Hi all,

It could be one of the worst decisions I made in my life. (car-decision-wise) But I bought a XJ X350 SV8 last week. The car has been staring at me for a few weeks and I have staring back at her. So I ended up doing a ridicules low offer to the salesman and a week later he gave me a call to sell the car. So I feel like having the most bang for the buck you can get in a car. So let me introduce the car.

It's a SV8 delivered to the first dutch owner in 2003-07. The guy lived in Belgium, bought the car a a dutch Jaguar dealer, so registered it in Belgium and when he moved to the Netherlands he imported the car in the Netherlands. He owned the car to 150K km's. A new owner came along and since 08-2017 it was exchanged for a new Jaguar at the dealer and hasn't moved since.

Apart from the power and experience, the car has all kind of options I never imagined I could ever own in my life. Wow.

I do realize the buying the car was probably not the biggest investment. Keeping it on the road will be making a larger demand on my wallet. As far as I can tell al the major things were functioning normally. Engine, automatic transmission, steering, Stereo/navigation/touchscreen. Furthermore the interior was still looking rather nice. Some details even looking like brand new. Which I think is extraordinary for a car that is almost 15 years old and has been driving 200K km's on our roads.

See attachments for an impression of the car. I plan on starting to use this car as a daily drive. So some work needs to be done. Let's consider this a challenge. ;-)

A few things I noticed that will need some extra attention the coming months. Could standing still (indoor) for 8 months with the battery disconnected have something to do with the following issues?

Need to do, high priority:
- A good service. Last known service was at 150K, now 210K. We don't know what has been done, or not.- Take the car to ZF to give some love and new oil to the automatic transmission
- Mount a tow hitch. (sorry, die-hard Jaguar fans) I need it for our 3 race-bikes.
- Create a Aux-in. Maybe convert the TV tuner which is installed to Aux.
- Buy some winter wheels

Thinking about it, lower priority:
- Add a Jaguar leaper or not?
- Since there's no bluetooth in the car should I install the original bluetooth or a aftermarket solution? (however adding a dual SIM-card to use the retro handset is kind a cool)
- The ceiling is releasing a little in the rear corners. Something has to be done in the future.
- Modify the exhaust just a little to give it a slightly more sensation to the V8


Did I forget anything?
Well, I think I'll be spending some time here in the coming months/years and will be sharing the adventures.

 

Beautiful car! With a delivery date of 2003-07, does that make it a 2004 model year, or is it the last of the 2003s?
The ivory interior is especially nice. That loose pleating style is called 'ruched leather' and apparently holds up very well, even after 200k!
My '04 has the leaper; it may be the case for all the US-spec cars? Feel free to modify it however you wish! You'll find this group is very helpful.
Marc

 

Definitely a must do !


Probably needs a regas. BTW the compressor runs continuously and uses a swash plate pump to vary output so you won't hear it switch-on/off

Could be a failure but maybe you need to check the earths behind the headlamp as these are notorious for failing/corroding. It could also be the lighting switch on the steering binnacle.This was the cause of my headlight flickering culminating in a 3 second long total failure on a twisty road on a moonless night !

Might need a reset at the dealer

Known issue caused by corrosion of the Mazak alloy. Take the front off an clean out.You'll be amazed at what crud is there.

Maybe a high priority ! The socket for the interface to the ECU might be leaking oil but an experienced ZF techie should know about this. Later seal is better
Could be a real problem for you as the alloy body means you need the official Jaguar tow-hitch fitting that is fixed in the right place. Also there is a special wiring loom so that certain suspension functions are disabled. Also note that the car doesn't weigh much so check out what weight you can tow, it is a European standard.

Whatever !

If you have the standard size brake discs, (not Brembos), try to find a set of 'Elegant' 17" wheels, they take a fatter tyre and give a better ride.

Personally, I don't think it suits the car, but you can get RH and LH 5" leapers from Adamesh to stick on the wings just behind the front wheel arches.These DO look good ! I've attached a photo of my previous X350 so you can see them.

It's your choice, but I just went out and bought a cheap SIM to go in the existing phone.

There's always a job to do on these cars !!

IMHO you're better off leaving it alone. Save the money for potentia future repairs, like suspension bushes as these will need some replacements, and also allow for replacing the air compressor for the suspension.

 

The colour code is MDZ and is called platinum.

In my experience it's best to take the Jag to an AC specialist to have it re gassed and leak tested.

You can try to program the keys yourself using the headlamp flashing method.

https://www.autoreservejaguar.com/ne...s-for-xj-x350/

Zenons are notorious for flickering search this forum for info. I use google eg Jaguar x350......

 

Well, first of all welcome to the club. And believe me, your story could be mine exactly. When I was looking for a new car I accidentally stumbled across my green beauty and more or less spontaneously bought it.

In my case my heart immediately wanted the car, and my brain was convinced by what I read here and in other forums/reports about the technical maturity and reliability of this last classic XJ type, especially its engine, and one of the best LPG systems being fitted that I know, otherwise a 4.2 liter V8 would not have made it through the barrier around my wallet. But I understand how you feel. When I drove home after the buy I was between euphory and the feeling I had done something terribly stupid and would sink a lot of good money in this thing in the future.

Your list looks all reasonable, that's the invest you have to make when driving a dinosaur (btw, mine is exactly the same month, 07/2003, and for all I realized until now this counts as MY 2004).

Regarding the service, that's a must. All fluids and filters changed, brakes checked, suspension parts (the wishbone bushings are quite highly loaded on these cars, especially on the rear lower arm, and tend to wear fast. After that you know what condition of the car you start with.

A/C is the same as mine, doesn't really work, for me personally that's a lower priority item, but if you find a solution for yours I'd be glad to get a hint what it was. May be the same for mine.

Flickering Xenons was due to the completely worn left stalk with the light switch on it. Could hardly set the indicators without switching on the long distance lights. When you look around on ebay you'll be able to find a cheap one, preferably on ebay UK, where they have a huge selection, fair prices and for the time at least still no import duty to the old continent Use the time to stock up spares before Brexit
With the new stalk the problem was gone in my case.

There is a procedure somewhere for changing batteries on the key that states you only have a certain time after removal of the old battery to insert the new one, otherwise the key goes stupid. When batteries have drained in the key it is likely that your keys have just forgotten who they belong to. This is one of the few items that really need an official Jag dealer to take care of and reflash them to your car's ID with new batteries. Would be my first step to solve this inconvenience.

No idea about the folding mirrors. I'd be glad if mine didn't work as I have to regularly back down 90m to my house on a narrow path and would prefore to see the hedges on the sides when reversing down the slope instead of just the rear wheels

Gearbox oil flush and filter change should be a must, too. Goes with the statement above to change all fluids and filters.

Tow-bar, hey, if you find one please make sure they have 2 and tell me immediately! I'm looking for the same. Problem is that Jaguar doesn't supply the originals anymore, there are very few X350 actually delivered with one (reducing the change to slavage a trashed one) and you have to work on the chassis to install it. Some 4 holes need to be drilled on either side underneath the car into the aluminium as far as I found, which limits the workshops I would be willing to use for this significantly.
Extremely few aftermarket parts exist and the ones I heard of were so low quality that the workshop of my previous owner of my car outright refused to install it beacuse it was dangerous (and these Russians were artists to get everything installed, so that means something).
Additionally, there is some electric specialty that Jaguar is switching the ground line, while the rest of switches the positive line (haven't looked into the details yet). By a guy in Heerlen, whi did tow-bars and Vialle systems, told me that every universal electric kit for the trailer connection you can find has to be completely reversed by relais to switch correctly and not give any messy faults (indicators, brake lights, there are some safety relevant items on the trailer that will light the christmas tree in the cockpit if they seem to now work.
Personally I gave up on active pursuit of this topic for the moment and will grasp a chance if it happens to come a round.

Regarding the aux-in, search the X350 forum for an aux solution by benwillcox. Haven't done it myself (yet) but this looks extremely good, very well described and several other members have done it since.

I hate juggling wheels twice a year, so I opted for 4-season tyres. When my current ones are through I'll put on either the Micheling or Goodyear, that have been tested extremely good in many national and international auto reviews. But that's up to personal taste.

Leaper or no leaper is a statement of belief. I think about getting rid of mine and make it a paperweight, so if you wish to change hoods ...

Bluetooth topics are also widely covered in this forum. I voted to hunt down a later S-type phone module to replace the original handset-based module with (p/n 7W93-10D893-AB in my case, but higher versions than AB should also do the trick). Also here, ebay UK is your place to go, and watch out for prices, they easily vary by factor 4 to 5 between cheapest and most epensive, so like with all Jag parts watch out for Murphy's Law 14 being: "It's morally wrong to allow suckers to keep their money."

My ceiling is healthy and I pray for it to remain like this.

There are supposedly very good modifications for exhaust systems out there, but as the ignition order of the Jag will not sound like the American V8s I prefer to keep the acoustic British understatement.
I have however seen two German companies around the Cologne area who seem to do a very good job in sound-tuning the exhaust of the Jag V8. If you like I can check for details. Not sure how registration topics for that would be in the Netherlands.

As a general conclusion, be at peace, you haven't made a mistake ... IF you are willing to lay hands on the car yourself on smaller issues. Never ever visit an official Jag dealer unless in the face of mortal danger or if you need a parts that can't be gotten otherwise, or you will feel the full financial penalty of driving an absolute top class luxury saloon made by a very exclusive OEM.
When I needed to change my lower rear control arms for example, the price for 1 (!) at the local Jag representative was 780€, plus VAT, times 2 for both sides, plus half an afternoon worktime to have it exchanged. Welcome to the automotive playground of the rich and famous.
Eventually ordered a set from the UK for something like 380 Pounds (yes, for the set, ie. both of them) and rented a workshop place for an afternoon to do it myself.

So if you have some fun in maintaining things yourself, the cost is not a critical topic. And all in all the car has been reliable. The time when you needed two Jags, one to drive while the other one is in the workshop, has definitely been over with the X350 series

So enjoy the exceptional ride!

 

About a mile from where we live, a new Jaguar main agent opened early last year. As it is so close, and the independent shop I used to use have closed, I had the minor service done there last year at a cost of £206 all-in incl VAT, plus I was provided with an almost new F-Pace as a courtesy car. Part of the service includes a safety check with video sent by e-mail. Slight wear was noted in the off-side rear lower wishbone and the price to replace is quoted on the check list as £240.68 including fitting and our UK 20% VAT. So whoever your Jaguar representative is, he is certainly gouging the customers, because if the UK price is converted to Euros, it comes to €277. It is maybe also worth mentioning that I recently had the heater matrix replaced at this dealership and the courtesy car was a Jaguar XJ6 with 32 miles on the odometer ! Labour time 3 hours to replace, plus the parts.

It is getting close to being worthwhile to come to England for your service and repairs !!

 

That sounds extremely fair, for similar rates I also might not have gone through the fun to rip apart a 300.000+ km suspension with not a single part moving voluntarily

 

I bought my X350 XJR in July of 2017, knowing there would be faults, Although the only faults I could find when I inspected it and bought it, were some flaking paint on the front arch lips and 2 broken dash vents.
Drove it the 40 or so miles home, That's when I realised the A/C wasn't working, or should that be, the system was not delivering any real cold air, so the next day I checked around the system, and in particular the condenser, as I know from experience that most condensers disintegrate over time, but all seemed ok so took it for a regas, that was 9 months ago and it's still ok
The next fault to develop was in august 2017 when I started getting emissions codes popping up, reset and checked, and with help from the guys on here tracked it to a faulty O2 sensor on Bank 1, replaced and all good, Then In November I got an ABS code, replaced the indicated left hand rear sensor and the fault is gone, during the winter I was getting lots of codes flashing up which I put down to lack of use and the battery dropping voltage, so i replaced the battery, and stopped getting codes, the next fault, appeared at the start of march, when the parking sensor system started going nuts, I pulled the codes and shut it off , got a new front centre sensor, fitted it and all good again, however in the last month or so and again down to lack of use I have been getting codes flash up and the old cruise not avail etc, so I charged the battery and have attached a solar panel running though the boot and onto the rear window, and so far it's been fine, so hopefully that has solved my problem until i get to drive it more.

I am not a fan of the leaper on the bonnet, but as it's an XJR, i was kind of dissapointed to find I had only a boot lid badge and I got hold of a couple of XJR wing badges, which I think sets the car off a bit more.

I have the built in bluetooth, which i think is adequate, I'm an old 50's something guy and don't need stacks of music, so the radio and the 6 discs I have are fine for me, although, I would love to have the android update for the touchscreen system, i think that would be awesome. Then I wouldn't have to go sit in the back of the car to watch a movie, LOL.

The Exhaust, I have thought about changing, at least the back boxes, but being a Scot, I can't justify spending the money to replace a perfectly good exhaust system, just to get a better note, I just love the sound from inside, another reason i don't need the bluetooth upgrade, I could listen to that soundtrack all day.

This car is seriously quick and every time I step on the loud pedal it fills me with awe, However, I do feel there is something not quite right at the back end, as no matter what I do, the left hand rear spins up, and unless I am dead straight on the road, I get the back end stepping out, I have had a look underneath, and there does seem to be a slight misalignment of the main subframe bushes, with the left being tight against the chassis and the right having a bit of a gap, I haven't given it a good going over, to see if there is any movement, but I may go down the route of changing all the rear bushings to poly, after all, if they have never been changed they are now almost 12 years old.

The most expensive part so far has been the petrol tank, or should I say the filling of said tank, at around £100 from empty, so i try to keep it full. As the computer says, I am getting around 300 miles from that £100 of fuel, it's not a car I would like to have to use as a commuter car, but luckily I don't have to, If I did, i might have to be more careful about just how hard I push the loud pedal.

I would add, take a good look at the bonnet release, I have found that the cables have started to sieze up a bit, took me 20 minutes to get the bonnet to close the other day, I used sbout half a can of WD40 and then covered them in white grease, still a bit sticky though, I'm planning to remove them from the front end and try to get more lubrication into them soon. hopefully I won't have to replace them as it fear it could be a pig to do.

I'm one of the lucky ones, i have enough mechanical know-how and access to a 4 poster and a 2 poster ramp, so I do all my own repairs, or there is no way I could ever have hoped to be able to afford to run a car like this.

 

I paid for a sound shop to follow the instructions on this video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LLoShbZHGhY

And it works amazing. The sound quality is incredible and I only paid $180 for it. This is my thread on it:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-xj6-xj8-xjr-x350-x358-28/aux-input-installed-194955/

I did this as well. I installed an x-pipe that replaced the central resonators, and now I have a nice Euro v8 sound. There is absolutely no drone and you would not even tell that there was an exhaust on it unless you get past ~2500 rpm. It's a little too quiet for my tastes, but I guess different people want different sound levels when it comes to your exhaust. My stock mufflers are still in place, and they are yuge.

If you want a deeper v8 growl, get an h-pipe instead of an x-pipe. If you want more supercharger noise, get the caldoofy intake tube (look for caldoofy on the forums) and a supercharger pulley from Mina Gallery.

Hope this information has helped.

 

I think a leaper looks great on the X350/358 but not so much on the X351.

I also suggest replacing the grill with wire mesh. The stock one always looks to me like it's missing a tooth or two!

 

Hi there,

I must say I'm overwhelmed by all your extensive, useful and handy information. Thank you all very much. I was away for a few weeks so I wasn't in the situation to respond quickly.

To keep the forum clean en structured I will discuss some different items in different threads.

So far the adventure has been great. Of course there are some costs, but hey, I knew this would happen. And what a joy it is to drive such a car. What happened so far:

• A nearby garage did service on the car. Changed the oil filter and oil, replaced all spark plugs (it's kind of hard to reach the last one of four), replaced interior filter, replaced air filter.
• Changed to new tires, Michelin Premacy 4 235/50/18. This is much better in handling and noise level in the car.
• Had the AC filled up with no luck, still no cold air... ;-( (Summer is coming...)
• Replaced the battery as it was 9 years old and I'd like to prevent any issues with that
• Bought a original (Brinks) tow bar! (Still needs to be mounted, sorry to all fundamentalists who thinks a tow bar is a shame on these cars)
• Installed a leather kit to mount the iPhone holder to. (I'll start a topic for that)
• Bought a new key fob and learned with the headlight procedure. So now I have a remote.
• Bought a complete installed windows XP laptop with SSD on it and a mongoose cable. As an apple user for years I went the easy route and bought a ready to use windows XP laptop. I've read so much difficulties and people who were installing it for days I've a few extra euros to save me the trouble of learning windows XP.

And already drove a 2000km in this beauty. ;-)