Jaguar XJR X308 - 3 Reasons You Should Buy This Over A BMW M5

The super saloon has long intrigued and the BMW E39 M5 is supposed to be the best of the lot.. but toady I am going to tell you why for me the Jaguar XJR, here in x308 guise, is a much better daily prospect. 370 horsepower, supercharged V8 with better build quality than the previous model but still with those timeless Jaguar looks.. and the quintessentially British lashings of wood and leather in the interior.
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[@Levenstone132]

I was so distracted by the gorgeousness of one of these cars on the pump next to me that I proceeded to fill my new diesel van with unleaded!

[@bitsbobs5509]

I was involved with the engine bay and cowl design at Whitley, Coventry working with a small team of great engineers. The X308 was the best of them all imho. With a zinc coated steel body and modern paint process, with the correct care the body should last 50years baring accidents. Combined with a great engine it’s a true classic 😘

[@a7lyqq]

Which is better, x308 or x350 XJR

[@MikeZak101]

X308@@a7lyqq

[@8kmar]

Why are most of them rotted out then

[@MikeZak101]

because people don't maintain them correctly dah, ever heard of underseal @@8kmar

[@a7lyqq]

In which way do u think x308 outperform x300 please?

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Jack is truly a man of the people. No ego like other uber rich car youtubers, just a bloke who appreciates used cars and wants to share their stories. Thanks for the genuine consumer advice and enthusiasm 👍

[@Number27]

Thanks for that Dreamy and happy new year!

[@SilverScarletSpider]

@@Number27 You are welcome Number 27, happy new year!

[@keplermission4947]

Jaguar is owned by India today and Rishi Sunak has twice the wealth of King Charles III.

[@NewtonInDaHouseYo]

@@keplermission4947 Yes, but this model was produced during the Ford ownership period which ended 2008.

[@keplermission4947]

@@NewtonInDaHouseYo I know that much, why is it that people always shoot the breeze and never give away anything of value? These Ford Jaguars had plastic bonnets, they were wobbly on the upstroke.

[@roygardiner2229]

I don't own a car but I admire the beauty of cars when I see it. This IS a beautiful car.

[@BibtheBoulder]

My brother owns an X308, 4.0 lwb, Sovereign I actually reckon it is the best car I have ever been in. Stunning looking, incredibly comfortable, and omg it has character......

[@kasteman1]

X308's are so special looking. Truly a "sweet spot" of Jaguar design, of all car design for that matter.

[@benc6614]

What a car. I was lucky enough to work at a Jaguar main dealer in period and sold many, many 308's. I still drive one today (with 325,000k), a 4.0 Sport. Great cars. Wonderful review as always! Cheers from Australia.

[@ralfybaby]

Great choice you get the xjr handling without the xjr thirst for premium fuel .....

[@ericnunezx]

Man, how did you make it last over 300k miles?!

[@pezzonovante888]

X308 are such gems. Underappreciated by the masses, loved by a few who understand.

[@BibtheBoulder]

and not many left as they have nearly all rotted away...

[@christianloepfe179]

@@BibtheBoulder They're not that bad. Since Ford took over, they are no Rustbuckets anymore.

[@steveberridge4648]

Very cheap top compared to an E39 M5. This has always been one of my top 3 Jags - the other being the MK2 and XJS.

[@dmitrymalikov4613]

The X308 is a future classic for sure! The last real Jaaag!

[@carlosoruna7174]

@@BibtheBoulder didnt you know. Jags need a sacrificial anode. Lol

[@g0fvt]

A family member has had one of these for about 20 years, he used to change cars often but has no intention of ever letting the XJR go. I think he has been wise to absolutely keep on top of it, a prestige car with an increasing number of small faults soon declines further. Whenever I see the car I cannot resist walking around it, it is somehow subtley beautiful. The car has been reliable over the years, certainly not the nightmare you might expect.

[@petescarport]

I have to agree. I’ve owned a lot of cars and currently own a 2006 xj8L non supercharged and although I’m a w140 Benz fan for life I am currently daily driving mine and it’s amazing. It’s my first jag and I’ve always heard so many bad things about jag. The fact that my wife loves it says a lot. She calls it her baby Bentley.

[@egbert1985]

The 1998-2002 model jags drive much nicer even. I own both and i love my 1998 x308 supercharged daimler the most

[@petescarport]

@@egbert1985 yes I have heard this but for a daily driver I heard the 305 is a better option for gas mileage and reliability. If I had a choice I would trade mine but for now will keep driving since it has 200k miles on it (322k kilometers) and drives better than my w220 did. The only comparable car was the ls430 but it came at a much higher price and wasn’t as good on gas.

[@Mike-rk8px]

My family has always had Jaguars, but my father and uncle are Jaguar mechanics, so that makes owning one much easier because of the insane amount of maintenance they require. The E-Type’s we’ve had are my favorites, but they’re about as reliable as a drunken heroin addict working as a bank teller. The new Jaguars are far better made than ones from even 10 years ago. But still, you have to wonder how well a new Jaguar will hold up in 5 or 10 years from now. The only real issue now is the extremely complex electrical and computer systems. At least the problems with severe rust are no longer an issue!

[@setter501]

Coming from a Merc fan that is praise indeed! Both fantastic cars! Cheers!

[@vladimir.vrachanski]

​@@petescarport wow that surely surprises me. I'm talking about the W220. I had 2, and their ride is superior to anything else I've driven, even the newest S classes. So it's surprising to me that it rides worse than the Lexus, which didn't impress me at all when I had a ride in such.

[@gsigs]

I have a 2000 XK8 (non-supercharged) that is very similar to your car - the interior is practically identical. I've also owned 4 BMWs over the years. When I looked at my car the previous owner said "Everyone has a 3-series" and he was right. I've had it for 7 years now and it's been perfectly reliable. And the engine at 6000 rpm is pretty sweet. It gets more compliments than any BMW ever did.

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Agree. Had 2 xk8s and they get the right attention. Whilst you might desire a bmw when it's gone you'll covet another jaguar

[@gsigs]

@E38sevenheaven LOL. My favorite I think was my '99 323. My mechanic wrecked it 😪

[@rahulmandala4930]

@E38sevenheaven God E38s are endlessly charming! Love love them!

[@neilwalsh4058]

Gave twelve hundred quid for a mint silver R-reg XJR 10 years ago. Absolute flying machine with a superb ride quality and it went round the bends well too. Bloke in a Turbo R fancied his chances one night on a very quiet piece of motorway. 5 minutes later and he wished he hadn't as he discovered what a supercharger offers!

[@peterrenn6341]

Gentlemen have superchargers. only cads use turbos. (I said this in the pub once and now I have it on a T shirt)

[@gavinrfuller]

What a Jag. I have always loved Jag, and this example is by far the best. A true gentleman's conveyance. Thanks to all for showing us this one. I am green with envy 😀

[@jonfrank2566]

I had an e39 m5 and took an xjr out for a long weekend when I was looking to replace it. M5 was very much a sports car which happened to be in a 4 door saloon body. Jag was a luxury car which happened to have a powerful engine. They were very different experiences and not sure they really competed against each other. Jag also felt a lot older with the tech and a lot smaller inside. Ended up buying a B10 V8s which was, I felt, the best of both worlds.

[@skelejp9982]

Using the J-gate, can give the XJR a way different handling at corners.

[@tonyb9735]

I agree with you. I was so excited to try one of these, and so very disappointed by the actuality of it. I bought an E63 which is also a luxury car with a big engine, but I found it drove much better than the Jag.

[@automotiveaffairsshorts]

How the torque builds and the gearing really compliment each other… hence it just covers ground very nicely!

[@LucianoMMatias]

I always loved the styling of this car.

[@reyrob]

I own a 1997 XJR6 and a 1997 Daimler Double Six and love them both. Extremely similar but so different in character. The XJR is a proper Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

[@hsttms9998]

Amazing looking car. I had a XJR of the X300 generation, with the 6 cilinder engine. One of the best looking saloons the British ever made. Another good review Jack.

[@dallisb1047]

Timeless elegance yet sporty. My pick for sure. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Jack.

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

I am not knowledgeable about the mechanical or technical details of car; I am more concerned with their beauty and overall performance; that is why I would buy this car over any other. For me this was the epitome of elegancy and beauty condensed under the name JAGUAR. It doesn't get any better than this. Unfortunately: A) I cannot afford it B) I live in a f... 3rd rate country with very bad roads. Thank you, Jack, for this beautiful tribute to one of the finest cars ever! 🤩🤩🤩

[@Overanalyse_This]

This is my dream car ever since I first walked past a house with a black e38 740i and a black XJR. The 308 design is just perfect. I know that the 350 is a massive tech leap forward but it just doesn't have the same elegance, class and menace of 308 XJR in black.

[@theuktoday4233]

I sold my Bentley Arnage a few years ago and had several other cars but the only one I don't feel cheated driving is my 24 year old Jag X308 4 ltr V8 LWB Sovereign! I love it.

[@Checkyoursix77]

I totally agree! Having owned both I prefer the Jag as a daily driver. The X308 has a more unique feeling. I still have my XJR and it’s always makes me smile. The M5 E39 is overhyped today, I had a lots off expensive technical issues when I owned it almost 20 years ago and it was a disappointment compared the the M5 E34 I had before. That is the best M5 hand down! It’s maybe not as powerful but it’s so much better to drive and the build quality is incredible. To bad that it’s almost impossible to find a good example today.

[@Rich77UK]

My dad bought a dark blue with cream leather one of these just before my wedding...By the time i got back from Honeymoon it was gone. (He was cleaning it and found some damage...turned out it had been in a heavy unrecorded rear end crash). But WHAT a car! It was a beast that could drive like silk until the loud pedal was pushed. It was BLISTERINGLY fast. I LOVED it and have lusted after one ever since.

[@DalgetyBayHypnotherapy]

I have a 1993 XJ40, which has the same basic frame. The attention to subtle detail is extraordinary. E.g. if you look across the front of the bonnet, paying attention to the slight change of slope before the inward angle of the grill, this mimics perfectly the shape of a big cat's nose. Someone really clever designed this to powerfully suggest "CAT" without you really noticing quite how. It's just brilliant.

[@larrychamel]

Merry Christmas, Jack, and a very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your Family!

[@bruceknights8330]

Great cars. Nikaseal was a huge deal at the time but any problems were resolved years ago. The issue was the high sulphur fuel that has been banned for 20 plus years. Pre 2000 models have weaker timing chain tensioner which can cost around £400 plus to replace ( before they die). The only other surprise is the lack of legroom in the back. I put 60k on my 3.2 sport, which was a lovely motor and very underrated. I also had a 97 XKR with huge mileage. It was timed at 154.6mph through the Jag owners club Woodbridge speedtrap, when it had 227k miles on the clock!

[@MrPabsUk]

Exactly, any AJV8`s that are still with us, wont have any Nikasil issues (neither will the BM`s & Porsches which also suffered the same issue)

[@bitsbobs5509]

‘Grace, pace and no space’ in the rear was the humorous twist to Jag’s advertising blurb 🙂

[@carloscollomps1552]

Yeah, pretty crappy engines. I saw 2 of these go within a year. Problem was solved later i believe.

[@billv4987]

The X308 to me is one of the finest-looking cars ever made. I'm saying this as an X350 owner.

[@blumobean]

My grandson bought a 2004 XJR (x350) about 2 years ago. 100,000 miles, no dents, in great mechanical shape, interior like new, paint a little shaby. He works in a body shop, so paint was not a big problem. The car had been converted to coil springs, and I convinced him to repair the air springs. Yes, that was a little expensive, but the car rides like a dream now. BMW, no way! Aluminum body, world class leather and wood, faster than hell, who wants more. Oh yes, and the cat on the hood.

[@oohmeconkers1968]

I think Jags do have a special place in peoples hearts. My dad loved the ones he had and i suspect it was because of all the positive comments he used to get. His last one was a LWB Sovereign. Massive bloody thing. When he died everyone expected me to keep it but unfortunately it had a few issues and I wasn’t really prepared to do all that work for a car with no real financial value. Shame as it was immaculate inside but it had a bit too much rot on it and some weird paint issues. I kept the cherished reg tho in memory of him. He stealthily spent a small fortune on that car over the years (without my mum knowing😂😂).

[@23294virgo]

Got hooked on 27 with your 308 vids... Another fav car here!

[@Number27]

Thanks buddy! Hope you have a great holiday!

[@AnonymousAndy2]

Such a lovely looking car, I love the way the headlamp shape carries on into the bonnet. My father in law had a T plate XJ8 from new for 10 years & did 160,000 trouble free miles including several continental road trips.

[@aaronhussain3873]

100%. I love and respect the M5, but the XJR is just great - especially when it recieved that supercharged V8

[@MoeSzyslak0815]

I love the Jag. However the M5 played in a different league. Thank you for your enthusiasm. 👍

[@Overanalyse_This]

I've been in love with this since I was 16. All my friends wanted v-tec Civics and Golf VR6s at the time and would make fun of me for wanting an "old man" car. The only way this car could be any better would be if it also came out as a 2-door with the exact same engine and interior. It would have been the Jag competitor to the CL and original 8 Series.

[@1unsung971]

Merry Christmas to you Jack. Thanks for a year of good videos. Well done You. Go well

[@tanyacharbury4728]

I enjoy your videos, this one especially. So much of automotive merit-comparison tries to break things down to crude numbers such as zero to 60 mph, top speed, horsepower and so on. Much of the value is in how it all integrates, and so I enjoy having someone like you give their insightful and enthusiastic opinion. Thank you!

[@cologne2792]

They are special in the same way your 308 is. Around for decades, easily recognisable and just exceedingly cool without having to try.

[@WhateverItTakesLIVE]

i like the jaguar but the e39 m5 is on another level

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

The X308 XJR has not gone unnoticed here in Au. A half decent example starts at £20K GBP with 100K miles on it.

[@jase6370]

Great review!, absolutely love this car, best looking 4 door ever made, pure class

[@EzyGlider]

For many years Jaguar was the nicest car by the side of the road. I always loved the interiors on these, though, and I really liked the XJR sound. Back when these were in their heyday I could not really afford either one, but I dreamed of owning that first V8 M5. Now that I have the financial means, I drive a F90 M5 and I must concede that this car does everything better than any other car I have owned in my life. But I may still give Jag a shot before I am put out to pasture. Great vid, by the way.

[@martinhogg5337]

Had a few XJ6 Jags back in the day. They were great cars and never let me down, never tried to send me off road like the BMW 5 series I once swapped for! Merry Christmas Jack and a happy new year!

[@peteranderson2602]

M ...klkk

[@peteranderson2602]

⁰

[@Reargunner1275]

Great review Jack, totally agree with you. My Dad had a XJR Sport which was super luxurious with a sporty feel and felt special every time I went in it.

[@beatglauser9444]

I could not watch until the end and I had to stop in order to make a comment: This is probably the most beautiful car built in the last 25 years! If it rides only half as good as it looks it is a keeper for sure: A GT type of car that oozes class and beauty. I owned many German cars in my life: They were reliable and solid, but I think in Germany no car after 1945 ever had the charm of the classic British luxury cars. They were proably better and more reliable, but not as classy as this one. (Or Aston Martins to give another example).

[@poplarboydavid]

I totally agree about the overloaded plastic buttons in the centre dash - what on earth was going through the designers minds? What a spoiler!!!!!!!!

[@tomyost6330]

I really like this car also. If you need a sports car feeling more, drive a real two seater. I can see how well this car rides and easily keeps stable and controlled, and the little V8 sounds so sweet. As we age, this car will be better to our comfort needs. Thank you

[@KarlHamilton]

Bought a x350 XJR last year. Brilliant car.

[@PANCHOSWAY]

Any downsides? How much did you pay and how many km? Thank you 🤜🤛

[@iainbagnall4825]

I'd like to add for anyone in the states considering one of these, that the nikasil problem basically isnt a problem in the states - gas has always had less sulphur in it than the UK. I went down a long rabbit hole on the forums discovering that lol. I bought an XKR recently to have a luxurious long distance fast GT cruiser and in retrospect kind wish Id got an XJR instead. I imagined the XK having better handling etc and lighter than the XJ but actually there's almost no difference, and the XJR has four seats, which is actually really nice because then I dont have to be a nobby no mates... FYI Brit living in the US in case anyone wonders why I say gas and nobby no mates in the same post.

[@shmac96]

Dad had bought his friends a '98 but it was the just the standard V8. He had it for years and even drove it to Canada and back...twice! He was very proud of that car. They are timeless looking cars and far and away better looking than anything that came out after in Jag's lineup. The XJR was and is still one of the sexiest saloons ever. One of the professors at uni in Houston had a relatively new one back in 2001. I would go out of my way to walk past it. Great review! Thanks!

[@BigFiveJack]

Again - I've enjoyed your work presenting these videos!

[@cestrian5294]

I've has two E39 5 series. Biggest issue with them for me was the offset pedals and windscreen wipers plus the M5 was onlt available with a manual box, totally impractical in todays traffic. THe Jag is also much more comfortable. Probably not as well built as the a BMW and much more liked than a beemer. Good review with no biased or fear of upsetting folk who may disagree. M5 owners will disagree of course they will, but they would have to acknowledge, the Jaguar is a good alternative.

[@pete540Z]

I've been driving E39 M5s as daily drivers since 2007. Even though I like the look of the XJR, and the interior is nicer, it seems to be softer (I see this one wallowing compared to my E39 M5). The lack of an available manual transmission is the killer for me, with the XJR. To each his own, but I'll take my E39 M5 over the XJR.

[@AndyK.1]

Xjr have active suspension. So soft around town but stiffen when G force detected and braking

[@odl21]

@@AndyK.1 in theory. It’s still too soft and doesn’t handle well though. I honest never noticed the damping improve on either of my low mileage xjrs.

[@carlkuss8300]

The x308 jag has a 2 arm rear suspension set up, 1of these arms is the drive shaft!! When I first put mine on the ramp to check it over I was sure there must be bits missing!! Definitely not designed with handling as a priority! If you try to drive one hard like you could a quick bmw you would certainly die!!

[@odl21]

@@carlkuss8300 same as most jags since e-type. It works well. That isn’t the problem with the XJR. It’s too soft, too heavy and too susceptible to small alignment problems. The steering is also numb.

[@Jeroendorrestein]

I bought a 2002 XJR 4L, V8 Supercharged in 2009 when we lived in Kansas City. From EBay. I used it as my daily drive for almost 4 years. When we moved I took it back to the Netherlands with me and I still have it. It has done almost 200.000 miles.I love driving this car. Even by today’s standards it is ferociously fast. Try accelerating from 100 km/h to 250 km/h on the German Autobahn and it will give most, almost all other cars a run for its money!

[@ralfybaby]

Dat doet pijn bij de pomp in NL LOL!!

[@Jeroendorrestein]

Ach je moet het totaal plaatje bekijken. Ik heb geen enkele afschrijving op deze auto. Daar kan ik heel wat liters benzine voor tanken. En ik tank ook nog eens alleen 98E5 zonder ethanol. Dus Shell V power, BP ultimate e.d.

[@darrensimons1529]

I've owned my e39 M5 for years and love it to death, but I would love to own a XJR alongside the BMW. The XJR is more relaxed for when you want to daily whereas the M5 encourages you to drive more sportively.

[@Shyted]

My uncle always had the latest and greatest Jaguars as company cars when I was young, brings back memories seeing this. Happy days.

[@andrewdavis6226]

Great review Jack. Always wanted one of those. Drove the 3.2 Sport when it was new and fell for it. Very special. XJR turns it up to 11.

[@petrjerabek7641]

Very nice video as always Jack! I am a quite a fan of the e39 BMW and have had two examples of these over time. I tried and driven several jags, including XJR and XKR as well and i liked them all, but there is something i lack in the handling department. The steeering is too light and slow and the feel for the pretty much heavy car is not briliant. But you sit low in the car, it is comfortable and looks ace. However, my last attempt to buy finally a Jag ended up importing an Alpina B10 V8 from Germany and i have to tell you this car is one of the greatest saloons i ever had. It doesnt have manual gearbox like the M5, but ZF automatic with shift buttons at the back of the steering wheel and has atmospheric 4,6 liter M62 engine which delivers power nicely with a good top end punch. I would have happily borowed that to you, but watching your channel from the Czech Republic, so far away ... but if you manage to get somebody having a B10 (E39) in the UK and willing to borrow it to you for the channel, i'd be curious to see what you say about it. I think these rare Alpina's are an interesting alternative to the XJR and to the M5 , still for good money. An M5 would have costed me at least 30% more than my Alpina did and it is far rarer, while maintanence on the car is even cheaper than on the M5

[@paolo7436]

I couldn't agree more. I own one since 1997 and have a lot of fun since! Only week point are the brakes (mine is a first series). No major issue,very reliable.

[@derekstocker6661]

Thank you so much for this brilliant review of what is a great car. I love these, I drove a 4.2 XJ6 when they first came out and was hooked. But owing to other influences went from Ford to BMW and on to Bentley BUT I still love these large engine Jags. The styling is second to none, the ride is great and the performance as you show is adequate for the size of the car, the seating position is brilliant for most size people and the overall look is astounding, still! Well done, love this.

[@JonathanMartin-df2ee]

I’d have one of these over an M5 every day of the week and twice on Sundays 😆. I love big old jags

[@rogerpallavicini637]

Jack, you are just doing really great car presentations!

[@davidcoan4899]

Enjoying the variety of content and length of videos

[@Number27]

Thanks David!

[@flodurpups9846]

Fine to see. I drive a xj 81 majestic in mahoon, tan. Happy to see this video and Happy new year.

[@grahamforbes3243]

Absolutely love these Jags. Have had 2 of them the last of which I had for 7 years. Miss them so much that I’m looking for another one but the major issue with what are now 20 + year old cars is rust especially the inner front sills and lower front wheel arches. If the one you were driving was for sale I’m afraid I wouldn’t be buying it, at its last MOT it had 13 major failures mainly due to corrosion issues. For anyone thinking of buying one the other points to look out for are sagging headliners, deteriorated suspension bushes which they are prone to ( mine was polybushed all round which made a HUGE difference ) and most importantly check that the car has had the upgraded steel timing chain tensioners fitted over the red plastic ones which with constant heat go brittle and fall apart. This happened in my last XJR and the chain on one side jumped one tooth and it started misfiring. If it had jumped 2 teeth it would have been game over for the engine so I was lucky. What I wasn’t lucky with was the bill for replacing the tensioners. Couldn’t get an independent garage to tackle the job as they all said they needed special Jag tools to do the job ( which isn’t the case ! ) so had to resort to a Jag main dealer who charged £1200 !! Apart from that major expense both mine were really reliable cars with little going wrong. I got 14/16 mpg around town and saw no more than 27 on a steady long run. Currently have an XE 3.0 S with the supercharged engine with 335 bhp which is slightly faster and more economical than the XJR but I dearly miss the elegance and smoothness of the XJ which no modern saloon can replicate.

[@7quidstudio]

Yes that last MOT that you highlighted cost my dad around 5k to get the corrosion issues sorted. It's been maintained well though over the 20 years we've had it and although far from concourse is a very straight honest car with mostly motorway miles. It's had an absolute fortune spent on it over the years and the history file would fill a bookshelf. Obviously these cars make no financial sense but as you know are fabulous when they do work!

[@grahamforbes3243]

Ouch ! That was an expensive MOT repair bill ! A few years ago it wouldn’t have made economic sense to repair as the cost would have been more than the car was worth but in recent years those enthusiasts ‘in the know’ realise what great cars they are and want to keep the last of the ‘true’ Jaguars on the road. As a result prices are soaring even higher mileage ones. There’s no getting away from the fact that the x308s have real presence on the road and do turn heads wherever they go.

[@7quidstudio]

@@grahamforbes3243 My dad loved the car so much it's had an obscene amount of money spent on it over the years. That's why I'm keeping it. I'm not naive however I know it'll keep throwing bills at me but it's part of the family now!

[@carguygibby]

I bought a 2002 XJ8 VDP a year ago. Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it!😁

[@xeboi11]

Lovely Jag, I'd have one over a M5 no question

[@dazaro3]

I had a x300 ,1995 4.0, lovely straight 6 engine, people all the time would stop and say what a lovely car ,sills and jacking points rotten,one of the best looking cars ever.

[@gerardbooth40]

I totally agree Jack. My 2002 XJ8 is a belter and an absolute keeper. I must definitely use it more in 2023.

[@rolfsvensson5777]

Another car for Jacks dream garage! It was kind of wet so why bring out the 308! Smile! Loved the look and the smashing wheels. Thank you man!

[@benpenagonzales6014]

I've had 2 xk8. Loved them. Also had an e46M3 and many other bmws. For whatever reason you don't fall in love with them but a jaguar you'll covet and care for and miss when it's gone.

[@lewis72]

I toyed for a long time between buying an E39 M5 and an XJR. It was very close but I went for the M5 11 years ago.. it having a manual box was what swayed me. I still have it today. Would still love an X308 XJR and a manual X300 XJR in my collection.

[@steverichards1025]

Pretty car Jack and a great review as ever! If you are underwhelmed by the centre console (8:44) imagine how it looks in a Gen1 Vanquish!

[@timgosling6189]

I think you're right about the Jaguar R filling a unique role, calm luxury and performance when you need it. To me the original Series 3 is the prettiest XJ but this X300 was certainly easier on the eye than the XJ40. For me though, I'd always take the later aluminium X350 from the mid-naughties. The body doesn't rust, it's lighter than the X300, has a better cockpit and a far better gearbox that helps make it more fuel efficient despite the 4.2 V8 being more powerful. One downside to all these XJs is the shallow boot that isn't really compatible with modern luggage but I agree they are all just a little more stylish than the equivalent M5, if you view that as an alternative for your cash.

[@peterrenn6341]

I've had a few series 3 XJs, an X300 and an X350 and I'd agree completely . Series 3 is prettiest (PIninfarina?), XJ40 was hateful with those square headlights. X300/308 was an improvement. The X350 isn't as well proportioned but it's better than all its predecessors in every other respect. Still absolutely a 'Jeeaag' but lighter, faster, more comfortable and more reliable (OK, less unreliable:-) Finally getting rid of my 2003 SE next week after 12 years of ownership - to replace it with um, a 2004 XJR :-)

[@danieleregoli812]

Having a 3.6 xj40, and loving every minute spent behind the wheel, I have been lusting after an 'R' for a looooong time.... Can't beat a *real* Jag 👍😜♥️ Thanks Giacomo

[@martybelfastsri]

happy christmas mate love an xj my dad was a massive fan multiple xj..s his last a brg xj sport with 42k a 3.2 still a great car....would love to revisit one he passed 12 years ago now remember them like yesterday tho🤙

[@global_nomad.]

thanks for the great review...looking forward to more good content in 2023, best wishes...

[@nigelcharlton-wright1747]

That's what I like an open minded gentleman, someone who think's outside the box, rather than going on about how wonderful German cars are compared to the rest of the motoring world. Used to own an X350 XJ6 TCDi, a superb diesel V6 engine, super smooth compared to BMW I test drove, and also the much maligned X-Type 2.1ltr, which I loved. Both very special cars. Keep up the good work.

[@jasonrushton5991]

Had a 2nd hand, 4 year old S-Type R, mental car. Easy room for passenger's, me 6ft in-front, M8 behind me 6ft2 didn't even have to move my seat forward's. Another mate had one of these XJR's & loved it.

[@jasonrushton5991]

PS & it left newer M5's standing.

[@setter501]

Thankyou so much Jack! Back in the 70s I was a Rover fanatic! In my 20s!! because all my contemporaries lusted after the XJ6! So I had to be different! 😆 So In 76 I bought a 70 3.5 litre Coupé in pristine condition 16000 miles on the clock! I Loved that car so much I brought it to Australia when emigrating in 81, long story short, Family and Work ment I had little time to look after her properly so around 91 we reluctantly sold her and bought a brand new Mazda, Now in retirement I decided it's time to do the classics again! So 3 years ago I went Jag and after much research and searching bought my 2003 4.2 XJ8 X350, I am totally smitten! I love the 308s to and very nearly bought one! If I won lotto I'd have both! Yep I'm now a total Jag Fan, That 308 is a Peach! 🍑 Great Video Cheers from a fellow Pomme 😊

[@Overanalyse_This]

My dream 2 car garage is: XJR V8 4.0 (X308) in black XKR V8. 4.0 (X100) coupe in black

[@robertwilkins3043]

Fabulous cars Jags are so underrated. These XJRs are the perfect gentleman’s express. Love ‘em!

[@johncunningham4820]

I have always though that particular Bodyshape series , with the Scalloped Wings , were the nicest looking Jaguar Saloons EVER . I would own an XJ-R in a heartbeat , if I was still driving enough to justify such a car .

[@dm5374]

I've owned from new both the E39 and the X300, albeit not in sports form. Both were a bit cramped inside, but let it siffice to say I kept the E39 four years and the Jag a whopping thirteen years.

[@philiphoyle5451]

Great video thanks. I have a T reg 1999 silver XJR, maintained by the lads at North Wales Jaguar in Llandudno. Only done 67k miles. Beautiful beautiful cars.

[@davewithey]

Drove a demonstrator back in the day loved it

[@ChristianACW]

I agree! I own a 2004 XK8 and a 2009 330i convertible - the BMW is probably the better (and surely the sportier) car, but... it's just another 3 series BMW. The Jag makes me feel special and it puts a smile on my face whenever I drive it - and it puts smiles on other peoples's faces as well. I just love it! No doubt: the BMW will have to go. Would love to buy an X308 XJR instead - to me without any doubt the most beautiful saloon ever and definitely peak Jaguar (together with the XK8)

[@christianvanneuves9958]

Te car that errs on the luxury side gets me. And that's the Jag. There are tons of fast cars, luxury is the rare commodity.

[@petermolloy992]

I has an 06 XJ8. It was an amazing car. I doubt I’ll ever have a car I loved as must as that car. The seat killed my back and as much it broke my heart, I went.back to a 5 series and then an E series Merc. I still miss that Jag! I wonder if I will ever have a car that I love as much as that Jag?

[@f-u-nkyf-u-ntime]

I'm on my second Jag, an X351 XJ portfolio 3.0ltr supercharged. It develops 340bhp and roughly the same torque. It's a stunning car, the best I've ever owned.

[@PaulBates-fm9zp]

After two years this Lancia is back what a amazing job and great commitment from Harry.

[@andymccurley1]

Wrong channel!

[@peterredfern8206]

Nice review Jack, I have a one owner 60k X308 XJR, had a ton of much much more expensive cars and absolutely love this old girl!

[@ThriftMachine]

My biggest issue is no manual option (at least in the states) versus the M5

[@pete540Z]

Agreed. I've been daily driving E39 M5s since 2007. They only came with a 6 speed manual.

[@Suprahampton]

There was a manual option on the X306

[@ThriftMachine]

@@Suprahampton unicorns even when new, especially in the states

[@Suprahampton]

@@ThriftMachine fair point. I think they only made 105 total manuals

[@MrCarrera28]

Great video, couldn't agree with you more that the Jaguar is the car to have.

[@ericrawson2909]

Had my 1998 X308 3.2 saloon for 21 years. Beautiful car, so refined. No problems with the Nikasil liners. Was caused by cheap high sulphur fuel. BMW had the same issue and both Jag and BMW reverted to steel liners. Everyone seems to have forgotten the BMW problems but not Jaguars.

[@johnireland1629]

Thank you for getting me to appreciate Jags more...especially going into the 80s and early 2000s. I love the front end...and yes the interior is Jag. Your English blood is showing. Keep the videos coming.

[@JohnMcPhersonStrutt]

I bought an XJ8 some time around 2010. Around the time the dealer warranty expired, it began having cold starting problems. To cut a long story short, the compression was poor, and the cylinder head(s) had to come off. I priced a head gasket set at £605 (yes, six hundred and five pounds!) Furthermore, I bought a "workshop manual" on CD ROM in which I couldn't find a cylinder head bolt tightening procedure or torque settings. At that point I decided that any further expenditure was good money thrown after bad, and reverted to driving a "normal" car (Vauxhall Astra) for which I could (if necessary) tow start, recover on it's own wheels, buy a Haynes w/shop manual for, and buy parts for without having to obtain a bank loan. A luxury car is one I can repair!

[@parttimetourist]

I don't know why people bag Jags I have driven several and NEVER had trouble and I just love them❤

[@dadcars]

Lovely cars these always loved them, it comes down to finding a good one these days though I imagine like so many cars of this era, even though they’ve not gone to crazy money you have to be patient and ready to pounce when a well looked after example comes up

[@DouweBuruma]

I own an e39 and I get your point. Thanks for the video Jack.