2004 Jaguar XJR One-Year Service History

A tale of how one of the most elegant and timeless sedans was rescued from the desert and received tender loving care to rejuvenate its supercharged soul.
And parts. Lots of parts.
Grace. Space. Pace.

[@robertjude9728]

Great video, i have the same car and went through the same restoration experience but if you love these cars for what they are you don't get upset or give up and think of selling it as like a loyal pet they will treat you kindly. My car is the zircon blue type but your car is beautiful. Jaguar cars are like Jazz music - once hooked you are a fan for LIFE!!! Enjoy your car!

[@Kianski]

Thanks for the kind words! Although I regret to inform you that I just sold it yesterday, but if I had the space, I'd definitely keep it! It still commands respect and looks elegant after all these years. Sure don't make 'em like they used to!

[@FS-wl6uo]

Absolutely beautiful machine and impressive attention to details. Good work!

[@Kianski]

Thank you very much!

[@russellpedata9590]

Nice video. Reminds me of all the quirks I fixed plus a few I should look at. After 5 years of owning my 04 XJR, I finally have a clean dashboard with no warning lights. One of the best things I did was to install a Tesla-style head unit to replace the seriously lacking original. With updated NAV, Bluetooth, and Android Auto, every trip is even more enjoyable.

[@Kianski]

A new infotainment system would do wonders for the experience, though the original does have its charm. I love how they included an option to just show the Jaguar logo !😂

[@FrazerGoddon]

A great detailed restoration of a car we won't be getting back.

[@Kianski]

Yeah, sadly no more XJs. Still classy after all these years.

[@FrazerGoddon]

@@Kianski I have a 2014 XJL, so gutted that they scrapped production of them :(

[@esaur8wq]

Great job, nice Jag! I have x358 3.0 short with Daimler trim.

[@Kianski]

Thanks! How do you like yours?

[@esaur8wq]

He has been with me for 15 years since new. The best car of my life.@@Kianski

[@larrysimon1]

Great Vid good luck with the Jag it looks amazing !

[@Kianski]

Appreciate it!

[@ceedoubleyou]

always loved this generation of Jag, the last of this shape, seriously thought of buying one back in late noughties, but maintenace scared me and downunder here, bought a Oz Ford Falcon 4L turbo, traded that in 2020 for the last of the Holden LS3 V8, similar to the Chevy SS that the Americans got, it's a keeper, probably park it next to the 68 Cougar.

[@Kianski]

Yeah this generation isn’t horrible with maintenance but still requires TLC once in a while. Those Holdens sound great and have a such a great presence! I was tempted to delete the mufflers from the XJR but sold it before I got a chance to experiment with it. V8s deserved to be heard!

[@kennethtalbott2233]

brilliant. the wheels look so much better than the bling chrome. that car looks stunning now. and yes it's the little things that matter. well done.

[@Kianski]

Thanks! The wheel refurbishment needed a pretty penny but well worth it and should last for a long time.

[@MusicGenomics]

Your car is fantastic ! And a very good music choice too. I like !

[@Kianski]

Appreciate it! 👍

[@MPReilly2010]

Outstanding! Bravo!

[@Kianski]

Appreciate it!

[@ChrisBaccus]

This is excellent. I bought a 2009 XJ8 a little over 2 years ago. I might need to do a similar recap of my journey. I had a lot less to do since my car only had 43k miles when I bought it, but still I fixed a lot of the little details too when I got it and have had a few repairs along the way. Thanks for sharing and the car looks fantastic!

[@Kianski]

Thanks! I found the XJR to be somewhat difficult to work on, especially with the heat exchanger sandwich in front of the engine but overall it was a great experience. Enjoy your XJ8!

[@frasermitchell9183]

Lovely car ! I ran two, a 2003 Sport bought in 2010, and then another, a 2007, (with the slight restyle) in 2016, a Sovereign. Both cars had the 3 litre V6, a lovely engine not exported to the US, but is actually a Ford engine not a Jaguar development. I now have an XE. Why, well I just got fed up with constant replacement of certain suspension bushes, as you'll no doubt find out about. I also had to replace the heater core on the second car. Neither car ever let me down, and I regularly took them to Germany on holiday. Furthest trips were to Berlin and Nuremberg, so about 3000 miles driveway back to driveway. The 2003 was more troublesome than the later car even though it had many fewer miles on it. I suppose the first year of production is always a bit risky.

[@Kianski]

Very nice! Never driven one with a V6 but I’m sure that adds its own character. How bad was the heater core replacement? Did you have to remove the entire dash?

[@richards5593]

My daughter drove 1 of these until she got T-bone and total it. Great car to drive. I own a 2012XKR convertible. Love that car. Getting ready to start for the winter

[@Kianski]

Bummer about the XJR. But a convertible Jag seems like a great way to spend some time and make up for it!

[@johnrumble424]

Love the car and video,👍🏻✌🏻

[@Kianski]

Appreciate it!

[@Jeff4003]

inspiring! thank you for Posting. I just bought a 2004 XJR (Ebony) last month, and am starting down the same journey. My wheels are toast, too. I like yours! Powder coating seems the best path, for sure! I have also just picked up new XJR badging. I love the car, and plan to restore and enjoy it for many years to come! thanks again for posting!

[@Kianski]

Congrats on the purchase! They react well to cosmetic upgrades to rejuvenate the classic looks. Powder coating isn’t cheap but worth it due to its longevity so definitely recommend it.

[@lyleg.9192]

These are great cars and very capable. They will continue to appreciate.

[@Kianski]

Indeed!

[@maureencora1]

The 2004 -09 Jaguar XJs Were Like the 1990s BMW E38 / 740i 7-Series. I Still Take This Style Over the 2023.

[@Kianski]

Definitely! I had a 2003 M5 before and this Jag totally reminded me of it. Same general size, both about 400 hp, and both from an era that really emphasized cohesive, timeless design. I really wished the kept the quad headlights.

[@maureencora1]

@@Kianski Touche' (smile)

[@mohammedal-rasheed7662]

Perfect work 👍🏾

[@Kianski]

Thank you!

[@meshkovsergey]

Beautiful car, great job and nice video 👍🏻 Congratulations!

[@Kianski]

Thanks! 👍

[@michaelreed8540]

Fantastic job, I am actually looking to purchase one and this video will become my service guide. Thank you

[@Kianski]

Thank you! If you're looking for a more in-depth guide, I created a thread where the photos were originally uploaded. You'll find part numbers and other useful info too: www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-xj6-xj8-xjr-x350-x358-28/jag-me-mum-fulfilling-dream-249650/ Good luck! They're great cars.

[@ravdobrzynski]

when XJ =big X type :( Good old XJ

[@nicktozie6685]

Honestly, top 5 best jags. The v8 is delicious. Great site an car.

[@Kianski]

Agreed! I was tempted to remove the mufflers so I can hear that V8 rumble but never got around to it.

[@jaromor8808]

gorgeous car i drooled over it for a very long time, never pulled the trigger :(

[@Kianski]

Thanks! It’s in good hands now with the new owner.

[@TheShakir98]

I want to buy a Jag from a previous owner like you

[@Kianski]

Thanks.

[@Tracertme]

At least this car has finally found some real love and proper maintenance, 👍 well done.

[@Kianski]

It was sorely needed.

[@AndyK.1]

Attention to detail there

[@Kianski]

It's my curse.

[@gavinwedell]

Well done! Yes - the details totally matter.

[@Kianski]

Word on the street is that’s what sets this car apart!

[@ЛатыповСергей]

Невероятно красивый автомобиль.

[@michaelbrown9363]

Lovely car. Selling or keeping? I have 03 XJR, 03 VDP, and 05 XK8

[@Kianski]

Thank you! That's quite the collection you have there. This XJR is currently for sale on an auction with the link in the description.

[@johnrumble424]

Brilliant set, love it.

[@JacksonFlemings]

I just bought a 2005 s type v8 and live in West Hollywood, could I bring it round to you somehow and get some pointers? You seem really experienced, and this is my first car. I got it because I’ve wanted one since I was younger, and wanted to restore her to her former glory. Thank you for the video!!!

[@Kianski]

Congrats on the car! Quite the option for your first one too! I’ll refer you to www.jaguarforums.com as I only had the car for less than a year but found plenty of great info on that site. Good luck! 👍

[@JacksonFlemings]

@@Kianski thank you much! I currently do have an account there, I am glad that the advice you found actually worked though

[@SS-uq6wv]

you really got my head bobbing to the video lol

[@Kianski]

Hell yeah, let the music move you!

[@moroder00]

Beautiful! I have the same car (2004 XJR, silver but without navigation) and I am enjoying it! Who did you use as your parts supplier? Thanks!

[@Kianski]

Thanks! I sourced them from a few shops: SNG Barrett, Jag Bits, RM European, Welsh Enterprises, and the local dealer.

[@lyleg.9192]

Not seeing the reply Steve that I just tried to give you but when it does show up I was serious about the secret site try not to spread that around it's basically a in the circle between salvage yards or salvage yard owners and operators source which is why you might find some of the prices better than what you might hear when you ring one up

[@mietekposepny]

🔥

[@Kianski]

👍

[@chriss.hartley6970]

Thanks for repping the orange gloves. Also what is the two vice grip method called? Can I find that in the shop manual? Last nitpick, you have the wrong backdrop for the final photos, totally more of a yacht club vibe going on there. The attention to detail is impressive…you must be an engineer

[@Kianski]

That method is called "CSG" named after the "Carroll and Scherer Grip" for their steadfast determination to work together and make the impossible, somewhat possible. Agreed on the yacht club backdrop but there's no water around me so that would've been difficult to accomplish, see.

[@YuriiVerbata]

Great car , did you do all the work ? Or used a shop? I have one exactly like yours, but needs some service too. Thank you for a reply

[@Kianski]

Thanks! It was all me with help from a couple of friends, slowly but surely.

[@stevenshayan1593]

Great Car and Video, At what mileage are you changing the transmission Fluid and rear Differential oil Exchange. Did the transmission Downshift faster after the service? Appreciate a response I 2 XJ 358 08. Thank you

[@Kianski]

Thanks! This was all done at 108k miles but the transmission fluid/pan were replaced at least once before. I think flushing both fluids every 60k miles would be ideal. The shifts weren't necessarily faster but much smoother with the new transmission fluid.

[@ERICSDIYGARAGE]

How much did you pay for your xjr?

[@Kianski]

$9k with 107k miles.

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

Great job but you make me feel guilty!

[@Kianski]

Ha...well hey, next time you're doing an oil change, set aside a weekend (or 3) and clean up all that oil! I have no idea if your oil pan is leaking but let's just go with it for the sake of my comment.

[@insaneinsaniac9468]

It's a finest British car. Don't offend it with your vulgar arizonas. Drive your cadilacs, play baseball and be happy, please!

[@fkkmag8692]

No rust?

[@Kianski]

The chassis is aluminum so that’s generally not an issue. No signs of pitting or corrosion thanks to mostly being in CA & AZ.