[x300] Parts Availability

I have noticed the appearance of several posts over the last few
weeks that indicate that certain parts are no longer available for
the x300 models (seal belt buckle mechanisms for one if I remember
correctly, also ball joints?). I realize that the Jaguar market is
not large so there would not have been a lot of extra parts
manufactured. My Jag just turned 16 years old and I would love to
keep it another 16 if possible. Just curious what others think with
regard to part availability. What is no longer available new and
what parts will likely become extinct over the next few years.–
Mick 95 XJ6 Sovereign
Eastern PA, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

It’s a bit of a concern for me as well. In my case I’m more worried about
parts unique to the “R” engine but, beyond that, there does seem to be a
general trend developing.

As far as suspension parts go there seems to be good aftermarket coverage.
Same for ignition, brakes, and routine repair/service parts. Control
modules and body parts (like seat belts) might be the problem. Some
internal engine repair parts, it seems, are already NLA…lack of demand,
no doubt.

I sense that my XJR has many more years life in it and, since it has
virtually no market value, I might as well use and enjoy it until there’s
nothing left to use and enjoy. I’ve kicked around the idea of stockpiling
some stuff…thus ensuring that I’ll never need it :slight_smile:

Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJRFrom: “Mick” derel2@aol.com

Just curious what others think with
regard to part availability. What is no longer available new and
what parts will likely become extinct over the next few years.

In reply to a message from Doug Dwyer sent Fri 27 May 2011:

I don’t know about in the US but over here there are plenty
of breakers and specialists that seem to do all sorts of
stuff and at very reasonable prices. I found a place near me
called Berkshire Jags, he breaks them and sells new parts.
Well worth a look, I guess he could be found on an internet
search. Not sure if I can post a link here without upsetting
the apple cart so I won’t do it :slight_smile:
Just having a look in Jaguar World and there seem to be
quite a few suppliers, the idea of having a spares car is
very appealing if you have the space. I would imagine an
insurance write off would be pretty cheap.
Dave–
thorcusmodee
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from thorcusmodee sent Fri 27 May 2011:

Dave

Not so sure about that - when I first got my X300 there were
many, many choices for second-hand bits. New bits seem to
be plentiful until you look closely at the ‘‘NLA’’ often
appended.

But two years ago was possibly the peak rate of scrapping
the X300 and the rate is now dropping as owners realise the
very real value and longevity of these cars. Plenty of V8’s
seem to be hitting the buffers, though.

Looking at it from the breakers point of view, they have
limited storage so with large items, storage becomes an
issue. They have to decide whether to hold seats, doors etc
for the X300 or the X308; if you can get more money for an
X308 door, which do you stock ?

I have been looking for some Sovereign seats for my X300
Sport - plenty of XJ8 seats but not that many XJ6 which are
scrapped if they have any wear on them.

You won’t find many other 16 year old cars in the
scrapyards; the yards have moved with the times to ten year
olds, where the demand is.

So if you intend keeping the car for some time and have a
spare acre and understanding landlord (aka wife), get a
scrapper for yourself (though I can guarantee that the same
parts will be worn out as on the no 1 car).

Best wishes from Jim Butterworth
http://www.watchet.dolphins.btinternet.co.uk/

I am older now than I’ve ever been before,
but I’m also younger than i’ll ever be again–
The original message included these comments:

I don’t know about in the US but over here there are plenty
of breakers and specialists that seem to do all sorts of
stuff and at very reasonable prices. I found a place near me


1995 3.2 Sport - http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1262090878
Somerset, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from sfj642 sent Fri 27 May 2011:

Hi Jim, some good points, well made. My suggestion re the
insurance write off was made under the assumption that it
was a good un before being written off and would therefore
have good usable parts which won’t wear out in storage. I
did quite a bit of research before buying my 2001 XJR to
make sure parts were available and affordable (relatively
speaking) and was happy to go ahead, I guess if it was
another 7 years older it may well have been a different
story. When I had my last cat I used to pick up bits and
pieces that I thought I might need. I don’t think I ever got
anything useful though :slight_smile:
Dave.–
thorcusmodee
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from thorcusmodee sent Fri 27 May 2011:

I know a Scrapper who operates in Hampshire and he runs a
21st Century scrapping operation.
He takes a car in - stores it for about a month whilst
advertising anything worthwhile on Ebay. He only removes
items that are sold. He then shreds the car - because steel
(and iron) is currently �350 per tonne and copper is even
more.
So for an XJ6 weighing in at about 2 1/2 tonnes he should
get about �1000.
With fuel prices the way they are, and ‘big car’ taxes set
to rise, cars like ours are going to disappear very rapidly.
This will be accelerated by a lack of spare parts and owners
simply scrapping them.
With my XJ8 having (effectively) no value, an auto box
failure would cost more than the thing is worth - at this
rate my local scrapper is going to start sending me Xmas
cards!
I have had to scrap two XJ’s because one (an XJ40) was used
as a target by a drunk driver (whilst parke), and the other
was broadsided by an idiot reversing out of her drive in the
dark without noticing that I was behind her in a traffic
queue!
Both were very difficult to get rid of and both went to
scrapyards for pennies. Both (apart from the serious paint
job required) were in excellent mechanical condition.
If you live in the US with a yard the size of England then
buy a spare XJ or two and lose them on the ranch. Us Brits
are a bit stuck. On my 1/4 acre I couldn’t hide an XJ and
the management would probably leave me (hang on - now
there’s a thought!).
Clubs are probably the answer - holding insurance write-offs
as a part store.
Any other ideas?–
The original message included these comments:

Hi Jim, some good points, well made. My suggestion re the
insurance write off was made under the assumption that it
was a good un before being written off and would therefore
have good usable parts which won’t wear out in storage. I


jimforrest
Basingstoke, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from jimforrest sent Fri 27 May 2011:

Jim

I think longer-term the real enthusiasts will band together
and enterprising people will supply the demand (though at a
cost) - I think Mk I and Mark II Jags have quite a good
spares availability these days.

I had a Rover 90 for over 40 years and it went through the
same process - original parts easy from agents, then from
specialists, then from scrap yards, then the Club came into
being. Several individuals then started having rare parts
made, which turned into a mini-industry. But parts remained
‘‘next day’’ in most cases.

Same with my 1935 Austin Ten - new mechanical parts are now
off the shelf again, and they are so simple anyway nothing
seems to go wrong :-))

and the Mini and Morris Minor of course are more modern cars
that will go on for ever. But when did you last see a Hillman ?

The jury is out for the X300’s though; could go either way.

Best wishes from Jim Butterworth
http://www.watchet.dolphins.btinternet.co.uk/

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the birds
are singing and the lawn mower is broken–
The original message included these comments:

Clubs are probably the answer - holding insurance write-offs
as a part store.


1995 3.2 Sport - http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1262090878
Somerset, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php

In reply to a message from sfj642 sent Fri 27 May 2011:

Well , the multitude of aftermarket plug-on coils that are popping
everywhere are encouraging…still OEM produced as well, thank
God, since the aftermarket do not seem to last very long.

There still seems to be a healthy amount on TPS , coils, crank
sensors etc…what really worries me is ECU’s and people capable of
rebuilding them. I have two security ECU’s in ‘‘stock’’ for my XJS
and a petrol injection (main) ECU that I would like to have
rebuild. There are ECU’s for the seats, the brakes, the
A/C…Everything is controlled by computers.–
95 AJ16 4liter 6cylinder, Houston TX
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
–Support Jag-lovers - Donate at http://www.jag-lovers.org/donate04.php