Hello folks,

Whilst I feel I am in danger of  asking what might appear to some of you on the forum as a classic ‘stupid’ question, I should  say that it’s 50 years since I owned my last Jag, a 63 Mk II 3.4 , and even though back then, I took the engine and box out from underneath (the correct way) and stripped  it of every nut and bolt, fitted new pistons and con rods, new valves etc,and re shimmed the tappets...........I know absolutely nothing of the V8s of today’s Jags, and can no longer do my own repairs.

Now that I’m retired, it would be nice to have a ‘cruiser’  for weekends, to go ‘castle huntin’ in our lovely county of Northumberland. (We have the most castles and castle ruins of any county in England……around 73). Being 6ft 3ins, I have always hankered  after an older LWB Daimler, a Super V8 of around 1998, but my budget is only about £4,000.

My question is this: Obviously, most of the older Super V8s that I see advertised, have all done well over 100,000 miles. Am I asking for trouble buying a V8 that has done over 100,000 miles, and can anybody suggest any potential pitfalls to look for please?

My current car is a Motability Skoda Yeti, but it would be great if I could find a nice  leisurely Daimler cruiser for weekends. A proper Big Boy’s Toy!   I think they are superb cars.

Many thanks

 

John

Hello John,

I used to own a 1998 XJR and it is indeed a wonderful machine.  The main concern as you have suggested is finding one with lowish miles that fits the budget and preferably an engine swap.  The originals did suffer with the Nikasil lining issues so that would be your main thing to look out for.  I know others will point you to other potential things.  You can get a reasonable one with lots of history for less than £3k with 116K on the clock on Ebay at time of writing.

I often wonder about going back to an earlier model and I would certainly now opt for an X300 XJR.  Not sure if you are a fan or not? but Id say for the budget you'd find something decent.  They are getting rare though now when I have a look.

Are you not a fan of the S-Type?  You'll get plenty for your money 

Hello Geoff,

Thanks for that. In answer to your question about the S- Type. i doubt if I could recognise  an S- Type now. To me an S Type means back in the 60s. . They made them from 63 to 68. I am certainly not familiar with a 'modern' S Type. I just fancied a leiurely cruiser, a typical 'old man's car' a Daimler, now that I'm getting on a bit myself!  

John

Hello John,

Are you thinking along these lines?  Looks really nice.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Daimler-XJ-Series-4-0-V8-4dr-/272170233903?hash=item3f5e9c302f:g:-2wAAOSwFNZWxyqy

Helló Geoff,  

Yes it certainly does look good doesn't it? Shame it's 230 miles from here, and it's not a LWB. Is the Sovereign a  LWB?

john

That's the issue isn't it, you might have to wait a bit longer to find the right one within distance.

That one is lwb 

Geoff

My humble apologies Geoff, you’re absolutely right it is a LWB, I have just re-read the advert, sorry!

Please forgive my ignorance, but does that mean that all Daimler/Jaguar  XJSs are V8.

Can I ask another question that’s been bugging me please? Is there a recommended mileage to change the  timing chain/belt and idlers?

Many thanks.

John

John,

Glad you mentioned the timing chain, I had forgotten about them!  The chain itself isnt necessarily the potential issue.  The main issue was the plastic secondary timing chain tensioners and there tendency to fail.  A noticeable engine noise while idling or during a cold start can indicate an issue.  Rough or uneven engine idle is another symptom. 

Im sure the  XJS's were V12's.  The XJ's 97-03 were all V8's in either 3.2 or 4.0.

 

Geoff