I Bought A Supercharged Luxury Jag For Just £4K ! Jaguar XJR X308 (Pt1)

FAST, Worn Out And Cheap! I Bought a Jaguar XJR To Fix Up. The supercharged X308 XJR is a thug from the days when cars were done differently. I like them so much that I have bought this rather tatty example.. let's hope I don't regret it!
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[@7quidstudio]

Hi Jack, Paul here, thanks for taking her on. We're looking forward to following your journey with the car mate 👍

[@seanoneillsongs]

any music out there Paul?

[@7quidstudio]

@@seanoneillsongs Google 7quidstudio bud 👍

[@LarsAgerbk]

regardles of ANYTHING. It looks 1000 times better than anything new available today.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

you cant use any V12 Jag engine today they drop valve seats!!

[@LarsAgerbk]

@@Schlipperschlopper okay

[@ericrawson2909]

@@SchlipperschlopperIt's a V8!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

ahh ok that is an american Ford engine and quite reliable@@ericrawson2909

[@igormac88]

Definitely. These wheels!

[@ThePstorm]

Only one specialist to take it to - Tom Lenthall. He is KZbin friendly 😁😁😁😁

[@samcourt6228]

Was going to say the same.

[@gustavoflorio5383]

Yeap, Harry Metcalfe did take his XJC to him. The guy is motorsport proved.

[@philcrockford5534]

and he's in Wokingham, not far from Ratarossa

[@Focusfury05]

The same bloke Auto Alex goes to.. He's featured in some Auto Alex videos! 👍😎

[@davebuts1921]

They still look slightly sinister, you just know if it was park outside a post office thing were going to happen. Got to love a old Jag.

[@ckm-mkc]

That's what Clarkson said about the X300, he hated the later models.

[@kallekas8551]

Just discovered this gem of a channel…brings back memories of cars that my grandfather, father and I have had over the years. Thanks again! Karl from Australia.

[@Number27]

Glad you enjoyed it Karl!

[@exgtt2061]

These look ace tanking down the road, I saw one coming the other way and it’s back end was squat under acceleration and the whole car looked so low to the ground. That roof line and the curves are just gorgeous. These will hit the restomod market in ten years mark my words!!

[@Graham_Wideman]

Or more likely the rustomod market!

[@moagnor]

Had an XJ6 with 162,500 miles. The AJ6 is kind of bullet proof.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

For me, the X308 is the ultimate shape of the Jaguar XJ series. I hope you enjoy your ownership experience.

[@ericrawson2909]

Agree. I had the 3.2 for twenty years. Beautiful car. Got lots of compliments. Always wanted the XJR. Got the f Pace SVR. Wish my car had the X308 bodyshell.

[@alanhunter2009]

Had a XJ40 6L V12 for 12 years , bought at 18 months old. Beautiful, fast, smooth riding car, but more and more issues as time went by until time to get rid. Someone local bought it with the view to do it up but after sitting on a ramp on his driveway for a year, it disappeared. Reckon it was a lost cause.

[@dudleycalfee664]

And don't forget to make sure that the timing chain tensioners which were plastic on this model have been changed out for the improved metal ones, this is the only thing that can hand grenade that engine!

[@Savasaviens]

They were plastic on the 1997/8 up to early months of 2000.

[@ianpreece2739]

Good advice, mine was a 2001 and the tensioners still went. The metal tensioners are the only way to be safe

[@dudleycalfee664]

Mine was a 2001 model as well, it had the plastic tensioners, the first thing I did when I bought her was trade out the tensioners for the metal ones and changed the supercharger oil, she was bulletproof after that.

[@timdoyle3028]

@@Savasaviens, you can't chance that. There are documented later cars with earlier engines, just the way the assembly line worked out, or sometime a replacement engine was installed in a newer car. The only way to know if your tensioners are good is to open the cam covers and do a visual inspection. Got lucky on mine, its an 01 with a later replacement engine and has all the up to date timing mechanicals.

[@ericrawson2909]

Changed mine as preventative maintenance, 1998 model.

[@jimhutton4352]

Love an old Jag. They ooze class!! Congrats 🎉

[@Number27]

Thanks Jim!!

[@veritasvincit2745]

I had a 3.2 X308 in Seafrost light green with Celtic wheels for just over a year. Loved the big old barge and it's one I miss. Costs were piling up and it became unrealistic. Usual story but such a special drive.

[@pauldavidson2443]

Was fortunate to have owned one, stunningly beautiful cars and looking even better as they age gracefully.

[@markbray2988]

Looking forward to this. Always fancied one of these. As a teenager my dream car was a Daimler 66 VDP and I saved so hard that I managed to buy one at 23... During the two years I owned that car I never had a penny... It broke me!.. And it was only four years old when I bought it! 🤣

[@vinylrulesok8470]

Gorgeous design the XJR. My dad had a similar looking Daimler in the 90s which was beautiful. Good luck with the project.

[@institutmorningkiss]

These are gorgeous jags !

[@gerardbooth40]

I've had my x308 for 7 years now and absolutely love the old barge. Have fun. You might be right about the central locking. However, just try splitting the key on the seam and then try cleaning the copper contacts underneath the rubber buttons. They can get covered in deposits and stop working altogether. Worth a go...

[@vincentisaac9066]

Well done someone on KZbin who actually tells you how much thay have paid upfront

[@rcclassicgarage]

Great video Jack, I have always loved the XJR so looking forward to watching you clean this one up

[@Number27]

You and me both! Thanks chap

[@carlharvey7098]

These cars look gorgeous and what a good price for it Jack! This is going to be a great watch 😊

[@Number27]

Yes.. am exited at the prospect. It’s getting checked out tomorrow so fingers crossed it’s not a total pig underneath!

[@freerkderuiter8822]

I really like this Jag and the dark color with the light interior. I hope there aren't too much more issues coming up. Best of luck.

[@TheJustaviewman]

So kind of you Jack to say if you make a profit you would give some to Paul. I've always loved these Jags.

[@geekandguide]

The car certainly caught my attention when you did the original test. It's a model I'd certainly consider owning. I'll enjoy news of progress.

[@Dr.Jellyfingers]

That's a handsome beast and not too much of a project by the look of it. Looking forward to seeing you progress with this.

[@patrickyorke3028]

Lovely vid, forgotten how beautiful this Jag was. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks.

[@amphilbey]

Love these Jack, great choice and look forward to following the journey.

[@paulstansfield8693]

Hi Jack, outstanding choice, love the colour combination. Going to be an interesting journey, for everyone👍

[@JonDingle]

of the ten Jaguar's I have had, one of them was a 3.2L V8 on a W Reg (2000) and it was a great car. No rot, saggy headlining and needed two coil packs and brake pads and it was good for the road. That XJR looks great, love the alloys and looking forward to more videos!

[@Bubbaburp]

One of my all time favourite cars. Gorgeous. Hope it works out!

[@leolopezvalido1892]

Hello Jack! Congratulations on the purchase of "Reg" as an addition to your "family" of cars.. Apart from a little "wear and tear" that's easily - and inexpensively - fixed, it really does look a stunning car! That design, that low roofline only, like a good wine, make it better over age. Viewing your video I can see, as you flicked through the service book, the silver sticker; that means it' had the replacement engine from Jaguar. Also, I glimpsed that you were averaging over 28mpg on your run back home; that's another good sign from that engine. Lastly I must say it's so generous of you to offer young Paul any profits from the sale in the - distant I hope - future! Good luck with Reg.. Thanks Jack

[@Number27]

Thanks buddy!!

[@skeligun]

Feels like eons ago I started watching your videos, your production has come so far! Yet the genuine soul remains, great review as always!

[@Number27]

Wow, thank you! Really great to hear that.. 😀

[@skeligun]

@@Number27 cheers Jack! You deserve your success! ☺️

[@bombakdik]

Looking forward so much following these series. Cheers mate.

[@mikedavis6884]

I love what you're doing here, helping Paul out and giving us the chance to see what is a truly beautiful car. I could quibble about the "high" mileage, but that would be crass and gittish even for me.....I wish you a mountain of success. It's a lovely car, and will be even better after you've finished with it.

[@paultucker1272]

Such a good looking saloon, it certainly appeals to me. I hope he’s good to you. Looking forward to the journey 🙂

[@cornishrider]

What a magnificent machine, they just look better with age! I was fortunate enough to sell them when new so many find memories and miles driven. Be aware the pinstripe on the wing might be hand painted as certain models had that. Looking forward to the series.

[@paultaylor9652]

Jack has become the new Arthur Daley with his love of Jaguar cars 😂 great video.

[@jamesmurphy1389]

Always time well spent with Jack's videos. He is a good companion.

[@twowheelsoneleg5672]

This is the sort of content you do best IMO, looking forward to seeing this one play out

[@michaelpegasiou4531]

You done well Jack,that is a super cool car and wipes the floor with all the new generic crap coming out nowadays.👍

[@MyRetroWatches]

Brilliant I love these especially being a Cov lad and proud of our Jaguar heritage. Excited to see what you do with this one Jack

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thank you for this video! Very exciting car to work on! There are still a few of these cars in New Zealand in good condition!

[@phildini4929]

Absolute brilliant car! I’ve owned numerous XJ Jags and loved every single one of them.

[@epicseadragon1692]

Those cars are beautiful! Congrats, and enjoy!

[@nigelbullock9039]

Jack. Great choice of Jag and a good project. Very generous to give back the profits to the seller. Half would have been more than enough. Looking fwd to seeing you tackle this beast.

[@johnmac8084]

That's a proper Jag isn't it? I love it Jack 😅

[@jeffreyoldham55]

A bit of sorting and you'll have old Reggie looking like Elton in no time!

[@melvindavison8532]

I like it and am looking forward to seeing you repair it , particularly the head lining and the wheel

[@sebastiend.5335]

Great video Jack. In the past I have professionally worked a lot with Preston Jaguar Center. Not an official dealer but just the kind of garage that gives you good prices AND good service. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@DaDa-David]

Proper looking forward to seeing how this goes Jack! Had an Xj40 Sov super cheap but ultimately it was exhausted - G reg (long story with that one) Then bought a 2 owner 3.2 Sport that was amazing, few cosmetic bits needed sorting but most of a massive tree fell on it - so that was that!. I hated the xj40 shape as a young lad, when my Father had e23/232 BMW's - but now (and a while back) as I have just cracked my late 40's early 50's I'm a fan - looking forward to seeing more :-)

[@jase6370]

Love the x308, hope you get it back to a decent standard . Great choice.

[@dallisb1047]

I love them Jack! Just a stately and sporty looking car. If I had the opportunity I would definitely purchase one. I am looking forward to all of the updates! My only Jaguar ownership was a 79 XJS V12. That was a love hate relationship. I would love it on the way to work. It would run beautifully down the highway. But hate it when it would barely run on the way home. Good luck Mate.

[@1995RangeRover]

Love these cars and I've had one some years ago...make sure the heater hoses under the supercharger and upper timing chain tensioners are changed out if they hadn't been already. Cheers!

[@parkecorepersonaltrainingp2601]

What's a cool car well.done 🌟love the vid and look.forward to seeing more of the big J

[@paulelverstone8677]

For my money, the best of all the XJ's. In black, with black trim, with a blower. My perfect 4-door saloon...

[@MYXJRJAGX308]

My perfect long distance car for the last 8 years. Greetings from a German Jaaag addict. Nice vid, thanks.

[@Lemma01]

These are becoming a legend. Fine choice, Jack.

[@jt-hb8lh]

Probably one of my all time favourite cars

[@Assimilator1]

I look forwards to see you doing this up 😎

[@motorv8N]

Badass beast you got there Jack. Looks brilliant in black and I just love the contours in the hood…er, bonnet that flow back from the quad headlights. Looking forward to the adventure. 😈

[@ckm-mkc]

I used to have one of these, great car, shame about the fuel consumption. Some advice, but check with a specialist since it's been many years since worked on one of these: IRC, to do the headliner correctly, you have to remove the rear window and take out the stiff backing. Scrap it off (you have to remove ALL the rotten foam), then glue on the new fabric with contact adhesive designed for headliners. You can use dowels to keep the still board & fabric appart while you position things. I've done a few, not something I would care to do again. You'll want to do the carpet at the same time as generally all the interior trim needs to be removed to get the headliner out and it comes out from the bottom up, which also covers up the carpet.... Since you have to take the seats out to do the carpet, you might as well do them at the same time. These can easily be repaired by a good upholstery person, you may not need any new leather. There are also companies that make replacement leather covers which you can fit yourself although it requires a bit of strength & perhaps some hog ring pliers.

[@theanvil2136]

Great car ! I love X300, X308 and X350. I had the same problem with the alarm. After pairing the key(s) to the car, the problem was gone. It is not hard to do. There are several videos on KZbin.

[@XEboi]

Lovely car I keep looking at one of these

[@sarahrobinson410]

Hi Jack I bought a nice Jaguar 4.0 Sovereign 2001 but when you said £10.000 I was lost to what I had actually bought.. The car itself looked in nicer condition than my 2000 plate 3.2 jaguar, it sadly wasn't helped by a local mot station guy, who loves a bargain It drove in fine but went out pretty damn sharp on a breakdown truck to a Jaguar specialist who charged me my life savings of £600. That car then got took off me on the next MOT £560 For MOT I Paid £320 owed £260. Less said better.. My new Jaguar looks the part.. New tyres required I have a swinging interior mirror.. and the bushes in engine bay needs replacing. So a tiny bit of rolling restoration to vastly improve. Great video.

[@neilcowan535]

Good work Jack. I feel you are back to your roots here. The Tomato, Bismerc etc.... love to see a fixer-upperer, doesn't have to be exotic... does have to be a bit different! Cheers!

[@ridgmont61]

It will be great to see you tidy this car over a few episodes.

[@lukeshardlow768]

Oooo thats nice! Also try cleaning the contacts in the remotes with contact cleaner and fiberglass pen.👍

[@jn904]

One of the best styling/wheel design/stance combinations ever produced. Looks literally jaw-dropping. (Jaw-dripping, too)

[@sefikempowermentcoachvilla7843]

Fantastic purchase and content and for Paul seeing any profit 😮❤

[@gvamedia]

That is one beautiful killer cat! About the remote: take one of the fobs apart and clean the contact surface with alcohol. Those fobs don‘t have switches, they have charcoal contacts you press on the circuit board. That gets dirty and refuses to work after those years. Had to to that on both fobs on our X308. Water in the boot can come both from the antenna or more likely around the fuel filler. Check and clean all drain pipes also from the sunroof. Doing the headliner on cars with sunroof is not the happiest job to do but it is possible. You can buy the cloth at BAS and put it on with a Bostik 1518 neoprene glue which is the easy part of the headliner job. Part of the headliner needs to be glued around the sunroof cutout. Have fun with that beauty - ours is looking similar but no „R“ and no sunroof.

[@akrambaig2689]

Love these jags, Beautiful looking car.

[@Paul-67]

Good stuff, I’m looking to buy a 2003 xj8 3.5 Looking forward to your journey with the XJR.

[@richardsheppard8314]

Hi Jack. I can recommend JagCats in Ackworth. They’re a Jag breakers who seem to have a national presence. Les is the man to talk to as he’s owned it forever Keep up the good work, Richard

[@global_nomad.]

good luck with the new project

[@jonathanwright9269]

Congrats Jack...he needs to be saved...awesome motor

[@alexj8947]

Excellent choice, ran one myself for a year and it was fantastic 👍

[@rolfsvensson5777]

Jack the wheeler and dealer! A lot of fun! Hope there is some money to feed the cat! Smile!

[@Vemppu_Lutku]

this is one of my dream cars, specially like this, supercharged v8 with those wheels and black. love it

[@James-ld2jc]

Lovely old motor Jack - looking forward to seeing more of it on the channel. Why don't you do the headlining yourself? Nice contrast colour would look great

[@legioner9]

Beautiful looking sedan. I always liked this style XJ R.

[@skyll4141]

lovely car. I liked my 1993 xj6 sport. always promised myself a newer one at some point

[@rickmartin5288]

I have a 3.2 XJ Sport from 2002, his name is Sir Kenneth. I propose Reginald recieves an instant honorary knighthood befitting his prestige. Enjoy, they are incredible cars and like nothing else

[@mattdensham]

My dad had one, he was too scared to drive it!

[@RustyWrecks]

I know that halfords very well lol, looks like a great project keep up the great vids Jack

[@Number27]

Thank you!!

[@ferrariguy8278]

Congrats Jack. You might want to source a perfect passenger seat from the USA for your driver's seat... possibly carpets too. Join up on the numerous XJR groups on the old Book Face, and watch out for scmmer parts sales there (rampant) but you'll get lots of good advice and support document resources. Double check those XJ8 timing chain tensioners too.

[@01AnthraciteXJR]

awesome! just last year I got my 2001 x308 XJR in the same color. I love it!

[@mariusml]

I have the same car. Took the fob apart and really cleaned the rubber buttons and the circuit board and keys have worked since. Very normal problem with these fobs

[@a11csc]

bring it on

[@paulallen1143]

The Check Rear Lights can be a blown bulb or more likely high resistance at the bulb base. I have a 2003 XJ8 here in the US and I either clean the bulb base with some steel wool or simply replace the bulb. I know it’s just the resistance and not a blown bulb when it’s intermittent. I enjoy the channel

[@MrGman2804]

I had a 2001 4.0 XJ8 bought at 3 years old, and it was the best car I have ever had. It was silver with celtic alloys. It was still pretty swift. I took it to Australia when I emigrated and it drove the streets of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne , Brisbane , Surfers Paradise, etc, but I took it back to Perth in 2016, before leaving it behind when I resettled in the UK. X308's are lovely.

[@DKHvideo]

I adored my x308 XJ-R and only parted with it due to a max 6yrs age restriction on the company car scheme, I managed to stretch that rule by 6 months! If I had had the garage space to keep it, I would still have it today. Of all the cars I've had, the ones I regret not keeping: the XJ-R and a red Italian mid-engined number... a Fiat x/19! Mine was somewhat younger and gave little trouble, but if it is pre-2001 check the timing change tensioner has been changed. Early versions of the engine had a plastic spring carrier that can break causing mayhem when the spring escapes and the timing chain goes slack or jumps. Later engines got an aluminium spring carrier that is a direct replacement part, albeit a bit difficult to get too... I think it was an extra 2hrs labour on the service. Rear bumper mounts: when I asked for them at a Jaguar main dealer parts desk... he turned around and took two of a shelf directly behind him! If it has already had a set, it might need another set by now! Easy enough job that I did myself, although the big bolt (directly above the tail pipes) will probably be seized in. Also as the bumper shell comes off, looks out for wiring!! The satnav GPS antenna is fixed to the bumper and has to be disconnected before fully removing the bumper. The bumper mounts are fibre plastic parts, with a die-cast aluminium sleeve that is threaded, so you can set up the bumper height to get the best fit. The down side is the die-cast alloy sleeve and steel bumper bolt set up an electrolytic reaction and corrode... plenty of grease and anti-seize needed. Another oddity, the engine always had faint sharp, smell, very much like glycol / anti-freeze... yet mine had no fluid leaks of any sort. The non-supercharged v8 doesn't have that smell, but XK-R and XF-R... same smell. Obviously you can't ignore an anti-freeze type smell and must check for leaks, but it might not be a problem. You've already had a look around and spotted the rust in the stone chip areas. Another common spot is where the C pillar meets the cills. Good luck and enjoy, that effortless huge torque is addictive and the anticipation, when you drop a gear and hear the supercharger whine... just brilliant.

[@ryanpatterson9526]

Great buy! I love mine!

[@skylined5534]

Lovely old British bruiser! Always wanted a v8 version of this body shape! I don't suppose there's any reason the alarm system will be particularly similar to an R50 Cooper but the remote central locking packed up recently on our 2003 car. I say packed up but if you held the fob right up to where the receiver module sits (in this case right where the rear view mirror is) it would sometimes work. Replaced the module with a used one for under 40 notes from ebay and fitted it, no coding needed. Remote locking instantly reinstated! Might be a similar system! Worth looking into!

[@Jack_S_]

Ooh, I had one of these about a decade ago, and it was an absolutely brilliant car! It was higher mileage car, but it was very well maintained and well kept. It was such a special car. I miss the smell of that leather...

[@brucejamiesn3802]

As the fourth owner of a 2000 XJR, I sold it back to the second owner for $2,700 with 160,000 miles. It was in MUCH better condition than this one. Since it lived it's whole life in San Diego/Orange County, it had NO rust. Hey you UK guys: come to SoCal and get your modern classic Jags! There are some real gems here!

[@deansmith9222]

Think jaguar, think tom lenthall👍🏻

[@ManLikeYas]

I literally suggested the same thing 😂

[@AndyK.1]

Isn’t he near London?

[@ManLikeYas]

@@AndyK.1 south of Reading and West of Wokingham so yeah not too far from London

[@seanoneillsongs]

I wish you good luck and I look forward to watching the progress (even though I hate the name you've given it). The closest I ever got to buying a Jag was back when Im was just 18. It was a Mark nine the had seen a bit of life and it wasn't the bullet holes in the door put me off - nor the fifty quid price tag - I learned that tyres would cost me about the same apiece. A heads up but don't tell anyone, I think that Lidl are about due to have their seat covers back in stock but hurry, they go pretty fast.

[@rolfmak1400]

Lovely car! Congratulations Jack! Must say the interior of my 2006 S-Type with 300.000km (186.000 miles) is way and way better. Even the drivers seat of my car is good and I am a heavy bloke. I did about 140.000 miles in it. But I am really glad this kitten has found a good home! Goed work Jack!

[@garymorris801]

Lovely looking jag

[@ArtursGarage]

Very exciting, I owned my 1998 XJR for 20 years now (it is a keeper). Luckily here in US, there is no rust problem. I wish you best luck restoring it, I will definitely follow along. One thought on key fobs, very often rubber keypad (contacts) go bad, sometimes cleaning both rubber contacts and PCB with alcohol may help. In your case it is however suspicious that both don't work, so it could be something else.

[@barfmeister8509]

Really liking this old Jaaaaaaag😎 look forward to how you fix Reg up 🇬🇧🇮🇹