Just bought a 2003 Vander Plas this pass Monday and the drive home was great. The trip to get the car was about 950 mile round trip, and felt the price was right for the car. So now I am the owner of the Vander Plas, and a XJS. I will post some pics after I take some this weekend, but thought I would jump on here since I was in the XJS area, and check out things, and comments by others. Do have a couple of things to do on it, but nothing major, the dreaded headliner, and the also the shade for the sun roof is off track. as soon as the weather cools down in this are I intend on tackling that. Other few things I plan on doing (which is something I always have done upon buying a used car) changing oil, filters, plugs, and brakes.

One thing I would like to know is what work shop manual to buy, I have seen them on line only the ones I have seen show manual dates from 1997 to 2003, then I see some manuals with the dates of 2003 to 2009. Checking the door for build date it is stamped 2002 for build, but has always been registered as a 2003.

 

Look at the Sticky at the top of the forum page and you will see directions to download the manual JTIS21.
Also, the DIY or 'how to' Sticky here and in the XK8 forum have helpful articles, as does the jagrepair.com site.

 

Welcome to X308 ownership! It sounds like you got a great car. I have an 02 XJR and I just sold my XJS to get an XKR. You'll find the people on this forum to be as helpful and friendly as the people on the XJS forum. They are a wonderful bunch and have helped me many times.

I'm sure you will love your a Vanden Plas as much as your XJS. They are fabulous cars.

 

It sounds like you have an X-308, which is essentially the same as a MY 2002. For reference, if you have a MY 2003 X-308, you have an AJ27 engine (good), post Nikasil engine liners (maybe good, but no Nikasil failures in any case) and new series primary chain and factory metal secondary tensioners (great).

Your first problems will likely be around "restricted performance" (many causes), "Stability Control Failure" (Bad motoer connector on ABS or wheel sensor), leaking thermostat riser (new metal one available for relatively cheap), and lean run codes (cracked intake plenum parts).

You have one of the MYs after most of the snigglies were resolved! Good luck.