RE: SOTW: Jaguar XJS V12
Discussion
Strawman said:
Apart from being very thirsty are these much worse than other V12 engined cars for reliability? I know they used some cheap electrical connectors in the build which means switches have a habit of not working, but leaving that aside, aren't they quite a reasonable proposition to own.
The engine is fine, ok some of the spark plugs are a bugger to reach and there looks like a lot of pipe work. But they aren't a complex beasty at all 2v per cylinder SOHC. Getting the heads off the block (cast iron and alloy) is a bugger, but probably easier just to swap out a whole engine if it gets to that point.Uncle John said:
V12? Under a grand?
Welcome to a whole world of pain.
My wasn't. I had the gearbox rebuilt (think it cost £200-250 at the time) and I had to replace a couple of hoses that split. And that's pretty much all in over 5 years of ownership. Oh rust was a pain though, but solvable to an extent.Welcome to a whole world of pain.
V12 Migaloo said:
Not wanting to go agaist the grain but I have to say that These V12's are reliable, if you drive them regularly and service them as and when needed. The problem is that people spend 800 quid on a motor that costs nearly a grand to have it serviced and maintained properly. They drive a few hundred miles, then sorn it for 6 months and then expect it to run like a dream afterwards... I have had one for 10 years now, I drive about 7k a year and it costs me about a grand in maintanance, expensive ?? Perhaps but cheaper then any other V12 out there... but hey thats what you have to expect with a V12 as it aint a push rod 4 cylinder..... of course the ancillaries can go, but generally a good one is bullet proof, if
A) you let it warm up everytime you start it (otherwise the plugs will get clogged)
B) make sure you have a clean coolant system
C) change the fluids every 10k.
These are great cars honestly, Im doing Lemans Classic in mine and cant wait. Go on do it, spoil yourselves, buy a V12, you know you want too.....
Lovely looking car! I think the same applies to virtually all cars old and new, use them and look after them and they should be reliable.A) you let it warm up everytime you start it (otherwise the plugs will get clogged)
B) make sure you have a clean coolant system
C) change the fluids every 10k.
These are great cars honestly, Im doing Lemans Classic in mine and cant wait. Go on do it, spoil yourselves, buy a V12, you know you want too.....
As TopGear have said and I agree, nearly all Jaguars look better as they get older. The XJS in an incredibly distinctively styled car that is proportioned like no car is today.
There's definately one in my "virtual garage"; it's parked next to a late S3 V12 Sovereign & Daimler Double Six.
There's definately one in my "virtual garage"; it's parked next to a late S3 V12 Sovereign & Daimler Double Six.
The Jag V12 is actually quite a simple and nice engine to work on - I've worked on a couple and its only a 2valve per cylinder single overhead arrangement and once you've got through all the hoses and leads and inlet manifolds its actually quite accessible. The down side is the sheer cost of parts due to the quantity required - 12 plugs and leads and the daimler double six I serviced took a ridiculous amount of oil too from what I remember I'm sure it was around 12/13 litres?
hairykrishna said:
I bought a £1000 V12 XJS. I made it around 70 miles into the journey home before the gearbox decided I didn't need drive any longer. Lovely machines though. I suspect, based on my experience, that you're better off starting off with a slightly pricer example though...
erm no. The gearbox is a GM item and used in hundreds of other vehicles. All that happens is people fail to change the fluid and the filter in them and it causes undue wear. It does mean a rebuild (although just a fluid and filter change might bring it back to life). But it's hardly the end of the world or a sign of an unreliable car, just a car that hasn't been maintained as it should have been. And in all honesty just as likely to happen to a £6k example as it is a £1k one.
Ran a 3.6xjs auto in red for 7 yrs, replaced a few suspension items as req'd, gearbox went pop one fine day (lost reverse) due to shared engine coolant getting in. Different 'box to the v12 but without a common mod to cooling being done, many jags share this fate I think. Was a truly lovely place to be in that cabin and it must be said the ladies all seemed to love it!
That makes for a very brave shed .... but lovely none the less. Wanted one as soon as they came out (I was 11), nearly bought one at 25 and finally scratched the itch a couple of years ago. I know they are not pretty but I think they are a handsome car and a wonderful place to sit and waft with some poke when needed.
Mine's a 4.0 AJ6 ... every time I've looked under the bonnet of a V12 I've felt a little faint
Mine's a 4.0 AJ6 ... every time I've looked under the bonnet of a V12 I've felt a little faint
My old man bought one of these with an MOT 2 years ago for £500 it was the 3.6 sport model that is meant to handle better than the V12 and is def far better on fuel (never gotten below 20 mpg yet but never over 23 either!) the V12 well known for being around 8/10 mpg when driven as intended.
The body was a bit shabby it needed a new front cross member the interior needed sorting and it needed some head work. Parts are easy and cheap enough especially 2nd hand with quite a few renowned genuine Jag specialists about. Now it is finished it runs great very comfy picks it’s feet up nicely and sounds lovely, it really is an underrated car I would think sooner than later prices will increase. It gets many nice comments off passersby and he loves it to bits!
A few before and after pics:
http://s687.photobucket.com/albums/vv240/Toehold1/...
The body was a bit shabby it needed a new front cross member the interior needed sorting and it needed some head work. Parts are easy and cheap enough especially 2nd hand with quite a few renowned genuine Jag specialists about. Now it is finished it runs great very comfy picks it’s feet up nicely and sounds lovely, it really is an underrated car I would think sooner than later prices will increase. It gets many nice comments off passersby and he loves it to bits!
A few before and after pics:
http://s687.photobucket.com/albums/vv240/Toehold1/...
Edited by sonofbarefoot on Friday 8th June 12:06
watch out for any evidence of overheating as these engines dont like getting too hot and with an aging cooling system and a hot day in traffic it is easy for the needle to climb, my father in law had an E type and my brother in laws tended to top it up with plain tap water as they knew no better, then wondered why changing radiators, stats and hoses didnt solve the overheating issues.
B10 said:
Mr 300BHP is that a Jowett Jupiter in the background?
I think it might be. It was housed in what was a barn, sadly the barn completely fell apart in a storm (damaging several other vehicles). I was tempted with it, but it belonged to someone else and needed huge amounts of work.Whats brave to one is stupid to another - at that price I suspect it would be less painful to go to your local garage, drop your trousers and let the mechanics take turns at shoving monkey wrenches up your backside....
The one in the add looks suspiciously like one that a mate purchased cheaply a couple of years ago, he quickly got shut when a large number of potentially ruinous faults started to show. However it was a lovely looking thing that drove nicely while he had it.
Wouldn't try and take one at shed money unless i was more competent with the spanners, but one at a more realistic value would be a nice thing to tool around in.
That one posted by Sonofbearfoot looks lovely though!
The one in the add looks suspiciously like one that a mate purchased cheaply a couple of years ago, he quickly got shut when a large number of potentially ruinous faults started to show. However it was a lovely looking thing that drove nicely while he had it.
Wouldn't try and take one at shed money unless i was more competent with the spanners, but one at a more realistic value would be a nice thing to tool around in.
That one posted by Sonofbearfoot looks lovely though!
300bhp/ton said:
B10 said:
Mr 300BHP is that a Jowett Jupiter in the background?
I think it might be. It was housed in what was a barn, sadly the barn completely fell apart in a storm (damaging several other vehicles). I was tempted with it, but it belonged to someone else and needed huge amounts of work.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff