Jaguar XJ8: Lets talk...

Common failures? Overlooked gems? Nice daily drivers or nightmares?

If a mechanically-inclined but relatively poor/cheap fella wanted to get into a used Jag for a comfortable cruiser/daily driver, what's the scoop?

Well it depends on the year. The X308 had limited headroom but a low-cowl and sports car like seating position. However, it also had transmission issues (it was a Mercedes unit). The timing chains were an issue on the X300 but I'm not sure if that carried over to the X308. I know someone who is the original owner of a 2001 and has been trouble free except for the tranny and the water pump. However, comfy is not the word that comes to mind, they are quite loud (wind and tire noise), the seats were uncomfortable, there was kimited knee and head room, and they don't have a "luxury car" driving experience. If you wan't comfy consider a W220 Mercedes with the air suspension or a Lexus LS430.

Where I used to work, we had an S-type owner that was in at least once a month. In fact, he was once in twice in a week, once for a bad coil and a second time for a bad window regulator. Bear in mind though, these cars are much less sophisticated than the Germans and are less computer intensive which makes them more DIY friendly. However, the layout on these cars is clearly poorly thought out. Simply looking at the engine bay makes my head spin, it is completely illogical.

In reply to Mmadness:

The XJR had the Mercedes transmissions which are pretty solid as long as you don't beleive the Mercedes-claimed "life fluid" and change the fluid once in a while. The Normal XJ8 had a Ford tranny, which is fragile, but common. The X308 series are allegedly pretty reliable for a Jaguar (the X300 series never had the v8). Depending on the year, some of them had the Nikasil bore problems which turns them into oil burners, and kills them. Also, they originally had plastic chain tensionners and plastic water pump impellers which can both explode, again killing the engine. These issues should all have been addressed on a well cared for example. With these things taken care of, I'd rock one. An XJR is in my future for sure.

MAFs go bad in the earlier XJ8s and aren't cheap. I remember this when I was I was looking at them.

As already stated, transmissions are a problem too, but as long as someone did the service correctly, the trans should be ok.

Timing chain issues on 99-02 (I'd avoid these) but you need to replace them before its too late..

Transmissions have a design flaw (BMW used them as well). The ZF 5HP24 will allow high pressure fluid to leak past a piston in the valvebody eventually causing the trans to self destruct (clutch drum failure. There are updated valvebodys available (as well as a replacement piston but that requires machining the bore). BMW was also hit by this in the e39 5 series.

http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-x308-xj8-xjr-27/5hp24-main-pressure-valve-88615/

http://fixeuro.com/Transmissions/Valve_Body/valve_body.html