I'm considering buying a 2006 XJ8L that is in collectors condition. Just under 80 thousand miles on it. I've always wanted one and this would be a very impulsive, treat myself purchase. Is this a good reliable year? Does this year use a belt or timing chain? Should I take the plunge? Cost is just over 8k which is very attractive. It would be driven occasionally only and I would baby it. All responses are appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forums Pub-7,

I've moved your question from Jaguar Forums Feedback & Suggestion Centre to X350 forum. Members here with the same model will be able to advise.

Graham

 

The price is okay IF in excellent condition. There is a chain, not timing belt.
Three painful items.
1. Air suspension - struts leak, rebuilds 250.00, new 900.00 each. Conversion to shocks and springs 1200.00.
2. Suspension components, control arms, rear toe adjusters, sway bar links, all have disappearing rubber boots.
3. Thermostat housing - plastic about due at 13 years and 80K.
If any has been addressed already it will save money in upkeep. If not you really need a price concession. All three are in the near future for this vehicle.
Once these three have been replaced it should be a reliable car.
Cost - suspension, rebuilds and compressor 1500.00. Coil over conversion 1500.00, Control arms, tie rod ends, adjusters, links, sway Bar bushings, labor 3500.00.
Do not know thermostat housing cost, XJR has a metal one.
If you have to pick up cost of all three it will be a 13,000.00 vehicle soon.
If not drooping overnight, struts can wait. Take for a four wheel alignment. Have tech look at all the rubber if alignable. I would replace the thermostat housing. They fail from the inside out.

 

Panelhead, I really appreciate the rundown. Very helpful and thought provoking. I don't want to make a mistake. I will print this out and ask the seller. He's a collector so I'm not sure if he's the original owner. We just started communication. Thanks again for the in depth info. Pub

 

They are great vehicles, mine are both the base drive train.
I'm sure the supercharged models are a lot faster, & the super chargers boost,& sound is intoxicating.
Sure the P O enjoyed it till it started showing its age & abuse.
The na models are more an old mans hot rod luxury car, & not hammered like the super charged cars.

 

Thermostat assembly runs about $145 from SNG Barratt. The newer Jaguars are not nearly as trouble prone as the British Leyland era machines, but they are more expensive for parts when things do go south.

For research, you can get the book "The Essential Buyer's Guide - Jaguar XJ6, XJ8, & XJR, All 2003-2009 (X350) models" by Nigel Thorley, ISBN 978-1-787111-06-6. It has some key areas to check.

You should also be able to take it to a local Jaguar dealer for a buyer's inspection. That ran me about $150 for my car.

Dave

 

Dave, thanks! Very helpful.

 

Ride with seller to large parking lot. Get out and have them circle around. Listen for squeaks, groans, clunks, and knocks. Go over a speed bump while in passenger seat.
Take out on freeway and cycle speed between 40. 80 mph. Feel for steering wheel shimmy, rumbling, wind noise. Smooth and rough pavement.
Go look at car after it sits for a couple days unstarted. Check if a corner has drooped.
If quiet, no shakes, and suspension holds air, get out the checkbook.you can fight these items one at a time.

 

PUB-7
I own an 05 Super V8 - purchase price $7,200 with about 136K, now have 148K - and I don't do my own work. Car was serviced fairly regularly. Car has records, but ALL of the items Panelhead mentioned I have had to repair plus a few more. The List
1. Out of round rims and new tires, alignment - $1,000
2. Thermostat plus various hoses - 500 If remember right
3. Coilover shocks - 1,800 (1,000 for Eibach springs, 900 for the work)
4. 2 new front calipers (one side frozen beyond repair) and pads and rotors - $1,500 calipers (I could not find refurbished), rotors and pads were $85/wheel) plus labor = $$$
5. Heat system distribution components (actuator etc) now being repaired estimate is $700 or so
6. Check engine light just came on today - could be fun
7. A few of the other suspension components mentioned by Panelhead need to be replaced - mechanic has made a list and I hope to source out the Lincoln parts(often shared with Jaguar) to save a little money.
SO---
If it is truly "collectors condition" then it may be an enjoyable car for you. But Panelhead has it right in that all the things he mentioned are crucial components and things to look for--- but that you may not be able to anticipate - even with records. If you don't do your own work and do not have a reasonable cost mechanic you trust then your hesitation should go up.

My car, just as Wingrider suggests people do with the supercharged models, was decently cared for but also driven hard and occasionally abused by the previous owner of 8 years. Hence the bent rims - P.O saw the above repairs coming and decided not to rebuild the car.
So even if well cared for, its still a 13 year old car - and things do go after a time - and if used and later day maintenance not done - then I'd say don't buy it or negotiate it way down (as I should have).

Mike D.

 

These cars will throw a code from time to time. Get a scanner. Cambo sells a cheap version of the factory system. There are two from iCarsoft that will read and clear intermittent codes.
A check engine light may be nothing. Or a real issue. A good scanner will find engine, transmission, body, and electronics faults. The ECU changed in 2005. The iCarsoft does not read the 2004 model ECU.

 

Original owner of 2008 XJL @63k in California.

Air shocks in front lower problem in 2016 for 6 months or so. I switched off "Sport" mode and/or disconnected battery, have not seen the problem since. Good that I didn't replaced them at all. The level sensors were just mounted on some cross member when I saw them while replaced all rotors and pads. Worth inspecting to make sure that is not your problem.

Thermostat housing rotting from inside out is true(fan went crazy is an indication) as I just replaced it and before that the reservoir because nipple broke less than a mile from home. Now it runs @95F max and before it went to 106F from OBDII reader. Now I monitor it with old Android phone and Bluetooth reader for live data.
Also when replacing housing maybe a good idea to disconnect the heart valve piece in whole. I opened the top cover and found the inside in many pieces and one big chunk is missing(hope it didn't go down the big tube).

Jammed the bonnet alarm piece because the random false alarms.

Passenger side outside mirror trim is starting to disintegrate.

I haven't spent more than $200 at the dealership since new and hope it stays that way.

Still offer the best ride compared to newer non air suspension luxury sedans.

 

Mike, thanks for your reply. I do have lots to think about. I have multiple hobbies and frequently travel so a car that will bleed me is not what I'm looking for. I want a Jag but not a money pit. I'll need to grill the seller on all points that you guys have stated. Thanks again.

 

A lot like motorcycles, addicting as hell!!!
My garage has four Gold Wings, two Jaguars, plus snowblower, rakes, shovels.
All the shed tools, as well as a bike table, tire changer, & tools to fix everything i own.
I can hardly make room to work.
But since i installed a furnace it makes work in cold weather much more comfortable.
If you are not planning on doing your own work, buy a Honda, or Toyota, they seem to run forever.

 

No unfortunately I don't know how to do in depth car repairs. I have owned nothing but Toyotas since 83 and only three. The Jag would be a treat myself to something I've always wanted present.

 

Lots of knowledge as well as help here, being willing to try, with basic tools is what you need.

 

Before purchasing any Jaguar, have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a Jaguar main dealer or competent Jaguar specialist.

If you cannot perform many of the items listed above by yourself, find a local Jaguar specialist as they're typically less expensive than a main dealer. One also cannot expect a highly complex luxury vehicle like the X350 to compare with a Honda or Toyota.

 

Thanks, totally get it

 

I received some great replies, advice, etc. Thanks. Do I have seen the car, beautiful, and the seller has agreed to take it to a Jaguar mechanic of my choice. Panelhead and other's warned me of the air suspension, thermostat housing, and something else that escapes me. If these things are deemed to need fixing how much should I try to get knocked off the price? The seller wants 8k
The independent shop told me 2006 is among the best years to get. I liked that. Thanks.