1998 Jaguar XJ8 4.0L Saloon. Nothing feels like a Jaguar, they're often accused of being an old man's car or such like - nonsense, they handle very well, the only weak point is the brakes on the steel bodied cars (the later X350s are much better in this respect) this was the second of my x300 ... Read review
Advantages: Ride, Handling, Performance, Engine, Wonderful interior. Disadvantages: Brakes, space (if it bothers you!)
1998 Jaguar XJ8 4.0L Saloon. Nothing feels like a Jaguar, they're often accused of being an old man's car or such like - nonsense, they handle very well, the only weak point is the brakes on the steel bodied cars (the later X350s are much better in this respect) this was the second of my x300 series Jaguars. The 4 litre is the engine to have, being just as economical as the 3.2 but with much more performance. Early (pre 2000) V8s had a reputation ... ...before I sold it. The Jaguar V8s are truly great engines.
The ride was wonderful - almost floating over the road - while being stiff enough to put up with some serious corner speeds through the twisties. I didn't rate the standard Pirelli P6000s, I replaced them with Kumhos which were cheaper, grippier (especially in the wet) and they lasted longer. The 5 speed ZF gearbox is superb, a huge step forward over the GM 'box in the XJ6. ... more
1998 Jaguar XJ8 4.0L Saloon. Nothing feels like a Jaguar, they're often accused of being an old man's car or such like - nonsense, they handle very well, the only weak point is the brakes on the steel bodied cars (the later X350s are much better in this respect) this was the second of my x300 series Jaguars. The 4 litre is the engine to have, being just as economical as the 3.2 but with much more performance. Early (pre 2000) V8s had a reputation for cam-chain tensioner problems, plus wear on the Nikasil cylinder bores, despite these supposed weaknesses my car clocked up 170,000 trouble free miles before I sold it. The Jaguar V8s are truly great engines.
The ride was wonderful - almost floating over the road - while being stiff enough to put up with some serious corner speeds through the twisties. I didn't rate the standard Pirelli P6000s, I replaced them with Kumhos which were cheaper, grippier (especially in the wet) and they lasted longer. The 5 speed ZF gearbox is superb, a huge step forward over the GM 'box in the XJ6. Gearbox programming is exceptional, the car is always in the "right" gear and responded instantly when a burst of acceleration is required. The acceleration is outstanding - almost matching the early XJRs (which I've also owned) whilst returning very reasonable fuel consumption (28ish on the motorway) servicing costs are very reasonable as long as nothing needs replacing (front wheel bearings done at 150Kmiles were £500 per side.)
The interior was tasteful and extremely well finished - better than any German car I've ever experienced. Yes there's not a great deal of space, but I like the feeling of being in a cockpit of leather and wood, rear passengers would probably appreciate the LWB version! The car is well equipped - nothing went wrong with the electrics except the self park sensor on the single windscreen wiper. If something does go wrong you can find a specialist - I found exchange, reconditioned brake callipers for just £90 per side when mine needed replacing at 160K miles.
So there you have it, a car with almost supercar performance, excellent reliability and a wonderful cosseting ride. The interior is a special place to be. I still think Jaguar get a bad ride in the press - they seem to think a car doesn't handle unless it tries to smash your spine through your skull over every bump - ignore them - Jaguars are the finest sporting saloons in the world. You get a real sense of occasion from driving one. The dealers are the most professional and polite dealers I've ever experienced.
What went wrong? I sold the car when it had 170K miles on the clock and was 9 years old. My best friend was the previous owner and had the car from 90K miles when it was 3 years old - he paid £10K for it from a car supermarket. The oe stainless steel exhaust system was still in perfect order. The only major components needed replacing in that whole time was the front wishbone bushes, the front wheel bearings and the aforementioned brake callipers. The car developed a slight shimmy on the steering in the last few months of ownership - Jaguar reckoned the front wishbone bushes needed replacing again - which is reasonable for a big heavy car which had often been driven in a spirited way.
Well to start with this car is not miene. Its my dads. I have been in it loads of times as I live with him so there we go.
First off lets start with the disadvantage. My dad bought it when it had 35,000 miles and now has just over 60,000. When he bought it, the company, Taggarts, Told him they had done new pads and discs. Here we are just having replaces 2 new calipers 8 pads and 2 new discs at the front. Taggarts quoting £2500 for the repairs he ... ...know about this company, taggarts. They rip you off buying and then come back for round 2 when you need a simple repair. Me and my dad done the calipers outselves and thanks to the Jag design, its so easy to get into things and change them.
Advantages? Well lets start by the looks.
Who cannot adore this car for the supreme looks. When you polish it and drive around a town, WHOA, everyone looks at it as if it was brand new. Everyone you talk to ...
matthew2007 15.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Jaguar XJ8 4.0
Advantages: Supreme luxury, fantastic ride and prestige on the driveway Disadvantages: Very expensive to run, very poor build quality
...reg XJ8 4 litre automatic Jaguar for two and a half years. It had 12400 miles on the clock when I bought it from a Jaguar dealership for 26500 pounds (including warranty), who were registered as the previous owners. Needless to say, it had a full service history. It is a lovely looking car with loads of luxuries including leather seats, auto fold back mirrors, auto dip rear view mirror, climate control etc.... It rides like a dream and gets the looks. ... ...states 3 - is this Jaguar trying to cover up a design fault?)A new engine costs between 5 and 6 thousand pounds!!!! Not under warranty was the excessive wear on front wheel bearings at 50000 miles at a cost of 500 pounds to just get it through an MOT. You would not have expected that poor wear and tear on a Ford Fiesta, let alone a luxury car. Every time it goes in for a service it costs at least 500 pounds. Tyre wear can be expensive- or is that ...
tania1 29.03.2003 (05.04.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Jaguar XJ8 4.0
Advantages: Its what youve always wanted Disadvantages: None
...which wasn't covered under the Jaguar warranty, but i was able to purchase a new one for £50.
The car has now clocked up 64000 miles
During my ownership of the car, its needed 6 new tyres, the first two being Avons didnt last too long and were about £85 each.
Its now wearing a full set of Hankooks at £45 each and seems to be wearing well, much better ride/drive than the Pirrelis.
Servicing is done by a specilaist at £75 a time. And until the ... ...(colour) and Front suspension bushes, needed a new drive belt and air con regas total bill £545 including the dreaded VAT.
I have also fitted some after market parking sensors about £45 of the internet, saves the rear bumper.
Recently ive expericened a problem with the electric drivers seat in that it wouldn't move forward or back wards, but this was traced by myself to having become stuck due to lack of use and is now fully working.
My first ...
Stormin16 30.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Jaguar XJ8 4.0
Advantages: Wonderful car. Difficult to fault Disadvantages: Rear view mirror slightly too small.
I bought this car in March 2000 from a Jag dealer when it was 16 months old with 24K miles on the clock. It had been a garage demonstrator previously.
I'll be changing it before very much longer so I feel well placed to pass comment. The car has been joy to own. I've had Hondas, Mazdas, BMWs, Fords, and Rovers and this has been by far and away the best.
Not the cheapest to run, not the most exciting to drive (though not far off!), but just so wonderfully ... ...work getting into the driver's seat, smelling the leather (even in a car nearly five years old!) and drinking in the ambience of the cabin is a just so theraputic.
On the road it gets even better. 240 bhp from the gorgeously mellifluous, though never intrusive, 3.2 V8 makes for brisk acceleration. The 5-speed auto box can be switched to sport mode to hold the lower gears for really sparkling performance.
In addition, Jaguar's J-gate lets you change ...
Friggertool 08.07.2003 (11.07.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Jaguar XJ8 4.0
Advantages: Sport gearbox handling ride comfort Disadvantages: none
I have had this for just less than a year and now have 9 points on my licence.
It is too smooth, too quiet and too fast.
The car is an R reg 3.2 sport, with 120,000 on the clock. Yet shows very little signs of engine and gearbox wear. I use the same service garage as the previous owner, A Jag trained technician with his own specialist garage (Not network)
I have had it serviced twice. 1st when I bought it and there were a couple of bearings that ... ...service due, cost £800.00. The second service after 10,000 miles cost £300.00 with its MOT certificate.
Great fun to drive, the traction control is a bit overkeen to act, though can be switched off, when the big cat really does show its paces and agility.
The car is very smooth, when driving the in-laws, yet easy to reach the speed limit without anyone noticing, including the fussiest passengers who think 50mph is far too fast...
I have heard ...
anarchyintheuk1 02.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Jaguar XJ8 4.0
