Hey Steve! Welcome to the forum mate

Yeah, definitely ditch the Merc, and once you make the switch to a Jag (a proper car, you're absolutely right, they are a true driver's car and nothing compares to it IMO) you'll wonder why you didn't do it much sooner ... I did

... And don't worry too much about fuel consumption, my XJ does almost 22 mpg around town every day! Some might say that's thirsty, and I suppose if you're used to an inferior Diesel peasant chugger that gets 40 or 50 mpg then I suppose it is, but like I keep saying to people who ask me about it -- If I wanted mpg then I wouldn't have bought an old Jag! You don't buy a 3.2L V8 Jag and then start moaning about how much fuel you use, I choose to run mine every day and I don't think she's bad for fuel, and if it cost's me an extra tenner in fuel per week, then I'll spend an extra tenner on fuel a week, simples

I read through this guy's description for this one you intend to buy, over all I think it probably wont't be a bad car, though personally I'd worry about one that has been welded (if you read my thread http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f38/my-x308-horror-story-58361.html you'll understand why) because when cars need welding, I always worry that the garage who does the welding has done it properly or not, as in NOT just put a patch over the rust hole and welded round it and then blacked it! It needs to be done properly as in, all the rust completely cut out, and new steel welded in it's place and then fully under sealed! And from my past experience, this has NEVER been the case, they've always rushed it to get it out as fast as they can and not taken any time to do it properly, yet you pay proper job money for it! -- That's why I do all my own welding, that way I know it's done properly! I have a patch to do on my X308, the nearside front chassis rail has been found to have swollen which is the first sign of imminent rust starting there, it's a job I'm not looking forward to

...

Reading into the heater problem, again from my experience, if he's had the heater valve and pump replaced (who replaces all that lot and then DOESN'T back flush the Matrix?

) and it's still not blowing hot, then I'd say that the Matrix is knackered and will need changing out, and the seller knows this, and no amount of back flushing will fix a knackered Matrix! And it IS a dash board out job to replace it!
And when he talks about soldering the wiper contacts, I would assume he means welding the contacts in the wiper control stalk, not the motor itself! The control stalks are kind of known for going faulty, I myself have just had to have my indicator stalk changed out because of a stupid fault that meant I couldn't have my side lights on by themselves, when I turned them on, all of my head lights came on -- that was very annoying! But a replacement stalk cured it right up!

I hope it all goes well for you and this car turns out to be a good one! But be advised though, 1300 quid doesn't buy a "minter", I paid 1320 for my X308 believing the seller when he told me that it was a spotless example of the marque and doesn't want for anything! -- He was lying! ... I've just spent 350 quid at the Jag Specialist in Doncaster having the rear shockers replaced and the indicator stalk replaced, and pretty soon I need to go back to have the Thermostat housing replaced and upgraded to the Aluminium one because my original plastic one is starting to leak, also I have slight play in my off side drive shaft UJ which will need replacing, I've also found out (due to my car being fully inspected by Chris The Jag Specialist in Doncaster) that my A/C is leaking somewhere as there is clearly some refrigerant dye in the condensation puddle that drips after use, lord knows how much that will cost me to have rectified! Then there are the numerous dings, dents, scratches, chips and blebs (that the seller said she didn't have!) to have sorted out at some point too! I'm not saying that mine is a dog or anything like that, here check her out for yourself, see what you think .... http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f81/my-new-very-beautiful-x308-formal-introduction-58823.html

What I'm trying to say I suppose is that, spending 1300 quid on one may SEEM like a good bargain, and it could very well be, but just have it in your mind that you MAY end up having to spend another grand on it putting thing's right to make it the car you want! -- I've had to learn this the hard way, and some people (not on the forum) have advised me to just get rid of my car as they believe it'll cost too much to get it to the condition that I want, but I refuse, I'll pay to have these things sorted out because I'm in love with my car, and once they're done, hopefully I'll have the spotless, gleaming, beautiful example of the marque that I want

Mike.

 

Hi Steve,
Like a lot of modern cars the Jaguar X308 can from the outside look almost like new but when put up on a 4 post lift can be seen to have serious corrosion problems, which, unless you are good with a MIG welder, will cost a lot to put right. This link, if it works, is to someone who bought such a car http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f38/my-x308-horror-story-58361.html I am not trying to put you off ownership, just letting you know they can have serious hidden problems. I have had my 3.2 X308 for 2 years now and it is the best car I've ever had, we have had our moments but when it is running properly it is like a Rolls Royce only cheaper to run. Good luck with your purchase.

 

Hey thanks guys.The deal didn't happen,and the car is re-listed.
My dear old Mercedes decided to complain about being sold,and decided to have a caliper pass away on me.
No matter.
There is a 95/M Flamenco XJR in completed listings on E-Risk,as I call it

Now this is a fair old trek from me.I'm as near as damn it in Stamford,Lincolnshire,near Peterboghorror!

I do prefer the idea of this car,due to no timing chain/guide nonsense.Also,I know I will not be able to resist exercising the car most journeys.So an M3 eater sounds simply delightful!

322BHP 1995 JAGUAR XJR LPG CONVERTED NO RESERVE 17 INCH ALLOYS LEATHER AIR CON | eBay

Now,if I were to be selling my car on ebay,she is presented like so....

Mercedes E220 Coupe Sportline C124 W124 E Class | eBay

Now I'm not arrogant enough to think everyone must be like me etc etc but at least make it shine.I love detailing which may show from those photos,but even a simple bucket wash will get one more £Greenqueens!
This makes me a little nervous though.The advert also states there's a problem with the hesitation.I don't think a £27 sensor is a big deal.And didn't have time to get it booked in......in time for what???

Is it me or does this sound suss? The seller has emailed and in all fairness seems to be a straight shooter.

Would appreciate your input.

Im now somewhere balanced.....somewhere between should I go to a Jag or not,after seeing the horror story!! I think I'd be happy to pay a forum member to come with me somehow! And I've been in the trade too,in the past.I can tend to get over excited you see.Got burned only once in the 46 cars I've owned though so not doing too bad..

And hey thanks for the warm friendly welcomes.

Steve

 

Hi
I had the heater problem on my XJ8, there is a fuse that controlls the heater pump and the alarm sound moduel I think it n/o 10 (check your workshop manual), if when you activate the alarm by using the key fob and the bleep does not bleep this will be your problem, what happens is the moduel gets water in it and fuses, you need to disconect then replace the fuse.
Clive

 

The heater in my XJ8 takes ages to warm up - roughly a 10 mile drive.
My X300 warmed up quickly even in the midst of winter

 

I Had a similar problem that may also be due to the wrong antifreeze being put in it was originally the yellow stuff and it was replaced with red without properly two stage cleaning so the red reacted and produced a brown sludge which blocks the heater matrix.

There is an advisory by jaguar on how to do this and the engine drain plug has to be removed each time it takes about 4 hours to go through the cycles to clear it and a lot of flushing


Basically drain every thing out rad and engine (block plug has to come out) back flush with a hose for a long time.

Fill up with water run till hot for 10 mins

Empty it all out again engine plug out

Fill it up with part 1 of holts 2 part flush and run it for 45 mins after temp is normal give it some revs .

Drain and fill with water

warm up run 15 mins hot

Drain Fill with water and part 2 run for 20 mins hot
Drain flush fill with water run hot 20 mins
Drain flush drain

Fill up with your antifreeze

If this doesn't cure it then it might need a new heater matrix or I am also told the thermostat is stuck open and that needs to be replaced as well also get an 88/89deg thermostat not the 82deg that I found in mine i am also aware that there are some non return valves in the circuit that can stick and these also may need to be replaced.

Must confess that I haven't actually used this car other than summer since I started to address this issue so I have no idea whether or not I have cured this before this winter. This tends to be an occasional summer car to be honest and it will be put back in the garage when the snow comes down to avoid to road salt.

 

check the brushes on the aux heater pump they wear out a few dollars easy replace JCNA Forums - Jaguar Clubs of North America

 

you might need to remove the throttle body to get at the pump and that means the inlet manifold as well and its difficult and there are lots of "hidden" bolts to do it. Will try to post a re assembley in reverse to help and that probably means on an older car broken pipes connectors etc and in the uk dealer only parts
I would not have designed this engine compartment this way if it was me miffed

while its all off change the thermostat tower for aluminium and flush the heater matrix directly in my opinion.

 

Hi . Hope your well . Where is the fuse located