2001 Daimler Super V8 Auto

First registered in 2001, this wonderfully opulent Daimler Super V8 is finished in black with a contrasting pale leather interior. In need of some light cosmetic fettling, this is one for the enthusiast who’s looking for a simple project to keep them occupied until spring arrives.

The most luxurious of the XJ range, it was even given the Vanden Plas designation in the United States thanks to equipment such as heated and electrically adjustable reclining seats front and rear, an Alpine sound system, fold-down wooden picnic tables, and rear window blinds.

Bought to fulfil the vendor’s dream of owning and driving one, he’s offering it for sale with just 82,000 miles under its belt, a good and recent service history and no reserve, making this a luxury sporting saloon that appeals to the head as well as the heart.

We have lots of truisms here at The Market by Bonhams and one is that black is the most unforgiving colour of them all. Ruthlessly highlighting even insignificant blemishes, it’s a bold choice for a secondhand car that’s just entered its third decade.

And yet, this one’s still pretty tidy, isn’t it? Sure, there are the usual stonechips and minor marks that every car collect over the years but the panels are straight and true, the shutlines are consistent, and the whole thing hangs together very convincingly.

It helps that Paul, the owner, commissioned a chap to come and professionally mop and polish the paintwork when he first bought it. He, rightly in our opinion, considered a day’s labour a shrewd investment and the work has allowed the Super V8 to fulfil its potential.

He had new door seals fitted, too but then this is entirely in keeping with his nature: “I always deal with small problems to stop them becoming big problems” he told us and the result is that none of the four cars we’re selling for him have had any advisories on their most recent MoTs. Now, isn’t that the kind of chap you want to buy a secondhand car from?

The headlamps are bright and free of damage, something that applies equally to the rest of the lamp lenses. The glazing is good too, and the smattering of chrome the Daimler wears adds to its classic good looks, especially that imposing grille.

The 17-inch alloy wheels are free of scuffs and marks. They are also fitted with matching Continental ContiSportContact tyres that were, we are told, fitted around five years ago. They still have good tread on them; a recent service measured them at 4-5mm, although they also pointed out the front tyres are wearing on their inner edges.

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. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Work to do? There’s some cracked plastic trim between the wipers (#130), the replacement glass in the nearside door mirror has been fitted upside down (#142), and the underside has been scraped (#215).

The pale leather interior is still very nice having worn well over the past 22 years, which is important given most people’s interest will have been piqued by the luxury the model offers.

With lashing of wood, deep-pile carpets, and hide trim, all the classic elements are present and correct and ready to pamper its new owner.

There is some colour loss and cracking to the driver's seat (#13 and #90) with a little less on that of the front passenger (#31). The rear seat is in great shape though and those sitting back there get to enjoy walnut picnic tables, electrically adjustable and heated seats, and more legroom than anyone this side of Andre the Giant could ever need. A pair of cupholders too, plus recently recharged air-conditioning for all.

Oh, and who could miss that essential 2000’s accessory, the Jaguar-branded Motorola carphone mounted in the centre armrest?

The boot is huge and the metal floor is solid. It contains the space saver spare wheel (with what looks to be a new Pirelli tyre) plus the tool kit and warning triangle.

Other flaws? Well, the offside front door card has seen better days (#18), the headlining needs attention (#56), and the steering wheel is grubby (#89).

We’d summarise the interior as largely good but with some scope for the keen DIYer to refresh it and reverse its age-related decline as and when money and motivation happen to coincide.

As the video shows, the Daimler starts easily and revs beautifully. It also settles into a subdued tickover and the dashboard is free of warning lights and other signs of ill-health. It’s got a nice bark to the exhaust too, hasn’t it?

Paul tells us that it also drives well. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed owning it”, he said, going on to rave about its dynamics. “It’s such a fun car to drive – and so fast!”

The engine bay is pretty good, with only a few rusty fasteners spoiling its appearance.

The underseal under the Daimler is peeling and coming away, so will need wire brushing and the rust addressing before being resealed.

The last MoT might not have mentioned structural corrosion - although it was cited in respect of the front and rear subframe mounting areas back in 2017 - but the service that was carried out at the end of 2022 did pick up on some corrosion on the front chassis legs, so now would be the ideal time to catch it before it gets any worse.

Oh, and we’re told that one of the front foglamps doesn’t work, although the seller thinks it’s just a bulb.

Supplied new by Stratstone of Mayfair in August 2001 with just ten miles on the clock, its care was then entrusted to The Jaguar Centre in Cheltenham. It stayed here for its first three services before passing to independent specialist Graham Hill Autos of Barnstaple.

It stayed in the Devon area and made repeated trips to Graham Hill Autos for servicing until 2013. There’s a break in the records until 2018 – although it only clocked up another 7,000 miles or so in that time - when Sovereign Motors of Bristol took up the baton, carrying out two further services. The car’s most recent service was carried out by Horsham Motor Services in September 2022, at which time the air-conditioning was recharged.

The service history is recorded as follows:

· 05.12.2002 and 10,072 miles – service by The Jaguar Centre in Cheltenham

· 26.07.2002 and 22,080 miles – service by The Jaguar Centre in Cheltenham

· 04.08.2004 and 30,117 miles – service by The Jaguar Centre in Cheltenham

· 13.02.2007 and 41,943 miles – service by Graham Hill Autos

· 29.02.2008 and 46,707 miles – service by Graham Hill Autos

· 11.09.2008 and 49,739 miles – service by Graham Hill Autos

· 15.09.2011 and 61,450 miles – service by Graham Hill Autos

· 02.08.2013 and 64,816 miles – service by Graham Hill Autos

· 19.07.2018 and 73,253 miles – service by Sovereign Motors

· 02.09.2020 and 80,288 miles – service by Sovereign Motors

· 07.09.2022 and 82.147 miles – service by Horsham Motor Services

There are a few other invoices for work over the years including a big one from 2022 for £2,000 from Horsham Motor Services for brake and suspension work to remedy the advisories raised during the previous MoT; please take the time to leaf through that as a lot of important work was carried out and it goes to the heart of the seller’s attitude towards the maintenance of his cars.

The Daimler’s MoT certificate, which is valid until October 2023, was gained without a single advisory as a result.

The Daimler also comes with its the book pack and the recent Vehicle History Check is clean

In need of some TLC in its near future, this is a Daimler that’s well worth catching before it starts its decline into banger status. Running well and with an impressive history, the list of jobs to do is short and well within the capabilities of the average car enthusiast and a relatively modest investment of time and money would see the car transformed.

The result would be the prettiest of all the luxury saloons in its price range and, with 380bhp on tap, you’ll have one of the fastest, too. Capable of wafting you down to the South of France while also offering staggering back-road performance, few cars balance luxury and sporting prowess better.

The sum you’ll need to make it yours is likely to be modest. We think this one will fetch somewhere between £7,000 and £10,000 - but as it’s being offered with no reserve it’s going to sell, no matter what.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.