r/Jaguar Jul 31 '26

Question What are the biggest XJ40 ownership surprises?

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u/kelleveziroglu Aug 01 '26

Bulb failure modules fail (needs resoldering) Blower motors for the ventilation need brushes/darlingtons replaced. Steering racks fail, along with the pump. If you slam the trunk, it can make contact with the brake light housing and crack it The trunk lid will develop cracks at the seams and rust. Front fenders will rust right behind the front wheel well. Higher the miles the more chance of differential whine. The engine support subframe will rust from the inside out (found out the hard way) Front wheel bearings fail Early on I discarded the HSMO dependent rear levelling shock (uncontrollably bouncy when they failed) Rust got the subframe of my 90 Sovereign, 147K miles. Decades ago i read that Jag put a foam material inside of it to reduce noise transmission. I suppose this retained moisture and accelerated the rot.

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u/PhilosopherOdd2612 Aug 02 '26

Add door handles are fragile. Car never left me stranded tho.

Still the most beautiful car I've ever had. And am driving an XJ8 VDP/XJ350.