2006 Daimler Super Eight

With just two former UK keepers and approximately £15,000 spent on it since the seller bought it in 2020, ‘LA55 XGM’ is an unusually well-fettled example of a classic British long-wheelbase super-saloon.

Finished in a regal dark blue, it is every inch the aristocrat – which is probably why it was chosen to transport ministers, something the seller tells us led to it being photographed in Downing Street.

The supercharged 4.2-litre V8 gives it plenty of pep for those times when it needed to put some distance between the officials and a problem, while its top-of-the-range specification included a pair of TV screens to keep them occupied – and picnic tables for them to lean on while they dealt with ministerial papers.

Yes, it does have 148,000 miles on the clock but it’s got an equally impressive service history and is ULEZ exempt, so if you’re looking for cheap but refined motoring, you might have struck lucky.

Quinn Lyons, who some of you might know by their former name of R.A. Creamer, purveyors of Jaguar motor cars to the Royal family, refreshed the coachwork in September 2020 at a cost of more than £4,700. This included work to the roof, both offside doors and rear wings, the bonnet, and the rear bumper. New chrome bumper blades were also fitted, and the whole car was machine-polished.

The result is still sublime. Understated and stately, it’s the sort of car you could take anywhere and draw nothing but approving glances.

Being an X350, the bonded and rivetted aluminium construction yields both tight and consistent shutlines along with an absence of rust; this is a car that ages gracefully and, given the recent expenditure, should look good for a while yet.

The 18-inch alloy wheels were refurbished at the same time as the coachwork. Two new Pirelli P6000 tyres were also fitted to the rear wheels, the same brand and make of tyres that are fitted to the front.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The amp lenses, laminated side glazing, and badges are all as good as everything else on the exterior. The factory metal sunroof opens and closes as it should too, and it seals tightly in its aperture when it’s closed.

The last MoT did pick up on the rear tyres, which are perished and will need to be changed.

The other work you might like to consider is cosmetic: both nearside wheels have kerbing marks to them, and there is a noticeable scuff mark to the nearside front bumper and a lighter scuff mark to the offside. The rear bumper is also marked in its centre section, with a lighter mark to its offside.

The bonnet has some scratches on its leading edge, and it also sits unevenly being proud on the nearside and low on the offside. Both nearside doors have various marks and light scratches, and there is a very light scratch to the offside rear door.

As ever, we’ve been as cautious as possible with our assessment of the car; our aim is for you to be delighted with it when you come to pick it up and some of these marks are slight.

The refurbishment of 2020 included the interior, and many new trim parts have been replaced including the headlining. The invoices on file detail exactly which pieces have been changed but the result is nothing short of magnificent.

A symphony of recently re-Connolised cream hide, coffee piping, walnut burr veneer, monogrammed headrests, and judiciously applied chrome accents, it’s cossetting and soothing and the world if a far nicer place when viewed from within its cocoon.

As we mentioned earlier, those in the rear get to enjoy the presence of TV screens, their own entertainment controls, walnut picnic tables, rear sunblinds, and oodles of legroom. Soft, pillowy seats too, whose heating elements supplement the air-conditioning that has its own dedicated controls for the rear.

New lambswool overmats give them something to dig their toes into, something those in the front are also able to enjoy.

As well as the 400bhp that’s on tap, the driver gets to enjoy some of the clearest instrumentation and controls in the business, and both they and the front seat passenger sit on electrically adjustable and heated seats whose condition bears no resemblance to the odometer reading; if anyone ever talks about iffy JLR build quality, kindly point them in the direction of this, a car that’s been serviced regularly and used sympathetically.

The boot is vast and offers huge luggage space. It’s also home to the space-saver spare wheel, recent and genuine JLR battery, and tool kit. The carpet and trim are free of serious wear ‘n’ tear, though there are a few stains to contend with.

As for other interior flaws, the only thing our man with a clipboard could come up with is “the condition of the interior is very good with nothing more than the usual light wear marks.”

Oh, and he remarked that the air-conditioning “blows cold”, probably thanks to it being recharged in December 2024.

The replacement service history booklet, combined with the invoices on file, record the following services:

• 22.08.2006 and 10,208 miles
• 17.07.2017 and 19,900 miles
• 15.07.2008 and 32,523 miles
• 01.10.2010 and 53,627 miles
• 21.03.2012 and 66,032 miles
• 05.03.2015 and 82,772 miles
• 03.02.2016 and 91,237 miles
• 03.05.2016 and 101,266 miles
• 01.08.2016 and 110,946 miles
• 24.10.2016 and 120,037 miles
• 17.02.2017 and 130,418 miles
• 06.02.2018 and 140,156 miles
• 12.02.2019 and 141,112 miles
• 30.01.2020 and 143,207 miles
• 29.08.2020 and 143,945 miles
• 02.11.2020 and 143,960 miles
• 20.07.2022 and 147,541 miles

As you can see, the Daimler covered around 30,000 miles and received four services in 2016. This is due to it being purchased by an ex-police officer in Bournemouth for us in his chauffeuring business, hence the obsession with reliability.

Things eased off a little after that but if you’re looking for a Daimler you can use and rely on, we think this, a car that we are told accrued most of those miles on the motorway, is probably a safer bet that something with a tenth of the mileage that’s been sitting in a garage unused for years.

The seller bought it in 2020 direct from him and set about a rolling refurbishment to ensure it looked every bit as good as it went.

This included having front lower wishbone arms fitted in February 2022, with the transmission fluid and supercharger coolant pump being changed in the same month.

More recently, the Surrey Jaguar Centre carried out a few bits and bobs in December 2024 including wire-brushing and undersealing the rear subframe, and fitting a new battery.

As you can see, the 400bhp V8 engine starts perfectly, idles well, revs like a dream, and makes all the right noises, especially from the twin tailpipes.

The engine bay is nicely presented without being prissy, and only a little dirt and minor surface rust on some of the components spoils an engine that would otherwise be clean enough to pick up a rosette or two at your local classic car show.

The underside has only received one mention of corrosion to the rear subframe, which the seller arranged to be professionally sorted out by way of wire brush and underseal.

The rest looks good under there, although we did notice a crack in one of the plastic trim panels.

The Daimler’s MoT certificate is valid until July 2025.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Daimler comes with two key fobs, the book pack and wallet, and a wealth of invoices and expired MoT certificates.

With a list price of £80,000 (a figure you could double in today’s money) the Daimler Super Eight was a hugely expensive car when it was new.

Reliable too, as well as luxurious, and if you pick carefully, you can enjoy then even now – and for considerably less than you might think.

Yes, this one might be a bit leggy but it’s been very well maintained, sensibly refurbished, and looks a million dollars, which is somewhat less than we think it’s going to sell for.

Because we think the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £12,000 and £17,000, which is criminally little given the performance and sense of wellbeing it offers.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.