1992 Jaguar XJR-S

[craigjm]

http://www.sparkplug-crossreference.com/convert/CH...

[CharlesdeGaulle]

That's useful, thanks. Just noticed that the NGK ones aren't on that list though.

As an aside, what oil do you use?

[craigjm]

Its got Castrol GTX 15-40 in it at the moment. Im unsure on oil to be honest

[bomma220]

Regarding the oil, I did have the honour of a chat with Tom Walkinshaw (not just about oil, thankfully!) after one of his fabled victories in the ETC series back in the 80's. I was running a 5.3 XJS at the time & had a lot of conflicting advice on which oil to use. He said synthetic 10w/60 in the V12 - 'ye sling any other ste in them it'll score the bores' delivered in his Glaswegian brogue...

[craigjm]

bomma220 said:

Regarding the oil, I did have the honour of a chat with Tom Walkinshaw (not just about oil, thankfully!) after one of his fabled victories in the ETC series back in the 80's. I was running a 5.3 XJS at the time & had a lot of conflicting advice on which oil to use. He said synthetic 10w/60 in the V12 - 'ye sling any other ste in them it'll score the bores' delivered in his Glaswegian brogue...

I have considered 10/60 Castrol might use it at the next service but theirs is fully synthetic and i wonder how it will run if its been on mineral for years

[bomma220]

craigjm said:

bomma220 said:

Regarding the oil, I did have the honour of a chat with Tom Walkinshaw (not just about oil, thankfully!) after one of his fabled victories in the ETC series back in the 80's. I was running a 5.3 XJS at the time & had a lot of conflicting advice on which oil to use. He said synthetic 10w/60 in the V12 - 'ye sling any other ste in them it'll score the bores' delivered in his Glaswegian brogue...

I have considered 10/60 Castrol might use it at the next service but theirs is fully synthetic and i wonder how it will run if its been on mineral for years

I would say put the best in mate, irrespective of what's been put into it in the past.

[craigjm]

bomma220 said:

I would say put the best in mate, irrespective of what's been put into it in the past.

yeah but i dont want it to burn it within a week haha

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I washed it today in anticipation of a mini-meet in the Lakes next weekend.

It's this one if anyone is interested in coming along; the more the merrier:

0a said:

A quick reminder that we have an imminent barge 1-5 meet up. All are welcome - barge or no barge! It's a state of mind (a bad one?) rather than ownership of a particular vehicle!

Date: Sunday 1st May 2016 at Midday

Location: The Lakeland Motor Museum - https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=UTF-8&hl=en-...

Link: http://doodle.com/poll/ca8kvfwu3ieka4hg

A nice excuse for a look at our cars and a coffee and look around the museum.

I know the 200-odd miles will take their toll, but I'm overseas again this week and won't have time to do anything before setting off, so an early wash and refuel seemed appropriate.

[Fresh Prince]

That is a beautiful, beautiful car. Although I no longer have my E39 528i, if I wasn't abroad this weekend I would have come along to the mini-meet. Catching a glimpse of this alone would be worth it, let alone what else might be showing up. Enjoy the journey.

[LewG]

Enjoy your trip, the only thing it'll take a toll on is your wallet! I drove to Wales and back in mine and it was just fabulous. Absolutely effortless on the motorways and surprisingly capable on the larger open Welsh roads, a lovely place to be for the duration too. The only criticism I had was the absence of room for your left leg, not surprising though with a V12 sharing the space

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Well I have had my first proper expenditure on the car; not a 4-figure bill but a fairly hefty 3-figure one. A full service has now brought the old girl up to peak condition once again, and some investigative work was done to check out the radio and aircon.

Diagnostics suggests that it's the radio itself which is defective and hence not working. All of the associated electrical stuff seems fine. It's not bad news really because it means I can fit something that's more in-keeping. Any recommendations?

The aircon was also investigated. The coolant was low, but the dye test indicates no leaks and the coolant has been replaced. Direct power shows that the compressor works, and then the aircon works effectively, but there appears to be a problem with the switch. They haven't traced it properly yet as I wanted the car back for the weekend and a JEC event at Sudeley Castle, but I think it's good news that it's a switch rather than something more expensive. At least I hope so.

Not much more to report really, except to say that I'm really enjoying it and still get a buzz each time I look back at it as I walk away.

[ollyh1988]

I think the XJS is getting better and better looking. My parents had a late 4.0 convertible and at the time I wasn't totally sold on it (especially the convertible aspect) - but now I really wish they'd kept it as they look like nothing else out there. Very special car.

[craigjm]

What functionality do you want from the audio and what is your budget?

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I suppose bringing it up to modern i-pod compatibility would be nice, although it doesn't bother me particularly, and I'd want it to operate the CD changer in the boot, otherwise I'm open. Not anything that looks too funky.

Is a couple of hundred quid a sensible amount to spend - I've no idea really.

[craigjm]

How about an original unit -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-XJS-FACELIFT-STER...

You could then fit a Dension link or similar to give it iPod functionality and retain the use of the CD changer.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

A second hand original unit is a good idea, and I may well do just that. That one looks a little damaged and a bit manky, but I'll keep an eye out for a nice one. Thanks.

[craigjm]

Yeah I didnt look closely at it just posted for an example. I think most modern single DIN units will look a bit too blingy and the "classic" audio units tend to be more fitting with 70s and earlier.

[Jodyone]

A few modern "mechless" head units are looking a lot plainer again, and more appropriate for an elegant older interior. I chose a Pioneer 560BT for my Merc W123 (I've moved it into my W126) that looks simpler than it does in those marketing pictures- it reads as a simple black rectangle in the car, and fits pretty well I think. It also has USB and aux inputs in the back, so input leads can be hidden somewhere discreet; a tiny microphone which I've hidden at the top of the A pillar; and very good bluetooth/handsfree integration.

I'll take some pics if you're interested...

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Jodyone, I'd appreciate a picture if you don't mind. My local garage have suggested a replacement new or second hand radio and single CD player, but I'm open to all options.

[craigjm]

http://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/blaupunkt-classi...