I am considering selling my BMW 740il and getting a XJ8 possibly a Vandan Plas. From what I can see, the 2004 cars have a sudden acceleration problem and the 2001's are not very reliable and people are just raving about their 2003,s and how trouble free they are.

What is the opinion on this forum? I now own a XK8 and so far it has been reliable but has just started with a no start problem that may be a neutral safety switch.

I have read about nightmare problems with transmissions etc and while the BMW has not been trouble free, the problems have been small things not engine or transmission problems.

I know it will get me were I need to go everytime, I just think that my XK8 is really wonderful and I can't seem to stop looking at the XJ8's.

Just looking for input from real owners. What would be the best year to get?

 

I have an 07, and I hope i am not going to regret saying this, that has been flawless. It has 61,000 miles on it and I got it a year ago with 50,000.

I was actually looking for a early 03 X308 when I found this X350 at a Jag dealer in Pa. It was a Select Edition, still is under warranty and looking brand new under the showroon lights. I have to admit the X308 has finer lines and looks prettier then the X350 but the X350 is far more techniclly advanced and the extra room comes in handy.

By 07 they had the bugs out and the most in so I bought it and am happy I did.

 

Where did you get the information that the '04 X350 has a sudden acceleration problem and the '01 X308 is unreliable?

There is virtually zero difference between an '03 and an '04 X350. So quite how '03 owners are happier than '04 owners makes me wonder...

The major update was for the '06 model year and then again for the '09 model year (cars sold in '08).

And "nightmare problems" with the transmission, you mean The Lurch? Solved with a software update & changing the transmission fluid...

The biggest wildcard in the X350 is the air suspension, if you want to avoid that then the very last X308's are worth a look, just remember the tech us from the mid 90's...

If you want ultra reliable then buy something Japanese...

 

I started with a Series I XJ6 which I purchased in 1972 and have progressed through Jaguar models ever since so I only have forty years experience with the marque.

As a model development progresses and issues are resolved, the later year will be the more reliable and include more former extras within the base price.

You always hear more noise from complainers than you do from satisfied customers so the reported 'nightmares' need to be read with a little caution.

I own and drive Jaguars because I like the style. If I wanted 100% reliability, I'd be driving something else a lot more boring.

Graham

 

I read it on several consumer sites about the sudden acceleration. Also repeated transmissions failures.

As I said I have a Jag as well as a BMW both are not perfect but I did not expect them to be. I just don't need to have repaeated trans failures or major engine problems either.

I guess I can assume that the newer the better and that each car is it's own person so to speak.

I am big on service, oil changes using only the best oil/filter and trans-services using OEM fluids & filter, tire rotation, check front end every oil change, fix a problem when it's found don't wait until it grows up and eats you. etc. So far both cars have been flawless.

I think I am going to go for the 04. I like the newer gauge layout, easyer to read and the Nav looked pretty clear as well.

Thanks for the help.

 

Don't forget that Consumer Sites, not unlike Owner Forums, are reporting bad news more than good, if a car runs great it's taken for granted.

In the last two years, I can only recall one single example on the multiple forums I frequent, where someone made a new thread to say "hey my car is running great with no problems" otherwise its always been something broken or i need help.

I have never seen any mention about "sudden acceleration" related to a late model Jag....

About the "repeated transmission failures" are you sure that you weren't reading up on the X-Type?

The ZF 6HP26 6-speed auto in the X350 is also used in;

BMW E65/E66 7 Series, E63/E64 6 Series, E60 5 Series, E90 3 Series, E70 X5, E53 X5 V8, F01/02 7 Series. Jaguar XJ, S-Type, XF, XK. Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery. Rolls-Royce Phantom & Drophead. Ford Falcon & Territory. Lincoln Navigator. Kia Mohave. Hyundai Genesis V8 and the Maserati Quattroporte...the AWD verson is used in the VW Phaeton, Audi S6, RS6 & A8, and the Bentley Continentals...

If it affects one, it affects all...

 

Me neither- at least credible stories. I Googled 'sudden acceleration Jaguar' and did find some links, some of them being posted right on this site.
For fun, I then changed 'Jaguar' and to Honda, then Nissan, then Subaru etc etc on the search engine and ran out of names before I could find ONE manufacturer that hasn't been plagued by supposed 'sudden acceleration' events.

 

Well known issue - caused by a loose nut behind the wheel.

Graham

 

All modern cars have brakes that can overpower the engine, even at full throttle. How likely is it that their brakes mysteriously fail at exactly the same time that the car goes to full throttle? In many cases, review of the braking systems reveals no problems.

Occam's razor suggests driver error.

Audi was the first major "sudden acceleration" target.

"Audi contended, prior to findings by outside investigators,[23] that the problems were caused by driver error, specifically pedal misapplication.[23] Subsequently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that the majority of unintended acceleration cases, including all the ones that prompted the 60 Minutes report, were caused by driver error such as confusion of pedals.[28] CBS did not acknowledge the test results of involved government agencies, but did acknowledge the similar results of another study.[25]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_...d_acceleration

 

I apologize. The trans problems were A drums found in the 1998 to 2001 cars not the later cars. I haven't heard anything bad about the 2004 & up cars concerning transmissions. I think a 2004 will be the car I am going for when the time comes, They seem to be very reliable, better than BMW or MB and that has to be a good thing and they look better too. The Jap cars my be reliable but they are boring and look the same as everyones elses cars. Jags stand out and that is a good thing too.

As always, thank you for the information and help.

 

With our 2000 XJ8, the dealer said never to change the trans fluid - since they can never get all the air bubbles out - which will lead to a premature death. So, I just have them top if off, and after 120k it's still as smooth as silk.