Hi there,
I've just bought a 2004 XJR, hence joining the club and this forum.
I'll be putting the car in for a service shortly.
Any issues I should raise with the garage or look out for?
Thanks!
New member - XJR
Re: New member - XJR
What sort of "garage" are you going to take it to for the service? Basic oil and filter change may be OK but they can tend to use cheap oil and filters. If you can find one that will allow you to supply the oil (Castrol 5-30) and a Jaguar filter and just charge the labour that would be better. If you are new to the X350 model this range of cars have many specialised systems which may not be understood by a bog-standard garage. I don't recommend a main dealer now as from personal experience they have not wanted to know about the older models once they get past 10 years old. If you can, find an independent Jaguar specialist to do the work.
One important item to investigate in your car's history is the gearbox transmission fluid and filter change: ideally this should be done every 60,000 miles, so if there is nothing in the service record to say when it was last done then assume it needs to be done anyway. Note that the transmission on these cars requires a specific fluid from ZF transmission called Lifeguard - NOT the usual ATF, and must be filled at a specific temperature, so another reason not to use just any old garage.
One potential problem area with the supercharged models is the 'valley hose' which passes under the supercharger. As you car is an early one it would be a good idea to get all the hoses carefully inspected for condition. The valley hose is not possible to check properly without removing the supercharger (not a trivial job!!), but the condition of the rest may give you an idea of any problems that may be looming under there, but not guaranteed.
One important item to investigate in your car's history is the gearbox transmission fluid and filter change: ideally this should be done every 60,000 miles, so if there is nothing in the service record to say when it was last done then assume it needs to be done anyway. Note that the transmission on these cars requires a specific fluid from ZF transmission called Lifeguard - NOT the usual ATF, and must be filled at a specific temperature, so another reason not to use just any old garage.
One potential problem area with the supercharged models is the 'valley hose' which passes under the supercharger. As you car is an early one it would be a good idea to get all the hoses carefully inspected for condition. The valley hose is not possible to check properly without removing the supercharger (not a trivial job!!), but the condition of the rest may give you an idea of any problems that may be looming under there, but not guaranteed.
Brian
2006 X350 3.5 V8 Sport Premium in Midnight / Ivory
1969 Triumph Daytona rider
Previous XJs:
X350 2.7 TDVi in Westminster Blue / Barley
X308 4.0 V8 in Meteorite / Warm Charcoal
X300 3.2 in Spruce / Barley
XJ40 3.2 Sport in Gunmetal / Saville Grey
2006 X350 3.5 V8 Sport Premium in Midnight / Ivory
1969 Triumph Daytona rider
Previous XJs:
X350 2.7 TDVi in Westminster Blue / Barley
X308 4.0 V8 in Meteorite / Warm Charcoal
X300 3.2 in Spruce / Barley
XJ40 3.2 Sport in Gunmetal / Saville Grey
Re: New member - XJR
scottus828,
Congrats on the purchase of the car! A well-sorted x350 is a great car.
I'd echo Brian's recommendation about the gearbox oil change. In fact, I'd go further and say that unless you know it's been done in the last 2 years, you should do it anyway. I ran an x350 from 60,000 to 155,000 and changed the autobox fluid every 20k miles. If I ran one now, I'd change it every year. Fluid is cheap, gearboxes are expensive!
Unless you absolutely know the recent history, I would get every fluid changed now - engine oil, gearbox, rear diff, coolant, brake fluid and supercharger oil (that one will be dirty and smelly!). Then you'll know that you're starting from a good base.
I'd also be checking all the suspension arm bushes. They are prone to wearing out and will spoil the ride if they are worn.
As mentioned, they are great cars when they run well, capable of delivering huge mileages, quickly and in comfort with great fuel consumption for such a big, quick car. You're going to love it!
Paul
Congrats on the purchase of the car! A well-sorted x350 is a great car.
I'd echo Brian's recommendation about the gearbox oil change. In fact, I'd go further and say that unless you know it's been done in the last 2 years, you should do it anyway. I ran an x350 from 60,000 to 155,000 and changed the autobox fluid every 20k miles. If I ran one now, I'd change it every year. Fluid is cheap, gearboxes are expensive!
Unless you absolutely know the recent history, I would get every fluid changed now - engine oil, gearbox, rear diff, coolant, brake fluid and supercharger oil (that one will be dirty and smelly!). Then you'll know that you're starting from a good base.
I'd also be checking all the suspension arm bushes. They are prone to wearing out and will spoil the ride if they are worn.
As mentioned, they are great cars when they run well, capable of delivering huge mileages, quickly and in comfort with great fuel consumption for such a big, quick car. You're going to love it!
Paul
1995 XJS 4.0 Convertible
1980 XJ-S Pre-HE
Jaguar 4.2 Supercharged engine (but not with a Jaguar body..)
1980 XJ-S Pre-HE
Jaguar 4.2 Supercharged engine (but not with a Jaguar body..)
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scottus828
- Posts:6
- Joined:Wed Jun 28, 2023 5:19 pm
Re: New member - XJR
Brian, Paul,
Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
It's been very helpful.
My brother has an XKR so I'll be using the specialist he relies on.
My intent is to ask the mechanic to go through the car front to back, but I'll add your points to his to do list!
Scott
Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
It's been very helpful.
My brother has an XKR so I'll be using the specialist he relies on.
My intent is to ask the mechanic to go through the car front to back, but I'll add your points to his to do list!
Scott
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3.8etypephil
- Posts:238
- Joined:Fri Jul 14, 2017 5:23 pm
- Location:Watton & Budapest.
- Contact:
Re: New member - XJR
Welcome.
Good choice; they go like the clappers, and not much goes wrong.
Good choice; they go like the clappers, and not much goes wrong.
Phil
2013 XFR
2008 XJR
2013 XFR
2008 XJR
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keithc_1886
- Posts:11
- Joined:Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:43 pm
Re: New member - XJR
Hi scottus, welcome to the forum. I am sure that you, like me, will find the wealth of information and knowledge on this forum is second to none. I could not have tackled half of the work I have without the support of the members, they don't even know about it !!!!
The cars are brilliant. I've had mine for a year and a half and am working my way through the car bringing it up to date service wise. I don't think its been neglected but can't verify it. I paid to have the gearbox oil flushed, expensive but money well spent, gear changes are now seamless. Engine oil & filter changes aren't difficult but massively important. Just done the back suspension bushes, not easy but rewarding and the magic carpet ride is wonderful.
Loads of little electrical niggles sorted as they arise, they will.
Be mindful that it's 18 yrs old and it's a supercar that can be run on a budget. Enjoy the car, that's what you got it for
The cars are brilliant. I've had mine for a year and a half and am working my way through the car bringing it up to date service wise. I don't think its been neglected but can't verify it. I paid to have the gearbox oil flushed, expensive but money well spent, gear changes are now seamless. Engine oil & filter changes aren't difficult but massively important. Just done the back suspension bushes, not easy but rewarding and the magic carpet ride is wonderful.
Loads of little electrical niggles sorted as they arise, they will.
Be mindful that it's 18 yrs old and it's a supercar that can be run on a budget. Enjoy the car, that's what you got it for
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