What were the differences on the X308?

The only XJR on the market that I like was built in 1997. I believe there’s no automatic lights, wipers, Nikasil issue. What else am I missing?

 

There were two different XJR-s built during 1997: X300 up to June and X308 thereafter. Which one are you referring to? In any case, you can find info on the net about the (considerable) differences between the two mentioned XJR-s.

 

The shift to the AJ27-27S engines. Drive by wire throttle and cruise control.
CATS suspension fitted to most of the later R's along with R1 wheel/brake/suspension packages.
Full heated seats
Auto electronics on the Can-bus
Last of them, from 14th August 01 had the S engine with later 4.2 timing and oil pump along with steel liners. For me the pick of the bunch.

 

So, my ideal spec was black on black, heated seats, cruise control, memory seats, sunroof, and HK sound system but that's awfully rare.
I found one that was black-on-black and had heated seats, cruise control, memory seats, a sunroof, and an HK sound system but the bodywork needed at least 1500quid investing.

I was hellbent on the heated seats, but I've heard they're not really powerful so I can live without them and install heated seat mats.
The HK system - I'll overhaul the speaker system in the car, so I'm not missing out on that.
Cruise control - apparently I can fit it myself so it may be a future project.

The XJR I've seen has had the following done:·

• Poly front suspension bushes,
• · 25-30mm lowered & uprated springs with bottom wishbone suspension mounting position changed to bring camber back into spec (2013).
• · Front wheel bearings replaced (2020).
• · Rear driveshaft rebuilt with new UJs & new Rear wheel bearings (2021)
• · geometry Lazer was adjusted in 2019 when 4 new tyres were fitted.
• · EBC Grooved brake discs and green stuff pads,
• · Brake fluid flush (2019)
• · Recon Prop shaft (2021).
• · Oils changed in the Diff and Gearbox.
• · Autonomous Super charger cooling system with high capacity Bosch 010 charge cooler pump and 35% Larger surface area Pre charge cooler radiator, 14% rpm increase bottom supercharger pulley (boosting low down power)
• · Supercharger rebuilt with SOLID coupling,
• · Valley pipes done at the same time (2020)
• · Bespoke fabricated Magna flow 200 2.5" cats pipework reducing to standard exhaust middle section. Both fuel pumps and fuel filters replaced (2019)
• · Cam box gaskets replaced when check carried out to ensure Metal tensioner upgrade has been carried prior to increasing the power output.
• · Real Gauge coolant module fitted (far more accurate than std).
• · bumpers/boot lid and rear qtrs painted due to age-related marks.
• · new headliner fitted

Am I really missing out on much?

 

as sidenote x308 has alpine stereo system. Not HK

 

97 has the old cluster dials
plastic gear surround
black wood for usa.
weak head gaskets

not the early ones