I purchased my 2003 XJ in 2006 with 11,400 miles and now I have 78,300. The only maintenance done is synthetic oil every 5K, new front brakes, changed the tranny fluid at 5-years (44,000 miles), changed the plugs at 6 years 54,000 mikes along with changing the radiator fluid, new brake fluid, new fuel filter every 2 years. I have not changed the timing chain tensioners. Everything else is still original. I hear both sides on the tensioner issue, some say wait until it is time to change it and others say buck up and do it. Does anyone have one with over 100K with the original tensioners? What kind of maintence should I expect as the car gets up to 100K+ mileage?

 

I'd expect some suspension issues, mine started needing some TLC at about 80-90k. Bushings, one shock, stuff like that. Coolant leaks are expected over time, those hoses and fittings get alot of heat and break down/get brittle. My air pipe started cracking also.

If it were me, I'd feel pretty good about the car, getting the tensioners done now will give you alot of confidence as you turn over 100k and beyond. You've been very proactive about everything else to this point... logic will lead you down the right path.

 

I do believe your 03 is beyond the tensioner issue... only lasted into 02 MY, if I recall correctly.

Edit: Yes, quoting Testpoint:

"The conversion to metal tensioners occurred supposedly at the start of '02 model production but that is not absolutely true. The conversion date was August 13, 2001 at the engine plant. Since the engine serial number encodes its production date the first upgraded engines had a serial number of 010813hhmm. The 'hhmm' has not been reliably reported."

So you do not have the particular tensioner issue that plagues the rest of us - you're lucky!

 

there you go...tensioners not an issue!

 

The only thing that I haven't seen on your list that sticks out is the serpentine belt. I would bet at 7 years and 80K it is about time. The only fluid I see that hasn't been changed is the power steering, I would look at it as well. Otherwise, you have a stellar maintenance record.

As H20boy suggests, the bushings are probably next. I would bet that your sway bar bushings are shot already. There are many threads regarding these and the other bushings that will give you a good hint to the impact that replacing this rubber will do for drivability and road manners.