I have a lot of experiance with Jags, and mixed feelings about them. From what I know a 1997 XJ6 is the way to go if you want a cheap reliable driver.

1998-1999 XJ8's had iffy V8's and the upper timing chain's tend to snap. These need attention like every 80k miles. If you want an XJ8 buy a 2000 and up model.

I was cross shopping a Jag and MB when I was looking to get a newer car and frankly you can get a lot of Jag for the money and the new ones are pretty reliable. But parts cost tons more then MB's, for example if you get stuck with the Brembo brake option rotors are $300+ each. :eek: Jag parts prices will make your eyes water. Also Jag has never had the R&D money that MB has, I don't think engineering wise and fit and finish wise they are on the same level. MB is slightly better in that regard. For example if you look in the fender wells and how the rear window is put in on say a 98 XJ8 some of that stuff seems kind of cheesy. Compare to a 1998 S420, and well MB is a notch up. Interior wise Jag is ahead.

I know MB's better and am comfortable with them so I would pick a W140 over one. MB parts are pretty cheap and they are pretty simple to fix when they break. However I wouldn't turn a nice Jag down.

I cross shoped clean late 90's XJ8's against the same W140's. In my book the W140 is a better car. People have an irrational fear of them for some reason.


http://forums.jag-lovers.org/index.php3

As far as reliability goes, I would have to say the Lexus wins.

Having worked on and driven all three in discussion over the years, the Jag is right up there as far as quality and ride, infact I would have to say the Jag's ride is like no other, very impressive.

As far as the cost of maintenance (general maintenance), the Benz does fairly well, the Lexus parts can be expensive, as can those for the Jag.

I would suggest comparing the price on a few parts such as, water pump, eng drive belt/s, radiator, brake rotors/pads, headlight ass, window reg/motor ass, drive shaft flanges/uni joints and oil/air/fuel filters.

Ultimately the decision is yours, just remember that all cars have there own little problems and all can be expensive to repair.

Also insurance costs?

ozzy

Thank you for the very insightful writeup!
To answer your question regarding the W140....I'm strugling with the prices of W124 parts since I'm living in Canada and paying through the nose for everything, can you imagine if I had to had to do an evaporator core and ECU on a W140!

I haven't checked the insurance rates as of yet. That is on my list of things to do. I have been looking at so many cars and I haven't found a nice clean one yet. Either no service history, high mileage, not the colors I'm looking for, rust, etc... I'm just keeping my options open to more than one specific car and model so that I can buy something soon. Most people that have cars that are working very well don't sell them. That's what I've been noticing. Every car I have called about has some story and the dealers are out to lunch with their ridulous pricing. They rob the person on teh trade-in and push it out at above retail pricing hoping that some poor uninformed sucker will bite.

What is considered to be the most reliable W210 in the 1996-1998?

The most reliable would have to be the E300, turbo diesel.

Next would be the E320.

My choice would be the E300.

ozzy

The E300 looks like its the same as an E320, so I think an E300 can look like this from the outide is someone wanted to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4555149920&category=6335&sspagename=WDVW

But from the inside what other differences are there compared to the E320? I noticed the seats in the E320 look much nicer for starters. Why would they do that :confused:.

It's all about marketing, same car but have different levels of luxury.

The E300 is aimed at the primary producer, who wants a benz but doesn't want all the luxury. He can fill it up on the farm, jump in with his muddy boots and so on. It also depends on options, most E300's I see are usually standard with limited options.

The E320 on the other hand, is aimed at the executive who wants all the gadgets and electrically operated equipment, most E320's are highly optioned.

So it all depends on what your needs are, if you want a very reliable, low cost to run and maintain and reasonably luxurious, then the E300 is it.

Or if you want more luxury and creature comforts, costs more to run and maintain and is very expensive to repair when electronics start to fail, then the E320 is it.

I hope i'm not putting you off, but it all depends on what your primary needs are.
ozzy

Thank you for your response. It's posts like your yours that help me learn. I never owned a diesel in my life, so I don't know them at all. Other than the disel badge on the trunk, glow plugs, slow acceleration, black smoke, plug hanging from engine compartment, I don't know much more.

Lino, from what I can gather, you are looking for a prestige car that is very reliable, easy to maintain, costs around $12,000 to $14,000 and is pleasing to the eye.

Personaly I would lean towards the Lexus. I actually pulled up at the lights this evening and what should pull up beside me? A black Lexus Ls 400, man it looked awesome.

When I laid my eyes on it, I immediately thought about you. The more I think about it, the more I'm thinking the Lexus is the car you're looking for.

As much as I believe the E300 would be the most reliable and cost effective, I don't think you would be happy with It's over all package. So the next most reliable car, but with more luxury and prestige would be a lexus.

The Japanese sure know how to build cars, and the Lexus is certainly the cream of the crop.

As with any car you plan on buying, make sure to have it checked over by a reputable pre-purchase inspector.

ozzy

:2thumbsup: :dancefool





You're right on! I already have cars that require attention all the time, so I do want one car that is less demanding and in that price range. I love the LS400 in black. I don't believe there is any other color that really catches my eye.The Greens, burgandy, golds and dull greys are not on the top of my list. The only dilemma is that my heart is set on a BMW 740 iL for the driving pleasure, performance, looks etc.. but logic tells me that the Leus will be more trouble free.

If you look at my other thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=120838&page=1&highlight=lexus

you can see them both in black. Even though the Lexus lacks a sporty personality compared to the BMW, one can change that. This car is a 1995-1997:

http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/dat...kazu-ucf21.jpg

You can also check this out:

http://www.drive.com.au/editorial/article.aspx?id=7553&vf=1

At $155,350 it remains one-third cheaper than the equivalent Mercedes, a quarter less than a BMW 740 and even undercuts Jaguar's new Sovereign.


Please tell me this is a typo!
A Lexus LS400 for $155,350... This could not have happened!


You need to test drive 3 examples, the 740i, LS400, and E320

The dish on those wheels is larger than the width of the wheels on my 300E!!!

Prices are in Australian Dollars. They have high taxes.

If I drive the 740 now I will not drive the others. I'm trying to avoid getting near that car, because I know it will win me over.

If MB parts prices make you cringe Jag parts prices will give you heart burn! :D Evap core on a W140 isn't as big of a deal as people make it out to be, a shop I know in NJ will do it for just over $2k. Or you can do it yourself over a long weekend for like $400.

Any high end car will have potential expensive issues that is just the nature of the beast. These cars cost $70k+ new. Most people that I know that have bought cars such as this new do not bat an eye at $3k a year maintaince or a $5k bill once in awhile. They just drop it off at the dealer or the shop they use and let them do what they want.

Buy what you want, none of these cars are a Camry or Sable so budget accordingly.

I still vote for a 1997 XJ6 or S420/320. W210's in general are pretty user friendly to drive and take care of.

So the BMW 740iL or the Lexus LS400 don't make the top of your list? Since you like the W140 S420/S320, which years do you prefer and why not a S500?

Thanks