I’ve decided to list this car for sale because frankly, it’s too nice to use as my daily car! I have owned a succession of big Jags over the past seven or eight years, and this is without doubt the best XJ I’ve owned (or seen!). It has a fantastic look about it, it’s rare to see such a clean example in black – they are effortlessly cool and understated. If it doesn’t sell I’ll gladly keep it but I think this car deserves to go to someone who is going to appreciate it more, rather than me having to jump into it in my grubby workshop gear every day!
The previous long-term owner was a big Jaguar enthusiast, and it shows! The car was kept in a classic car storage unit having had major restoration works (details below), and was only brought out on high-days and holidays, for Jaguar Enthusiast Club events, etc.
In recent years the car has had much work, and comes with a very comprehensive file of receipts and invoices for works undertaken. In recent years the car has had:
• Full glass-out respray in the original colour, due to lacquer peel. This has been done to a very good standard – as you can see in the pictures, the reflections are simply fantastic!
• New tyres all round
• New discs, pads, front calipers
• New spark blugs and 8x new coil packs
• New MAF sensor
• Headlining removed and replaced with a new unit, so none of the usual dropping headlinings here!
• Adamesh grilles and original Jaguar accessory tailpipe trims fitted, at great cost!
• Recent new battery
• Various items of suspension replaced, ARB links, ball joints, two new ABS wheel sensors etc.
• New radio aerial and motor
• …the list just goes on and on!!!
It’s a really nicely specced car, being the 4.0, and is fitted with the much rarer black interior, which remains in excellent condition. The original dealer overmats are still there, with the original carpet still in place underneath and in near immaculate order. As mentioned, the car has had a new headlining fitted, which is a fairly major job in itself. The wood is all in nice condition, and the seats are very supportive indeed, with adjustable headrests etc still working – unlike most! The car has the much more expensive Alpine sound system option fitted, which sounds great.
The bodywork is in very good order, having had a full professional glass-out respray just a few years ago. This was done due to lacquer peel on the bonnet and boot lid – and the owner wanted the car to look immaculate! The depth of finish is truly excellent, and the panelwork is all incredibly straight. Yes, there are a couple of VERY minor imperfections here and there, but it’s not the usual rotten XJ. I think you’ll be impressed with just how clean and tidy it is! Some subtle mods like the Adamesh grilles (not cheap!) and tailpipe trims really finish the car off, without making it look cheap and nasty. It certainly gets a lot of comments and compliments when out and about, that’s for sure!
Mechanically, the car appears to be in fine fettle. I drove the car back from Portsmouth to Manchester when I bought it and managed to achieve over 30mpg at a 70mph cruise – not bad for a thirsty V8! The car fires up first time every time and settles down to a silky smooth idle. The gearbox feels very fresh compared to a lot I’ve driven, kickdown and sport modes both work excellently. The car pulls like a train with no hints of a misfire. The previous owner has fitted a cone-type air filter which sounds glorious, and the original airbox etc is included in the sale, should you wish to revert to standard. The car rides really nicely, all shock absorbers are in very good order and the car stops very well, thanks to recent replacement brake calipers, discs and pads. The tyres are all recent replacements and the wheels are in very good order. The engine bay is nice and clean, and the original unopened toolkit is present.
As mentioned, there is a big folder full of bills and receipts for the car, along with the original set of manuals (including the stamped-up service booklet), and two sets of keys and fobs. The car is MOT’d until August 2020, with no advisories on the last test. It’s done very little mileage over the past few years as it’s simply been used as a toy! I’ve covered around 6 or 700 miles in it and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
No, it’s not a concourse show-car, but it’s a really well kept example that looks simply fantastic – it’s not the usual tarted-up rubbish. Anyone that knows these cars will know that 90% of them are worn out and need a fortune spending on them to make them right again – so why not buy a car that’s had all of the major works done! Of course, this car would make an excellent wedding/funeral/prom car.
This Jaguar has formed part of a private collection & has been covered in storage for the past 3 years.
It is an incredibly clean example.
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1998(S) Jaguar XJ8 3.2 saloon Automatic
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1998(S) Jaguar XJ8 3.2 saloon Automatic
Sapphire blue metallic contrasting full leather
Allot wheel upgrade, Air Con 4x electric windows, electric mirrors
ABS, remote locking with Jaguar security,.....
