V8 Discovery vs XJ40 3.2 V8

Pre 95 / 19+ year old Disco will almost certainly already be suffering from serious rot so that leaves the Jag. What about a Range Rover P38 V8 ?

Paul H

I love Land/ Range rovers but for what you describe it would be the jag for me. Both will eat money and something will always fall off but who cares when you are wafting along in that much luxury.
Have a couple of pics.

Ah right - you live n learn - The one I have seen is a 1996 which I can get away with. It has had a replacement engine at 35k from Jaguar under warranty and also a rebuilt auto box with receipts. I was told these cars are bullet proof so interesting one of you saying it would 'Eat money'?

The straight 6 Jag XJ40 and the facelift X300 have a supposedly bullet proof engine and my XJ40 4.0 has been smooth and comfortable so far, pretty effortless.

The Jag X308 XJ8 looks very similar to the X300 but has the V8 engine, these are all post 96' though I think, the V8 in those is ok, but they had issues with Nikasil cylinder liners when new (though most should be fine by now) and timing chain tensioners failing too I think.

Of course theres always the V12 'XJ40' (think its technially XJ81 or something) if you want a bit more speed, should make a decent noise too, although the straight 6 sounds pretty good too

£1300 got me this 1993 4.0 Sovereign with a couple of electrical gremlins (later XJ40's are much better with electrics), good condition interior, straight exterior with only one little bit of bubbling on a front wing and 77,000 miles on the clock



Also as for it 'eating money' I've just done a service where all the parts were very reasonably priced, other spares don't seem too bad at all, fuel isn't amazing but then you're not looking at a big jag for fuel economy, it will however do high 20's to 30mpg on a motorway run

XJ8 3.2 is not very quick (still more than adequate), but the engine is smooth as silk and has a very turbine like engine note.
Not spacious inside, but a great balance between handling and comfort.

If you can stretch the budget a XK8 could be an option, has 4.0l. Production started around '95 and is more special for special occasions you want to use. Or do you need at least 4 seats?

Got be the Jaaag,
Folk let you out at junctions in a Jaaag,
Mechanicals are pretty sound, just weird electric gremlins and the old tin worm.

Go for the Jaaag. and spend glorious hours polishing those curves
And you can say things like this

I can attest to this and if they don't, that big bonnet and 4 odd litres of Jaaaaag power means you soon get out

Have a look on youtube for videos of straight six and V8 jags with sporty exhausts, and see which you prefer the sound of.
I had a '90 XJ40 about 10 years ago, fantastic cars....... But how about a V8 7 series! I used to have an e32 and the build quality is in another world compared to the jag, e38's are pocket money now aswell..

HMMM - food for thought guys - never considered a 7 series or LS400 as I didn't think I could insure them on a classic policy but I suppose its no different to a Jag etc

Might check out a few P38's too - thanks guys