1996 Jaguar XJR

With all things considered, the X306 Jaguar XJ seems to be a solid buy, especially for those looking at a mega-powerful saloon which didn’t need a bodykit and a half to prove its potential. While it’s true that the X300 has scored fairly well in reliability over the years, and finding parts won’t be a huge issue, it’s still a 25-year-old car, and rust isn’t going to be its best friend. So finding the right well-cared-for car is crucial. And it’s safe to say that you mightn’t find something as good, especially at the advertised price, as this 1996 Jaguar XJR Supercharged.

It epitomises clean, to start with. The car is a Japanese market LHD re-import, with zero former keepers (just one owner from new in Japan), and has done just over 36,000 miles. It’s also found to be rust-free throughout. With all the tax and import documents in place, it just needs to be registered (which is a straightforward process anyway) and is ready to be driven away by its new (and very lucky) owner.

In addition to the aforementioned, the car’s been specced rather well, with a fair bit of optional extras fitted. The said extras include electrically adjustable seats, steering, and mirrors; cruise control, power fold mirrors, CD changer, heated leather seats, rear blind, climate control, etc.

The XJ40’s design needed to be refreshed for the nineties, and that’s exactly what Jaguar did with the X300. The car retained the middle section of the XJ40, but with a new front and rear, it managed to make the design look almost all-new. On the XJR, there are a few minute differences, in comparison to the standard saloon. For instance, it has a different mesh grille, and the wheels aren’t the same as what you’d find on the regular car, etc. While none of it would give away the sporting intent of the car, keen eyes and enthusiasts will be able to spot the difference; otherwise, it’s a great Q car. And who doesn’t like a sleeper!

This 1996 example, finished in Ice Blue, is everything a slightly understated but powerful car should look like. Having been stored in dry storage, in a temperature-controlled garage, it’s no surprise that the XJR shows no signs of corrosion. And while it was delivered to its owner two and a half decades ago, it still looks new. The body is free from scratches, and the overall finish is undoubtedly great, and the panel gaps are consistent throughout. The lights, badges, chrome trims, everything looks largely in pristine order. The wheels, with nearly new Bridgestone tyres on them, look perfectly fine with no signs of kerb damage.

It doesn’t need to be reiterated, but this is one of the cleanest examples around, and one look at the car explains that.

But if you’re buying a Jaguar, you’d spend more time driving it and not just looking at it, surely? In that case, the cabin won’t disappoint, either. There’s not much difference between this and an XJ, except some added features (and optional extras on this). It’s a well-designed cabin that looks good and feels premium, too. Dove Grey mightn’t be the ideal choice if you wanted something to look more prestigious in 2021, but in the way it’s been appointed, the XJR’s cabin doesn’t feel bad at all.

This one here is a nearly 25-year-old example, so it’s expected to have a few signs of use in the cabin. Surprisingly, finding these signs is going to be more arduous than actually running the car for another 25 years; it’s that well-maintained. The seat bolsters do have a tiny bit of age-related marks, the carpet (especially the mat in the driver’s footwell) needs to be cleaned; that’s largely it. The cabin otherwise looks to be preserved so well that if Jaguar were to induct this into their Jaguar Classic fleet, no one would ever question if the car had ever left Jaguar for a different owner, let alone a new country.

Some of the optional extras on this car include electric steering and seats; there are also power-folding and electrically adjustable mirrors. The vendor mentions that the air conditioner works flawlessly, too. It’s also got a CD changer, cruise control, heated seats, etc. In addition to that, the car has now got a new headliner, which will make its cabin feel fresher.

The X300 was appreciated by its owners as something reliable, comfortable, and worthy of its XJ badge. So the base for the XJR was pretty sorted but instrumental in differentiating the car from the lesser variants is the supercharged version of the AJ16 straight-six engine. And it pretty much remains the centre stage when you talk about the XJR. Of course, one can’t forget the wider tyres mounted on new wheels or the ZF automatic gearbox as seen on this car. And then there are improvements that the retuned suspension and limited-slip differential brought, making it a very fast, controllable luxury car, but it still wasn’t too stiff for everyday use, either.

Having done just 36,000 miles, this 1996 XJR presents the opportunity to own and enjoy a like-new, well-cared-for example. The vendor mentions that it’s a treat on the move, devoid of suspension rattles, but it has smooth brakes, a transmission that shifts perfectly, and it has no differential whine. The engine performs well but without losing its smoothness, and there are no warning lights to worry about, either. The car, always stored in a temperature-controlled garage, has never been driven in the rain, adds the vendor. The underside, as you can see in the photos, shows no signs of rust or damage.

The 1996 Jaguar XJR is a Japanese-market re-import. The car had just one owner overseas, and the new owner will be its first in the UK. The vendor will include all the import and original documents, which means if you win the auction, you’ll just need to contact the DVLA and register it. The tax/duty clearance document can be found in the gallery below.

Jaguar moved to a V8 version of the car after this, which might sound exciting (like it must’ve to new owners) but the reliability of a well-kept AJ16 engine and the added power thanks to the supercharger mean the XJR Supercharged is even more relevant and cherished than the model that followed.

There’s absolutely no doubt it’s one of the cleanest XJs you can buy, and possibly the cleanest XJR. Not just in great shape, the car has been specced well, too, with things like cruise control, rear blinds, CD changer, electrically adjustable seats, leather and wood steering. It has also been maintained well, with just one owner from new in Japan.

The vendor adds that since the car has been pampered from new, you wouldn’t find any signs of fade on the interior leather, wood, or carpet. At an estimated £8,000 - £13,000, that’s going to be a lot of car for that money. And keep in mind that while nearly new (it even has an unused, sealed tool kit), it’s still a performance-focussed car. So you won’t be paying money for just the rarity or low mileage, but actually for a well-made Jaguar that has everything in abundance: grace, space, and pace.

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and as stated this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.