The 1994 Jaguar XJR was actually a very clever and extensive facelift of the 1986 XJ40, a sometimes rusty and troublesome car that combined retro styling and undercooked electronics and a propensity to dump its owners on the motorway hard shoulder whenever it pleased. But it was a fabulous drive and, even when knackered, an XJ40 felt like a million dollars.
Its replacement, the X300 basically took all the best bits of the old XJ40, added in a dose of reliability and quality, and ended up enjoying an extended Indian summer that lasted well into the 21st century. The supercharged XJR sat at the top of the range. It was the one to have - it looked great then, is sinister now and, thanks to a shrill supercharger whine, had a wonderful charismatic soundtrack all of its own, the absolute antithesis of its urbane German rivals.
The core to the XJR's appeal was its straight-six supercharged performance. With 320hp on tap it powered to a maximum speed of 155mph and 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and was capable of giving the contemporary E34-generation BMW M5 a run for its money. Most were autos, but if you could find a manual, you'll find the XJR even quicker. Importantly for most of its fans, the XJR wasn't - and isn't - flash in the way of the opposition.
In 1997, the six-cylinder X300 was replaced by the V8-powered X308, boosting the XJR's power to 370hp. Out went the urgent supercharged engine note of old and in came the most delicious bellowing V8, with all the bass you'd ever want from a luxury saloon. These later cars had the same Jekyll and Hyde character of their predecessor - smooth when wafting, but offering sledgehammer instant grunt when really going for it. A real old-school villain's Jaguar.
We love 'em even if the market currently undervalues them somewhat - but there's no reason not to use this rare pre-adjustment of the market to your favour, and bag a bargain Jaguar before too many people cotton on. Checking out the PH classifieds confirms that XJRs are a hell of a bargain right now, with early six-cylinder cars starting from a mere £2,000.
The straight sixes are cheaper simply because they're older than the V8, not because they are inferior - although neither have really found reason to start appreciating. But some specialists - and enthusiastic owners - would say that the six-pots are a better all-round proposition than the V8. Expect to pay between £2,000 and £5,000 for an X300 that's been loved with a full specialist service history. Only these cars had the option of manual transmission, which now commands a premium. But like all Jaguars of this era, the XJR works better as an auto.
£5,000-8,000 will buy a V8 you would actually want: a straight car without issues, and one with history. The run-out XJR100 models are sought after now, and most likely to start appreciating first, and just look beautiful. And following standard market practice, the prices are set to rise, once the rougher cars are out of the system. And from what I'm seeing out there, that moment is approaching rapidly.
We'll put to bed that these cars are unreliable. The X300 is dependable and, in many ways, less troublesome than the V8 car that followed it. Its six-cylinder AJ16 engine is sound aside from the odd misfire, and that's usually down to a failing coil pack. Unlike earlier Jaguars, it won't leak oil either, unless something's badly amiss.
The X308 car suffers from more niggles, although the premature bore-wear that afflicted the Nikasil cylinder-lining of '97 and '98 (and which I really shouldn't mention) is now a thing of the past. They can suffer from worn tensioners and water pumps, both of which you might not spot, due to the car's overall refinement. All of them have complex suspension, and bushes that need regular replacement - and don't forget to watch out for rusty rear arches.
Other than that, they're good as gold, and just fabulous to drive. These retro-styled Jags of old might be out of step with what's coming out of the factory now, but they still attract a huge following, and the XJR is a 1990s highlight. For me, the bulletproof nature of the X300 makes it the one to buy, especially at today's prices. Another one to grab now before the rest of the world catches on...
Source:pistonheads.com
