My boss had one of the early ones, quite a catalogue of "fixes"
New engine at 50k miles after it started "rattling"
New gearbox (auto)
New seats after the electrics stopped working
New rear diff after it got noisey
New alloys all round after corrosion set in.
There were a few other bits I can't quite recall.
Plus long delays on getting work done!
Me I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole even of it was cheap

 

Depends on year
2 main issues with the non s\c VVT engine

One is the over hyped nikasail lining issue. (bore liners were changed back to SSteel in 2000 IIRC)

If it is ok now it will be ok for a while, the sulphur content in petrol was also lowered to "negligible" in 2000. If it hasn' gone by now it is unlikley to go soon.

A blow by test is the only way to really know. beware of unscrupilous owners pouring oil down the spark plug holes to pass compression tests

But it is very rare.

The second more common issue is the timing chain tensioners, It's an issue you will be familiar with with Scorpios and Omegas. The tensioners are plastic and go vrittle over time.
They then disentigrate causing the chain to jump a tooth or two.

There have been 2 revsisons to the tensioners that I know of. The latest version is stainless steel with a spring to keep the tension on.

You will have to do them on the VVT engine at around 90K (110K in the S\C) depending on how it is driven.

Budget about a grand from a dealer. (you might as well do the primaries and secondaries while you are in there) and do the chains too.

Suspension bushes are prone to split around every 50K 500 to refit (bugger of a job)

Usual stuff about wishbones and bearings with a heavy car

Other than that they are pretty solid

Main dealer servicing is still an option. They discount older cars so you are talking 200 a minor and up to 500 for the 90K which is the biggy

Very fast cars btw. The acceleration is feircer on the VVTs than it is on the S\C lump (different engines btw)

Let me know if you need more info

 

All useful stuff

They aren't easy to shift, so that has to be factored into what I'd pay.

I can be confident about what needs doing/will need to be done, but the bottom line is the value I put on it.

If I don't think I can recoup everything via a one week ebay sale, I won't buy.

So we're not talking big money here. Just a bit of fun before I go all exotic again next year.

 

Oh the autoboxes are pretty solid but you really should have the fluid changed every 50K. This is at odds with what the dealers tell you (sealed for life unit) however unless you want to pay a grand for a rebuild or several grand for a new one, I would force them to do it.

the only issue is that the refill procedure is a bit tricky (ambient temprature is one of the factors in getting the correct fluid level in) and I have heard of dealers actually screwing the box by not doing the refill properly.

Then trying to wash their hands from it as "they told you it wasn't required"

An autobox specialist is a better bet.

 

Thanks Andy

It's a 97 - so would have the nikasil liners - if the engine hasn't been replaced - which I haven't checked yet

Apparently, a late nikasil lined engine may be more durable if it has survived this long. Not really anything I care about - I'd have the test done.

I read about the tensioners. Something else that may have been done. I'll go through the bills later/tomorrow.

I think the car has done 80K - verifiable - and the engine sounds very sweet to my fairly experienced ear.

Good point about weight/bushes etc. The main agent should pick all that up.

 

Good stuff

Here's what I do as an initial when look at these

listen for rattle when start up from cold (you know this but I'll mention it anyway)

Delay in engaging gear especially reverse

Looseness in the steering (there is an adjuster but once it hits the maximum it is a new rack)

If you can get under it with a pry bar, you'll see the state of the bushes.

All switches and modules (the memory pack for the windows is 270 quid...)

Bent wheels (expensive)

Check the power steering recall and the the throttle body recall have been done (unless you want the engine to cut out during an overtake and the power steering resevoir to empty )

Electrics don't seem to be too much of a problem once ford slapped them about a bit.

You should get about 21 MPG out of it and they are very capable cruisers

 

Thanks

I know there have been a few recalls on this model.

What's the score regarding cars that haven't had the work done? Any time limits?

And do you know what Jaguar's policy is with something a nikasil lined block that is now failing - and maybe 10 years old. Any precedents?

 

ok - deal off - no more info needed thanks

before it even got to Jaguar, my pet mechanic has diagnosed terminal gearbox issues, duff abs and few electrical gremlins

just too much hassle to consider

 

Where do I get one of these?

What do you feed it?

Are they easy to house train?

TIA.

 

for future reference,

If it has a reasonably full service history the recalls will be taken care of (if for some mysterious reason they haven't been done)

A few engines I know of were replaced out of warranty but you'd be pushing it at 10 years.

If the engine isn't a smoking ruin though they will go for a while and I would be more worried about timing chains TBH

The gearbox is a definite showstopper, though the ABS may just be a faulty or loose sensor.

If you get a good un, they will be reliable and fun ... a bad un will bleed money like any car in these bracket\age.

If your Grandmother has any eggs and would like advice on how to consume them, I am also available for comment