I was thinking about buying a 2003 XJ6 this week. It has 120k miles on the clock. What faults/ problems should I look for?

Is it a good car to own? It's either this or a BMW M Roadster!

 

No it's not a good car. An SL600 is a good car, or a CL55 AMG, XJ6 is an average car but 120K miles is a little bit scary if the car wasn't taken care of good. I think you own a 406 Coupe. it's one of my favorite cars, did you know you can get a Ferrari 360 kit for your 406? And you can't compare an XJ6 with M Roadster Lol, get the M Roadster anyway it's more fun to drive.

 

Well, Jagmaster is entitled to his opinion, but I am not sure why he has a Jaguar if he dislikes them so much. ALl I can say is they are good cars, but obviously could be better, like most cars. It is a matter of the price-benefit equation.

At 120k miles, I would assume the price asked for this 2003 will be 'right', and also a lot less than an M series BMW will cost, and don't forget they have their faults too, and parts prices can be scary.

For the miles-run you mention, you really do need copper-bottomed evidence of servicing and maintenance. The only real thing peculiar to these X350s that can be a bit of a nuisance is bubbling under the paint on the leading edge of the bootlid and on the D posts of the body. Jaguar were still on a learning curve on painting aluminium in 2003, but seem to have finally learnt. I haver had mine repainted and I also modified the flap seal at the front of the bootlid by cutting it off ! It rubs the paint topcoat away, hence the bubbling.

I assume you are aware the whole car is constructed from aluminium, not steel, and this goes for suspension parts, and the engine. It's a very light car, and you may notice some posts on sensitivity to sidewinds. Well it is a bit sensitive but nothing to really worry about, it won't leap into the ditch !

 

I agree with the last post in the fact that if you like a Jag then... get a Jag. Also the price money equation is a great argument but I would say not to get it. Is a X350 with an air suspension? Those things go out like tires. I can't stress this point enough I fix them all the time but we can't stock them because, are you ready, they expire. Just like milk in your fridge they expire. They have an 'best sold by' sticker with a date that's usually 6 months after they are made and they do go bad all the time. Each side is about 1200 bucks to fix. They are great cars but a lot of times I see that it would actually be cheaper to buy a brand new car than fix an old one, although this might not be the case because if the car has that many miles the guy shouldn't be asking for much. Also, let me add, maybe he did the suspension conversion and has springs on the things then it might be worth your while. For more info on the air suspensions visit http://cartech101.com/?p=44.

Good Luck.

 

At some point the aftermarket usually comes up with something for owners unhappy with paying top dollar for parts for a car worth not very much at all.

I am sure the air suspension is similar to, if not the same as that fitted to some Land Rovers, but is there not a steel spring conversion available ? Other thing is that this is the problem with up-market cars when they become a few years old. Generally one can search out "specialists" who can fix your car for a lot less. Around here there are lots of really old BMWs, Audis and Mercedes and I am sure the owners don't go to main agents for repairs !! There are fewer Jaguars because these three have the European market sewn up; Jaguar annual production was never close even 30 or 40 years ago.

As Daxter says, it is a bit of a gamble, but it all depends on the condition of the car and how well it has been looked after. For what its worth, I sought out a low mileage XJ6 and managed to get a 7 year old with 30k on the clock wih history. Yes, I had to pay a bit more but not all that much. In the States you can now get aftermarket air springs for not a lot of money, and the air compressors are now widely available at the "right price". The editor of our UK Jaguar Enthusiasts CLub magazine has taken his XJ8 to over 130k without too much effort and few problems, although I must admit that even he needed an air compressor, and also two rear suspension arms, The bushes in these fail and are now available separately, once again on the aftermarket.

 

I sold my beloved XK8 and bought the M Roadster. It's great fun to drive but in Ireland it's very dangerous since it doesn't stop raining. I miss my Jag...I might sell the M soon and buy an XKR/XJR