Hey guys, I'm currently in the market for a new car. I plan on getting one this November once I turn 18. I' m starting to do some looking around I love cars and the current cars I'm stuck on deciding are: 2010 335i BMW, 2010 C300 MB, 2015 Ecoboost Mustang. I currently drive a 2002 2.5 X-Type, and I really like my car, but it's time for something better. My car turned into a hassle, I have a bad catalytic converter, 124,000 miles, one headlight stopped working checked the fuses and bulbs and everythings fine gotta do more digging to find the problem, I love my car but I don't really want to fix it up anymore, because of the horrible rust it has hidden by the front door hinges which X-Types are famous for (design flaw). My family is mainly a BMW family my parents have stuck to BMW for a while now, my dad gave me the X-Type as my first car, pretty great car love the back up sensors and awd. BUT anyway.... since my love for Jaguars grew with this car I was looking at the market and saw how cool the XJR is. Mainly the 2007 & 2008 due to my budget. They have so much room in the back and even have heated back seats, looks very classy and the fact that it has a huge 4.2 supercharged V8 make me excited! If I'd get one it'd have to have less that 80,000 miles on it. But my real question here is, is it worth it? Are they good cars? Are they pretty reliable? OR will I find myself at the dealership more than out on the road driving? My x-type has been decent with us, we had it since 2002 and has only needed: a fuel pump, rear lower control arms, upper rear control arms, DSC fault problems, alignment issues. Overall not that bad but I want a car that I don't have to worry about breaking down, since I'm going to college soon. So... is the 2007-2008 XJR a smart choice? Is it a horrible unreliable car?? Anything to watch out for? Or common issues with these beast? Or should i just get a brand new Ecoboost mustang or, 2010 335i BMW or 2010-2011 C-Class MB?!?!

 

Since you asked about a BMW...
The BMWs are great cars as long as you don't expose them to the earth's atmosphere or gravity. So, it really depends where you'll live. For example, your repair costs should be minimal if you live on the moon because gravity is much less on the moon than it is on earth. There still is some gravity, so parts will break. But since there is no atmosphere on the moon, the repair costs should be minimal. How much? Just figure it'll be less.

If you have to live on earth, that's another story. Some people love them though.

 

Once finished going though, may drive it daily instead of A8. Cars have some things in common, aluminum bodies, air suspension, ZF 6 speed. Also a 4.2 liter V8.
I think unless either you know a good mechanic, or are one the Jaguar will eat you up in long term maintenance.
There is a reason why luxury European cars lose so much value over time. Taking it to the dealer is an expensive way to keep it running.

 

A 2007 XJR is an excellent car, but like all cars, if you're buying used, a huge amount depends on how the previous owners looked after it. Other thing to bear in mind is that it was a very expensive car when new and it is likely you would be buying it at a fraction of its new cost, but the maintenance costs and spare parts prices reflect the new price, not the price you would pay.

OK, there is plenty of stuff on the internet, and Jaguar specialists can use them, but if the only Jaguar shop near you is the main agent, you'll pay dearly for maintenance and repairs. If you're a DIYer, much of the servicing can be done easily if you have the tools; you can even buy kit to read the fault codes.

 

so the XJR isn't a bad car? Not known to be unreliable. I'm a huge do it myself type a guy, I think we all here mostly are lmao, the only time I've taken my Jag to the dealer was to get a code read that my scanner sad only the dealership could clear, and I bought a radiator from the dealer, shockingly it was cheaper there than at my local parts store. I just wana make sure the XJR isn't known to break down 24/7 like how Audi's are apparently the worst german cars when it comes to reliability

 

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The price for jag parts are not to bad in the UK don't know how they compare to USA prices but as said if you can repair it yourself you will save a fortune plus loads of good advice on this forum

 

^This


I have to replace a ballast for the passenger side headlamp. I got one on Ebay for $110 and will install tomorrow.


I know a dealer here would want $1000+ to do this.

 

Yes vinny the dealers over here really know how to charge too there is a dealer in London that charge over Ł200 a hour ( not a jag dealer ) now that would make your eyes water when you got the bill for anything

 

I love my 2005 XJR. I maintain it myself. I do not use it as a daily driver and I do not drive it in the Winter.
I have upgraded it with Bluetooth and VACM, changed all headlite bulbs and spark plugs. Also installed a rear trunk spoiler.
About to do an oil change and in a month the transmission fluid.
Will be taking it on a trip up to Maine in a couple of weeks.
Between my ex wives and myself I have owned quite a few cars including a modified Porche 911s as well as a BMWs etc.
Ever since I owned an XJ6 is the UK I have loved Jags.
There was a 2006 XJR going for $9k with 65k miles on it a couple of weeks ago on Yahoo autos.
My XJR was a single owner( female lawyer) when I bought it a year ago.
It feels almost as fast as the 911s I owned but a lot more stylish. It can out accelerate many so called muscle cars except for the top of the line and I have shocked a few such drivers who try to "muscle in" after tolls etc.

 

Essentially these cars are reliable in that it is very rare to be left at the roadside waiting the flat-bed tow truck to arrive. However the various joints in the suspension are not renowned for their long life, so you would probably have to do some work on these at some point. Just to give you an example, when I bought my car in 2010, at the next service when it was on 38k miles I was told there was slight play in the lower wishbone bushes, (but still roadworthy). At 50k miles they needed to be replaced, which I got done at a local Jaguar independent. Now, at 93k miles at the last service, I was told there was slight play, again car is roadworthy), but you can plainly see the life is not all that lengthy.

Jaguar won't sell just the bushes, claiming it is a safety issue, but plenty of shops are now swapping out bushes on the original wishbones. However such is the price of OEM wishbones on the internet, it is now a toss-up between extra labour to swap bushes plus low cost bushes, and lower labour to just swap out the wishbones complete with new bushes already in.

 

XJR in a heartbeat...