1998 Jaguar XJR Reviews - Page 3 of 3

Electric steering adjustment failed.

Handsome, comfortable, refined and devastatingly fast, the XJR is a very special car indeed. It can cosset like no other, yet is capable of out-dragging all but the most exotic badges away from the lights. It's a bit like meeting a member of the Royal Family and finding out they like to arm wrestle in their spare time.

The BMW shaming interior, opulent leather and ash trim, thick carpets and auto box give little clue as to the hot rod acceleration on offer. The large bodyshell also belies the fine handling of the car - it's no Impreza WRX, but it's no floaty barge either.

Quite superb!

Obviously, as most XJR owners have probably figured out, the Pirelli Asymetrico tires have a very short life, and would even if they were on a minivan. So replacing the tires was at best an experiemental proposition until the current set of Michelin Pilot Sports, which look like they will last more than 7,000 miles.

My only "failure" on the car was that the upper radiator hose removed itself when the car had 36,000 miles. It was a strange failure, although easily repaired, because the hose should have never been off unless the dealer had removed it to service the cooling system. I will ask them next time.

And the brakes are highly dusty but I intend to try a set of metal-masters when the current set wears out so we'll see what that accomplishes.

Otherwise, it is a truly awesome vehicle.

The XJR is the 32nd automobile I have owned (and 11 motorcycles) and it is absolutely the overall greatest car I have ever had. No matter the price, there is no other sedan which combines the looks, performance, and luxury of the XJR.

Like one of the other respondents I "ran" it at Los Angeles County Raceway in early 2000. The magazines claim 13.7 at 103 but all I could get was a 14.3 at 96. However, as some of you may know, LACR is about 2,200 feet above sea level and I am sure my actual time could be corrected to around high-13's at about 100 or so. What was interesting was that even with the traction control off I couldn't get the wheels to spin. I have had several on-highway encounters with true sports cars that have been very entertaining. I chased down an F355 that had made the mistake of passing me right before we entered a section of high-speed curves. I reeled him in like a tuna. He was very impressed with the show. A few months later an almost brand new 996 tried to shake me as we exited a freeway interchange clover leaf. I stayed right on his bumper until I decided to shut down so he wouldn't do anything stupid.

The XJR is simply the coolest car around. That being said I guess the new M-5 is probably a better handling car, but certainly is no bigger, but it is so over-priced now that the XJR is much better value. The E-55 is a more correct competitor but you can hardly tell it from an E320. Neither the BMW or the MB are one-third as good looking as the Jaguar. I hope they make a "Silverstone" version of the XJR someday.

Wiper relay failed.

Awesome automobile. Not the fastest one I own, but it is the most comfortable.

Took it to the drag races, 13.78 seconds 102mph with 2 people and the air conditioning running.

Much less stealthy than originally planned, this car turns folk's heads old and young.

1) Supercharger coolant pump noisy - replaced under warranty.

2) Plastic cup holder on arm-rest broke.

3) "Dent-magnet" for other car owners in car parks!

Sexy, good looking, incredibly fast mile-muncher. Eats most other cars for breakfast, but 19mpg and filling up 2-3 times a week takes some getting used to!

Noise from o's front wheel - rectified quickly.

The best sports saloon car I have ever owned or driven. A complete dream.