RE: PH Heroes: Jaguar XJR-S
Discussion
[quote=XJSJohn]
XJSJohn, Is this a picture of your own car? can you tell me anything about the revised fuel-rail?
I think the XJ-S is probably an age-related car - those that grew up in the 70's love them, everybody else has reservations. A bit like craemola foam!
I have a 1994 4.0L which I absolutely love - it is ideal for cruising around London and belies the outer size with ease. Next month I get my hands on a '79 pre-HE model thes are probably the purest form of the XJ-S.
Other than petrol (which is really only a small percentage of any car's cost) these cars are reletavely cheap to maintain and insure - there is a large specialist spares market and 'classic' insurance - if you like the shape then don't be put off by potential cost - the joy of ownership more than makes up...
XJSJohn, Is this a picture of your own car? can you tell me anything about the revised fuel-rail?
I think the XJ-S is probably an age-related car - those that grew up in the 70's love them, everybody else has reservations. A bit like craemola foam!
I have a 1994 4.0L which I absolutely love - it is ideal for cruising around London and belies the outer size with ease. Next month I get my hands on a '79 pre-HE model thes are probably the purest form of the XJ-S.
Other than petrol (which is really only a small percentage of any car's cost) these cars are reletavely cheap to maintain and insure - there is a large specialist spares market and 'classic' insurance - if you like the shape then don't be put off by potential cost - the joy of ownership more than makes up...
PPC did a buying guide on these a while back the biggest costs were rust and fuel iirc. Also they mentioned this carb kit:
http://www.webcon.co.uk/Downloads/PJA601-Feb07.pdf
http://www.webcon.co.uk/Downloads/PJA601-Feb07.pdf
Great cars, my Dad had one for 4 years, took it to Le Mans 4 times came back on a flat bed twice
(but only due to silly things, and because the french mechanics wouldn't touch it with a bardge pole).
My Dad could keep up with me in my Subaru Impreza P1, it is one fast car, and it has pure grace!
Us at our digs in Le Mans 2004.
(but only due to silly things, and because the french mechanics wouldn't touch it with a bardge pole).My Dad could keep up with me in my Subaru Impreza P1, it is one fast car, and it has pure grace!
Us at our digs in Le Mans 2004.
JohnBlackWatson]JSJohn said:
XJSJohn, Is this a picture of your own car? can you tell me anything about the revised fuel-rail?
There was a recall for the fuel rail due to under bonnet fires. Think it went from round to square or vice versa.Mine hadn't been done and recalls don't ever expire. I contacted Jaguar who approved the recall and I contacted a dealer. They fobbed my off for 2 years saying they couldn't find the parts.....
To be fair I didn't hassle them enough or get the factory involved any further than approving the recall initially. I probably should have done though. This was in around 2000 on a 1982 XJ-S HE.
My father used to own a XJ-S 5.3 V12 HE in a fetching banana yellow finish, very 80's !! I wish he still owned it today as I never had the chance to experience the car as; it was sold before I was born. I would love to relive the era though by the way of a facelift 4.0 celebration: maybe in a year or so once I have the funds to purchase shares in BP then I might be able to afford the running costs !!
P9UNK said:
LuS1fer said:
It took an awful design and made it gruesome. Who in their right mind would design rear lights that were so incredibly fussy and still looked like an afterthought.
back in the day, I was 9 when it came out, it looked very modern and a quick flick through a Motorshow guide of the day (there was a red one front on on the 1976 Daily Mail motor show review) would show you that it did look pretty good beside what else was available. Today it hasn't aged like the classic E-type but back then the E Type looked a bit yesterday and the XJS was tomorrow.Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 6th June 08:41
Great car, great writeup Riggers 
Very fond memories of my next door neighbour who I befriended when I was 17. His dad died and he went out and bought a gold HE which was only a year old.. he was then 27. We spend about 4 years driving to and from Norfolk visiting another mate. These cars are true GT's, eating miles up. Listening to Grace Jones and Pink Floyd on the standard 4 speaker Philips cassette..
If you've never been in one, the description I used then was "It's like sitting on a silk cushion with a rocket up your arse"
Very fond memories of my next door neighbour who I befriended when I was 17. His dad died and he went out and bought a gold HE which was only a year old.. he was then 27. We spend about 4 years driving to and from Norfolk visiting another mate. These cars are true GT's, eating miles up. Listening to Grace Jones and Pink Floyd on the standard 4 speaker Philips cassette..
If you've never been in one, the description I used then was "It's like sitting on a silk cushion with a rocket up your arse"
300bhp/ton said:
Zumbruk said:
I really wanted an XJS until I looked under the bonnet. Absolutely terrifying.
They aren't nearly as bad as they look, except for changing some of the spark plugs.... 
I agree don't knock them until you have tried one. Deceptively quick, I remember the first time I drove one. I pulled down the ramp on to the motor way and thought to myself very nice but more wind noise than I expected.... Hmmm a lot of slow traffic on the road today... Holy sh*t I am doing 120mph!
Having wanted one for some time I took the plunge but did wimp on the V12 going for the 4.0 AJ16 instead. If I had been able to find one of the later 6.0 V12 with the 4 speed auto I would have gone for it.
Having wanted one for some time I took the plunge but did wimp on the V12 going for the 4.0 AJ16 instead. If I had been able to find one of the later 6.0 V12 with the 4 speed auto I would have gone for it.
LuS1fer said:
It took an awful design and made it gruesome. Who in their right mind would design rear lights that were so incredibly fussy and still looked like an afterthought.
I am sure us XJS owners will disagree with both your comments, I just hope your vehicle is the epitomy of design criteria and will stand the test of time as well as all models of XJS, its performance is good, mine has been converted to five speed manual etc etc, ok its not an E Type, was never meant to be. However, I have an equally good E Type to go with it (in my view) and make fine pair of Jaguar models with REAL character, not a modern inert piece of electronic driver aids.Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 6th June 08:41
JohnBlackWatson]JSJohn said:
XJSJohn, Is this a picture of your own car? can you tell me anything about the revised fuel-rail?
Standard V12 fuel rail unless my glasses fell off. !
I think the XJ-S is probably an age-related car - those that grew up in the 70's love them, everybody else has reservations. A bit like craemola foam!
I have a 1994 4.0L which I absolutely love - it is ideal for cruising around London and belies the outer size with ease. Next month I get my hands on a '79 pre-HE model thes are probably the purest form of the XJ-S.
Other than petrol (which is really only a small percentage of any car's cost) these cars are reletavely cheap to maintain and insure - there is a large specialist spares market and 'classic' insurance - if you like the shape then don't be put off by potential cost - the joy of ownership more than makes up...
urquattro said:
Other than petrol (which is really only a small percentage of any car's cost) these cars are reletavely cheap to maintain and insure
lol, petrol was certainly the most expensive and largest percentage during my XJ-S ownership. But I guess that just goes to show that they don't have to break the bank to run otherwise.Reckon my 5.3 averaged around 11mpg most of the time!!!
But it did sound glorious 
Mark-C said:
300bhp/ton said:
Zumbruk said:
I really wanted an XJS until I looked under the bonnet. Absolutely terrifying.
They aren't nearly as bad as they look, except for changing some of the spark plugs.... Anyway I bought an XJR-S a couple of years ago and scrapped it within a month due to terminal rot (yes caveat emptor etc). I am just about recovered enough now to dip my toe again but this time will go for an early 80's HE V12 when I can find a mint example. I still have the original launch brochure with the lovely flared safari suited 'gentleman' wafting around europe. A classic.
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