DirtyDaily

I am excited for updates.

The subframes corrode sometimes but on the 4 I've had they've all been fine. The worst of it being unsightly surface rust. The X350 is a completely different prospect from the earlier models. I love jags but an x308 or earlier scares me to death for corrosion.

So officially it's SDD which is a bit of a weird system but I use an icarsoft reader which is specifically for land rover jaguar. Good bit of kit that can read all the modules.

The strut should be easy, the rear lower wishbones are easy, the rear track rod ends are a pain, obviously can't mount tyres, I have diagnostic software to read the codes, brake calipers easy, pads easy. The only thing I would say that would cause any real issues is the rear track rods tend to cease and need cutting out. Not the end of the world but a reciprocating saw is that way to go. All work I have done before so doesn't concern me. We will see how things go and shiter XJ photoshoot seems like a must. I've had some people be generous with their time to me so I feel it's only right I pay it forward at some point.

Is it all the bushes you need throwing on and the track rod ends etc.? If so and you find yourself struggling to find someone to do it give me a shout and I'll fly up there in my Jag and we will get it sorted.

It's the second time it's happened to me now though the last time it happened was 10 years a go. Frightening thought of the potential consequences.

Been driving this round now. Few things to note: Drives really well now and much nicer now some of the issues have been addressed Mpg isn't awful, 20+ tootling to work and back, 35 on a run. Wows. Suspension has a leak I suspect, it had a shitty repair section which I have replaced and I think that's helped. Minor panic, turns out I'm an idiot. So after all the work I was driving about and heard a horrible scraping/knocking/rubbing noise. Didn't make the noise under acceleration but did on deceleration. Thought the leaky diff might have kicked the bucket and was a little sad. Went underneath it today to check it out and thought I'll spin the wheels while they're in the air and noticed the nearside rear wheel bolts had come undone... No bolts were tight and the wheel was on its way off. Learnt my lesson. Wheel nuts are now FT. Just need to replace the squeaky supercharger belt and the Aircon lines for driving pleasure. The other bits are getting sorted as and when I get round to them. I also replaced a door speaker as it was rattling.

Update: Thermostat has finally been sourced. Took 4 attempts but I got the correct one in the end. Now installed New air filter for the engine and cabin installed. Sourced a good used wiper mechanism and by god that was a pain to fit. Brake booster had to come out and it was budging until I really lost my temper with it and started stamping on the brake pedal. It came out then. Had a bit of a job rebleeding the brakes but got there in the end. Wiper mechanism is super tight inside and I reinstalled the motor in the wrong position so the wipers were not at the bottom. Readjusted it today and all is well! Today has been a very satisfying day on the Jag. I had 2 days of issue after issue and then today has been solutions. I've got the drivers window regulator that I might be able to fit tomorrow weather permitting. Rearrange with the bloke to raise the suspension as it was out of action. I'm going to try and recode the drivers door module as I found some security codes saying doesn't match car or something I can't remember so I have a feeling someone may have put a new one in without reprogramming it. I really need to get around to ordering all the parts for the supercharger belt as it does squeak a lot until it's up to temperature. Once it's up to temp though and you are cruising along and have 400+ hp at your disposal it's really intoxicating. I'll be very proud when this is done and I'll know I almost certainly saved this from the breakers.http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/6518108f3193c/PXL_20230930_115721928.TS.mp4

That is very true. 90/00's is also what I have 99% of my exposure in. It's my safe space.

My exposure to these cars have made me of the opinion that they're actually quite simple. Especially compared to their contemporaries of the day which were all horrid diesels. (Audi's diesel was OK other than the timing chain which was fixed later down the line) The diesel Jag is a BIG no though. The air suspension isn't complicated in the slightest but people run scared of it. They don't rust. The engines are very good in petrol guise. I'd say potentially one of the best line up of engines, not sure anything better has come out since then in terms of, power, reliability, economy, ease of working on and cost to repair. Made even cheaper by the timing chains that very rarely go wrong. Even the superchargers are known to do 300k+ miles. I maintain, and bang on about it far too much, for the money a V8 early X350 in good condition is probably one of the best cars you can buy if you're even slightly capable of repairs or have a bit of know how on how to keep these on the road cheaply. Long live the Jags and thank you ford for doing the XJ proud.

LONG LIVE THE XJ!

And the rest. I've had 4 now. Can't remember what the 3.0 did but my 4.2 did over 40mpg on a run once. Regularly did 35+ mpg at 80ish. My 3.6 was slightly less fuel efficient but more or less the same and I got 35mpg on a run from my 4.2 supercharged. They're unbelievably good on a run.http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/650f08231d439/20211231_133503.mp4

All the jags I've had the interiors have been great. I think the heat in parts of America have an effect. They definitely have an effect on the air struts as they fail constantly in America but in the UK they're pretty strong.

Should add I have ordered the following: New air filter New cabin filter Wiper linkage New window regulator Edited as I have now purchased the window regulator

Bigger update: So been spannering on it with kind of no success but found bits to do! 1st, went to replace the thermostat but the one supplied was incorrect so the old one has had to go back in. Can confirm the thermostat is at fault as it's stuck open. (See pic) 2nd, checked air filter. Filth. (See pic) 3rd, cabin filter. Filth. (Soz no pic but it's really bad) 4th, oil cooler is really cruded up so I've hit it with brake clean but it's gonna need a bit more of a deep clean or soaking. 5th, now I had an issue with the drivers window wiper not really wiping so I just got new wipers as it was pretty old. I put the new one on and realised it's just not touching the screen... odd. Realised that the point where the arm attached to the linkage has way too much play and is causing the arm to not press against the screen. I stripped it down to try and bodge it but no joy. Ive ordered a new (used) part from auto reserve to replace the whole mechanism for £40 but it'll be a bit of a job to do it. Brake servo has to come off and scuttle has to come off again. Annoying but whatever. The car just seems like it's been neglected in general hence the old filters and not addressing leaks for a long time etc. Thankfully their solid cars but does make you wonder who buys an XJR and doesn't do any maintenance. I'm going to visit a bloke in Chester next Friday too who has the SDD software to raise the suspension up to standard ride height as the past owner just had it too low. We are getting there.

Illegally I think is the answer

If I win I'll drive over in my new XJR

I think just giving money probably wouldn't sit well with OP. Perhaps a roffle on something that's hanging around the house?

100% but don't think you aren't allowed to feel like shit when stuff isn't going your way. Cars are testing and they beat you up at times but the moment you get back in and it's all sorted makes it all worth while.

Sounds like you're being harsh on yourself. I know that feeling though and empathise. Just remember it'll get done but might just not be as soon as you'd of liked. Hope it all gets sorted soon and you're out and about in it again.

Update. Driven say 100 miles in this now. Few times to and back from work and generally around. Driving very well and nothing has cropped up yet other than the temperature not getting to the centre for quite a while. My commute to work is 25mins approx and it was just shy of the centre so I think the thermostat is letting coolant past. Ordered a new one for £17 and looking online it is a VERY easy job. Intake off and there it is. I'll get that done as I don't want it over fueling everyday to work and back. Makes a good excuse to do a quick coolant flush too.

Some rubbish pictures of the interior. I think a deep clean will make it come up like new.

Thankfully there's no service records! Is that a win?

Could well be slipping though it doesn't sound like a continuous slip. I'll have a look in to that and see. Try the old wet the belt and see if the noise goes away.

Perhaps a "click bait" title but the chances of ruinous disaster is always there on a supercharged jaguar, especially on one that cost a mere £2,700. I thought I'll make a thread for this as this is a bit of an attainable dream car for myself. I have always had an affinity for Jaguars and a supercharged XJ is just about peak daily motoring in my mind. This one is a weathered example but my experience of the X350s is quite untroubled. I also thought that the wealth of knowledge that Autoshite has to offer may come in handy. Bit of a synopsis on the condition is as follows: Recently serviced New MOT Perishables look to be in good shape Suspension has been lowered via the SDD software (anyone with this software that can help me up the suspension to stock ride height would be very much appreciated!) Kind of following on from above the central locking is not working, almost certainly a drivers door module issue and was wondering if anyone knew where I may be able to get this one refurbed? People tend to just get another module and have it programmed to the car using the SDD but I fancy getting it refurbed since it's a very common issue Drivers window is broken, needs a new regulator Pulley squeaking when cold, I will have to investigate what this is. No Aircon which I strongly suspect is air condenser seals which are a fault with every x350 I've owned. Oil cooler leak which I suspect will just be a rubber seal which shouldn't be an issue. Bodywork let's it down, alloy corrosion is in abundance and on most panels which is a shame, alloys need refurbing but that's not a big issue. Interior is tidy as I have found on most X350s Makes a truly wonderful supercharger whine when you boot it and all of a sudden the cars foibles melt away. Power is immense and unrelenting with a superb soundtrack to boot and a planted road feel. Once I've ironed out some of the issues it should be a good example. Good bones you might say. Come along for the ride and we will see if a "got ya" comes up! More pictures will become available once I've given it a good clean.