I was involved with the engine bay and cowl design at Whitley, Coventry working with a small team of great engineers. The X308 was the best of them all imho. With a zinc coated steel body and modern paint process, with the correct care the body should last 50years baring accidents. Combined with a great engine it’s a true classic 😘
Jack is truly a man of the people. No ego like other uber rich car youtubers, just a bloke who appreciates used cars and wants to share their stories. Thanks for the genuine consumer advice and enthusiasm 👍
@@NewtonInDaHouseYo I know that much, why is it that people always shoot the breeze and never give away anything of value? These Ford Jaguars had plastic bonnets, they were wobbly on the upstroke.
A family member has had one of these for about 20 years, he used to change cars often but has no intention of ever letting the XJR go. I think he has been wise to absolutely keep on top of it, a prestige car with an increasing number of small faults soon declines further. Whenever I see the car I cannot resist walking around it, it is somehow subtley beautiful. The car has been reliable over the years, certainly not the nightmare you might expect.
I have a 2000 XK8 (non-supercharged) that is very similar to your car - the interior is practically identical. I've also owned 4 BMWs over the years. When I looked at my car the previous owner said "Everyone has a 3-series" and he was right. I've had it for 7 years now and it's been perfectly reliable. And the engine at 6000 rpm is pretty sweet. It gets more compliments than any BMW ever did.
My brother owns an X308, 4.0 lwb, Sovereign I actually reckon it is the best car I have ever been in. Stunning looking, incredibly comfortable, and omg it has character......
Gave twelve hundred quid for a mint silver R-reg XJR 10 years ago. Absolute flying machine with a superb ride quality and it went round the bends well too. Bloke in a Turbo R fancied his chances one night on a very quiet piece of motorway. 5 minutes later and he wished he hadn't as he discovered what a supercharger offers!
What a car. I was lucky enough to work at a Jaguar main dealer in period and sold many, many 308's. I still drive one today (with 325,000k), a 4.0 Sport. Great cars. Wonderful review as always! Cheers from Australia.
I have to agree. I’ve owned a lot of cars and currently own a 2006 xj8L non supercharged and although I’m a w140 Benz fan for life I am currently daily driving mine and it’s amazing. It’s my first jag and I’ve always heard so many bad things about jag. The fact that my wife loves it says a lot. She calls it her baby Bentley.
@@egbert1985 yes I have heard this but for a daily driver I heard the 305 is a better option for gas mileage and reliability. If I had a choice I would trade mine but for now will keep driving since it has 200k miles on it (322k kilometers) and drives better than my w220 did. The only comparable car was the ls430 but it came at a much higher price and wasn’t as good on gas.
My family has always had Jaguars, but my father and uncle are Jaguar mechanics, so that makes owning one much easier because of the insane amount of maintenance they require. The E-Type’s we’ve had are my favorites, but they’re about as reliable as a drunken heroin addict working as a bank teller. The new Jaguars are far better made than ones from even 10 years ago. But still, you have to wonder how well a new Jaguar will hold up in 5 or 10 years from now. The only real issue now is the extremely complex electrical and computer systems. At least the problems with severe rust are no longer an issue!
@@petescarport wow that surely surprises me. I'm talking about the W220. I had 2, and their ride is superior to anything else I've driven, even the newest S classes. So it's surprising to me that it rides worse than the Lexus, which didn't impress me at all when I had a ride in such.
What a Jag. I have always loved Jag, and this example is by far the best. A true gentleman's conveyance. Thanks to all for showing us this one. I am green with envy 😀
I had an e39 m5 and took an xjr out for a long weekend when I was looking to replace it. M5 was very much a sports car which happened to be in a 4 door saloon body. Jag was a luxury car which happened to have a powerful engine. They were very different experiences and not sure they really competed against each other. Jag also felt a lot older with the tech and a lot smaller inside. Ended up buying a B10 V8s which was, I felt, the best of both worlds.
I agree with you. I was so excited to try one of these, and so very disappointed by the actuality of it. I bought an E63 which is also a luxury car with a big engine, but I found it drove much better than the Jag.
Amazing looking car. I had a XJR of the X300 generation, with the 6 cilinder engine. One of the best looking saloons the British ever made. Another good review Jack.
Great cars. Nikaseal was a huge deal at the time but any problems were resolved years ago. The issue was the high sulphur fuel that has been banned for 20 plus years. Pre 2000 models have weaker timing chain tensioner which can cost around £400 plus to replace ( before they die). The only other surprise is the lack of legroom in the back. I put 60k on my 3.2 sport, which was a lovely motor and very underrated. I also had a 97 XKR with huge mileage. It was timed at 154.6mph through the Jag owners club Woodbridge speedtrap, when it had 227k miles on the clock!
I sold my Bentley Arnage a few years ago and had several other cars but the only one I don't feel cheated driving is my 24 year old Jag X308 4 ltr V8 LWB Sovereign! I love it.
This is my dream car ever since I first walked past a house with a black e38 740i and a black XJR. The 308 design is just perfect. I know that the 350 is a massive tech leap forward but it just doesn't have the same elegance, class and menace of 308 XJR in black.
My dad bought a dark blue with cream leather one of these just before my wedding...By the time i got back from Honeymoon it was gone. (He was cleaning it and found some damage...turned out it had been in a heavy unrecorded rear end crash). But WHAT a car! It was a beast that could drive like silk until the loud pedal was pushed. It was BLISTERINGLY fast. I LOVED it and have lusted after one ever since.
I own a 1997 XJR6 and a 1997 Daimler Double Six and love them both. Extremely similar but so different in character. The XJR is a proper Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Such a lovely looking car, I love the way the headlamp shape carries on into the bonnet. My father in law had a T plate XJ8 from new for 10 years & did 160,000 trouble free miles including several continental road trips.
I totally agree! Having owned both I prefer the Jag as a daily driver. The X308 has a more unique feeling. I still have my XJR and it’s always makes me smile. The M5 E39 is overhyped today, I had a lots off expensive technical issues when I owned it almost 20 years ago and it was a disappointment compared the the M5 E34 I had before. That is the best M5 hand down! It’s maybe not as powerful but it’s so much better to drive and the build quality is incredible. To bad that it’s almost impossible to find a good example today.
I've been driving E39 M5s as daily drivers since 2007. Even though I like the look of the XJR, and the interior is nicer, it seems to be softer (I see this one wallowing compared to my E39 M5). The lack of an available manual transmission is the killer for me, with the XJR. To each his own, but I'll take my E39 M5 over the XJR.
The x308 jag has a 2 arm rear suspension set up, 1of these arms is the drive shaft!! When I first put mine on the ramp to check it over I was sure there must be bits missing!! Definitely not designed with handling as a priority! If you try to drive one hard like you could a quick bmw you would certainly die!!
@@carlkuss8300 same as most jags since e-type. It works well. That isn’t the problem with the XJR. It’s too soft, too heavy and too susceptible to small alignment problems. The steering is also numb.
I think Jags do have a special place in peoples hearts. My dad loved the ones he had and i suspect it was because of all the positive comments he used to get. His last one was a LWB Sovereign. Massive bloody thing. When he died everyone expected me to keep it but unfortunately it had a few issues and I wasn’t really prepared to do all that work for a car with no real financial value. Shame as it was immaculate inside but it had a bit too much rot on it and some weird paint issues. I kept the cherished reg tho in memory of him. He stealthily spent a small fortune on that car over the years (without my mum knowing😂😂).
I've got one. It is my daily drive, and does try me out sometimes - like when "coasting" down a hill. If I let inertia take over, the engine dies, if I feather the brakes it doesn't. I pull over, turn the ignition off, turn it on and away we go. It's all a bit odd but I take it in my stride. I know the "danger spots" locally so it's the left hand lane at all times. I find the lights in the instrument nacelles leave a bit to be desired, and I keep getting odd messages about the ABS, Traction control and Engine fail, but when these lights go on, the cars just keeps going with no change in revs , stopping ability or stability. I reckon it is an electrical fault in the EMS sender to the dash board. Let's face it, she has done 301,000 kms.
Regarding the instrument lights: There is a rotary dim switch on the left side of the steering column (but I'm sure you know that). And regarding the error messages: Could also be triggered by a weak battery.
This summer, when my F-Type is paid for, I'll be looking for a 2006-2008 XJ8 VDP, the x358 chassis. It has the lightweight aluminum construction, the 4.2 engine is sorted, doesn't have the chain tensioner issues the 4.0 engines had. I can forego the supercharger, I get plenty of kick from the 3.0 S manual transmission coupe I have. I was resistant to the LWB version but I'm warming to it now. The air suspension can go bad but the front units are surprisingly easy to replace with just standard wrenches. Headliners are, as always with Jaguars, an issue, those are $2,000 US to replace. So I'm looking at a three car fleet, 2016 Mazda MX-5, 2016 F-Type, and the XJ8, I think that would cover most of the bases.
I had a x300 ,1995 4.0, lovely straight 6 engine, people all the time would stop and say what a lovely car ,sills and jacking points rotten,one of the best looking cars ever.
I've been in love with this since I was 16. All my friends wanted v-tec Civics and Golf VR6s at the time and would make fun of me for wanting an "old man" car. The only way this car could be any better would be if it also came out as a 2-door with the exact same engine and interior. It would have been the Jag competitor to the CL and original 8 Series.
I enjoy your videos, this one especially. So much of automotive merit-comparison tries to break things down to crude numbers such as zero to 60 mph, top speed, horsepower and so on. Much of the value is in how it all integrates, and so I enjoy having someone like you give their insightful and enthusiastic opinion. Thank you!
I'd like to add for anyone in the states considering one of these, that the nikasil problem basically isnt a problem in the states - gas has always had less sulphur in it than the UK. I went down a long rabbit hole on the forums discovering that lol. I bought an XKR recently to have a luxurious long distance fast GT cruiser and in retrospect kind wish Id got an XJR instead. I imagined the XK having better handling etc and lighter than the XJ but actually there's almost no difference, and the XJR has four seats, which is actually really nice because then I dont have to be a nobby no mates... FYI Brit living in the US in case anyone wonders why I say gas and nobby no mates in the same post.
Dad had bought his friends a '98 but it was the just the standard V8. He had it for years and even drove it to Canada and back...twice! He was very proud of that car. They are timeless looking cars and far and away better looking than anything that came out after in Jag's lineup. The XJR was and is still one of the sexiest saloons ever. One of the professors at uni in Houston had a relatively new one back in 2001. I would go out of my way to walk past it. Great review! Thanks!
I am not knowledgeable about the mechanical or technical details of car; I am more concerned with their beauty and overall performance; that is why I would buy this car over any other. For me this was the epitome of elegancy and beauty condensed under the name JAGUAR. It doesn't get any better than this. Unfortunately: A) I cannot afford it B) I live in a f... 3rd rate country with very bad roads. Thank you, Jack, for this beautiful tribute to one of the finest cars ever! 🤩🤩🤩
I have a 1993 XJ40, which has the same basic frame. The attention to subtle detail is extraordinary. E.g. if you look across the front of the bonnet, paying attention to the slight change of slope before the inward angle of the grill, this mimics perfectly the shape of a big cat's nose. Someone really clever designed this to powerfully suggest "CAT" without you really noticing quite how. It's just brilliant.
That's what I like an open minded gentleman, someone who think's outside the box, rather than going on about how wonderful German cars are compared to the rest of the motoring world. Used to own an X350 XJ6 TCDi, a superb diesel V6 engine, super smooth compared to BMW I test drove, and also the much maligned X-Type 2.1ltr, which I loved. Both very special cars. Keep up the good work.
Had a few XJ6 Jags back in the day. They were great cars and never let me down, never tried to send me off road like the BMW 5 series I once swapped for! Merry Christmas Jack and a happy new year!
One of the absolute best kept secrets of used cars: 1995-2003 XJ ! I own a 1997 XJ6 with base 4.0 slant six, and it is the absolute most reliable car I have ever owned. Easy to work on, not too hard to get parts, and tight as a drum. I now have 260k miles and it is still a beautiful car inside and out. I am in Oregon USA away from the coast, so not a spot of rust or corrosion, and everything still works :-)
I really believe that the X308 XJR is the only four door sedan more beautiful than the E39 M5, but of course in a very different way. Really the only deal breaker for me is the mandatory torque converter. If I could get a clutch pedal, the XJR would be perfect. I have very fond memories of driving my Dad's 2002 XJ Sport, really the same car minus the supercharger. I found the chassis to be all about strange contradictions. The steering was very precise but completely numb and overboosted. The high speed turn-in was nimble yet sometimes unpredictable. The ride was firm yet compliant. It was in all ways the opposite of the track-prepped Porsche 968 I was daily driving at the time. And in spite of the contradictions, it just fueled my desire for an XJR, if only I could manual swap it...
As a lifelong Jag fan and someone who has worked a lot on this gen of Jaguars I couldn't agree more. I had an XJR that a previous owner had gangster tinted the rear windows, fitted coil overs lowered it slightly and it was every inch the gentleman thug a good jag should be, the only thing I didn't love was the ZF box, a good manual and this would have been near perfect. Nice video.
I've has two E39 5 series. Biggest issue with them for me was the offset pedals and windscreen wipers plus the M5 was onlt available with a manual box, totally impractical in todays traffic. THe Jag is also much more comfortable. Probably not as well built as the a BMW and much more liked than a beemer. Good review with no biased or fear of upsetting folk who may disagree. M5 owners will disagree of course they will, but they would have to acknowledge, the Jaguar is a good alternative.
I bought an XJ8 some time around 2010. Around the time the dealer warranty expired, it began having cold starting problems. To cut a long story short, the compression was poor, and the cylinder head(s) had to come off. I priced a head gasket set at £605 (yes, six hundred and five pounds!) Furthermore, I bought a "workshop manual" on CD ROM in which I couldn't find a cylinder head bolt tightening procedure or torque settings. At that point I decided that any further expenditure was good money thrown after bad, and reverted to driving a "normal" car (Vauxhall Astra) for which I could (if necessary) tow start, recover on it's own wheels, buy a Haynes w/shop manual for, and buy parts for without having to obtain a bank loan. A luxury car is one I can repair!
It's an inappropriate comparison, the M5 is a totally different concept, like comparing a Morris Minor with a Mini Cooper. Nevertheless a great review; this Jag is totally worthy of superlatives in my opinion, but in its own realm.
I toyed for a long time between buying an E39 M5 and an XJR. It was very close but I went for the M5 11 years ago.. it having a manual box was what swayed me. I still have it today. Would still love an X308 XJR and a manual X300 XJR in my collection.
For many years Jaguar was the nicest car by the side of the road. I always loved the interiors on these, though, and I really liked the XJR sound. Back when these were in their heyday I could not really afford either one, but I dreamed of owning that first V8 M5. Now that I have the financial means, I drive a F90 M5 and I must concede that this car does everything better than any other car I have owned in my life. But I may still give Jag a shot before I am put out to pasture. Great vid, by the way.
I've owned my e39 M5 for years and love it to death, but I would love to own a XJR alongside the BMW. The XJR is more relaxed for when you want to daily whereas the M5 encourages you to drive more sportively.
I've owned from new both the E39 and the X300, albeit not in sports form. Both were a bit cramped inside, but let it siffice to say I kept the E39 four years and the Jag a whopping thirteen years.
Absolutely love these Jags. Have had 2 of them the last of which I had for 7 years. Miss them so much that I’m looking for another one but the major issue with what are now 20 + year old cars is rust especially the inner front sills and lower front wheel arches. If the one you were driving was for sale I’m afraid I wouldn’t be buying it, at its last MOT it had 13 major failures mainly due to corrosion issues. For anyone thinking of buying one the other points to look out for are sagging headliners, deteriorated suspension bushes which they are prone to ( mine was polybushed all round which made a HUGE difference ) and most importantly check that the car has had the upgraded steel timing chain tensioners fitted over the red plastic ones which with constant heat go brittle and fall apart. This happened in my last XJR and the chain on one side jumped one tooth and it started misfiring. If it had jumped 2 teeth it would have been game over for the engine so I was lucky. What I wasn’t lucky with was the bill for replacing the tensioners. Couldn’t get an independent garage to tackle the job as they all said they needed special Jag tools to do the job ( which isn’t the case ! ) so had to resort to a Jag main dealer who charged £1200 !! Apart from that major expense both mine were really reliable cars with little going wrong. I got 14/16 mpg around town and saw no more than 27 on a steady long run. Currently have an XE 3.0 S with the supercharged engine with 335 bhp which is slightly faster and more economical than the XJR but I dearly miss the elegance and smoothness of the XJ which no modern saloon can replicate.
Yes that last MOT that you highlighted cost my dad around 5k to get the corrosion issues sorted. It's been maintained well though over the 20 years we've had it and although far from concourse is a very straight honest car with mostly motorway miles. It's had an absolute fortune spent on it over the years and the history file would fill a bookshelf. Obviously these cars make no financial sense but as you know are fabulous when they do work!
Ouch ! That was an expensive MOT repair bill ! A few years ago it wouldn’t have made economic sense to repair as the cost would have been more than the car was worth but in recent years those enthusiasts ‘in the know’ realise what great cars they are and want to keep the last of the ‘true’ Jaguars on the road. As a result prices are soaring even higher mileage ones. There’s no getting away from the fact that the x308s have real presence on the road and do turn heads wherever they go.
@@grahamforbes3243 My dad loved the car so much it's had an obscene amount of money spent on it over the years. That's why I'm keeping it. I'm not naive however I know it'll keep throwing bills at me but it's part of the family now!
I really like this car also. If you need a sports car feeling more, drive a real two seater. I can see how well this car rides and easily keeps stable and controlled, and the little V8 sounds so sweet. As we age, this car will be better to our comfort needs. Thank you
I has an 06 XJ8. It was an amazing car. I doubt I’ll ever have a car I loved as must as that car. The seat killed my back and as much it broke my heart, I went.back to a 5 series and then an E series Merc. I still miss that Jag! I wonder if I will ever have a car that I love as much as that Jag?
A real Jaaaag. Love this far over the BMW, had both a matcbox cars but the only one I still care about is my British Racing Green XJR. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
I think you're right about the Jaguar R filling a unique role, calm luxury and performance when you need it. To me the original Series 3 is the prettiest XJ but this X300 was certainly easier on the eye than the XJ40. For me though, I'd always take the later aluminium X350 from the mid-naughties. The body doesn't rust, it's lighter than the X300, has a better cockpit and a far better gearbox that helps make it more fuel efficient despite the 4.2 V8 being more powerful. One downside to all these XJs is the shallow boot that isn't really compatible with modern luggage but I agree they are all just a little more stylish than the equivalent M5, if you view that as an alternative for your cash.
I've had a few series 3 XJs, an X300 and an X350 and I'd agree completely . Series 3 is prettiest (PIninfarina?), XJ40 was hateful with those square headlights. X300/308 was an improvement. The X350 isn't as well proportioned but it's better than all its predecessors in every other respect. Still absolutely a 'Jeeaag' but lighter, faster, more comfortable and more reliable (OK, less unreliable:-) Finally getting rid of my 2003 SE next week after 12 years of ownership - to replace it with um, a 2004 XJR :-)
I had an XJ once and a BMW 5 series. I loved the JAG but it was a rot monster. Not sure if the BMW's suffer the same. Although I liked the BMW, I found it a bit souless and the interior just lacking that bit of class. So, as an overall package, it would be JAG for me everyday.
I couldn't agree more. I own one since 1997 and have a lot of fun since! Only week point are the brakes (mine is a first series). No major issue,very reliable.
Had my 1998 X308 3.2 saloon for 21 years. Beautiful car, so refined. No problems with the Nikasil liners. Was caused by cheap high sulphur fuel. BMW had the same issue and both Jag and BMW reverted to steel liners. Everyone seems to have forgotten the BMW problems but not Jaguars.
Has both the 6 and the 8 cylinder xjrs here in the USA. Drove them through snow and ice in Northeastern PA. The chassis is so well balanced thst with a set of snow tyres o wouldn't even care what the weather was. Fantastic cars! The 6 ate its supercharger one day. The V8 had a cylinder head gasket fail at around 160k plus miles. Was a $4k repair due to the labour involved. So I said to my jag guy take your time do it whenever. That was 6 years ago .... The V8 would keep up with everything including 911s and Corvettes. Perfect cars with an ideal mix of comfort and sportiness. It may not beat a M5 around the track but that's not where most day to day driving occurs. It was a gas hog though. 18mpg most of the time .... but smiles per mile was unparalleled. Repairs are expensive too. It ate a rear brake caliper and as the parts are extra higher quality than standard Jag parts you end up paying through the nose. You basically pay Ferrari repair and maintenance for a car that is worth absolutely nothing.
My grandson bought a 2004 XJR (x350) about 2 years ago. 100,000 miles, no dents, in great mechanical shape, interior like new, paint a little shaby. He works in a body shop, so paint was not a big problem. The car had been converted to coil springs, and I convinced him to repair the air springs. Yes, that was a little expensive, but the car rides like a dream now. BMW, no way! Aluminum body, world class leather and wood, faster than hell, who wants more. Oh yes, and the cat on the hood.
I could not watch until the end and I had to stop in order to make a comment: This is probably the most beautiful car built in the last 25 years! If it rides only half as good as it looks it is a keeper for sure: A GT type of car that oozes class and beauty. I owned many German cars in my life: They were reliable and solid, but I think in Germany no car after 1945 ever had the charm of the classic British luxury cars. They were proably better and more reliable, but not as classy as this one. (Or Aston Martins to give another example).
I recently had the opportunity to buy a super sedan from the 2010 era. It was down to the E60 M5 or the first gen XFR. I went with the Jag just because the M5 was a bit predictable and I had seen them on the road more frequently (hipster moment). I will never get rid of it no matter how annoyed I get with working on it. It Just feels so special.
I bought a 2002 XJR 4L, V8 Supercharged in 2009 when we lived in Kansas City. From EBay. I used it as my daily drive for almost 4 years. When we moved I took it back to the Netherlands with me and I still have it. It has done almost 200.000 miles.I love driving this car. Even by today’s standards it is ferociously fast. Try accelerating from 100 km/h to 250 km/h on the German Autobahn and it will give most, almost all other cars a run for its money!
Ach je moet het totaal plaatje bekijken. Ik heb geen enkele afschrijving op deze auto. Daar kan ik heel wat liters benzine voor tanken. En ik tank ook nog eens alleen 98E5 zonder ethanol. Dus Shell V power, BP ultimate e.d.
I agree! I own a 2004 XK8 and a 2009 330i convertible - the BMW is probably the better (and surely the sportier) car, but... it's just another 3 series BMW. The Jag makes me feel special and it puts a smile on my face whenever I drive it - and it puts smiles on other peoples's faces as well. I just love it! No doubt: the BMW will have to go. Would love to buy an X308 XJR instead - to me without any doubt the most beautiful saloon ever and definitely peak Jaguar (together with the XK8)
Thankyou so much Jack! Back in the 70s I was a Rover fanatic! In my 20s!! because all my contemporaries lusted after the XJ6! So I had to be different! 😆 So In 76 I bought a 70 3.5 litre Coupé in pristine condition 16000 miles on the clock! I Loved that car so much I brought it to Australia when emigrating in 81, long story short, Family and Work ment I had little time to look after her properly so around 91 we reluctantly sold her and bought a brand new Mazda, Now in retirement I decided it's time to do the classics again! So 3 years ago I went Jag and after much research and searching bought my 2003 4.2 XJ8 X350, I am totally smitten! I love the 308s to and very nearly bought one! If I won lotto I'd have both! Yep I'm now a total Jag Fan, That 308 is a Peach! 🍑 Great Video Cheers from a fellow Pomme 😊
I'm glad that this generation of XJR (X308) is slowly starting to get the recognition it deserves by the petrolhead community. This Jag looks and feels far more special than any BMW of the same era (except Z8). Thank you Jack! A brilliant review of a brilliant Jaaaag.
I have an X350 diesel. I get 40mpg without even trying and if I cruise at 70mph I get 50mpg, and it's quick enough. It's a brilliant, beautiful car. Sadiq Khan wants me to give it up; no way.
I've had 2 xk8. Loved them. Also had an e46M3 and many other bmws. For whatever reason you don't fall in love with them but a jaguar you'll covet and care for and miss when it's gone.
Interesting points made. If Jaguar made the X308 XJR with a manual gearbox and an LSD I think I'd take one over an M5 because of the styling. Either way, I'd happily take either across Europe on a road trip.
You can actually install an LSD from Quaife (straight swap). I’m looking into that. A manual conversion would be sweet of course! But the Mercedes 5 G-Tronic is really a good match for the supercharged V8. And the XJR is more of a rapid cruiser than a sports car, although the traction is surprisingly good.
@@101andytoll101 they might do but no one buys a manual jaguar as it’s pointless if you want a manual buy a boring family car as no luxury car should be a manual
Very nice video as always Jack! I am a quite a fan of the e39 BMW and have had two examples of these over time. I tried and driven several jags, including XJR and XKR as well and i liked them all, but there is something i lack in the handling department. The steeering is too light and slow and the feel for the pretty much heavy car is not briliant. But you sit low in the car, it is comfortable and looks ace. However, my last attempt to buy finally a Jag ended up importing an Alpina B10 V8 from Germany and i have to tell you this car is one of the greatest saloons i ever had. It doesnt have manual gearbox like the M5, but ZF automatic with shift buttons at the back of the steering wheel and has atmospheric 4,6 liter M62 engine which delivers power nicely with a good top end punch. I would have happily borowed that to you, but watching your channel from the Czech Republic, so far away ... but if you manage to get somebody having a B10 (E39) in the UK and willing to borrow it to you for the channel, i'd be curious to see what you say about it. I think these rare Alpina's are an interesting alternative to the XJR and to the M5 , still for good money. An M5 would have costed me at least 30% more than my Alpina did and it is far rarer, while maintanence on the car is even cheaper than on the M5
X308 and X350 (mine) are compliment-getters, people may say that your BMW is okay but they will always say that your Jag is nice! I have the non-supercharged 4.2 and it does a respectable 20mpg (although its been doing 17 in the freezing weather) the engine glides along like butter off a silk handkerchief.
So many car nuts completely forget that many of the M5 are in bits or have had thousands spent on rebuilds. So, totally with you for an alternative and the XJR is a prime example and this one is in the sweet spot of Jaguar reliability. More recent Jaguars are terrible for build quality, as are BMWs.
Have exactly the same chariot! 2000 X308 in sapphire blue. Only 52k miles. Keep the vids coming... hoping to see a Porsche 968 vid in the coming months.
I have always though that particular Bodyshape series , with the Scalloped Wings , were the nicest looking Jaguar Saloons EVER . I would own an XJ-R in a heartbeat , if I was still driving enough to justify such a car .
The big big difference between the M5 and and this XJR might end up costing a pretty penny tho. The XJR used a Mercedes 5G-Tronic automatic gearbox, while the M5 has a stick. Not saying the 5G-Tronic is bad (it was used in high-torque applications well after the 7G-Tronic was developed ) but keep that in mind when you go and test drive an XJR... watch out for clunks, hesitation especially when warm. Cold hesitation isn't okay either but that is a "might be fixed with an oil flush" problem. When that trans acts up when warm, it's rebuild time. The more you wait the more expensive it will be.
Had a 2nd hand, 4 year old S-Type R, mental car. Easy room for passenger's, me 6ft in-front, M8 behind me 6ft2 didn't even have to move my seat forward's. Another mate had one of these XJR's & loved it.
I was involved with the engine bay and cowl design at Whitley, Coventry working with a small team of great engineers. The X308 was the best of them all imho. With a zinc coated steel body and modern paint process, with the correct care the body should last 50years baring accidents. Combined with a great engine it’s a true classic 😘
Which is better, x308 or x350 XJR
X308@@a7lyqq
Why are most of them rotted out then
because people don't maintain them correctly dah, ever heard of underseal @@8kmar
In which way do u think x308 outperform x300 please?
Jack is truly a man of the people. No ego like other uber rich car youtubers, just a bloke who appreciates used cars and wants to share their stories. Thanks for the genuine consumer advice and enthusiasm 👍
Thanks for that Dreamy and happy new year!
@@Number27 You are welcome Number 27, happy new year!
Jaguar is owned by India today and Rishi Sunak has twice the wealth of King Charles III.
@@keplermission4947 Yes, but this model was produced during the Ford ownership period which ended 2008.
@@NewtonInDaHouseYo I know that much, why is it that people always shoot the breeze and never give away anything of value? These Ford Jaguars had plastic bonnets, they were wobbly on the upstroke.
A family member has had one of these for about 20 years, he used to change cars often but has no intention of ever letting the XJR go. I think he has been wise to absolutely keep on top of it, a prestige car with an increasing number of small faults soon declines further. Whenever I see the car I cannot resist walking around it, it is somehow subtley beautiful. The car has been reliable over the years, certainly not the nightmare you might expect.
I was so distracted by the gorgeousness of one of these cars on the pump next to me that I proceeded to fill my new diesel van with unleaded!
I have a 2000 XK8 (non-supercharged) that is very similar to your car - the interior is practically identical. I've also owned 4 BMWs over the years. When I looked at my car the previous owner said "Everyone has a 3-series" and he was right. I've had it for 7 years now and it's been perfectly reliable. And the engine at 6000 rpm is pretty sweet. It gets more compliments than any BMW ever did.
Agree. Had 2 xk8s and they get the right attention. Whilst you might desire a bmw when it's gone you'll covet another jaguar
@E38sevenheaven LOL. My favorite I think was my '99 323. My mechanic wrecked it 😪
@E38sevenheaven God E38s are endlessly charming! Love love them!
I don't own a car but I admire the beauty of cars when I see it. This IS a beautiful car.
X308 are such gems. Underappreciated by the masses, loved by a few who understand.
and not many left as they have nearly all rotted away...
@@BibtheBoulder They're not that bad. Since Ford took over, they are no Rustbuckets anymore.
Very cheap top compared to an E39 M5. This has always been one of my top 3 Jags - the other being the MK2 and XJS.
The X308 is a future classic for sure! The last real Jaaag!
@@BibtheBoulder didnt you know. Jags need a sacrificial anode. Lol
My brother owns an X308, 4.0 lwb, Sovereign I actually reckon it is the best car I have ever been in. Stunning looking, incredibly comfortable, and omg it has character......
It's peak XJ and peak Jaguar for sure, comes close to peak ICE sport saloon..
Gave twelve hundred quid for a mint silver R-reg XJR 10 years ago. Absolute flying machine with a superb ride quality and it went round the bends well too. Bloke in a Turbo R fancied his chances one night on a very quiet piece of motorway. 5 minutes later and he wished he hadn't as he discovered what a supercharger offers!
Gentlemen have superchargers. only cads use turbos. (I said this in the pub once and now I have it on a T shirt)
What a car. I was lucky enough to work at a Jaguar main dealer in period and sold many, many 308's. I still drive one today (with 325,000k), a 4.0 Sport. Great cars. Wonderful review as always! Cheers from Australia.
Great choice you get the xjr handling without the xjr thirst for premium fuel .....
Man, how did you make it last over 300k miles?!
I have to agree. I’ve owned a lot of cars and currently own a 2006 xj8L non supercharged and although I’m a w140 Benz fan for life I am currently daily driving mine and it’s amazing. It’s my first jag and I’ve always heard so many bad things about jag. The fact that my wife loves it says a lot. She calls it her baby Bentley.
The 1998-2002 model jags drive much nicer even. I own both and i love my 1998 x308 supercharged daimler the most
@@egbert1985 yes I have heard this but for a daily driver I heard the 305 is a better option for gas mileage and reliability. If I had a choice I would trade mine but for now will keep driving since it has 200k miles on it (322k kilometers) and drives better than my w220 did. The only comparable car was the ls430 but it came at a much higher price and wasn’t as good on gas.
My family has always had Jaguars, but my father and uncle are Jaguar mechanics, so that makes owning one much easier because of the insane amount of maintenance they require. The E-Type’s we’ve had are my favorites, but they’re about as reliable as a drunken heroin addict working as a bank teller. The new Jaguars are far better made than ones from even 10 years ago. But still, you have to wonder how well a new Jaguar will hold up in 5 or 10 years from now. The only real issue now is the extremely complex electrical and computer systems. At least the problems with severe rust are no longer an issue!
Coming from a Merc fan that is praise indeed! Both fantastic cars! Cheers!
@@petescarport wow that surely surprises me. I'm talking about the W220. I had 2, and their ride is superior to anything else I've driven, even the newest S classes. So it's surprising to me that it rides worse than the Lexus, which didn't impress me at all when I had a ride in such.
How the torque builds and the gearing really compliment each other… hence it just covers ground very nicely!
What a Jag. I have always loved Jag, and this example is by far the best. A true gentleman's conveyance. Thanks to all for showing us this one. I am green with envy 😀
I had an e39 m5 and took an xjr out for a long weekend when I was looking to replace it. M5 was very much a sports car which happened to be in a 4 door saloon body. Jag was a luxury car which happened to have a powerful engine. They were very different experiences and not sure they really competed against each other. Jag also felt a lot older with the tech and a lot smaller inside. Ended up buying a B10 V8s which was, I felt, the best of both worlds.
Using the J-gate, can give the XJR a way different handling at corners.
I agree with you. I was so excited to try one of these, and so very disappointed by the actuality of it. I bought an E63 which is also a luxury car with a big engine, but I found it drove much better than the Jag.
My dream 2 car garage is:
XJR V8 4.0 (X308) in black
XKR V8. 4.0 (X100) coupe in black
Amazing looking car. I had a XJR of the X300 generation, with the 6 cilinder engine. One of the best looking saloons the British ever made. Another good review Jack.
I always loved the styling of this car.
Timeless elegance yet sporty. My pick for sure. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Jack.
Great cars. Nikaseal was a huge deal at the time but any problems were resolved years ago. The issue was the high sulphur fuel that has been banned for 20 plus years. Pre 2000 models have weaker timing chain tensioner which can cost around £400 plus to replace ( before they die).
The only other surprise is the lack of legroom in the back.
I put 60k on my 3.2 sport, which was a lovely motor and very underrated. I also had a 97 XKR with huge mileage. It was timed at 154.6mph through the Jag owners club Woodbridge speedtrap, when it had 227k miles on the clock!
Exactly, any AJV8`s that are still with us, wont have any Nikasil issues (neither will the BM`s & Porsches which also suffered the same issue)
‘Grace, pace and no space’ in the rear was the humorous twist to Jag’s advertising blurb 🙂
Yeah, pretty crappy engines. I saw 2 of these go within a year. Problem was solved later i believe.
I sold my Bentley Arnage a few years ago and had several other cars but the only one I don't feel cheated driving is my 24 year old Jag X308 4 ltr V8 LWB Sovereign! I love it.
This is my dream car ever since I first walked past a house with a black e38 740i and a black XJR.
The 308 design is just perfect. I know that the 350 is a massive tech leap forward but it just doesn't have the same elegance, class and menace of 308 XJR in black.
My dad bought a dark blue with cream leather one of these just before my wedding...By the time i got back from Honeymoon it was gone. (He was cleaning it and found some damage...turned out it had been in a heavy unrecorded rear end crash). But WHAT a car! It was a beast that could drive like silk until the loud pedal was pushed. It was BLISTERINGLY fast. I LOVED it and have lusted after one ever since.
I own a 1997 XJR6 and a 1997 Daimler Double Six and love them both. Extremely similar but so different in character. The XJR is a proper Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Such a lovely looking car, I love the way the headlamp shape carries on into the bonnet. My father in law had a T plate XJ8 from new for 10 years & did 160,000 trouble free miles including several continental road trips.
I totally agree! Having owned both I prefer the Jag as a daily driver. The X308 has a more unique feeling.
I still have my XJR and it’s always makes me smile.
The M5 E39 is overhyped today, I had a lots off expensive technical issues when I owned it almost 20 years ago and it was a disappointment compared the the M5 E34 I had before. That is the best M5 hand down! It’s maybe not as powerful but it’s so much better to drive and the build quality is incredible. To bad that it’s almost impossible to find a good example today.
I've been driving E39 M5s as daily drivers since 2007. Even though I like the look of the XJR, and the interior is nicer, it seems to be softer (I see this one wallowing compared to my E39 M5). The lack of an available manual transmission is the killer for me, with the XJR. To each his own, but I'll take my E39 M5 over the XJR.
Xjr have active suspension. So soft around town but stiffen when G force detected and braking
@@AndyK.1 in theory. It’s still too soft and doesn’t handle well though. I honest never noticed the damping improve on either of my low mileage xjrs.
The x308 jag has a 2 arm rear suspension set up, 1of these arms is the drive shaft!! When I first put mine on the ramp to check it over I was sure there must be bits missing!! Definitely not designed with handling as a priority! If you try to drive one hard like you could a quick bmw you would certainly die!!
@@carlkuss8300 same as most jags since e-type. It works well. That isn’t the problem with the XJR. It’s too soft, too heavy and too susceptible to small alignment problems. The steering is also numb.
I think Jags do have a special place in peoples hearts. My dad loved the ones he had and i suspect it was because of all the positive comments he used to get. His last one was a LWB Sovereign. Massive bloody thing. When he died everyone expected me to keep it but unfortunately it had a few issues and I wasn’t really prepared to do all that work for a car with no real financial value. Shame as it was immaculate inside but it had a bit too much rot on it and some weird paint issues. I kept the cherished reg tho in memory of him.
He stealthily spent a small fortune on that car over the years (without my mum knowing😂😂).
I've got one. It is my daily drive, and does try me out sometimes - like when "coasting" down a hill. If I let inertia take over, the engine dies, if I feather the brakes it doesn't. I pull over, turn the ignition off, turn it on and away we go. It's all a bit odd but I take it in my stride. I know the "danger spots" locally so it's the left hand lane at all times. I find the lights in the instrument nacelles leave a bit to be desired, and I keep getting odd messages about the ABS, Traction control and Engine fail, but when these lights go on, the cars just keeps going with no change in revs , stopping ability or stability. I reckon it is an electrical fault in the EMS sender to the dash board. Let's face it, she has done 301,000 kms.
Regarding the instrument lights: There is a rotary dim switch on the left side of the steering column (but I'm sure you know that). And regarding the error messages: Could also be triggered by a weak battery.
@@NewtonInDaHouseYo Thank you for the hint about a weak battery; I'll have it checked out.
My uncle always had the latest and greatest Jaguars as company cars when I was young, brings back memories seeing this. Happy days.
This summer, when my F-Type is paid for, I'll be looking for a 2006-2008 XJ8 VDP, the x358 chassis. It has the lightweight aluminum construction, the 4.2 engine is sorted, doesn't have the chain tensioner issues the 4.0 engines had. I can forego the supercharger, I get plenty of kick from the 3.0 S manual transmission coupe I have. I was resistant to the LWB version but I'm warming to it now. The air suspension can go bad but the front units are surprisingly easy to replace with just standard wrenches. Headliners are, as always with Jaguars, an issue, those are $2,000 US to replace. So I'm looking at a three car fleet, 2016 Mazda MX-5, 2016 F-Type, and the XJ8, I think that would cover most of the bases.
I had a x300 ,1995 4.0, lovely straight 6 engine, people all the time would stop and say what a lovely car ,sills and jacking points rotten,one of the best looking cars ever.
I've been in love with this since I was 16. All my friends wanted v-tec Civics and Golf VR6s at the time and would make fun of me for wanting an "old man" car.
The only way this car could be any better would be if it also came out as a 2-door with the exact same engine and interior. It would have been the Jag competitor to the CL and original 8 Series.
I enjoy your videos, this one especially. So much of automotive merit-comparison tries to break things down to crude numbers such as zero to 60 mph, top speed, horsepower and so on. Much of the value is in how it all integrates, and so I enjoy having someone like you give their insightful and enthusiastic opinion. Thank you!
X308's are so special looking. Truly a "sweet spot" of Jaguar design, of all car design for that matter.
The X308 to me is one of the finest-looking cars ever made. I'm saying this as an X350 owner.
I'd like to add for anyone in the states considering one of these, that the nikasil problem basically isnt a problem in the states - gas has always had less sulphur in it than the UK. I went down a long rabbit hole on the forums discovering that lol.
I bought an XKR recently to have a luxurious long distance fast GT cruiser and in retrospect kind wish Id got an XJR instead. I imagined the XK having better handling etc and lighter than the XJ but actually there's almost no difference, and the XJR has four seats, which is actually really nice because then I dont have to be a nobby no mates...
FYI Brit living in the US in case anyone wonders why I say gas and nobby no mates in the same post.
Dad had bought his friends a '98 but it was the just the standard V8. He had it for years and even drove it to Canada and back...twice! He was very proud of that car. They are timeless looking cars and far and away better looking than anything that came out after in Jag's lineup. The XJR was and is still one of the sexiest saloons ever. One of the professors at uni in Houston had a relatively new one back in 2001. I would go out of my way to walk past it. Great review! Thanks!
I am not knowledgeable about the mechanical or technical details of car; I am more concerned with their beauty and overall performance; that is why I would buy this car over any other. For me this was the epitome of elegancy and beauty condensed under the name JAGUAR. It doesn't get any better than this. Unfortunately: A) I cannot afford it B) I live in a f... 3rd rate country with very bad roads. Thank you, Jack, for this beautiful tribute to one of the finest cars ever! 🤩🤩🤩
I have a 1993 XJ40, which has the same basic frame.
The attention to subtle detail is extraordinary. E.g. if you look across the front of the bonnet, paying attention to the slight change of slope before the inward angle of the grill, this mimics perfectly the shape of a big cat's nose. Someone really clever designed this to powerfully suggest "CAT" without you really noticing quite how. It's just brilliant.
That's what I like an open minded gentleman, someone who think's outside the box, rather than going on about how wonderful German cars are compared to the rest of the motoring world. Used to own an X350 XJ6 TCDi, a superb diesel V6 engine, super smooth compared to BMW I test drove, and also the much maligned X-Type 2.1ltr, which I loved. Both very special cars. Keep up the good work.
Had a few XJ6 Jags back in the day. They were great cars and never let me down, never tried to send me off road like the BMW 5 series I once swapped for! Merry Christmas Jack and a happy new year!
M ...klkk
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One of the absolute best kept secrets of used cars: 1995-2003 XJ ! I own a 1997 XJ6 with base 4.0 slant six, and it is the absolute most reliable car I have ever owned. Easy to work on, not too hard to get parts, and tight as a drum. I now have 260k miles and it is still a beautiful car inside and out. I am in Oregon USA away from the coast, so not a spot of rust or corrosion, and everything still works :-)
I love the Jag. However the M5 played in a different league. Thank you for your enthusiasm. 👍
Great review!, absolutely love this car, best looking 4 door ever made, pure class
Merry Christmas, Jack, and a very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your Family!
I really believe that the X308 XJR is the only four door sedan more beautiful than the E39 M5, but of course in a very different way. Really the only deal breaker for me is the mandatory torque converter. If I could get a clutch pedal, the XJR would be perfect. I have very fond memories of driving my Dad's 2002 XJ Sport, really the same car minus the supercharger. I found the chassis to be all about strange contradictions. The steering was very precise but completely numb and overboosted. The high speed turn-in was nimble yet sometimes unpredictable. The ride was firm yet compliant. It was in all ways the opposite of the track-prepped Porsche 968 I was daily driving at the time. And in spite of the contradictions, it just fueled my desire for an XJR, if only I could manual swap it...
Got hooked on 27 with your 308 vids... Another fav car here!
Thanks buddy! Hope you have a great holiday!
As a lifelong Jag fan and someone who has worked a lot on this gen of Jaguars I couldn't agree more. I had an XJR that a previous owner had gangster tinted the rear windows, fitted coil overs lowered it slightly and it was every inch the gentleman thug a good jag should be, the only thing I didn't love was the ZF box, a good manual and this would have been near perfect. Nice video.
I've has two E39 5 series. Biggest issue with them for me was the offset pedals and windscreen wipers plus the M5 was onlt available with a manual box, totally impractical in todays traffic. THe Jag is also much more comfortable. Probably not as well built as the a BMW and much more liked than a beemer. Good review with no biased or fear of upsetting folk who may disagree. M5 owners will disagree of course they will, but they would have to acknowledge, the Jaguar is a good alternative.
I bought an XJ8 some time around 2010. Around the time the dealer warranty expired, it began having cold starting problems. To cut a long story short, the compression was poor, and the cylinder head(s) had to come off. I priced a head gasket set at £605 (yes, six hundred and five pounds!) Furthermore, I bought a "workshop manual" on CD ROM in which I couldn't find a cylinder head bolt tightening procedure or torque settings. At that point I decided that any further expenditure was good money thrown after bad, and reverted to driving a "normal" car (Vauxhall Astra) for which I could (if necessary) tow start, recover on it's own wheels, buy a Haynes w/shop manual for, and buy parts for without having to obtain a bank loan.
A luxury car is one I can repair!
100%. I love and respect the M5, but the XJR is just great - especially when it recieved that supercharged V8
It's an inappropriate comparison, the M5 is a totally different concept, like comparing a Morris Minor with a Mini Cooper. Nevertheless a great review; this Jag is totally worthy of superlatives in my opinion, but in its own realm.
They are special in the same way your 308 is. Around for decades, easily recognisable and just exceedingly cool without having to try.
I totally agree about the overloaded plastic buttons in the centre dash - what on earth was going through the designers minds? What a spoiler!!!!!!!!
I toyed for a long time between buying an E39 M5 and an XJR. It was very close but I went for the M5 11 years ago.. it having a manual box was what swayed me.
I still have it today.
Would still love an X308 XJR and a manual X300 XJR in my collection.
For many years Jaguar was the nicest car by the side of the road. I always loved the interiors on these, though, and I really liked the XJR sound. Back when these were in their heyday I could not really afford either one, but I dreamed of owning that first V8 M5. Now that I have the financial means, I drive a F90 M5 and I must concede that this car does everything better than any other car I have owned in my life. But I may still give Jag a shot before I am put out to pasture. Great vid, by the way.
I've owned my e39 M5 for years and love it to death, but I would love to own a XJR alongside the BMW. The XJR is more relaxed for when you want to daily whereas the M5 encourages you to drive more sportively.
I've owned from new both the E39 and the X300, albeit not in sports form. Both were a bit cramped inside, but let it siffice to say I kept the E39 four years and the Jag a whopping thirteen years.
i like the jaguar but the e39 m5 is on another level
Absolutely love these Jags. Have had 2 of them the last of which I had for 7 years. Miss them so much that I’m looking for another one but the major issue with what are now 20 + year old cars is rust especially the inner front sills and lower front wheel arches. If the one you were driving was for sale I’m afraid I wouldn’t be buying it, at its last MOT it had 13 major failures mainly due to corrosion issues.
For anyone thinking of buying one the other points to look out for are sagging headliners, deteriorated suspension bushes which they are prone to ( mine was polybushed all round which made a HUGE difference ) and most importantly check that the car has had the upgraded steel timing chain tensioners fitted over the red plastic ones which with constant heat go brittle and fall apart. This happened in my last XJR and the chain on one side jumped one tooth and it started misfiring. If it had jumped 2 teeth it would have been game over for the engine so I was lucky. What I wasn’t lucky with was the bill for replacing the tensioners. Couldn’t get an independent garage to tackle the job as they all said they needed special Jag tools to do the job ( which isn’t the case ! ) so had to resort to a Jag main dealer who charged £1200 !!
Apart from that major expense both mine were really reliable cars with little going wrong. I got 14/16 mpg around town and saw no more than 27 on a steady long run. Currently have an XE 3.0 S with the supercharged engine with 335 bhp which is slightly faster and more economical than the XJR but I dearly miss the elegance and smoothness of the XJ which no modern saloon can replicate.
Yes that last MOT that you highlighted cost my dad around 5k to get the corrosion issues sorted. It's been maintained well though over the 20 years we've had it and although far from concourse is a very straight honest car with mostly motorway miles. It's had an absolute fortune spent on it over the years and the history file would fill a bookshelf. Obviously these cars make no financial sense but as you know are fabulous when they do work!
Ouch ! That was an expensive MOT repair bill ! A few years ago it wouldn’t have made economic sense to repair as the cost would have been more than the car was worth but in recent years those enthusiasts ‘in the know’ realise what great cars they are and want to keep the last of the ‘true’ Jaguars on the road. As a result prices are soaring even higher mileage ones. There’s no getting away from the fact that the x308s have real presence on the road and do turn heads wherever they go.
@@grahamforbes3243 My dad loved the car so much it's had an obscene amount of money spent on it over the years. That's why I'm keeping it. I'm not naive however I know it'll keep throwing bills at me but it's part of the family now!
Merry Christmas to you Jack. Thanks for a year of good videos. Well done You. Go well
I really like this car also. If you need a sports car feeling more, drive a real two seater. I can see how well this car rides and easily keeps stable and controlled, and the little V8 sounds so sweet. As we age, this car will be better to our comfort needs. Thank you
Bought a x350 XJR last year. Brilliant car.
Any downsides? How much did you pay and how many km? Thank you 🤜🤛
I has an 06 XJ8. It was an amazing car. I doubt I’ll ever have a car I loved as must as that car. The seat killed my back and as much it broke my heart, I went.back to a 5 series and then an E series Merc. I still miss that Jag! I wonder if I will ever have a car that I love as much as that Jag?
A real Jaaaag. Love this far over the BMW, had both a matcbox cars but the only one I still care about is my British Racing Green XJR. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
I think you're right about the Jaguar R filling a unique role, calm luxury and performance when you need it. To me the original Series 3 is the prettiest XJ but this X300 was certainly easier on the eye than the XJ40. For me though, I'd always take the later aluminium X350 from the mid-naughties. The body doesn't rust, it's lighter than the X300, has a better cockpit and a far better gearbox that helps make it more fuel efficient despite the 4.2 V8 being more powerful. One downside to all these XJs is the shallow boot that isn't really compatible with modern luggage but I agree they are all just a little more stylish than the equivalent M5, if you view that as an alternative for your cash.
I've had a few series 3 XJs, an X300 and an X350 and I'd agree completely . Series 3 is prettiest (PIninfarina?), XJ40 was hateful with those square headlights. X300/308 was an improvement. The X350 isn't as well proportioned but it's better than all its predecessors in every other respect. Still absolutely a 'Jeeaag' but lighter, faster, more comfortable and more reliable (OK, less unreliable:-) Finally getting rid of my 2003 SE next week after 12 years of ownership - to replace it with um, a 2004 XJR :-)
IF you like luxury and speed go for jag. IF you like speed, handling, technology, go for the m5.
My biggest issue is no manual option (at least in the states) versus the M5
Agreed. I've been daily driving E39 M5s since 2007. They only came with a 6 speed manual.
There was a manual option on the X306
@@Suprahampton unicorns even when new, especially in the states
@@ThriftMachine fair point. I think they only made 105 total manuals
I had an XJ once and a BMW 5 series. I loved the JAG but it was a rot monster. Not sure if the BMW's suffer the same. Although I liked the BMW, I found it a bit souless and the interior just lacking that bit of class. So, as an overall package, it would be JAG for me everyday.
I couldn't agree more. I own one since 1997 and have a lot of fun since! Only week point are the brakes (mine is a first series). No major issue,very reliable.
I bought a 2002 XJ8 VDP a year ago. Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it!😁
Had my 1998 X308 3.2 saloon for 21 years. Beautiful car, so refined. No problems with the Nikasil liners. Was caused by cheap high sulphur fuel. BMW had the same issue and both Jag and BMW reverted to steel liners. Everyone seems to have forgotten the BMW problems but not Jaguars.
Has both the 6 and the 8 cylinder xjrs here in the USA. Drove them through snow and ice in Northeastern PA. The chassis is so well balanced thst with a set of snow tyres o wouldn't even care what the weather was. Fantastic cars!
The 6 ate its supercharger one day. The V8 had a cylinder head gasket fail at around 160k plus miles. Was a $4k repair due to the labour involved. So I said to my jag guy take your time do it whenever. That was 6 years ago ....
The V8 would keep up with everything including 911s and Corvettes.
Perfect cars with an ideal mix of comfort and sportiness.
It may not beat a M5 around the track but that's not where most day to day driving occurs.
It was a gas hog though. 18mpg most of the time .... but smiles per mile was unparalleled.
Repairs are expensive too. It ate a rear brake caliper and as the parts are extra higher quality than standard Jag parts you end up paying through the nose.
You basically pay Ferrari repair and maintenance for a car that is worth absolutely nothing.
My grandson bought a 2004 XJR (x350) about 2 years ago. 100,000 miles, no dents, in great mechanical shape, interior like new, paint a little shaby. He works in a body shop, so paint was not a big problem. The car had been converted to coil springs, and I convinced him to repair the air springs. Yes, that was a little expensive, but the car rides like a dream now. BMW, no way! Aluminum body, world class leather and wood, faster than hell, who wants more. Oh yes, and the cat on the hood.
I could not watch until the end and I had to stop in order to make a comment: This is probably the most beautiful car built in the last 25 years! If it rides only half as good as it looks it is a keeper for sure: A GT type of car that oozes class and beauty. I owned many German cars in my life: They were reliable and solid, but I think in Germany no car after 1945 ever had the charm of the classic British luxury cars. They were proably better and more reliable, but not as classy as this one. (Or Aston Martins to give another example).
I recently had the opportunity to buy a super sedan from the 2010 era. It was down to the E60 M5 or the first gen XFR. I went with the Jag just because the M5 was a bit predictable and I had seen them on the road more frequently (hipster moment). I will never get rid of it no matter how annoyed I get with working on it. It Just feels so special.
Nice review Jack, I have a one owner 60k X308 XJR, had a ton of much much more expensive cars and absolutely love this old girl!
I bought a 2002 XJR 4L, V8 Supercharged in 2009 when we lived in Kansas City. From EBay. I used it as my daily drive for almost 4 years. When we moved I took it back to the Netherlands with me and I still have it. It has done almost 200.000 miles.I love driving this car. Even by today’s standards it is ferociously fast. Try accelerating from 100 km/h to 250 km/h on the German Autobahn and it will give most, almost all other cars a run for its money!
Dat doet pijn bij de pomp in NL LOL!!
Ach je moet het totaal plaatje bekijken. Ik heb geen enkele afschrijving op deze auto. Daar kan ik heel wat liters benzine voor tanken. En ik tank ook nog eens alleen 98E5 zonder ethanol. Dus Shell V power, BP ultimate e.d.
I agree! I own a 2004 XK8 and a 2009 330i convertible - the BMW is probably the better (and surely the sportier) car, but... it's just another 3 series BMW. The Jag makes me feel special and it puts a smile on my face whenever I drive it - and it puts smiles on other peoples's faces as well. I just love it! No doubt: the BMW will have to go. Would love to buy an X308 XJR instead - to me without any doubt the most beautiful saloon ever and definitely peak Jaguar (together with the XK8)
I’d have one of these over an M5 every day of the week and twice on Sundays 😆. I love big old jags
Lovely Jag, I'd have one over a M5 no question
I want one of these Jags so badly ❤❤
Thankyou so much Jack! Back in the 70s I was a Rover fanatic! In my 20s!! because all my contemporaries lusted after the XJ6! So I had to be different! 😆 So In 76 I bought a 70 3.5 litre Coupé in pristine condition 16000 miles on the clock! I Loved that car so much I brought it to Australia when emigrating in 81, long story short, Family and Work ment I had little time to look after her properly so around 91 we reluctantly sold her and bought a brand new Mazda, Now in retirement I decided it's time to do the classics again! So 3 years ago I went Jag and after much research and searching bought my 2003 4.2 XJ8 X350, I am totally smitten! I love the 308s to and very nearly bought one! If I won lotto I'd have both! Yep I'm now a total Jag Fan, That 308 is a Peach! 🍑 Great Video Cheers from a fellow Pomme 😊
I'm glad that this generation of XJR (X308) is slowly starting to get the recognition it deserves by the petrolhead community. This Jag looks and feels far more special than any BMW of the same era (except Z8). Thank you Jack! A brilliant review of a brilliant Jaaaag.
I have an X350 diesel. I get 40mpg without even trying and if I cruise at 70mph I get 50mpg, and it's quick enough. It's a brilliant, beautiful car. Sadiq Khan wants me to give it up; no way.
I've had 2 xk8. Loved them. Also had an e46M3 and many other bmws. For whatever reason you don't fall in love with them but a jaguar you'll covet and care for and miss when it's gone.
Te car that errs on the luxury side gets me. And that's the Jag. There are tons of fast cars, luxury is the rare commodity.
I don't know why people bag Jags I have driven several and NEVER had trouble and I just love them❤
Interesting points made. If Jaguar made the X308 XJR with a manual gearbox and an LSD I think I'd take one over an M5 because of the styling. Either way, I'd happily take either across Europe on a road trip.
You can actually install an LSD from Quaife (straight swap). I’m looking into that. A manual conversion would be sweet of course! But the Mercedes 5 G-Tronic is really a good match for the supercharged V8. And the XJR is more of a rapid cruiser than a sports car, although the traction is surprisingly good.
No one wants a manual v8 jag
@@bmwman1981 I think drivetribe disagrees.
@@101andytoll101 they might do but no one buys a manual jaguar as it’s pointless if you want a manual buy a boring family car as no luxury car should be a manual
I do .....
Very nice video as always Jack! I am a quite a fan of the e39 BMW and have had two examples of these over time. I tried and driven several jags, including XJR and XKR as well and i liked them all, but there is something i lack in the handling department. The steeering is too light and slow and the feel for the pretty much heavy car is not briliant. But you sit low in the car, it is comfortable and looks ace. However, my last attempt to buy finally a Jag ended up importing an Alpina B10 V8 from Germany and i have to tell you this car is one of the greatest saloons i ever had. It doesnt have manual gearbox like the M5, but ZF automatic with shift buttons at the back of the steering wheel and has atmospheric 4,6 liter M62 engine which delivers power nicely with a good top end punch. I would have happily borowed that to you, but watching your channel from the Czech Republic, so far away ... but if you manage to get somebody having a B10 (E39) in the UK and willing to borrow it to you for the channel, i'd be curious to see what you say about it. I think these rare Alpina's are an interesting alternative to the XJR and to the M5 , still for good money. An M5 would have costed me at least 30% more than my Alpina did and it is far rarer, while maintanence on the car is even cheaper than on the M5
X308 and X350 (mine) are compliment-getters, people may say that your BMW is okay but they will always say that your Jag is nice! I have the non-supercharged 4.2 and it does a respectable 20mpg (although its been doing 17 in the freezing weather) the engine glides along like butter off a silk handkerchief.
So many car nuts completely forget that many of the M5 are in bits or have had thousands spent on rebuilds. So, totally with you for an alternative and the XJR is a prime example and this one is in the sweet spot of Jaguar reliability. More recent Jaguars are terrible for build quality, as are BMWs.
Such a handsome car, I think I could live with the plastic switches. It's a timeless design, that has got better with age.
Have exactly the same chariot! 2000 X308 in sapphire blue. Only 52k miles. Keep the vids coming... hoping to see a Porsche 968 vid in the coming months.
Peak is the X308 Daimler Super V8 SWB. And not just because I own one ;) Same car but more luxury.
I have always though that particular Bodyshape series , with the Scalloped Wings , were the nicest looking Jaguar Saloons EVER .
I would own an XJ-R in a heartbeat , if I was still driving enough to justify such a car .
The big big difference between the M5 and and this XJR might end up costing a pretty penny tho. The XJR used a Mercedes 5G-Tronic automatic gearbox, while the M5 has a stick. Not saying the 5G-Tronic is bad (it was used in high-torque applications well after the 7G-Tronic was developed ) but keep that in mind when you go and test drive an XJR... watch out for clunks, hesitation especially when warm. Cold hesitation isn't okay either but that is a "might be fixed with an oil flush" problem. When that trans acts up when warm, it's rebuild time. The more you wait the more expensive it will be.
M5's can produce big bills as well!
I'd love the XJR with a manual conversion, LSD and the Big pulley Option.
Wouldn’t trade my M5 for this, but I would certainly love to have one. The look and stance of an XJR is epic.
Had a 2nd hand, 4 year old S-Type R, mental car. Easy room for passenger's, me 6ft in-front, M8 behind me 6ft2 didn't even have to move my seat forward's. Another mate had one of these XJR's & loved it.
PS & it left newer M5's standing.