Original and tidy X308 XJ in very smart overall condition
Recent MOT valid through May 2024
Unusual colour and specification
Substantial history file
THE APPEAL
In many ways, the ‘X308’ generation of the Jaguar XJ saloon is the perfect modern classic. Retro-styled with an iconic badge and instantly recognised, the big Jaguar is an absolute delight to both look at and drive, yet it also has enough modernity about it to still be perfectly capable of daily use, 26 years since the V8-engine XJ made its debut.
They’re not as expensive to run as you may think, either, with straightforward maintenance and a huge used parts supply.
The X308 debuted in 1997, with an all-new V8 engine line-up: 3.2-litre and 4.0-litre powerplants that echoed the engine sizes of the previous six-cylinder models.
Along with the new engine, there were a few visual tweaks – a new dashboard, better wood, clearer dials and rounder bumpers.
But beneath the exterior, which didn’t have an awful lot wrong with it anyway, the X308 was a thoroughly different beast, with heavily revised suspension, giving it delightful agility alongside the best ride comfort this side of a Rolls-Royce.
This one is an interesting car – on paper it’s a base model, but like so many XJs it has so many options on it that it would have cost thousands more than the list price to bring it up to spec. For a lot of owners, this was a cunning way of getting around company car tax based on list price, but not this one – though it may have been used to illustrate such a practice.
V646 MBL began its life as a demonstrator for the W.W. Webber Jaguar Ltd dealership in Basingstoke, Hants, and passed into private ownership six months later. It has been well cared for throughout its life and has just had a lot of work carried out by the current owner to keep it in good order.
It’s a good, honest and tidy example of what many believe to be the last true classic Jaguar saloon.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
New MOT valid until May 2024
Original Jaguar leather wallet, book pack and service history
Originally registered as a demonstrator by Jaguar main dealer Webbers of Basingstoke
An impressive 19 stamps in the service book, combined main dealer and independent, from PDI through to a full service at 107,000 miles in 2021
A4 display folder containing most of the bills, invoices and receipts accrued throughout the cars life, stored in plastic pockets
Old MOT certificates dating back to 2004
Mileage in photographs will increase slightly as the Jaguar will remain in occasional use until the auction ends.
Some wear to driver’s seat bolster, with wear to outer leather and some minor discolouration
Walnut veneer dash and door-trims
Electrically adjustable driver’s and passenger’s seats
Cruise control
Factory stereo
6-CD changer
Excellent carpets and door cards
Tailored Jaguar load bay mat
Good armrest, with aftermarket cupholder conversion
Headlining has dropped in places and has been pinned up – a common XJ fault
Full-size spare alloy wheel
Airbag light currently illuminated
THE EXTERIOR
Platinum Silver metallic
Very smart overall order
Original 16-inch ‘Eclipse’ sport-style alloy wheels, minor kerb marks on all rims
Good paint finish all-round with nice shine
Factory option mudflaps
Small rust bubbles under paint on both front wings, nearside door under window gutter, one small bubble under rear window rubber and trailing edge of lower nearside rear arch (see photos)
Offside rear bumper has minor paint damage and a small crease in the chrome-effect trim – vendor (a Jaguar enthusiast who knows and adores the cars) has a spare chrome trim piece available by negotiation if required
Sills and floor appear in good order – nearside rear sill and subframe mounting point have just had new repair sections fitted to correct corrosion and front inner arch/floor areas on both sides have been professionally repaired. The underside of the car is now solid and in great order
THE MECHANICS
3.2-litre V8
Five-speed auto transmission
Starts on the button
Runs very well, with smooth cruising ability and excellent ride and handling
SUMMARY
The X300 and X308 generations of XJ are rapidly gaining classic appeal – the last traditionally styled, steel-bodied big Jaguar saloons and, by nature of evolution, the best of the breed. A good one is a really nice car. Eminently usable, surprisingly affordable to run and with unrivalled levels of comfort, coupled to great driving dynamics, they represent a fantastic era of Jaguar engineering that is absolutely core to the brand’s DNA.
They’re at an age now where the bad ones are rapidly disappearing and the good ones are shooting up in value. This one is a good one – an original, well-presented and entirely honest car that isn’t perfect, but has always been cherished and maintained and has no major or alarming faults. It’s a great choice of charming, usable and special-feeling modern classic – and values are only going one way…
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