LDK

Gearbox done!!!! Alternator gone!!!! Replaced......some wally scrapped my rear bumper "great" so had that painted professionally had a small bit of rust sorted on rear arch that was starting to come through, the guy I use for painting had all the trolley dents sorted for me £70.00 absolutely over the moon with the finish......NOW PLEASE BEHAVE AND LET ME ENJOY DRIVING YOU!!!!! I will post some pictures on shortly, I took the Jag out parked it up in a car park full of new BMW's, Mercedes and others.....and the Jag looked stunning.

I really don't know, I just booked it in and got it done, I was going to do it anyway just like you.....but the Jag beat me to it and forced my hand, I love my Jag but it's been a bit of a pig to me......still!! "Not worth anything if it's not working" that's what I say to my wife every time it goes wrong. It's good if you can do it your self :)

This sounds very similar to what happened to my XJ8 3.2....had it in a garage and they couldn't find any faults, took it to Jaguar specialist "unfortunately chains had slipped 1 tooth and I was very lucky" chains changed and all good except for empty pockets :) Apparently the n/s side of my engine showed no spark so was not working, but I drove it 15 miles fine....lumpy but ok. Sorry it's not great news but could be worse.....good luck hope you get it sorted ok. Liam

Thanks Charlie, for the reply. That is the point you can have just as much trouble with a newer more expensive car as my Jag, let's hope that's the last big problem (for a while, I hope!!) I got it back in 3 days, and it's lovely, I have a Mercedes E270cdi 2003 auto and choice of keys every morning is always the "Jag"!! I'm scared to get rid of my Merc as it is so reliable......but we shall see how the old Jag goes and will have to make a decision. Regards, Liam

Hi I would take it to a local car trimmer, I have had a go myself recovering the dirty saggy headlining in my Landrover Discovery 1 and even though it looks 1 million times better than before....... it isn't perfect, and would never try again. The materials are cheap enough and you must use high temperature contact adhesive but it is a right pain to get the material in all the nooks and crannies. If you take to a local trimmer, you can change the material for any colour/finish if you fancy a change, Good luck

This car is killing me......I want to keep it, look after it, improve it BUT!!! I'm sure it wants to be laid to rest. My 1999 XJ8 is or was a bit of a dog and I really shouldn't of bought it. But after the following items being done "in for a penny, in for a pound" :( Day 1: rear diff fail (replaced) Month 1: chain slipped, engine ok (new chains & tensioners) fully serviced Month 2: paintwork bonnet/wings/front & rear bumpers (repainted) front wheel bearings Month 4: flooded engine (good ol' AA man sorted) lights on dash "Trac & ASC unavailable" new ABS pump Done other bits I want to forget!! Now!!!! Gearbox had it!!!! (Being replaced with 60000 and serviced) My wife keeps making remarks "get rid of it" but I like driving it very much.......it is getting incredibly imbarassing but I suppose you just keep going it's nearly all replaced.....I keep saying :) What could possibly go wrong now???? Is it just bad luck, poor maintenance in the past or are these cars really that bad?? It's such a shame as from the cars available for me to drive daily I always pick up the Jag keys!!!!

Hi, I use Essex Jaguar Spares in Upminster.....I live in Chelmsford apart from being a breakers they always offer used parts if they can to help with costs, they also do servicing and repairs, did my chains & tensioners £800, helped me quite a few times. I posted all the details in "recommended garages" Hope this helps

Thank you Peter, spoken like a true gent :) I have put a couple of pictures on here not the best quality, it's nearly where I want it condition wise. Would like to get the drivers seat refurbished as a little worn on the bolster and a couple of trolley dents in a couple of doors "hardly noticeable but I know they are there" and a gearbox service for peace of mind. Your totally right it is only 15 years old and I enjoy driving it so much......it's not a classic car but so many people come over and comment what a lovely car, it sort of makes all the trouble worth it. And as you say you can have just as much trouble with a new car!!! Kind regards Liam

Hi Ivan, I just did a post that completely answers your question......it's in the Jaguar lounge "didn't know about this area being new" I paid £900.00 for my jag with part service history......"I know totally wrong" but did it anyway and have had to go throughout the car and now with a red face have to admit I've spent double that and some, but have a totally sorted XJ8 that I know is hopefully sorted now! I love my Jag and can only laugh at my journey of ownership, have a look at my post "owning a rather used Jaguar XJ good & bad" I'm sure I have OCD as I can't stop until its spotless cosmetically & mechanically but the drive and experience is unbeatable for the money. Good luck whatever you decide........the Jag is better looking in my opinion :)

Upminster in Essex, These guys have been pretty good.......be warned they are a breakers but workshop area is tidy and clean. They also offer used/new/genuine parts and have all spares no matter what at hand. Been honest with costs and work they have done has been very good. Essex Jaguar Spares K & H Industrial Estate St Mary's Lane Upminster Essex RM14 3PA 01708 228150

Don't judge me!!! ESSEX.........Chelmsford

So after purchasing a rather smart looking.....but well used XJ8 3.2 "my first Jaguar" hopefully now I might be able to enjoy it!!! At 140000 miles I thought the guy I bought it off was genuine enough and handed over under a thousand for a majestic piece of English engineering. For sure it drives beautifully and looks amazing so much so!! That no matter what....I want to keep it, even if the odds are against me, it's not a classic but people look and comment what a lovely car it is, so hopefully the wife doesn't read this and find out what a wally I've been with my money......I will be in for it!!! So the point of this post is, hopefully someone will make me feel better with encouraging comments? Buy a cheap sort of tidy example. Diff needed replacing a week later "GULP" oh no!!! Cam chain slipped a couple of weeks later!!! Can you believe it, but luckily for the Jag engine was fine and chain-tensioners-guides have now been done. Serviced oil-filters-plugs Wire brushed all underside and waxoiled Front lower shock bushes replaced and front wheel bearings I've gone this far........shall I carry on??? We'll I did!!! Front & rear bumpers re-painted Bonnet and top of wings re-painted Oh....and corroded rear bumper fixing brackets replaced "rubbish design" So as you can see I've spent so much more on the !Removed! thing than its worth......but I enjoy driving it so much!!!! I know I should have waited for a for a better lower mileage example and payed better money for it, but........and this is my point......all this could still of happened. Couldn't it???? Be kind :)

Well got my Jag back.......differential needed replacing and now it's all done it is super smooth!!!!! All gears work, sports and standard mode work too, no rumble, judder so very pleased :) BUT £700.00 fitted!!! Ouch!!! So hopefully sorted XJ8 for £1500 isn't to bad.......as long as nothing else serious needs replacing.

I will post all the findings as soon as I find out. Hopefully won't need to remortgage to get it fixed lol Kind regards Liam