Hello Everyone,

I am purchasing a new car for myself and after much deliberation have decided that I'm sticking with the Jaguar brand. I am looking at a 2003 XJ8, it's in perfect condition both on the exterior and interior. I have test driven it once and it drove great and am now in the bargaining process with the dealership. It is listed for $7,490 and has 102k miles on it. The previous owner had all the maintenance on the car has been done at the Jaguar dealership. I was wondering if some of you could give me some insight on things to look for and use a point to bargain with and also things that I should expect maintenance wise. Also from what I've read the XJ8 seems pretty reliable even after 150k with proper maintenance.

 

Congrats on the new car, my 2003 3.5SE has now covered 185000 miles, still runs great, generally keep an eye out for suspension wishbones, air shocks and compressor maybe, look after the general things and the car will give you great enjoyment.

 

Now thequestion is what model is it. An X308 or a very early X350. Terrific differencebetween the two cars.

 

The X350 is a reliable car, but not fault-free, would that it were, as it is such a beautiful car. Essentially there are a few things that seem to wear out prematurely, and a small corrosion problem with the painted aluminium shell.

1. Air suspension and its compressor
The compressor is a known short life component with some barely getting to 35k miles (like mine !!). However not hugely expensive to replace, and at your miles will likely have already been replaced.

USA owners have reported premature failure of air springs, but this is rare here in the UK. My local independent Jaguar shop tells me he has never replaced one ! Steel coil conversions are available in the US if you want to swap, or even rebuilt units with new air spring diaphragms.

2. Suspension bushes
Jaguar will not supply separate bushes for certain suspension parts, and these tend to be expensive. Rear lower wishbones are the worst example. However the after-market has now got going on these so prices are around half the Jaguar price, and are freely available.

3. Filiform corrosion
These cars can suffer from crevice corrosion which then causes a process called filiform corrosion whereby the aluminium corrodes underneath the paint and this creeps along until it is noticed by the owner. Presence of salty water, and absence or lack of oxygen is the cause.

This is NOT a car killer like rust, but is unsightly and can be expensive to correct depending on where it occurs. It has been mainly seen at: -

- leading edge of trunk lid having crept out from the underside. Cause is the horizantal lip on the rear lower screen seal allowing salty water and grit to gather. Each time the lid is opened or closed a bit of paint gets scraped off until the corrosion starts on the bare metal. Once repaired, cut off the lip and all will be well, as it serves no useful purpose.

- creep out from under the rear screen seal near the D post. I suspect this is caused by a paint defect whilst fitting the rear screen at the factory.

- creep-out from above the rear 'Jaguar' plinth on the trunk lid, again by fitting damage at the factory.

- rear corners of the doors. I have no information on the cause of this, but suspect it could be perforation of the alloy skin on the door, or, again, creep round from the rear where the door locates on the rubber seal.

Apart from this, high milers can get it creeping out from the wheel arches due to fretting of wheel arch liner against the wing

Don't let this put you off. Your car will likely have had remedial paintwork already plus repairs to the other things at 102k miles.

Other owners will no doubt be along to tell you more. FWIW, my own X350, an XJ6 of 2003 was bought in May 2010, and is now on 66k miles without incident on-the-road, and has been to Germany on holiday twice, with 28 mpg overall for each trip. Its not so good around town, though !

 

i believe hes purchasing an X308

X350's were never labeled as 2003 cars

 

do you think 7490 is a fair price for the vehicle or do you think i should talk them down? I believe its the 308 as well.

 

In the UK they were as mine is a June/July 2003 when did you first get the X350 in the US ?

Jaguar ceased production of the X308 in 2002 after making just over 126000 of them and the X350 was introduced in April 2003 through to 2009, they made just over 83500 of them.

 

I believe in North America where the original poster came from, we never got them until 2004. That is why I questioned the model before I spoke out.

 

Ah. That explains it thanks