Buyer’s Guide — Daimler 250
What to know before buying a Daimler 250 V8.
Overview
The Daimler 250 V8 (also known as the Daimler 2.5 V8 or V8-250) was produced from 1962 to 1969. It is essentially a Jaguar Mk 2 fitted with Daimler’s own 2,548 cc hemispherical head V8 engine designed by Edward Turner. Approximately 17,600 were built. The Daimler V8 engine is lighter, smoother, and more torquey than the equivalent Jaguar six-cylinder, making it a connoisseur’s choice.
What to Look For — Body & Chassis
| Monocoque | Shares the Jaguar Mk 2 unibody structure. Check inner and outer sills — they are structural and expensive to repair properly. |
| Rear Wheel Arches | The most common and serious rust area. Check for filler and bubbling paint inside and out. |
| Floors | Check front and rear floor pans from above and below. Water enters through deteriorated seals. |
| Boot Floor | Rusts around the spare wheel well and fuel tank area. |
| Door Bottoms | Rust at the bottom edges of doors. Check both inside the door skin and along the bottom lip. |
| Front Subframe | Check mounting points for corrosion. The subframe carries the engine, steering, and front suspension. |
What to Look For — Mechanical
| Engine | The Turner V8 is a superb engine — smooth, torquey, and relatively simple. Check oil pressure (40+ psi when driving). Listen for tappet noise — hydraulic tappets can rattle if oil has not been changed regularly. Head gasket failure is the main concern. |
| Automatic Gearbox | Most 250 V8s are automatic (Borg-Warner). Check for smooth shifts, no slipping, and clean fluid. Manual cars are very rare and highly sought-after. |
| Cooling | The V8 runs cooler than the Jaguar six but still check radiator condition and water pump for leaks. |
| Brakes | Four-wheel disc brakes — excellent when working properly. Check for warped discs, seized calipers, and servo operation. |
| Power Steering | Check for leaks and operation. The system shares components with Jaguar. |
| Rear Axle | Salisbury axle — listen for differential whine. Check for oil leaks at the pinion seal and half-shaft seals. |
Parts Availability
Good, though not quite as comprehensive as for the Jaguar Mk 2. Body and chassis parts are shared with the Jaguar and readily available. V8 engine-specific parts (heads, manifolds, Turner V8 internals) are less common but available through Daimler and Jaguar specialists. The Daimler & Lanchester Owners’ Club is an excellent resource.
What a Good One Should Feel Like
Effortlessly smooth and refined. The V8 should be silky quiet at idle with a subtle burble from the exhaust. Acceleration should be strong and progressive with no hesitation. The automatic gearbox should shift smoothly and almost imperceptibly. Steering should be light and precise. The ride should be supple and quiet with no rattles or wind noise. It should feel like a small luxury car that happens to have genuine sporting performance.
Price Guide (Approximate, 2026)
| Project / Needs Work | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Good Driver (Automatic) | $35,000 – $55,000 |
| Excellent / Restored | $60,000 – $90,000 |
| Manual Gearbox Premium | Approx. 30–50% more than equivalent automatic |
The Daimler 250 V8 has historically been undervalued compared to the Jaguar Mk 2, making it excellent value. Manual cars are very rare and highly prized.