The car has 130k+ miles, 2 previous owners, no REPORTED problems or accidents and it's $4k. But I've gotten mixed advice, some people telling me I shouldn't buy it because it's bad, some saying it's good because it's super reliable and some said it's good but not for what I want. I'm planning on driving from Pennsylvania to California and keeping the car for maybe 3 years. Of course I'll have a mechanic check out out if I do seriously consider buying but I just wanna know if any of you think it's a good purchase (considering it's been well maintained). Any advice would help and if you think it's good what would you say the monthly maintenance costs would be?

 

Look for repair/replacement of the following items: 1) Tranny fluid (also the sleeve that leaks within - but not critical if not leaking - do it if you are changing fluid and filter as you will be there - really the price of the part) Fluid/filter has to be changed at around 90k miles. 2) Thermostat and related - these are plastic and fail (mine leaked at 80k miles). 3) Air suspension components - mainly the fronts. 4) Spark plugs.

Other items not critical and not so prone to failure are the coolant hoses, especially the one that goes under the intake. All of the suspension components are wear items and need to be looked at to see what is solid and what is not.

If the car has been maintained check for all the items mentioned - plan on doing the first list if it has not been done. You can switch over to coils if you want and be rid of the air ride, which is nice, but can add up fast cost wise and is hunt in peck. The coolant hoses and thermostat and related should all be tackled at once. Recommend a back flush of the coolant while you are in there.

For around $1500 in parts, not including the air suspension bags, you can sort just about everything out. Mileage is not bad, it is a great engine. Mentioned repairs are not difficult and there are plenty of write ups. Get an alignment performed if you start playing with the suspension. Also - make sure the tires are in good shape as that is at least $500 low end right away.

If the car looks good I don't find the X350 any different than any other car of similar age and miles. Paying a mechanic and paying mechanic part prices is the downside.

 

Hey Eric I have a beautiful 2005 XJR for sale with 130K miles. New front suspension with New oem Bilsteins air springs. Thousands spent over the last four years.to much to list. let me know if your interested. Needs nothing.

 

$4,000 is an attractive price for one with no real issues to address.
A Jaguar specific type of reader will tell you a great deal about the car.
A necessary investment if you decide to buy a Jaguar, as it will check out most of the modules for problems.

 

I bought my vdp 4 years ago w/88k on it. I now have 195k on and no issues outside of normal age and mileage expectations. Ill be looking for another before long, well maybe cause ill drive this into the ground

 

Not sure if you bought or didn't buy yet but I will add one more item to the list. BATTERY.... have it checked to make sure its ok, as soon as they start to fail every warning light will go off and you will think the car is a demon seed. If you like the car and the owner has service records its a good buy in my opinion but if not it could be costly (not too bad) to make right as mentioned.

 

Repairs can cost THOUSANDS----These cars are electrical nightmares---WALK AWAY

 

Ford owned Jaguar when the x350 was designed and built. The electrical problems were sorted out.
One issue they created is the suspension. Not the air struts, the Lemforder control arms, bushings, ball joints and other rubber containing parts. These plain fall apart after 8 - 10 years. Just crumble.
Ford used these suspension components on the same vintage Thunderbirds and Lincoln LS. They suffer from the same issue with rapid suspension failure.
The Lemforder suspension bits for BMW and VW family do not have this issue. It is unique to Ford.

 

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uhm, i have worked on jaguars for going on 22 years now and no they are not electrical nightmares. That would be chrysler products,

 

Do you do any of your own repairs and to what extent.....if yes, then you have wiggle room....if no, then be ready to pay someone the usual professional fees....i do my own work and have spent about 1000 bucks in parts over a 2.5 year period ......pretty good really.....and my car is in top shape ....i have an str which has more pricey failure points,...it boils down to having the money, just in case

 

See if it has had:
1- suspension replacement. the air rides go around 60k and cost $2400 - $3300 to fix
2- Water pump. Usually goes around 80k.
3- Trans, goes from 50k to 80k and costs $4300 to 7300 to fix.
Since your car is way over that you should get all the receipts of work done to the car and plan on doing it again...

 

1.There are options for the air struts. I have RMT rebuilds on mine, ran less than 300.00 each. Replace as they start to leak.
2. That seems a little early, maybe not.
3. Trans is good for over 200,000. Even with original fluid. The previous 5 speed were 100,000 if NA engine. They did not use the ZF 5 speed with the XJR.
Many go with the 1200.00 coil over conversion. Saves fighting these 12 - 15 year old air struts. Did not know the plastic impeller water pump was a problem. They use this same transmission in the XJR, Audi used it in the A8 with a V-10 and W-12. Also Bentley’s. It is tough.

 

A good jag independent shop with a mechanic with experience on these cars will be able to check the known trouble spots and then some....then it is all about trust.....my personal opinion is buy it after the inspection if no major issues are found,.....i have an str and have loved every minute of ownership....i believe the vanden plas has even more features and was the cream of the crop in its day

 

For me the worst aspect of the X350 cars is the short life of the suspension bushes. In the end I traded the car for an XE as I just got fed up with a continual stream of work needing doing on these damn bushes. However, I'll likely be paying a lot more in depreciation with the XE than I ever paid out per annum on the XJ. They are a really lovely car, but you need to buy one with your eyes open. The aftermarket has loads of suspension stuff, so don't go to the Jaguar main agent for these.

I used to drive down to Germany for holidays every year without a qualm, doing nearly 3k miles in total.

 

And I like your handle Panhead. I have a 1951 pan I've had for 30 years now.

 

do you have any photos to post...just curious