Jaguar XJ8 X308 bought for $2k AU. But was it worth it?

We will continue to improve this car until its just right!

[@colino72]

Given how much a decent one can go for, and the mechanical work done already, if you can get the body looking a lot better you could be onto a winner there!!

[@christophers7070]

Brett, Good on you. Fortune favours the brave. A lot of 'gifts with purchase' there. Well done. If my memories is correct, I think in Aug 2000, Jag also went to metal chain tensioners and stronger guides. Ford went cheap on that from 97-8/2000, and a lot of these cars were scrapped because of snapped or jumped timing chains.

[@graemecatty9921]

Risk and Reward. Looking good so far Brett.

[@joshuamorley272]

Another great buy Brett! Will be a lovely example once completed.

[@Brigitte.286]

Brilliant as u lucky guy. Im totally jealous WHAT A STUMNER!!!!

[@uhn100]

Looks like everything's coming up rose's Brett you know you will just have to give her a paint job best regards Andy Allen.

[@victordenola106]

Great buy!!! Champion

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Great buy!

[@AlfredvanKuik]

Excited to follow this journey! I just picked up a 4.0 X308 2 months back for €1800. It's in better visual condition than this one but it does have 420k+ kilometers so I'm sure I'll run into issues :) It's been perfect so far though.

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

Looks like you done well there brett.some painteork and a replacement seat and it should be a good example.i guess the heat in australia is very hard on paint and trim,not such a problem in the uk,cars all just rot to bits over here instead unfortunatley.boot came up well,look forward to more on this one.

[@bigfella6629]

Im a little excited with what you have planned for this, looking forward to more on this cat.

[@stewartshackleton7825]

It’s a pleasure to see you so excited about your new project. Go on son.

[@peterriggall8409]

Excited for you Brett. You done good on this one. That drivers seat! Yuck. 🤢 Seems like the previous owner has looked after it mechanically but cosmetically couldn’t give a stuff. You will wave your magic wand over this and soon we won’t recognise it.

[@julianlord2697]

I see an Xj6 in his garage. Jag no longer make XJs so this is in the doldrums, so cheap it may be skimped on but in the future it may increase in value. Keep on it

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

That's my white XJC you are referring to Julian?

[@jimclarke1108]

😺V8 Jag sounds great

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

Thanks Jim

[@AndyK.1]

Temperature gauge will stay in the middle until-overheat condition. But level float are prone to errrors.

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

It was just a little low so think its working ok

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

It really has had some care for those extra kms it has done, what a fantastic buy…. I love the fact that it has the modest 3.2 engine and smaller wheels (with decent Michelins), seems a shame to swap the wheels for big sporty ones but I guess you have to justify your hoarding habits ! With the money you saved on the purchase I hope you can justify redoing that previously gorgeous paint…

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

I'm 50/50 John, the rear Michelin's are near their limit. The sport Celtic have good tyres. The 16's will sell well for xj40's etc

[@yurilemming4130]

I got the same & colour for $2,500 4 years ago very smick but probably will need timing chain but has only done 140k. People think am crazy too many jags.

[@smiddysmidton8313]

$2k mate you stole it! Great buy

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

Thanks

[@Brigitte.286]

Also all those receipts show what us the lay people could be up for without your TJM smarts

[@richardgreene3460]

Were you able to confirm if the engine was steel-lined? I assume it is! As you mentioned, the conversion was around the car's production date! Sadly, Jaguar went from a bullet-proof XJ6 (1995-1997) to a major disaster with the 1998 XJ8! These are available here in the US for "pocket change"!

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

The v8 aint no disaster especially the later steel lined ones.they have issues like all engines but i would choose the v8 over the 6cylinders or v12s any day.i love my jags,had more than 20 over the years,xj40s,series 3s,x300s,x308s,on my 2nd x350 now,a super v8,i love them all but love the v8s most.not so much the modern ones unfortunatley and hate evs so jag is pretty much done for me now.good job theres plenty of old ones.will keep my 1968 s type forever.

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

I copied this off the web In August 2000 Jaguar replaced the Nikasil-linings with steel linings. The Nikasil cut-off date (18/08/00) is often confused with the date when low-sulphur petrol was introduced into the UK (01/01/00). To the best of my ability the U.S. Diesel Low-sulphur date was 2006 and gasoline fuel was around 2007 (I did not want to spent a great deal of time on the sulphur issue but 1 hour later this is what I got. Not real good on the searching thing). The risk of Nikosil failure was substantially reduced after the 01/01/00 in the UK when low-sulphur petrol was introduced, especially in new and low mileage engines. Jaguar replaced many Nikasil engines under warranty, so a car built before the cut-off date below may possibly have steel-lined bores (check the engine number). Nikasil - Cut-off date/number The first steel-lined AJ-V8 came off the production line In the year 2000 on August 18th at 10.43am hence the engine number will read: 00 08 18 1043 or more precisely: 0008181043 So my engine number is 0007122223 that means I'm a Nikasil man at 275,000 klms and still going strong!

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

I love the AJ8 one of my favorite engines. Totally designed in house by Jaguar.

[@richardgreene3460]

@tjmthejagmandownunder What I was trying to say is the X300 cars never had ANY reliability issues whatsoever from 1995-1997! Then, the X308 in 1998...

[@aaronsmith8414]

I'll buy that key fob off you if you have spares

[@tjmthejagmandownunder]

Not sure if I have Aaron, will check

[@aaronsmith8414]

@@tjmthejagmandownunder no worries , I am also refurbishing an xj8