Interested in an XJ8 model 2004 or newer. As with cars and fine wine, some years are better the others from a reliability / maintenance standpoint. Any thoughts on which year/years have proven to be the least problematic would be much appreciated.

 

I'll post based on personal experience with my car, a 2006 XJ8 SWB. It now has 75,000 miles and has been absolutely trouble free. It has never been abused nor neglected, all maintenance on time at the Jaguar dealer and supplemental oil changes between services. This kind of care is really the key to a reliable car.

John

 

I think as long as you maintain the vehicle (hopefully the previous owners maintained it as well) then the car should have no real problems. I have the 2004 XJ8 with 80,000 miles and I've only had small problems. If you leave the car stock and maintain it well, you will have a good reliable car. One major thing to be aware of that I hear many people have a problem with, is the air suspension. In the cold weather (and I'm from LA) it starts to act-up and the vehicle will not rise. I had to replace one air suspension already. I'm just praying that it doesnt act-up again in the upcoming winter. However, since my car is a keeper, I'm going to save my money and invest in a spring suspension kit.

 

Thanks for your response. I have read about the air suspension issues on these cars and am curious if the individual corners can be rebuilt to replace worn parts only, like a MacPherson strut, or do they have to be replaced as a unit ? I know the dealer would only replace the entire unit with OEM but most everything can be rebuilt if the parts and know how are available. As I live in a cold climate this could be an issue though the car wouldn't be a DD.
Would be interested in how expensive the parts are to retro fit a more robust spring based suspension. Are these available from suppliers on the web in DYI form ? Do you anticipate getting any CEL's from your board computers from disconnecting the air suspension system ?

 

Thanks for the info. Spoke to the owner of an '05 while looking at potential cars at the local dealer today and he was very pleased with his car and had commented specifically on how over all quality had improved significantly during the time Ford owned the company. Outside of fluids and filters, when do the first major services occur that involve timing chains/belts, plugs, coils, transmission service, etc... Would suspect these tend to be more expensive than annual fluid/filter replacement and odd visual check up. Have you had to replaced brake pads and rotors yet ?

 

The air suspension has to be replaced as a unit. I tried just repairing the worn/malfunctioned part, but it turned it cannot be repaired and I had to buy the complete unit. I spent about $600 on that. As far as the spring based suspension, I did get an email from a friend about the conversion kit, but I'm not sure of the price. My guess it will be over $1,000 but it will be worth it if you plan to keep the car. I just need more information about the effects of the ride, the ride height, and the handling. The installation looks fairly easy (I installed my air suspension) so this shouldn't be a problem. Supposedly this company sends instructions on how to bypass the computer so there are no issues. Down below I will paste the company name and the information they provide:

"Blackdog Manufacturing, the exclusive in-house manufacturing division of British Parts International and Motorcars, Ltd. announces availability of the XJ8 Air Suspension Conversion Kit. This coil spring/shock absorber kit is an economical and permanent solution to the troublesome 2004-2009 XJ8 factory air suspension system. The system utilizes the proven and time tested coil spring/shock assembly design and features Bilstein shock absorbers. The suspension kit includes all necessary components to eliminate any warning light or ECM code issues. The spring/shock assemblies use the vehicle's existing suspension mount points, so installation requires no cutting or welding.

Installing the Air Suspension Conversion kit on your vehicle will provide for comfortable, trouble-free driving for years to come!

If you have questions, please contact our sales department by phone: (800) 338-5238 or email: info@motorcarsltd.com."

 

Motorcars Limited system runs $2600 but is pretty much plug and play and no more difficult to install than struts. They have a YouTube video on the process. I wonder how different the stock suspension on a 2003 would be compared to the ML system ? They're system is a basic coil over set up without the ride height adjustment most other coils overs offer. Looks a good deal less complex and probably more reliable than the air suspension.

 

The timing chain isn't mentioned in the service schedule, but it's a safe bet the tensioners and guides need to be checked around 120,000. Plugs are replaced at 100,000 miles. The transmission service is highly debated - there's plenty of threads here on that topic. Read them and form your own opinion on whether it is a sealed maintenance free unit or not.

I have had the rotors replaced at 40,000 miles and suspect that service is coming up again soon. That does run into some $$ if the dealer does the service. If you are a shade tree mechanic, it can be done for much less in your driveway. You just need to rent a special tool for the rear calipers.

John

 

Wow $2,600 was more than what I thought it would be. I better put some more money aside just in case I need buy this system. As far as the transmission service, I called dealers and various Jag mechanics, and they all say that these transmissions are supposed to be maintainence free. They say that the fluid in it is a different (expensive!!) form of fluid, but if there needs to be a service you are paying for the fluid change and the labor. I would try to get more feedback from people who have high mileage XJ's and see if they ever had problems with the transmission or ever have had it serviced.

 

I have always heard the 2004-2006 era was best. Latter years have had more quality control issues. Maybe its the Indians learning proper English??

 

the best year is the one that you own..
personally i thing the 2004-2007 body was better than the 2008-09..
just my opinon.


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The earlier style up to 2006 looks much better in my humble opinion; the later front bumper is especially ghastly. And why did they take off the side rubbing strips ? These have saved me from a dinged panel on more than one ocasion. Of course later cars, like from 2005 onwards will have the benefit of in-service experience, so may be more reliable if parts have been modified.

 

Newer the better. More important than the year is the package. Super V8 is best, then tied for XJ6 and VDP.

 

I was advised, after I purchased my 2004, that 2005 is really the place to start - the 2004's apparantly had quite a few more gremlins at the onsent.

 

2004 owner. Car has never seen a dealer. I service it and it is flawless, period.

 

Take my previous response with a grain of salt - I purchased used with no real idea of how my particular car was treated by the previous owner. The dealership that told me the 04 year was a mistake could have been just saying so to urge me into purchasing another newer... :P

 

I get the reason for the Super V8, but why the XJ6 over the XJ8 ?

 

This is the first Jag I have owned. Purchased a 2011 XJL. I dont have to tell you all the issues that occurred due to the software problems, but I have to say that since that was fixed back in October 2010 the car has run just fine and is a real joy to own.

 

from what ive seen here and heard, all years were equal pretty much. only issue really can be the air suspension, just check it out before you buy the car.

notable points
04-only SWB models offered
05-first year of LWB
06-Slight cosmetic update, xenons standard, different wheel choices
07-Chrome mirrors on all models, also seat piping as well
08-more significant cosmetic update with new bumpers, wheel choices, vents. interior has some differences as well, AC seats offered

 

Thanks for all the comments and info. It appears for the most part that the cars in my date range are well made and pretty reliable. All makes have there issues and these types of sites tend to attract those with complaints more than those wishing to offer compliments but all in all, and with few exceptions, you all seem to be happy with your cars, warts and all. That's encouraging to hear. And while I realize repair costs can be high, from what I'm reading here they are inline with other high end automobiles of this caliber and even less costly than some. A looking forward to finding the right car and becoming an owner vs. a wannabe owner. Many thanks to all.