2001 Daimler Super V8

Though we’d forgive you for thinking it, this saloon isn’t actually a Jaguar, it’s the crinkle-grilled Daimler sibling. In this instance, the long wheelbase Super V8. As it was made in 2001, this Super has the upgraded AJ27S engine with its constantly variable valve timing. It’s also force-fed air by a supercharger, the same as its Jaguar XJR-badged cousin. It’s a rare old beast this one. Out of the 126,260 XJ8s of this X308 generation made, only 2387 came with this combination of LWB Daimler opulence and supercharged 4.0-litre engine. More than 20 years later, that number’s plummeted. According to DVLA figures, there are now fewer than 200 left on our roads.

Displaying 81,510 miles, this saloon’s previous owners have seemingly enjoyed it – though not excessively so. The one before the current vendor bought this Daimler in 2017 – the vendor bought it in Sept 2021. He’s only selling it because he found a Mk9 Jaguar to replace it and who can blame him? This Daimler version of the XJ8 is the most opulent of the bunch, even given the Vanden Plas designation in the US. Rear seat passengers in this Daimler are treated to such refinements as heated and electrically reclining seats, Alpine speakers, the famous wooden fold-down picnic tables and rear window blinds. All in all, this Daimler was a match for the best exec expresses continental manufacturers had to offer.

Black isn’t a forgiving shade. In fact, it’s a nightmare to keep clean and shows up every single mark. While this Daimler has survived the onslaught of British roads for over two decades in fine fashion, it hasn’t got away unscathed. As usual, the frontend bore the brunt of the fire from kicked-up stones. Though there’s also some damage to the offside base of the front splitter, which looks as though it’s been dragged over a high kerb. The paint has suffered some slight dulling in the same area, with some further small stone chips around the headlights – though the latter aren’t cloudy. The famous crinkly Daimler grille is still looking bright and free of any serious marks. In fact, the chrome all over the car – of which there’s a load – all appears to be very good, with just a few light scratches to the wing mirrors the main niggles.

The vendor reports that the previous owner gave him a list of parts that were replaced (which we’ll get to later) but on that list were the set of Continental Sport Contact tyres that remain fitted. According to the previous owner, these were fitted in the past four years and visually, that claim certainly seems to add up (though there’s no paperwork to confirm).

Generally, the paintwork has held up well, we did spot a few areas that would probably benefit from a bit of localised attention from a body shop – if your aim is to make this Daimler a show winner that is, if not, it’s perfectly presentable as it is. There’s some very light bubbling under the paint on both bottom corners of the rear window, on the rear deck. We also clocked a similarly small patch of bubbling on the nearside rear wheel arch. There’s also a fairly deep scratch just under the electric aerial on the offside rear wing.

The condition of the cabin is arguably of even more importance with a luxury saloon and this Daimler certainly doesn’t disgrace itself in this regard. There are deep pile carpets (protected by Jaguar-branded over mats), quality wood trim and sumptuous leather. The latter is a mixed bag here. The front seats are looking a little warn and dirty but are still sound, the rears seem to be in excellent shape. The wood throughout also looks to be highly presentable. We also like the ‘D’ emblems stitched into the headrests, a nice touch. Oh, and who could miss that essential 2000s accessory, the Motorola phone in the centre armrest?

In the huge boot, the spare tyre seems to be absent but we did spot the polystyrene tidy for the jack and wheel brace. There’s also the additional tool kit that’s not only complete but still comes largely covered in its original cellophane. The boot carpet looks great and there’s even a CD autochanger in here, nestled neatly on the nearside. There is a little sagging to the headlining, however. This is most advanced around the sunroof aperture but the fabric’s also hanging down a little over the nearside rear.

Though generally it’s looking rather good under this Daimler, there are a few spots that require some attention to avoid a welding bill. There’s plenty of surface corrosion on most of the suspension and steering components, plus the floors and sills, though this doesn’t seem to be a cause for concern. Where the factory underseal has come away (front outer edges of the floors) the orange menace has become a little more advanced. There are also two areas listed on the MoT history that concerned the tester enough to mark them as advisories back in 2017 and they’ve yet to be sorted. These are located in both the front and rear subframe mounting areas, which are certainly worth inspecting further at the very least. The good news is that there appear to be some new drop links on both sides of the front suspension. Though the MoT history also lists some wear in the rest of the anti-roll bar and upper suspension bushes to keep a close eye on.

Lifting this Daimler’s huge bonnet is aided by a pair of gas struts that are still proving helpful. The sound proofing on the underside of the engine lid is also still hanging in well and the plastics in the engine bay look good. Plastic elsewhere is also doing a good job of protecting the underside and suspension, though the arch liner on the offside front has come away, rubbing on the tyre at some point in the past.

Supplied new and pre-inspected by Stratstone of Mayfair, this Daimler was then trusted to The Jaguar Centre in Cheltenham. It stayed here for its first 10k-mile service before passing to independent Graham Hill Autos in Barnstaple. Staying in the Devon area from 2007 to 2013, we see repeated trips to Graham Hill Autos for servicing. Care then takes a break until 2018 when Sovereign Motors in Bristol takes up the baton, carrying out two further services and bringing care up-to-date.

The vendor tells us that when he corresponded with the previous owner, he provided the following, though there’s only a handful of invoices to back this up. The Mercedes-Benz five-speed transmission was apparently serviced during his ownership (we have a receipt for fluid) and he also had both fuel pumps replaced at a cost of £1k (there is an invoice to prove this one). The brakes have also apparently been swapped in the past five years as have the tyres. The previous owner also mentions that paint correction work was carried out in 2018. He also claims that the timing tensioners were also replaced in the not-too-distant past.

While this Daimler would benefit from a few little cosmetic bits and bobs sorting and at least rust treating and undersealing the underside, there’s a lot more here to recommend. The engine and transmission are reported to work perfectly and with so much power on tap, it must be one hell of a way to waft along the motorway. Wafting is what these big saloons do best too, with softer damping than their more sporting Jaguar counterparts.

This era of modern classic does throw up a number of choices though if you’re looking for a classy and comfy big-engined saloon. There are perhaps the more obvious Mercedes-Benz or BMW alternatives but if you want something a little different – and arguably a lot prettier – then this Daimler makes for an excellent choice. It’s also only going to set you back between £7,000 - £10,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 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’.