[F31-340i]

I'm sure some here must have looked at these - I know nothing, other than they're pretty and must be quick with nearly 400ps.

But at 12 years old how many bits will have fallen off?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi.../lhd?logcode=p

Ps - I want left hand drive.

[peterg1965]

I have looked at them before - surprise surprise!

Lot of car for the money, I prefer the newer shape, the older model does feel dated (but very Jag) inside. Nikasil was the biggest issue in the past but any car with this would have been sorted by now. More GT than out and out sports, but I like! They do look better with the 20" Detroit alloys, I don't like the alloys that car has on it.

[F31-340i]

Thanks Peter,

What was the Nikasil fix - a new block?!

I quite like the fact this car looks like one of the early ones - pre 20" wheels, though I agree they do look nice.

What should the price of a uk one be? 9k sounds a lot for 120k miles - but at 6-7k this would be cheap V8 fun. Have you driven one - I guess it's like a Merc barge in the twisties?

[peterg1965]

Nikasil meant new engine. My understanding is that because there is reduced sulphur in modern petrol it isn't a known problem these days, most, if not all, Nikasil problems would have already come to light quite a few years back. A compression test on the engine should tell you if there is some form of legacy problem.

That car in the link does look expensive, especially as its LHD. Quick look on ebay shows that there are a few cheaper about with lower miles.

EDIT. James, I think post 2000/2001 cars had a newer steel lined engine which meant the problem was confined to cars earlier than this.

[F31-340i]

Ok, so as a 99 it could have Nikasil. As a 1 owner car there is a risk that its been driven carefully and the issue has never arisen. But you say current petrol shouldn't be a problem.

Lhd should be worth more - quick look says these are 16k+ euros on the mainland.

[Dele Z.]

These might look cheap but remember they still have the running costs of a £50k car

[creepy coupe]

I thought it was 2003> for the modified engine?

The one I drove was a 58 plate and even that had a nasty interior. Hard plastics, old looking switch gear, pants NAV. It rode superbly though and it was on 20" rims. Sounded nice also.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I thought it was 2003> for the modified engine?

The one I drove was a 58 plate and even that had a nasty interior. Hard plastics, old looking switch gear, pants NAV. It rode superbly though and it was on 20" rims. Sounded nice also.

I think 2003 was when they switched to the newer 4.2 engine, previously 4.0. The newer engines as far as I am aware have no Nikasil problems. The liners in the older engines could be affected.

At that time they moved from 4.2 from 4.0 they also switched to a ZF gearbox. Whole new can or worms .....

I had an S-Type 4.0 and 4.2. The older automatic was exactly as you expect, a bit of a slushmatic. But actually suited the silent, laid back cruising you do in an old skool Jag.

Lot of car for the money.

D.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

I think 2003 was when they switched to the newer 4.2 engine, previously 4.0. The newer engines as far as I am aware have no Nikasil problems. The liners in the older engines could be affected.
D.

Must have been what I had in the back of my mind Dave.