In a little while I'm doing a drive and drive for a 2004 Jaguar XJ8. Got a good deal on it. Green with tan interior. First time I ever purchased a vehicle via a video chat. A brand new experience for me, buying, and bargaining, without being hands on. Weird. I'll post more when I get it home. Hopefully it won't be a "build thread", but more of an "improvement/finishing thread".
Hey, good luck with that. Looking forward to updates!
In reply to Feedyurhed :
I hope you asked if the timing chain tensionor has been upgraded or you'll have to do it. If it's original go on the Jaguar Forums to find out the consequences of not doing it.
Jag ownership is a love hate thing. If I remember the early cars had block issues. Then there were the transmissions. I think the got the early versions of the ZF and they were less than reliable but this was because of them being advertised as never needing to be serviced. However if you actually read the dealer service manual the no service protocol was immediately followed by a sever duty service requirement of 40k. So what was severe duty? It was defined by stop and go traffic. Dusty conditions. Ya basically normal driving conditions. I really think it was a ploy on Jaguars marketing department to get owners in to a new jag when the trans failed at 80-100k miles.
Awesome, that color combination looks great. Good luck with picking it up.
I'm pretty sure a 2004 will have the 4.2L engine which will have the metal timing chain tensioners, there's no need to replace them. It also has a 6 speed ZF instead of the problematic 5 speed from the earlier V8 cars, but I don't know if it is more reliable or not.
Picked up the car yesterday. Some start. Woke up to snow flying in the am. While en route the seller calls me and my son, that a wrench fell on the windshield, cracking it. Aww E36M3. Well, halfway there, more bargaining involved. Turns out the car is still very nice. after going over it, we had the the car for $1000 less. Plus, the seller ended up driving it about an hour and a half closer to us. Met us at his Parents house. Overall I'm very happy with it. Air suspension is good, and he had service records up to date. 
No gas station pictures, so a gas can will have to do.
In reply to frenchyd :
It's the 4.2l motor.
In reply to Schmidlap :
Thank you. It is pretty sweet. It is the 4.2, and here's to hoping for few promblems.
Well...First project is a new hood release cable. The cable separated itself from the release handle, and the cable feels tight. Cleaned and lubed the latches. It also needs tires, starting to crack and dated from 2011. Overall driving impressions are good. Smooth acceleration, which is deceptively fast. Comfortable ride, handles well, feels tight, and so far, all the electronics are working. This Brit is a far cry from the only other British vehicle I owned, a 1960 MGA, many years ago. Next up, is basic maintenance.
Awesome! That's the first year of the all aluminum body, I think.
In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :
Yes sir, and thank you. You have a pretty sweet ride yourself. So far, pleased with what I got.
Welcome to the Jaguar club. It will be great to get updates on post Lyons cars. I know so very little about them.
frenchyd said:In reply to Feedyurhed :
I hope you asked if the timing chain tensionor has been upgraded or you'll have to do it. If it's original go on the Jaguar Forums to find out the consequences of not doing it.
These cars are unaffected by that.
yupididit said:frenchyd said:In reply to Feedyurhed :
I hope you asked if the timing chain tensionor has been upgraded or you'll have to do it. If it's original go on the Jaguar Forums to find out the consequences of not doing it.
These cars are unaffected by that.
That's the main reason for 02ish on up, as a buying choice. Opted for the 04 because after sitting in the previous model X308, the X350 models are roomier. Was looking for the XJR, but I got a good deal on this one.
Well the glow of Jaag ownership kinda faded at the NY DMV. Apparently the PO had given me an older title. It seems he applied for a name change on the paperwork, and gave me the old one. Balls says I. Awaiting overnight for the correct title. I hope that leaping cat isn't going to bite me in my private parts. I've already started ordering parts.....Dang!
In reply to Dirtydog (Forum Supporter) :
The x308 is a lot smaller inside than people think. X350 interior looks way better too.
Funny thing. I preferred the older style, but spending more time inside made my decision. I plan to drive it more than wax it.
So i go to NY DMV. Hand them the paper work, and am told the PO applied for a duplicate title (name change it turns out). The one I have is no good, that I need the updated version. Contact the seller, he says "Ooops". Now waiting for the updated title in the mail.
So, lets play with the new toy. Go to open the hood, the cable release lever breaks. New parts are on order. I guess this my welcome to British car ownership.. Things break before you can get to things that might break. Any way, it has a nice hood ornament......
New cable and lever installed. A little tough to do when the knees don't want to cooperate while working on the hood release lever, and feeding the cable. Installed new filters, a marker light,oil change next. Curious call from Safelite, concerning the windshield replacement. Scheduled for Friday, I got a call from them asking me if I could hold off until Monday. They would prefer their Master Technician handle the job. I guess all the sensors in the windshield make it more difficult. Needs tires, dated from 2011, and I should be good to go.
TaDa! New title arrived, registered it, and on the road. Put a set of Michelins on it. The old tires were really bad. Tread separation (10 years old) almost like it was a retread, didn't drive it until new sneakers were on. Most preventative maintenance has been done. The car is a very comfortable driving experience. I don't have a lot of drive time in Euro cars, but this XJ is pretty nice for my needs. I wasn't looking for a big time project, just something that needed a little dolling up. For what I paid for it, this fit the bill.
A follow up. Have about 1000 miles on it now. Runs great, drives nice, and Momma likes it. Still needs some finishing but as time and money allow. For what I paid, a Honda, Toyota etc, probably would have cost more. As a car, in general, it was a good buy.
sweet!
yupididit said:In reply to Dirtydog (Forum Supporter) :
The x308 is a lot smaller inside than people think. X350 interior looks way better too.
My dad said the same thing despite being a big car the xj8 interior is really cramped.
You'll need to log in to post.
