29-05-2014, 09:34 AM
Like I say, all v8 XJ's EXCEPT the XJR run a ZF box. The 6 pot XJR's run a GM gearbox, same as various American pickups, again, bulletproof.. not a ZF box.
I bought a 6 pot XJR for £1000, it needed some work, but no rust, I bought a v8 XJR for £1750 which was immaculate, and then chopped it in against another with modified suspension, remapped etc which cost me another £250 (so £2000). You can pick up a pretty nice one for £1750, and I have seen them sell for £1250 if they need a little tlc (normally rust bubbles on the back arches or sills).
The sealed for life thing is just marketing bollocks. I changed the oil and filters on my Geartronic unit easily, you just need a dipstick (which I got off ebay for about a tenner) and the oil / filter direct from merc (£75) there are loads of threads online...
When I had my 6 pot XJR, my friend had a 6 pot 3.2 sovereign. The XJR was marginally better on fuel on a run, and only slightly worse round town.
I guess it's horses for courses, but really the only killer is insurance (and maybe tax, I can't remember) but for a uber cheap luxo barge they are mega. I used mine for work a bit, and the power and refinement made motorway crunching a pleasure! I wouldn't bother with a 6 pot one again, the v8's are just better in every way.... EXCEPT if you get a none supercharged one where the Nikasil liner problems, and weak gearboxes could make the owning experience a bit salty!
JP
I bought a 6 pot XJR for £1000, it needed some work, but no rust, I bought a v8 XJR for £1750 which was immaculate, and then chopped it in against another with modified suspension, remapped etc which cost me another £250 (so £2000). You can pick up a pretty nice one for £1750, and I have seen them sell for £1250 if they need a little tlc (normally rust bubbles on the back arches or sills).
The sealed for life thing is just marketing bollocks. I changed the oil and filters on my Geartronic unit easily, you just need a dipstick (which I got off ebay for about a tenner) and the oil / filter direct from merc (£75) there are loads of threads online...
When I had my 6 pot XJR, my friend had a 6 pot 3.2 sovereign. The XJR was marginally better on fuel on a run, and only slightly worse round town.
I guess it's horses for courses, but really the only killer is insurance (and maybe tax, I can't remember) but for a uber cheap luxo barge they are mega. I used mine for work a bit, and the power and refinement made motorway crunching a pleasure! I wouldn't bother with a 6 pot one again, the v8's are just better in every way.... EXCEPT if you get a none supercharged one where the Nikasil liner problems, and weak gearboxes could make the owning experience a bit salty!
JP
JP