Thread: New Here, XJR Advice please!

Hi there

Firstly, great choice of car, you will love the XJR

From the pictures it looks to be a nice car, check the tyres, make sure they are all what they say they are and check condition too

Check for rust spots, although it should be rust free, around the wheel arches, especially at rear

Make sure all the toys still work, including the heated front screen if you can

Then move onto the service history, check to see whats been done and when, see if the timing chains and tensioners have been removed

Check for over heating and a white sludge under the oil filler cap (could been signs of blown head gaskets)

Gear change should be silky smooth

Check and check again that everything works

I hope it turns out to be a good one and keep us updated 8)

I will let you know how I get on.

Hopefully well!

I have been looking at BMW E39 M5's but the XJR is just too good to ignore.

Plus it's an auto, getting so bloody lazy in my old :wink: age!

stevie.

The E39 M5 is a good car, but, imho not as good looking as an XJR, the XJR is also very easy to drive, whack it in drive and waft along and when you are really in the mood you can give it a good spanking

The M5 probably does have the edge performance wise, but, you would have to really thrash it to pull out an advantage over an XJR

I assume you have seen the youtube video of Clarkson in a XJR against 'Tiff in a M5 ? well worth viewing if you havent

Not too bothered about the performance advantage, although I have driven a couple of E39 M5's and they are stonkingly quick. But would prefer to, as you say "waft" around and when needs must engage warp drive :twisted:

Sounds sad but I also need to tow a caravan now and again! So auto is my preference.

In saying that, my wife has a mint BMW E36 manual 328i Sport with 235bhp that I use when I feel angry. Sad I know. :roll:

Yep, I have watched the M5 V's XJR vid a few times ovee the last day or so.

Stevie.

As all the above.

Also, are you aware of the Nikasil "problem". The V8 engine fitted to the Xjr between 97 and 2000 had Nikasil linings, as opposed to steel in the later cars. The high sulphur content in UK petrol market at the time can cause the Nikasil to break down leading to complete engine failure. The only real option then is a new engine. Having said that, it is unlikely that any Nikasil engine will fail now, the commom consensus of opinion is that if it was going to happen it would of already done so. A Jag expert told me when I was buying mine that, in his opinion, there was a 10/1 chance of it happening. There are plenty out there with the replacement steel lined engine, Jaguar did replace a lot under warranty. For total peace of mind try and search one out. All post 2000 cars are steel lined but check the VIN to make sure.

The one you are looking at seems a bit expensive to me (incredible that a car of this quality could be considered expensive at £5250, but this is the current market). At that price at least make sure the timing chain tensioners have renewed for the uprated steel type ones. This is considered the biggest potential problem as failure of these is engine re-build time! A Jag specialist will charge £800 to £1000 to carry out the work. If it hasn't been done your looking at over £6k which is way to much.

All in all, the Xjr is one the best value cars out there today. I absolutely love mine, it's comfortable, fast and good looking. Just take your time and find the right one with all the big bills already paid

yeah i wouldn't pay more that 4 grand for that.
i got my one owner 57k miler for 3800 last month. and that included the registration R2 XJR. i had to do the tensioners myself (even though they were actually fine when they came out). that cost me about an extra 500 for parts and tools to do all chains and tensioners, water pump, oil change and new front brake pads. but i did it myself.

it does look like a very nice one though. and if you plan on keeping it then its hard to find XJRs that are not a little tired and high mileage. might be worth paying up to 4500 for it. i'm sure you'd get it for that.

i see it has heated seats too. i had to find the parts to retro fit that in mine....

Mine was £3600. It has a steel lined engine which has covered 30,000 miles and all the tensioner work done. It also came with a private plate valued at £800. As I said, these cars are amazing value, an equivalent BMW, Merc or Audi would be at least double the cost. It should also be said that these cars ooze good taste and character. (Okay that is a subjective viewpoint, but if your looking you probably agree :wink: )

Mine has so far run like a dream with no rattles or creaks in the cabin, no noise from the suspension and all equipment works perfectly.