I’m writing this to help Jag lovers like me determine what is required to own one off these cars. If like me you are not wealthy, hang in! I also owned two 2001 XJR Jags, basically the same as this guy’s 1999 XJR. He has it mostly right. One of ny supercharged Jag sedans was extremely rare, known in the USA as the Vanden Plas Supercharged, or VDP SC. In Europe it was branded the Daimler Super V8. This car, only 270 produced annually, combined the XJR’s supercharged V8 with Jaguar’s long-wheelbase executive sedan. I owned one of these in 2018, and it was super reliable and affordable to maintain. I will never forgive myself for having sold that car. The XJR was not, however, perfect. The plastic water pump and timing chain tensioners were under-built and needed replacement with metal OEM components, at a cost of a couple thousand. For a job like this, or for any maintenance, go to an independent Jaguar specialist, not to a dealer or a “European” specialist. Jaguars are different from any other brand. And let this be a cautionary note: If you are not wealthy, avoid buying an X308 Jaguar XJ (1997-2013) this year (2024) or later. They are past their serviceable lifespan and the plastic and rubber components are hardening and fracturing. Major bucks would be required to keep one of these running today. But if you have $5 thousand or so to spend annually and a Jag specialty service shop, go for it! This is a generational masterpiece. The XJR’s suspension was not air - which was reserved for long-wheelbase VDPs or in Europe, Daimlers. The XJR got an all-mechanical double-wishbone front and independent trailing-arm rear, with Bilstein shocks. This lightweight (4000 lb) sedan kicked German butt in the corners, as well as on the straights. The supercharged 32-valve 4L V8 in the XJR was governed to 155 mph, due to tire limitations. I’ve read it was good for 175 mph ungoverned. I’ve owned or driven pretty near all the top Euro sedans from this era, and this car is in a league of its own. Plus, thanks to Ford’s billions in investment, the supercharged 8-cylinder XJR was ultra-reliable, tied with Lexus in the respected JD Power owner reviews. I know, it sounds too good to be true. But I found out returning from Canada to the Bay Area at 3:00 a.m, as I passed a top German model., what my Jag could do. It did not disappoint. If you seek out a current~generation XJR built by Tata, on sale for pennies on the dollar, I am confident you will have a similar experience, provided you can find an independent Jag specialist to service it. Because once again, a Jaguar is different from any other car. Why this anti-British prejudice? Due to the influence of German brands against British cars, the rejuvenated 1990s XJR that Ford paid billions for did not sell. By the late 90s the Germans had cornered the luxury sedan market. I’m a Boomer and a car buff since childhood, inspired by my dad, who from the early 60s and beyond owned a succession of the best Euro sedans. But Gen X and later-generation Americans know nothing about cars, not even how to drive a manual transmission. And so they allowed themselves to be indoctrinated in the lie that German cars were best. Not so when Jaguar was around! My car also had the supercharger pulleys replaced and made an honest 400 hp. It got 20 mpg highway and 15 in town. But I remember Hemi Chargers from my youth getting 6 mpg! When I sold my 2001 XJR it had 155 thousand miles on the clock and was fast as new, and not burning excessive oil. Later versions of Jaguar’s (not Ford’s) AJ V8 are still in production, producing 550+ hp in 5L form. This is one of the modern era’s great V8s. 5:31 - This moment captures the magic of the XJR. Refined but that bass-heavy exhaust signaling serious power only to those in the know. No need for aftermarket pipes on one of these. Please forget the revving in neutral, for wannabes only. Owners of these cars do not race them back and forth like adolescents. The power is there, so there is no need to prove it to yourself or anyone else. Please ignore the subsequent content. Frankly, it is embarrassing. As the owner shows off, observe instead the luxury that surrounds this car’s occupants. And the silence. Not for show-offs, but for those whose memory goes back to what made Euro luxury sedans superior to the bloated Cadillacs on sale in this country. (At this point I must be honest and confess a soft spot for Virgil Exner’s Imperials!) This generation XJ was the culmination of the founder’s ambition. Sir William Lyons used Jaguar sports cars, from the XK120 to the immortal XK-E (I owned one). His plan was to seduce the American market with the sports cars in order to marry them to his luxury sedans. And with the XJ he came so very close! How close? That is for you to discover.
Nice man ! I'm going to keep eye on your bag set up in future that what I want to do to mine , called around few shop haven't found one that's willing to do it it yet.
Gah!! I had a 98xjr in the same color. My favorite car ive owned. Unfortunately, my waterpump went kapoof and later it showed signs of a headgasket leak.. u would love to own another one. Take care of it and enjoy!!
I just recently acquired a 1999 XJ8 Vanden Plas in Emerald green metallic with 50K miles, and it is the most elegant, comfortable, best-riding car I've owned over the last 45 years. IMO, the 4.0 V8 is a definite step up over the straight six, in terms of power and sound (I removed the rear mufflers on mine, and added 3.5" stainless tips). It's not a daily driver, so I'll keep an eye on things like oil consumption, coolant level, and listen for any strange noises (i.e. cam chain tensioners going). I've read about the tensioners and water pump issues these cars could have, but with only 50K miles, and not being a daily driver, I'm hoping it'll be many years before those things will need to be replaced. This car gets compliments everywhere I go! I was leaving Harbor Freight this morning, and as I was getting into the car, a guy parked in front of me says, "Man, that car looks better than Christmas morning!". I thanked him for the compliment, then drove away with a smile on my face!
Classical music in this car sounds supreme and matches the elegance . I always keep coming back to x308 versus x350 .... although x350 is a better faster xjr 😊
Looks fantastic - take good care of your Jaaag. Here in Germany it is a collectors item and very rare.
The best car in the best colour 🔥🔥🔥
Gorgeous car bro
I’m writing this to help Jag lovers like me determine what is required to own one off these cars. If like me you are not wealthy, hang in!
I also owned two 2001 XJR Jags, basically the same as this guy’s 1999 XJR. He has it mostly right.
One of ny supercharged Jag sedans was extremely rare, known in the USA as the Vanden Plas Supercharged, or VDP SC. In Europe it was branded the Daimler Super V8. This car, only 270 produced annually, combined the XJR’s supercharged V8 with Jaguar’s long-wheelbase executive sedan. I owned one of these in 2018, and it was super reliable and affordable to maintain. I will never forgive myself for having sold that car.
The XJR was not, however, perfect. The plastic water pump and timing chain tensioners were under-built and needed replacement with metal OEM components, at a cost of a couple thousand. For a job like this, or for any maintenance, go to an independent Jaguar specialist, not to a dealer or a “European” specialist. Jaguars are different from any other brand.
And let this be a cautionary note: If you are not wealthy, avoid buying an X308 Jaguar XJ (1997-2013) this year (2024) or later. They are past their serviceable lifespan and the plastic and rubber components are hardening and fracturing. Major bucks would be required to keep one of these running today. But if you have $5 thousand or so to spend annually and a Jag specialty service shop, go for it! This is a generational masterpiece.
The XJR’s suspension was not air - which was reserved for long-wheelbase VDPs or in Europe, Daimlers. The XJR got an all-mechanical double-wishbone front and independent trailing-arm rear, with Bilstein shocks. This lightweight (4000 lb) sedan kicked German butt in the corners, as well as on the straights.
The supercharged 32-valve 4L V8 in the XJR was governed to 155 mph, due to tire limitations. I’ve read it was good for 175 mph ungoverned.
I’ve owned or driven pretty near all the top Euro sedans from this era, and this car is in a league of its own. Plus, thanks to Ford’s billions in investment, the supercharged 8-cylinder XJR was ultra-reliable, tied with Lexus in the respected JD Power owner reviews.
I know, it sounds too good to be true. But I found out returning from Canada to the Bay Area at 3:00 a.m, as I passed a top German model., what my Jag could do. It did not disappoint.
If you seek out a current~generation XJR built by Tata, on sale for pennies on the dollar, I am confident you will have a similar experience, provided you can find an independent Jag specialist to service it. Because once again, a Jaguar is different from any other car.
Why this anti-British prejudice? Due to the influence of German brands against British cars, the rejuvenated 1990s XJR that Ford paid billions for did not sell. By the late 90s the Germans had cornered the luxury sedan market.
I’m a Boomer and a car buff since childhood, inspired by my dad, who from the early 60s and beyond owned a succession of the best Euro sedans. But Gen X and later-generation Americans know nothing about cars, not even how to drive a manual transmission. And so they allowed themselves to be indoctrinated in the lie that German cars were best. Not so when Jaguar was around!
My car also had the supercharger pulleys replaced and made an honest 400 hp. It got 20 mpg highway and 15 in town. But I remember Hemi Chargers from my youth getting 6 mpg!
When I sold my 2001 XJR it had 155 thousand miles on the clock and was fast as new, and not burning excessive oil. Later versions of Jaguar’s (not Ford’s) AJ V8 are still in production, producing 550+ hp in 5L form. This is one of the modern era’s great V8s.
5:31 - This moment captures the magic of the XJR. Refined but that bass-heavy exhaust signaling serious power only to those in the know. No need for aftermarket pipes on one of these. Please forget the revving in neutral, for wannabes only.
Owners of these cars do not race them back and forth like adolescents. The power is there, so there is no need to prove it to yourself or anyone else. Please ignore the subsequent content. Frankly, it is embarrassing.
As the owner shows off, observe instead the luxury that surrounds this car’s occupants. And the silence. Not for show-offs, but for those whose memory goes back to what made Euro luxury sedans superior to the bloated Cadillacs on sale in this country. (At this point I must be honest and confess a soft spot for Virgil Exner’s Imperials!)
This generation XJ was the culmination of the founder’s ambition. Sir William Lyons used Jaguar sports cars, from the XK120 to the immortal XK-E (I owned one). His plan was to seduce the American market with the sports cars in order to marry them to his luxury sedans. And with the XJ he came so very close! How close? That is for you to discover.
Nice man ! I'm going to keep eye on your bag set up in future that what I want to do to mine , called around few shop haven't found one that's willing to do it it yet.
Gah!! I had a 98xjr in the same color. My favorite car ive owned. Unfortunately, my waterpump went kapoof and later it showed signs of a headgasket leak.. u would love to own another one. Take care of it and enjoy!!
I just recently acquired a 1999 XJ8 Vanden Plas in Emerald green metallic with 50K miles, and it is the most elegant, comfortable, best-riding car I've owned over the last 45 years. IMO, the 4.0 V8 is a definite step up over the straight six, in terms of power and sound (I removed the rear mufflers on mine, and added 3.5" stainless tips). It's not a daily driver, so I'll keep an eye on things like oil consumption, coolant level, and listen for any strange noises (i.e. cam chain tensioners going). I've read about the tensioners and water pump issues these cars could have, but with only 50K miles, and not being a daily driver, I'm hoping it'll be many years before those things will need to be replaced. This car gets compliments everywhere I go! I was leaving Harbor Freight this morning, and as I was getting into the car, a guy parked in front of me says, "Man, that car looks better than Christmas morning!". I thanked him for the compliment, then drove away with a smile on my face!
Cool car man. Excited to get into these jags, hoping to get into an x150 Xkr some time soon!
hell yeah!
Nice 👍 I had a X300 XJR-6 back in the day 😜, currently driving a 2017 Range Rover sport L494 SDV8 Autobiography
I want to see some more of the car like!. Greeting from Holland
Classical music in this car sounds supreme and matches the elegance . I always keep coming back to x308 versus x350 .... although x350 is a better faster xjr 😊
Great era for jags. They have gone downhill from this golden era
Sell it for a 90s 7 series 😂