file management.

Mike

[J44EAG]

To be expected with a secondhand car......It gets worse before it gets better.

Rot found in floor pan forward of drivers heals on the 45 degree turn upwards towards the bulkhead. Also front end of near side inner sill, reinforcement plate between the two lower wishbone fulcrum and a small amount to the front of the off side upper suspension turret. Then there is the stuff I haven`t found yet.

Looks like I`m off to Jagcare in Portsmouth again this week. Here we go again.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=5 ... &safe=1&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=5 ... &safe=1&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=5 ... &safe=1&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=5 ... &safe=1&zw

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=5 ... &safe=1&zw



Mike

[robv12]

mmm, usual stuff, been there with 308's, big bills on their way Mike,

[J44EAG]

Thanks for the encouragement. Lend us a wad, Mate.

Mike

[robv12]

cant, retired, poor now, sell me the car!!

[J44EAG]

You are NOT having it. Far too good for you.

This car has class and heritage and its one that is unique. Silver timber work and steering wheel. Heated seats and screen...........but, yes it has a few holes in the bottom. Send oxy cylinders and an old washing machine for metal Good stuff washing machine metalwork.

Very different drive to J44 which is full on and makes a hell of a racket. This R has the around town suspension comfort and after a somewhat slow start, picks up like the wind. I love the supercharger whine. I must be getting old because I`m finding the exhaust racket wearing on J44 and had begun to crave a quieter drive again.

I`ll beat this R into submission. I feel like the Prime Minister............or perhaps more appropriately, Arfer Daly.

Go on. Laugh yer socks off. Hurl the insults and old retired sod bricks. I can take it.

Oh, and another thing. You can`t have J44 either. I`ts so lairy it would shorten your retirement.

M

[J44EAG]

Now i need an A frame. That is as rotten as a peach.

How on earth did this car get an MOT 5k miles ago. Reckon someone had been talking sweetly to the MOT man last year.......This degree of rot takes longer than a year to precipitate. (For Mr J`s benefit, than means "occur" or "happen")

Yes, this car has become something of a disappointment. It looks so good topsides. Great wheels, colour, gas, sun dim glass. loads of toys, full Neville timing kit fitted etc. Fortunately a fairly bottom line payed for the car. The old owner says he shelled out £2400 for the gas kit which I suppose was my prime reason for buying the car.

All will come well eventually even if I go bust in the process.

Could be worse. Went down to a Portsmouth Region member this morning to service his boat engine. Breathing heavily through the rocker covers, clicking and clanking, sump full of water. £2300 of a long block 4.3 V6 OMC/Mercruiser engine. That spoilt the poor fellows day.

Mike

[joejag308]

The front suspension rusting (MOT failure) area its the spot welds that go, remedy is clean it up back to metal then do a full no break weld job on the scar .......then blurb it with underseal.....job done

[joejag308]

Its hard to imagine Lord Kennedy of Portsmouth having to wait all these years to find his complete car, it will do all the EAG did, ..........maybe he will realise what quality i have with my superb Daimler Super V8........good contact for spares though is Eurojags in Darlington top quality bits.....good overnight service too

[Gary220262]

Cant believe youve bought a 308 Mike you didnt look 75 when i met you !. incontinence pants next i suppose eh . Gary

[ecosselynx]

Hi

I thought it was admiral K not lord K have I missed a promotion! Perhaps I should have checked the June listings .

[J44EAG]

Pipe down you lot!

The rot at the front appears to be quite extensive. My fault for not getting down and under before buying. Hands and knees are no longer my specialty, so I blame myself for buying a car which looks good topsides but has problems underside.

Over to Jagcare for a good look around tomorrow. It is not going to be much fun.

Fell in the hole didn`t I?

Mike

[ecosselynx]

Hi Mike

Hope its not as bad as you fear and tomorrow brings better news for you.

[J44EAG]

The corrosion damage is horrific.

The worst Jagcare has seen. To repair even with me doing the donkey work, has been priced at £1200 including a recon A frame. I`ve been caught good and proper this time.

There is no way that this rampant rot could not have been noticed at MOT time last August. My reaction is to contact VOSA. The MOT station should in my opinion have their licence to inspect revoked. How many other cars have they let through without proper inspection?

This car is in a downright lethal condition. The A frame is literally crumbling. I drove this car home at little more than 20mph for fear of suspension collapse.

Would appreciate any helpful suggestions.

Not happy at all.

Mike

[ptjs1]

Mike,

Really sorry to hear about the problem. Sadly, I expect that VOSA will not be that interested because it's 11 months since last MOT.

As regards what you should do, I would politely suggest that spending £1200 + your time, you'll not recoup your total expenditure. A better approach with x308s is to maximise the money by breaking it. You have a S/C engine, gearbox, lpg kit, sports seats, dash and instruments to start. Strip all other items from interior and engine bay, take off the calipers, door mirrors etc and weigh in the bare rolling shell via collection. If they can collect via a grab truck, you can also take off the wheels and hubs. Gives you at least 100 items to ebay. I think it's the best way to max your money.

Good luck mate

Paul