XJ6/8 or Mercedes something-or-other, can't decide

[drdick]

I've got a few quid to throw down the pan so I want to get a nice luxury barge. Something in the 10-15 year old range, really fancy a Jag like this: ebay Jag but maybe a Merc like this: ebay Merc
Any massive pros and cons (other than a 15 year old luxury car might bite me if something major goes wrong)?

[composimmonite]

Glad I'm not in that position any more as for £2500 there are probably a big choice of luxury cars. I've had Jaguars (420, S2 XJ6 and 2.9 XJ40) so would drift towards the X300 however the S type also appeals to me. Then there are the offerings from Lexus & BMW.

Paul H

[markgenesis]

That S-class is superb

Big cars tend to go through suspension bushes, brakes and shockers so if your looking at a 10-15 year old car with these recently done it's a bonus.

Servicing, (if you cant do it yourself) is'nt too bad if you find a decent independant specialist, if doing work yourself go for genuine of OEM spec parts.

Even fuel need'nt be too bad, in May i drove my 728i from Glasgow to Bristol, a bit of running around in Bristol, Weston Super Mare, a day in Bath then a Very spirited blast back up the road all for £230 in fuel.
 
I read somewhere that big Jags don't like sitting around unused for any length of time (put me off buying one as i do miniscule mileage)

What about an E38 ?, go for a facelift (99 onwards) 740i (or iL if you can find one), weakest point on these is the fuel tank and cooling system (a lot of that is plastic), providing these are ok the rest is pretty bombproof.

As you have mentioned though one big con is if anything major goes (like the autobox) it could potentialy make the car two ton of scrap.

[actionslaxx]

The Merc, deffo
I've owned jags like that and can assure you that it will breakdown often , the xj8 will need camchain tensioners ages ago and loads of other things, the recon box is a good point though.
Currently running [ha ha] xjs v12 the swimming pool model, deffo the merc.

[bavarianretro]

By the time you get to 2001 the E38 is getting a bit long in the tooth. I hate to say it, but that S class is a far better car than any E38 for £2500.

[fred]

Jags for me will always out trump Mercs and Bimmers
just for the shape
you can tell a Jag from half a mile away, Bimmers and Mercs - to me just havent got that extra bit
Go for the XJR if funds allow !
don't get me wrong, Ive had Mercs, bimmers, and Jags
the 7 series 735i was amazing but kinda clinical just didnt hit my whoop button
but Jags - well are Jaaaags!
Thats my rather humble opinion
And Mercs from the age you are thinking I think were still knocked out in the US
so bodywork just fell apart - I could well be wrong but I have seen some terrible rust on those age Mercs

[markgenesis]

Nov 2, 2013 21:34:42 GMT bavarianretro said:

By the time you get to 2001 the E38 is getting a bit long in the tooth. I hate to say it, but that S class is a far better car than any E38 for £2500.

I hate to say it but i have to agree

[composimmonite]

My sister had a 500SEC (from new !) and it was a gorgeous car.

Paul H

[drdick]

Oh man, thanks for the tips, gonna go and look at that Merc tomorrow evening although weren't there bodywork issues with Mercs around this time?

[boo]

check the door bottoms inside and out rear arches rust a bit to . front wings go as well .the bootlids rust around the number plate plinth
the can leak water into the boot area if it has electrics in there depending on spec and blow various parts of them .apart from that there not bad old buses

[hairymel]

s class is a lot of flash for the cash .

(or get a s-type jag )

[Splitty456]

go for a jaaaag!

my dad drives an X308, and we looked at Bimmers, mercs and audis, but the jag just feels abit more special... and i think fairly good to drive for such a soft car.

if you want something abit more reliable engine wise, go for an X300, but they don't feel or look as nice as the 308s

The AJV8 is by no means a bad engine, but make sure you get a steel lined one (same goes for BMWs of this vintage!), and the 4.0 litres are just abit better for cruising. or if you can get one in your budget, an XJR

[hairymel]

and what is the result?

(i do know it has a S in the designation )