We have a 98 xj, which has been a good car other than a crushing transmission repair a few years ago. It has 112k miles on it and has seen some better days. It's sound, but needs some paint and a few suspension parts.

We just looked an a blk 2004 xj with 39k miles. It's not perfect, but only a few minor blemishes on the exterior and quite good over all. It has not been inspected, but the seller has two other jags and is obviously a big fan of the breed. I have every reason to believe that the inspection will reveal very little in the way of negatives.


Question is, what should we be looking for on the 2004 model in the way of issues?

My wife drove it and did not seem particularly impressed with the performance compared to her 98, though I had been under the impression that the newer and lighter body and 4.2 engine would make it more comparable to our BMW 7 series.


Advice sought.

 

Check on Service/Maintenance Records, and scan the X350 Forum for maintenance issues.

Items to look-out for:
Leaking Front Air-Shocks?
Worn Suspension Bushings (39,000 miles?)
Any lighting issues?

I have an 04 XJ VDP with 137,500+ miles and am happy with it. I had to replace the front shocks, HIDs, and a few light bulbs.

 

I'd add to that: -

Air suspension compressor, has it been replaced recently ? They do not last long - service exchange items mean this is not a hugely costly job, but the compressors are about £300 in the UK. Fitment time about 30 minutes. This is actually the most common problem with the air suspension, and announced by a fault message "air suspension fault", plus a fault code indicating the compressor is taking too long to charge the reservoir.

Paint bubbling at leading edge of trunk lid. This is a design problem due to some idiot at Jaguar putting a lip on the rear screen seal to close the gap between screen and lid. Quite why I cannot see, as there is still the gap down the two sides, plus the seal around the trunk aperture. This rubber lip collects grit and rubs on the lid each time the trunk is opened or closed, and eventually wears away the paint on the underside. Corrosion starts and gradually works round to the top side
This "filiform" corrosion can also sometimes be found in other places, like door bottom corners, and creep-out from the rear screen seal and above the chrome trim on the trunk lid. However, not everything happens on a single car. Heavy use of road salt where you live does not help !

Driver door latch - does it lock on the plipper OK ? Check by locking using the plipper then try the door. Driver's door goes first because this gets most use ! Actually, I'd try all doors and trunk lid.

Hood latch - does it open easily with a fairly light pull on the handle ? If it doesnt, you need a new cable. Not expensive. Lubrication once it has corroded is futile, although hood latches should be lubed about each 6-9 months.

 

Driver door latch - does it lock on the plipper OK ? Check by locking using the plipper then try the door. Driver's door goes first because this gets most use !


Not sure what a plipper is, but all the locks and remote seem good. The door handles do feel very cheap. Very cheap.


The car appears very nice. Not perfect, but verybnice and the price for the mileage seems very good.

 

Plipper (UK slang) = remote.

 

If it drives well, looks well, has been serviced well, and the price is right, and you like it, then buy it !