1999 Jaguar XJ8 4.0 from North America

Summary:

There's nothing better stock wise

Faults:

Front passenger wheel bearing.

Roof liner sagged.

General Comments:

Just as fast now as the day I bought it.

166k miles, and I just replaced the front wheel bearing myself. It was a job, but a DIY'er can do it.

The headline started to sag at 150k mile; I took it out and got some really cool material and replaced it myself as well.

This is my 3rd jag. The other 2 were XJ6's with minor repairs needed, but this XJ8 and 166k miles - looks and runs still like new. The only thing replaced is tires brakes and belt from normal wear and tear.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2010

29th Jan 2013, 12:30

I agree with this Jag owner. I would invest in another just like it if needed. I have the same identical problem as this post.

Would like to know how you got the ABS ring off without damaging it. I am a DIYer and I know it can be done. Just need a few suggestions. Anyone? E-mail: t_sdavis@att.net

1999 Jaguar XJ8 from North America

Summary:

Keep yourself away from this stupid car!

Faults:

All the following happened in last 20000 kms:

MAF sensor failure.

Carbon canister failure.

Power steering fluid cooler leakage.

Coolant leakage twice in past 4 months.

General Comments:

Good looking, but better stay the garage all the time. Too many problems. The cost of maintain and repair is huge.

Dealer's labor cost: 129.00C$/hr, all the following happened @ dealer's place (all the events happened in last 20000 driving distance) :

Carbon canister failure repair cost 890C$

MAF sensor replacement cost 1000 C$, the dealer said the cost 2.5 hours, but I found it's only about 30 minutes, you can find some video on website.

Power steering fluid cooler leakage: 1060C$

First coolant leakage: they replaced the water pump, therm-stat, cost 1000C$

Second coolant leakage (4 months later) : they replaced the two hoses and gasket that cost 680C$

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th February, 2009

25th Sep 2009, 19:10

Sorry to hear that, but it sounds like that or those dealership (s) were taking advantage of the situations.

I learned when owning a luxury car out of warranty, it's best to stay away from the dealership, as even a car that says "dealer maintained" doesn't mean much. And a used luxury car in the world of Jaguar, BMW Mercedes and the likes, is usually low priority, so they get their new guy that can't tell a wrench from a screw driver to work on it, and charge you for the lunch break they take. Best to find a reliable independent shop, or do it yourself. Save yourself some headache and wallet pains, and still get the job done. Dealerships are making killings off repairs, more so than car sales in some places.

30th Aug 2023, 10:32

Your dealer is an absolute stealer.

30th Aug 2023, 17:30

Based on what? Jaguar parts are overpriced and expensive. Jaguar build quality is substandard, too. Is that the dealer’s fault?

1999 Jaguar XJ8 from North America

Summary:

Beautiful, but trash

Faults:

The same thing that has gone wrong for a few owners of this same model and year: the engine stalls randomly, putting you in serious peril as all systems go dead.

This problem was supposedly resolved by a recall of the throttle body, but this has done nothing to resolve the problem, and when contacting the dealer and Jaguar, it's quite amazing to what extent they go to lose an otherwise loyal customer.

I love the looks of the Jaguar, but will not buy another as I cannot understand how they can call it a prime vehicle, and then tell me that the solution to my problem is to replace the engine? At merely 82,000 on a V8 engine?

Truly disappointing to say the least.

General Comments:

It looks and drives nicely, but after merely nine years of driving at an average of 9,000 miles per year, it seems to be falling apart rather badly, which is something one would not expect from a high priced vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th November, 2007

27th Aug 2009, 15:38

I will agree the 1999 XJ8 does have issues that it shouldn't for the price. I purchased one used with 55,000 miles and have not had a problem, yet now it has 59,000 miles, but I have done all the preventative maintenance and had the timing chains tensioners and assembly rebuilt.

Anyone can buy a Jaguar, but not everyone can afford one. That's why they really are toys, not daily drivers.

I love mine; it has more class and power than a 7 series BMW, or other competitors of its year, but it gets beat with reliability hands down.

I believe Ford will do a better job with that, even though everything ends up looking like a Taurus.