Hi there, I am newbie here. My first Jag is '99 xj-8 VDP with 62k miles on it that i bought a week ago. Things is I don't have a services records with the car. Can someone run a VIN check for me regarding nicasil issue, Timing chain tensioners and any services from the past. Thanks in advance.

 

To the OP: What do you mean by "differs"? Differs from what?

 

99DOES have nikasil bores, and odds are original plastic tensioners. That's why these cars (x308)are so cheap now, because it's just about 1/3 the value of the whole car to do the tensioner horror.Transmissions are not so great either in these early models.

I've got an 04 as well and it'sa LOT better made mechanically, I can tell so just by getting in the car and starting it up. Check around on Ebay, they go for as cheap as$12k.So much smoother and rides great. Goodluck!

 

Okay I'm new here also but fro what I got from reading my book on this car is the VP editions have a bit more wood trim on them, VPs have the lil try tables on the back of the front seats so the rear passengers can do.....something?, but they look really cool back there. Also the VPs have all heated seats and a small console on the trans hump next to the rear air vents. I've noticed that the steering wheels on the VPs have a wood pattern on a section or two where my standard XJ8 does not along with an actual lil metal cat head on the centre of the steering wheel instead of just an inprint of it. I believe the VP is just a higher trim option with all the bells and whistles over the standard XJ8s. I think they may have a larger size wheel option too., I'm not sure
I could be very wrong about these differences if I am please correct me, but hey at least I tried.

 

I don't know about standard XJs, but my XJR has all 4 heated seats, the little console on the driveshaft hump in the rear, and wood trimmed steering wheel. No metal logo, just imprinted "XJR" on the wheel, and no picnic tables. I thought all of the above (aside from the XJR on the wheel) was standard across the range. The VDP models also say "Vanden Plas" in script on the passenger dash wood trim, and have the picnic tables, which no other models got. I think a small number of the VDPs have the 4.0 Supercharged instead of the regular 4.0s, and the VDPs are the long wheelbase model as I understand.

 

yes ya'll pretty much hit it correctly, VDP's are useally fully optioned with added trim levels. And IMO the best level you can get, especially the longer wheel base since they ride much better in the road. And in todays market 12k is alittle high(depends on region) for instance, we have 05-06 Stype mileage under 30k for under 20k$ and older sedans like that, unless theyre in great condition go to the auction since if they werent well maintained,tires brakes etc makes the repairs to much to resell the car properly, unlessthat amount was really figured into the buy amount from the beggining. The good news, if you are in the market for a car now, you couldnt ask for a better market, not so to sell.

 

long wheel base
different leather
trays behing front seat
pass seat able to be moved from rear seat
different grill and trunk finisher
most have lsd
comfort suspention
wood has a gold line on lower section