It's been a couple of years since I sold my 2004 X350 XJ8 and so haven't posted in a long while. I'm considering buying another Jaguar and would like some input, please.

I've been reading up on Vanden Plas versions and it appears that I might like to check into the 2003 X308 version. I understand that the timing tensioner issue was fixed for 2003. Did that pertain to both the X308 and the X350, or just the X350? I also understand that the 2003 X308 rides on coil springs, not air like the X350 and that the X308 Vanden Plas has a very comfortably soft ride. Am I correct in that? A very soft ride is something I would want.

I understand the X350 came out sometime in 2003. If I Google 2003 Vanden Plas, I see photos of both the X308 and the X350. Did both the X308 and X350 have a Vanden Plas version in 2003?

That's enough questions for now. Thanks for your input

 

Welcome back bookman......perhaps this post may help https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...erview-199169/

 

 

Hi bookman!

Welcome back! It's great to hear from you again.

In the U.S., a 2003 model year XJ8 or VDP will be an X308, a 2004 model year will be an X350. As far as I know, the 2003.5 X350s were released in the U.K. and perhaps other regions, but in the U.S. the transition was directly from the '03 X308 to the '04 X350.

I have an '03 X308 XJ8 which I would be happy to let you drive sometime. The main difference in a Vanden Plas would be nicer leather and trim and probably the extended wheelbase.

Cheers,

Don

 

 

X350 was the first really new Jaguar .... all aluminum body. 4.2L V8 vs the 4.0L in the X308..... completely different vehicle X350 vs X308.

X308 can trace its design back to the 1960's. The X308 is a conventional coil spring vehicle .... x350 uses air bladders. The X350's AL body design and manufacture caused delays... it was originally going to replace the x308 earlier than it did. Jaguar did start manufacturing the X350 for 2003 ,, but they had problems ... I don't think any were sold in the USA as 2003's.

The X308 VDP has a stretched platform allowing for more rear leg room -- the roof is raised and the rear doors are longer. It also came standard with most options and full leather ... tables in rear seats.

 

Between the 4.0 and the 4.2, is one engine better than the other?

 

Sometimes Wiki comes in handy, here's a generic posting of those motors for comparison (HP, stroke, etc). From what I've read, when put into the XK, the 4.2, they put a 6 spd ZF gearbox behind it.

4.0 L

The 4.0 L (3996 cc) AJ26 engine was introduced in 1996. The number "26" comes from 12+6+8 (cylinders), because when the first ideas were sketched, a family of 6-, 8- and 12-cylinder engines was contemplated, although only the 8-cylinder version was produced. It has a square 86 mm (3.4 in) bore and stroke. It was updated in 1998 as the AJ27 with continuously variable valve timing. The AJ-V8 was updated again in 2000 as the AJ28. The naturally aspirated version produces 290 hp (216 kW) in the 2000-2002 XK8.
Vehicles using this engine:

• AJ26
  • 1997-1998 Jaguar XJ8
  • 1997-1998 Jaguar XK8
  • 1997-1998 Daimler V8
• AJ27
  • 1999-2003 Jaguar XJ8
  • 1999-2003 Jaguar XK8
  • 1999-2003 Daimler V8
• AJ28
  • 2000-2002 Jaguar S-Type 281 hp (210 kW), 287 lb⋅ft (389 N⋅m)

Supercharged

The supercharged version of the AJ26 is used in the high-performance R versions of Jaguar's cars. The engine was updated with AJ27 specifications for 2000. It produces 375 hp (280 kW) and 387 lb⋅ft (525 N⋅m) with the help of an Eaton supercharger (modified roots-blower). The supercharged engine did not use variable cam timing as the normal benefits of improved volumetric efficiency are not noticeable on a boosted engine
Vehicles using the supercharged version include:

• AJ26S
  • 1998-1999 Jaguar XJR
  • 1998-1999 Jaguar XKR
  • 1998-1999 Daimler Super V8
• AJ27S
  • 2000-2003 Jaguar XJR
  • 2000-2003 Jaguar XKR
  • 2000-2003 Daimler Super V8

4.2 L

The 4.2 L (4,196 cc (256.1 cu in)), AJ33 and AJ34 versions retain the 86 mm (3.4 in) bore, however they do have a 90.3 mm (3.56 in) stroke . It was introduced in 2002 as the AJ33 and produces 294 hp (219 kW) at 6000 rpm with 303 lb⋅ft (411 N⋅m) of torque at 4100 rpm, later increased to 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m).
Vehicles using this engine:

• 2003–2006 Jaguar XK-series 294 hp (219 kW), 303 lb⋅ft (411 N⋅m)
• 2006–2008 Jaguar XK-series 300 hp (224 kW), 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)
• 2002–2008 Jaguar S-Type 4.2, 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)
• 2004–2009 Jaguar XJ8, 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)
• 2008–2010 Jaguar XF, 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m)

Supercharged

The AJ33S is a supercharged/intercooled variant of the AJ33. It was introduced in 2002 to replace the 4.0 SC and produces 390 hp (291 kW) at 6100 rpm with 399 lb⋅ft (541 N⋅m) of torque at 3500 rpm. The engine was later updated to AJ34S specification to include Variable Valve Timing as well as other minor updates.
Vehicles using this engine:

• 2004-2009 Jaguar XJR/Super V8, 400 hp (298 kW) and 408 lb⋅ft (553 N⋅m)
• 2003-2006 Jaguar XKR, 400 hp (298 kW) and 408 lb⋅ft (553 N⋅m)
• 2006-2008 Jaguar XKR, 420 hp (313 kW) and 410 lb⋅ft (560 N⋅m)
• 2003-2008 Jaguar S-Type R, 400 hp (298 kW) and 408 lb⋅ft (553 N⋅m)
• 2005–present Daimler Super Eight
• 2008-2010 Jaguar XF, 420 hp (313 kW) and 408 lb⋅ft (553 N⋅m)

Land Rover also offered a supercharged version of the 4.2 L as that company's high-performance engine. Land Rover's version is not the same as the Jaguar's version but it was adapted from it.[5]
Applications:

• 2006-2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 390 hp (291 kW) and 406 lb⋅ft (550 N⋅m)
• 2006-2009 Land Rover Range Rover 400 hp (298 kW) and 413 lb⋅ft (560 N⋅m)

 

Thanks, Highhorse. Would you say that between the 4.0 and 4.2 naturally aspirated or supercharged, one was more dependable (comparing the 4.0 after the timing chain tensioner change was made)?

 

I can only go by the specs listed, since I do not have any experience with the 4.2. I myself would go to my Inde' and ask him, he's an Irish Jag Tech and quite direct. But someone on site like Bob, NBCat or Don I would say would be able to give direct advice on that. What I would also do is dip into the x350 and/or X200 forums and ask them. Perhaps even asking in the General Tech Help forum since your asking for transition year information.
Here is a recent thread in x200 that touches on it lightly... https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...-4-0-a-161262/
...and one from General Tech... https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...ability-23624/
All I did in the Search was put in 4.0L vs 4.2L for those results, there were plenty more.

 

Thanks. I'll follow through on those links and search.

 

Hi bookman,

Just a few additional thoughts:

In general, both engines have proven to be very reliable when well cared for. All engines with variable valve timing (VVT) require good clean oil of the proper viscosity or bad things can happen, so finding a car with complete service records showing regular oil changes is a big plus.

At this point, you're considering cars that are 14 and 15 years old, so in either case you'll find examples for sale that still have their original spark plugs & coils, water pumps, thermostats & coolant hoses, fuel pumps, power steering pumps, alternators, wheel bearings, shocks & suspension bushings, transmission fluid & filter, etc., any of which could require replacement now or in the very near future. As you know, plugs, filters, fluids, drivebelts, etc. should be replaced in any used car you intend to keep for awhile, and in any Jaguar you should go through and clean all the battery power connections and major ground points to reduce electrical gremlins.

Aside from the timing chain tensioners, another thing to be aware of on an X308 is that the ZF 5HP24 transmission is known to have certain weaknesses (pressure control valve, failing A-drum), and the GKN 14HU differential is not as robust as the earlier 15HU unit used in the X300 and XJ40. With good suspension bushings and shocks, the ride is very smooth and controlled.

On the X350, the most common complaints are problems with the air suspension, various and multitudinous electronic gremlins, and the failure of components like fuel pumps and alternators at mileages of 100K and more.

Like all Jaguar saloons of the last many decades, the headliners of both models will sag, especially in our Tennessee summer sun.

If you love the classic Jaguar saloon look, the 2003 X308 really is the pinnacle of the design. If you're looking for a more modern descendant with better performance and fuel economy, I would personally recommend that you look at a 2006 or later X350. They don't cost much more than '04s, but some of the earlier bugs were worked out, and if you're concerned about the air suspension, find an example with a failed suspension at a bargain price and I'll help you install a coil conversion kit.

Cheers,

Don

 

Don, if my goal, aside from a dependable car, is a soft ride, would you say there is enough difference in ride comfort between the coil spring conversion and the air suspension to make the conversion worth the effort? Having never driven a Jag with coil spring suspension, I wonder how the X350 long version with air suspension (such as 2006 or later XJ8L or Vanden Plas) would compare.

 

Bear in mind that the "newest" X350s I have driven with air suspension were approaching 10 years of age, so I really don't know how good they could be when new, and the only coil conversion units I have driven are the Arnotts (I've done several conversions for friends). My impression is that the air suspension is harsher over low-speed sharp ridges, pot holes, speed bumps, etc. At high speed, the air suspension is very similar in smoothness to the coils but with more control in corners. Plus, the auto-leveling feature is very nice when you have four passengers or a trunk full of luggage. The coils seem smoother over sharp ridges, pot holes and speed bumps, but allow a little more roll in corners and a little more wallowing on uneven surfaces, but if you're looking for smooth, I think you would very much like the coils.

Another thing to think about is the size of the wheels/tires. The X350 19-inch and 20-inch wheels with low-profile tires are inherently harsher than smaller wheels with higher-profile tires. I don't remember off the top of my head if 18-inch wheels were available on X350s, but on X308s, stock wheels like the Starburst and Lunar are 16-inches, so the tires have higher sidewalls and more air compliance.

Cheers,

Don

 

Okay, I'll keep that in mind. I really do favor the look of the X308, but the X350 is still a good idea. I like the seats in the X308 Vanden Plas and I haven't seen seats quite like those in an X350 VP.

With resale prices being what they are, I doubt the coil spring conversion does much to hurt the resale value on an X350, does it?

 

If a soft ride is what you are after, you cannot beat an X308. It rides like a Lincoln Town Car but is closer in size to a Camry. It really was the last of the dinosaurs. Jaguar decided after that to go in the same direction as Cadillac and try to capture some of BMW's "sport sedan" market share. They thought the old geezers who bought comfortable sedans were going into nursing homes or dying off, but they forgot that young people eventually get old and develop the same pains as their parents did.

The only downside to the X308 is they are now 15+ years old. All the plastics, rubbers and vinyls are deteriorating from sheer age and those kind of replacement parts are getting scarce. If you can find one with low miles that's been garage kept in a cool climate then you should be able to get a few more years of luxury motoring out of an X308. I considered going that route myself, finding just such a 2003 model, but I knew that in three or four years, the Texas sun would just toast another one and that'd be kind of a shame. Instead I started looking for a much newer sedan.

It really is ironic that when I was young, I had to buy custom wheels, tires and modify the suspension on my sports cars because they weren't stiff enough for autocross. Then when I get old, every modern four door sedan comes race-ready right out of the factory and I have to buy custom wheels and modify my suspension again because they're too stiff for use on public roads.

 

pdupler, I know what you mean. The first car I ever owned that excited me was a 1972 AMC Gremlin that my dad helped me buy in December, 1972. I thought I was roaming around in high cotton. I imagine that if I were to drive one of them today I would come out at the end with body parts hurting that I didn't know I had. :-)

There are two primary goals that I'm after. One is dependability, but that wouldn't matter unless the ride was remarkably softer and more cushioned than the cars I have now. I do really like the looks of the longer and lower look that the X308 has, especially the Vanden Plas.

You mentioned difficulty finding replacement rubber, vinyl, and plastic parts. Are there after-market manufacturers for those parts?

Thanks.

 

If potential buyers have the good sense to search the Jaguar Forums for what they should look for in an X350, they learn that the air suspension is known to develop issues. One of my friends is an auto broker, and he intentionally searches auto auctions for X350s with inoperable air suspensions but good cosmetics. He gets them for a song and has me install the coil conversions, then resells them for a tidy profit, touting to the buyer the fact that he or she will never have to deal with the original trouble-prone air suspension.

Cheers,

Don

 

If you remember, Don, the X350 I had came to me with suspension issues. With the help of some suggestions from this forum, a compressor repair kit, and some time, I got the compressor to stop leaking. Then you helped me level the car. So, yes, I do remember the suspension issues that were possible on that model. Even with that, it was the most fun car to drive that I ever owned. I enjoyed its spunkiness, the tightness of the body, and the interior quality (except the sagging headliner). Now, I'm thinking of enjoying those same things again, but with a softer ride that my Honey can enjoy with me.

 

Well, you now seem to be at the searching to buy part. May I recommend the Sticky's at the top of either Forum which all have "What to look for..." when buying either. In my Sig the 2nd link will get you there to start your comparisons.