Hi,

I am just about to start the purchase activity for a 2005 ish XJ4.2. But I can't decide if an XJR is worth the perceived worry of extra fuel costs and supercharger maintenance costs over an XJ8. But also will it hold its value better? From looking at whats available, I guess I am looking for 70k ish (I do around 7k each year). What do people value more, later registration or lower miles? XJ8 or XJR?
Is a dealer warranty essential, or as they don't cover wear and tear, generally no great use on this age of car anyway?

I'm coming from a new Focus ST which has a hard ride and tiresome, so is the 'R' harsh too?

HELP! I'm driving myself nuts over the options, never mind my poor wife!

Thank you in advance

 

I have owned a XJ6 3.0 and a Super V8 (basically a XJR with Sovereign interior), I have found the SV8 to be pretty much the same fuel cost as the V6, except when driven very hard.
Yes, the Supercharged models hold thier value much better, but you will need to pay a decent amount more to buy one in the first place.
The only extra maintenance of the supercharger is to change the supercharger oil and the valley pipe is a bigger job, than the N/A 4.2. The performance is so much better and the sound of the supercharger really adds to the driving experience.

 

I also have a Super V8, I had a 3.5SE before it and echo the above comment, in normal driving I have noticed no difference in fuel costs , however, the sound of that supercharger is addictive and puts a huge smile on your face every time !

 

What's your budget

 

I second the above wholeheartedly.

You do not have to use the extra power however it a great feeling to know that its there when needed and its a rush when you do use it.

I changed my valley hose at about 103,000 miles and the original was in great shape. Some others on this forum have had to change theirs sooner by the look of it.

 

The ride of a XJR may be tighter than a XJ. But it is still soft and easy. The XJR is definately not hard or harsh.
The excitement factor is worth a lot. When accelerating the XJR moves. The stiffer air springs, larger brakes, and bigger wheels and tires are worth a little extra.
Plus looks, too me the body color accents look better than the chrome on a XJ. The chrome air vent on the side really bothers me.
I must be a 50 year old in a 60 year old body.

 

I have not driven or owned any other Jags but I bought my XJR a couple months back. Now that I have the supercharged V8 I totally love it, the power is just awesome and feels endless. What a blast, I truly enjoy driving this car. No, it doesn't have a stiff ride. I have the 20's which means I have to slow down and avoid potholes but otherwise it still has a smooth ride.

The increased supercharger maintenance overall is basically nothing. The SC fluid is cheap and only has to be done like every 60K miles (I don't think there's an official interval though). Otherwise nothing.

I would definitely vote XJR and would value lower miles over age. My 06 has 49K miles.

 

Thanks everyone. Looking around £11-£12k.

 

That $$$ range R all the way!

 

At that money you can get any model in the range best thing to do is test drive a couple of different models funny my son has just bought a focus st nice car . I have the r model and the ride is definitely not harsh compared to the st , have you had a look at any

 

rjh I used to live not far from Romford in Braintree Green.

Where I am now XJRs are rare. I researched Carfax records etc for a year to try to understand the "foibles" of the model I wanted. I thought that I would have to travel up to 200 miles to see one and then one turned up 40 miles away.

The seller was a dealer in high end off lease cars.

He usually did not "dirty" his hands with a lowly Jaguar XJR however he was so impressed in its condition he kept it on his showroom floor along with his high end luxury models 1-3 years old.

I drove there with my wife "just to look at it". I bought it as it had obviously been well looked after by a single female attorney owner.

So I can no longer simply drive to "look at a car" with my wife!

 

These are luxury cars and require maintenance/repairs to maintain their ride quality. Unfotunately the rubber bushings/links need replacing around 50k miles. Costs upwards towards $4000.00 US. Cars with around 100k miles can expect replacement of the air suspension struts. At least $1k per wheel.
This is in addition to the normal wear and tear such as brakes,tires,rubber hoses, engine and tranny oils, etc.
When I purchased my 06 SV8 with 33K miles 2 years ago, I also got a 3rd party extended warrranty for an additional 4 years. It has paid for itself. Don't own these cars without a warranty.
Good luck

 

Get the XJR or super v8 if you can. The day you see an R jag pull up next to you you'll wish you had one too.
Also,there's no greater feeling when you decide to spook a Camaro or Porsche.