2009 Jaguar X358 3.0

Built in 2009 on the short-wheelbase chassis, ‘LF09 CSX’ is finished in Midnight Pearl with the extended Nappa Barley hide interior. It sits on BBS Takoba alloy wheels too, which work in conjunction with that SWB body and CATS suspension to retain the classic XJ silhouette. 

It’s also one of the last X358s built, so Jaguar had really got its eye in by the time this one rolled off the production line – and that’s not all, because this little gem went straight Japan, a country that’s renowned for the care with which it looks after its cars. 

It arrived back here in July after the combination of right-hand drive, no modifications, a verified 48,897 miles on the odometer, and only two owners attracted the seller’s eye.

In fact, he was so impressed he went on to invest almost £2,800 in pre-sale preparation to ensure the winning bidder will be the proud owner of a car that combines the XJ’s classic lines without the rust and neglect that are inevitable after 16 years of exposure to winter salt.

We are told that the Midnight Pearl paintwork, which is Diamond Metallic Pearl with multicolor prism metallic flake comprising flecks of red, green and blue that shimmer in the sunlight, is still original, with all the many benefits that brings. 

Virtually unmarked – and with a colour this dark any flaws, no matter how minor, would be highlighted – it has been treated to a four-stage body preparation regimen that included a full machine polish followed by a ceramic coating. 

Of course, if the paintwork, which was only used on this model, is the original then so are the panels, and these too show off the quality of the car’s curation by way of factory-alignment, barely visible shutlines, and an overall air of solidity.

Even the vulnerable areas like the four corners of the bumpers and the complex door mirrors are free of scuffs and scrapes. The lamp lenses are free of chips and cracks too, the badges are bright and shiny, and the double-glazed acoustic glass is flawless.

As are the 20-inch BBS Takoba alloy wheels, which are unique to the model. Despite being fitted with (brand new with a build date of 2024) 255/35ZR20 Powertrac EcoSport X77 low-profile tyres, they’re free of even the slightest hint of kerbing damage thanks to them having been refurbished in September.

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. 

Other toys include front and rear parking sensors, Xenon headlamps with power wash, upper and lower mesh grilles, front fog lamps, a UK-spec rear numberplate plinth, and a spoiler on the boot lid.

It’s even got a Leaper. 

The extended Jaguar Autolux (Nappa) soft leather trim extends to the seats, door cards, and the center console. The Jaguar ‘leaper’ is embossed on the  headrests too, and the front seats are both heated and cooled, while those in the back have to make do with heating alone. 

The rear seats have a surprising amount of legroom for a SWB car, and the front seats are electrically adjustable, as are the steering column, pedals, and the door mirrors.

And that’s by no means the end of the goodies it’s loaded with as you’ll also find double-glazed acoustic glass, cruise control with a speed limiter, climate control, automatic lights and wipers, and an entertainment system that includes Bluetooth connectivity alongside a sat-nav. 

The radio has been replaced with one that can pick up UK frequencies, the sat-nav now has UK mapping, and the speedometer has been changed to one that reads in miles-per-hour.

Naturally, we are told that everything works as it should. 

The headlining on these always droops, but as the seller has just fitted a new one, that’s one fewer thing to worry about.

Other niceties include aluminium sill tread plates from the Portfolio trim spec, a leather-covered steering wheel, Jaguar fitted overmats, and a unique wood trim you won’t find in any other model. 

The result is a thoroughly modern twist on the wood ‘n’ leather luxury we’ve come to know and love of Jaguar.

Oh, and the cavernous boot is every bit as good as the rest of the interior. 

Clean and flawlessly trimmed, it’s easily big enough to swallow a fortnight’s luggage despite already playing host to the DVD player for the sat-nav, a CD multichanger, a space-saver spare wheel, the tool kit, and a warning triangle. 

No warning lights are illuminated, and the seller conforms that it starts, runs, and drive exactly as it should but then that’s what you get when you invest £2,795 before you offer it for sale.

We’re told that the adaptive air suspension (CATS) also works as it should, partly thanks to diligent maintenance and partly thanks to a recent recalibration. 

The engine bay is sparkling too, but then you could have guessed that, eh?

As always, it’s the underside that best demonstrates the benefits of buying acar that’s spent its life in Japan. Almost completely free of corrosion, only the odd fastener – and we do mean only the odd one – shows any surface rust at all. 

Heck, even the aluminium exhaust heatshields are still in situ and intact.

It is in a remarkable state of preservation, and we can only imagine how much better our automotive lives would be should the UK government follow Japan’s lead and stop using salt.

The Jaguar’s MoT is valid until June 2026, and its two advisories were only for upper ball joint covers.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an imported car, and it comes with two sets of keys.

The history file includes the book pack and wallet, along with the MoT certificate, V5 registration document, the radio security code card, the importation paperwork, the invoice for the work the seller had completed before offering it for sale, and the all-important mileage verification certificate.

The Japanese are sticklers for this sort of thing, so you can take it as read that this will be accurate. Take it as read too that they are as dedicated to adhering to GDPR regulations as they are to proving a car’s mileage, so they have, as is usually the case, retained all the paperwork the car accumulated over the years. 

We mentioned earlier that the Jaguar should return around 27mpg in everyday use, but that’s far from the end of the economy it offers because it is also ULEZ-compliance, should have no uplift for car insurance compared to a UK car, and will set you back just £360 for your annual road tax. 

We’re huge fans of buying cars from Japan as their condition is invariably considerably better than even the most carefully curated UK car.

This one is no example and, should you still be wavering, can we remind you that because this was one of the last X358s to be built Jaguar threw the options catalogue at it, sprinkling it with many of the parts it had previously reserved for the Portfolio range in addition to unique paint, wheels, and wood trim. 

And, while the car that replaced it might have been a good car but it no longer looked like a Jaguar XJ, and for many of us this was a missed opportunity.

However, it means folk are beginning to recognise this is the last XJ to offer modern engineering and convenience wrapped in a classic silhouette.

This surely won’t harm their long-term value, but for now the discerning enthusiast can pick up a car like this for between £10,000 and £12,000.

Even better, it’s being offered with no reserve, so it’s going to sell from the very first bid.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in North London. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.