1992 Jaguar XJR-S
Discussion
Spinakerr said:
I recently has a manual 3.6, my dream car, but sadly too far gone to save. Hopefully this one is much more solid and ready for many more years of conducting a V12 orchestra!
'V12 orchestra', lovely phrase!Tom Walkinshaw's orchestra at its best, conducted by the Man Himself:
WARNING: BMW fans may find some of these images disturbing!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glVHYJxbYNM&no...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2j6yqZg0Q&no...
dbdb said:
It is a beautiful thing.
The XJR-S has a limited slip differential rather than any electronic traction controlsystem.
On a slightly related note, I had the misfortune to experience the primitive traction control system they fitted to X300 V12 and XJR models. It used a vacuum powered servo to tug at the throttle cable. You are much better off without it The XJR-S has a limited slip differential rather than any electronic traction controlsystem.
I have the December '92 issue of Performance Car magazine here in front of me and it is 'Top Ten' of the year issue. Finalists are;
Mazda RX-7
Griffith (4.0)
Alpine A610
Jaguar XJR-S
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
BMW E34 M5
Lancia Delta Integrale
VW Corrado VR6
Aston Martin Virage
Suzuki Cappuccino
Not a bad shortlist there
Mazda RX-7
Griffith (4.0)
Alpine A610
Jaguar XJR-S
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
BMW E34 M5
Lancia Delta Integrale
VW Corrado VR6
Aston Martin Virage
Suzuki Cappuccino
Not a bad shortlist there
L100NYY said:
I have the December '92 issue of Performance Car magazine here in front of me and it is 'Top Ten' of the year issue. Finalists are;
Mazda RX-7
Griffith (4.0)
Alpine A610
Jaguar XJR-S
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
BMW E34 M5
Lancia Delta Integrale
VW Corrado VR6
Aston Martin Virage
Suzuki Cappuccino
Not a bad shortlist there
Great to see the Cappuccino in that company!Mazda RX-7
Griffith (4.0)
Alpine A610
Jaguar XJR-S
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
BMW E34 M5
Lancia Delta Integrale
VW Corrado VR6
Aston Martin Virage
Suzuki Cappuccino
Not a bad shortlist there
Thanks to all for the kind comments.
I've heard a number of commentators over recent years opining that the XJS's time has come. I agree it's been a slow-burn but that it is indeed emerging from a sense of it 'not-being-an-E-type'/'British (BL) cars are rubbish' which blighted its fortunes for a long time. That said, it was a massive seller for Jaguar so they were doing something right. Now, as the prejudice diminishes, and as time and tinworm removes the less-cared-for examples, the remaining cars can only benefit. They are indeed wonderful things.
Already, some of the prices being asked are pretty ridiculous from the usual suspects, although good honest cars are still available for sensible/small money.
So, a week in to ownership and it's so far cost me the indicator bulb and a pair of (tiny) windscreen wipers to stop an irritating judder. Oh, and petrol. Lots of petrol.
I had the great good fortune to discover that a very knowledgeable chap from the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club is local, and spent an hour or so with him. Thankfully, his verdict on the car was a positive one, but I was reminded of the levels of detailed arcane knowledge that is 'out there' that would have been useful to tap into before purchase rather than after. Still, fortune favours the brave Rodney. Or something.
I've added a hundred or so miles to the tally over the weekend. The response to it from other people has been unlike anything I've seen before. Yesterday I had a really nice drive through the Cotswolds; a lady of a 'certain age' that I stopped to let cross the road mouthed 'nice car' (at least I hope that's what she said), and as I filled up with fuel (again), a chap offered 'nice wheels mate'. I'm not usually one for caring what strangers think, but the responses (to it, not me) are noticeable and rather pleasant.
The more you drive, the more you learn. Every wave to another motorist sees you making contact with the windscreen as it's so close to the wheel. I've played with the 1 and 2 settings on the auto gearchange, and now better understand what they do. I thought the aircon worked, now I'm not so sure. The performance still both impresses and amuses; the torque from the 3-speed box is quite something.
Oil and plug change planned for this week, with a more major service to follow once I've driven more and discovered the quirks. I'll keep you updated.
I've heard a number of commentators over recent years opining that the XJS's time has come. I agree it's been a slow-burn but that it is indeed emerging from a sense of it 'not-being-an-E-type'/'British (BL) cars are rubbish' which blighted its fortunes for a long time. That said, it was a massive seller for Jaguar so they were doing something right. Now, as the prejudice diminishes, and as time and tinworm removes the less-cared-for examples, the remaining cars can only benefit. They are indeed wonderful things.
Already, some of the prices being asked are pretty ridiculous from the usual suspects, although good honest cars are still available for sensible/small money.
So, a week in to ownership and it's so far cost me the indicator bulb and a pair of (tiny) windscreen wipers to stop an irritating judder. Oh, and petrol. Lots of petrol.
I had the great good fortune to discover that a very knowledgeable chap from the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club is local, and spent an hour or so with him. Thankfully, his verdict on the car was a positive one, but I was reminded of the levels of detailed arcane knowledge that is 'out there' that would have been useful to tap into before purchase rather than after. Still, fortune favours the brave Rodney. Or something.
I've added a hundred or so miles to the tally over the weekend. The response to it from other people has been unlike anything I've seen before. Yesterday I had a really nice drive through the Cotswolds; a lady of a 'certain age' that I stopped to let cross the road mouthed 'nice car' (at least I hope that's what she said), and as I filled up with fuel (again), a chap offered 'nice wheels mate'. I'm not usually one for caring what strangers think, but the responses (to it, not me) are noticeable and rather pleasant.
The more you drive, the more you learn. Every wave to another motorist sees you making contact with the windscreen as it's so close to the wheel. I've played with the 1 and 2 settings on the auto gearchange, and now better understand what they do. I thought the aircon worked, now I'm not so sure. The performance still both impresses and amuses; the torque from the 3-speed box is quite something.
Oil and plug change planned for this week, with a more major service to follow once I've driven more and discovered the quirks. I'll keep you updated.
Following the links above, this video also popped up - an explanation of that engine by the blokes wot dun it;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPxpPYLW4kw&eb...
- interviewed by the late, great, Raymond Baxter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPxpPYLW4kw&eb...
- interviewed by the late, great, Raymond Baxter.
Another interesting week with the car. I took it into a local garage that is well-regarded for older cars by some chaps I work with. They are good folk, with some experience of V12 Jaguars, but perhaps with not enough of working on the XJS. Anyway, we got it up onto the ramp and I was given a good poke around underneath. It was in better shape generally than I was expecting, and there was little there to cause any frights.
I'd been given some top-tips by the local JEC expert, and had passed on my instructions to the garagiste, possibly with the (certainly unwarranted) result that he thought I knew what I was talking about, and rather deferred to me thereafter. Not really what I needed to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I like deference as much as the next man, but I rather hope my mechanic is going to tell me what's happening, not the other way round.
The first discovery was that the original Champion spark plugs (Champion RS6YCC) are apparently no longer available so we have to find an alternative. I've not yet done any research at all, but any advice gratefully received. Some of the other original Jaguar parts arrived, including oil and air filters, thermostats and sundries, but as he knew I wanted the car for the weekend they did an all-round check-over, greasing and top-ups as required, and then I collected the car. No charge so far, and my confidence in them is high, so I'll take it back for the rest of the major service work.
Added about 200 miles so far this weekend, and am averaging about 18 mpg overall. That reflects quite a lot of fast runs, so maybe it'll improve. Maybe.
Couple of new things I've noticed: a slight creaking from the passenger side rear when crossing sped ramps, and I don't think the cruise control works. The latter doesn't bother me much because I don't like cruise and never use it, but I do like the original features to work. Any ideas on suspension creaks?
I'm still very much in love with it, and have been struck again by the positive responses to the car in general – it still feels interesting and special.
I'd been given some top-tips by the local JEC expert, and had passed on my instructions to the garagiste, possibly with the (certainly unwarranted) result that he thought I knew what I was talking about, and rather deferred to me thereafter. Not really what I needed to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I like deference as much as the next man, but I rather hope my mechanic is going to tell me what's happening, not the other way round.
The first discovery was that the original Champion spark plugs (Champion RS6YCC) are apparently no longer available so we have to find an alternative. I've not yet done any research at all, but any advice gratefully received. Some of the other original Jaguar parts arrived, including oil and air filters, thermostats and sundries, but as he knew I wanted the car for the weekend they did an all-round check-over, greasing and top-ups as required, and then I collected the car. No charge so far, and my confidence in them is high, so I'll take it back for the rest of the major service work.
Added about 200 miles so far this weekend, and am averaging about 18 mpg overall. That reflects quite a lot of fast runs, so maybe it'll improve. Maybe.
Couple of new things I've noticed: a slight creaking from the passenger side rear when crossing sped ramps, and I don't think the cruise control works. The latter doesn't bother me much because I don't like cruise and never use it, but I do like the original features to work. Any ideas on suspension creaks?
I'm still very much in love with it, and have been struck again by the positive responses to the car in general – it still feels interesting and special.
Hello chap. Good to hear all seems to be well. Regarding your suspension creak I has the same on mine over small bumps and when setting off, it ended up being the rubber 'V' mounts from the rear subframe to the body. They are a bit fiddly to do, particularly if they're rusted up. Thankfully when I did mine it was just replacing new but poor quality mounts that I fitted as part of the rebuild that'd failed, so all new bolts etc.
It could well be something else, but I'd put that down as a likely cause.
It could well be something else, but I'd put that down as a likely cause.
I salute you, mon General!
Seriously though that is a stunning car you have bought, especially in that colour combination!
I wasn't a fan of the XJS back in the day, but it seems to keep looking better as time goes by.
I hope your wallet gets treated gently, and that you get much enjoyment from it!
Seriously though that is a stunning car you have bought, especially in that colour combination!
I wasn't a fan of the XJS back in the day, but it seems to keep looking better as time goes by.
I hope your wallet gets treated gently, and that you get much enjoyment from it!
craigjm said:
I am running the same engine in my XJC and I have NGK BR7EFS fitted
The cruise control is probably a leak in the bellows
Thanks - that is what is in mine at the moment. If I can't find the original spec or something regarded as 'better', I'll replace them with more of the same; it certainly seems to run well on them. The cruise control is probably a leak in the bellows
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