Life with an XJ220
Discussion
Shaw Tarse said:
Only when I'm in the UK and staying with my Mum. 
keith2.2 said:
Jesus Christ that first picture is about the most perfect image I've ever seen - I want to cry a little bit.
I was at the NEC watching the XJ220 spinning around on a turntable at the Motorshow on it's release, aged about 7. It's remained a unicorn ever since, and they just seem to be more and more incredible and desirable as the years pass.
Interestingly enough I was there too. Dragged my dad to the NEC straight from school to see the car on press day. I was at the NEC watching the XJ220 spinning around on a turntable at the Motorshow on it's release, aged about 7. It's remained a unicorn ever since, and they just seem to be more and more incredible and desirable as the years pass.
A quick shot of the big green thing tucked up where she lives when I'm not driving it. It's a little different from stock having worked on ironing out some of the creases. It’s now running in the realms of 680 hp (up almost 140 from the stock car), with upgraded suspension, BBS three piece wheels, upgraded brakes (they were never amazing, but never great either), and a couple of extra tweaks for good measure. I've had a seat drop mod added and a bigger boot conversion so it can take a carry on suitcase and a lap-top bag in the bag. It might sound minimal, but it makes a huge difference when it comes to using it and putting the miles it deserves under it's belt.
Podie said:
Would that work be with Don Law Racing? (I seem to recall they've done a lot of development work)
You got it. Don and Justin effectively bought the XJ220 brand many a year ago and have tasked themselves with keeping them alive, developing them and ensuring people like myself have the best experience possible. The fun stuff they are creating is trouser twitching stuff. Like this monster with an 800hp+ motor on MOTEC, Le Mans spec suspension and brakes and heavily lightened architecture.
Edited by RS_Phil on Wednesday 7th September 16:26
DoubleD said:
Be interested to know how the boot mod works? Where did they find the extra space?
I'll try and dig out a photo to explain visually for you. In effect though, the removal of the silencers released space for a deeper version of the stock 'drop in' boot section. Such a simple mod, but one that makes a massive difference. MrC986 said:
Podie said:
Spotted on Petrolicious... http://petrolicious.com/don-law-racing-is-where-th...
I guess the Petrolicious article saves Phil some initial words though it'd be good to hear from an owner rather than a writer what it's like to own one day to day & how special it is every time you climb in & turn the key. Thanks for posting though Phil 
Xaero said:
Top of my lottery list that car too. I remember when I first set sight on one at Beaulieu. I just had to stand there for a moment and take it in. Such a presence.
It still has that effect. I can slurp through more than a couple of cups of tea and just stare at it. Wife thinks I'm insane as you can imagine. 
lee_fr200 said:
Well unless you take me for a spin I'm never going to know what sort of event it is so please tell us what it's like to live with on a daily basis, you ever been to the shops in her or is it simply a toy what's it like to drive and how does it make you feel
What other cars you got and how does it compare
Yes to the shops, yes for inane drives for no reason other than a pack of smokes. At slow speed there is no hiding from the fact it drives like a boat. Heavy, disconnected, you're very conscious of the long gearing as you spend so much time living in 1st/2nd gear and dragging the clutch here there and everywhere.What other cars you got and how does it compare
How does it compare to other cars I have? It doesn't plain and simple. Feels like a spaceship from inside made even more interesting by a heavily reclined driving position. Don't get me wrong, it's a great seating position with pedals and the steering wheel pin straight ahead of you. It's just odd jumping out of my Westy and into the Jag.
SturdyHSV said:
Presumably the stereo doesn't launch itself out of the dash under acceleration as Clarkson demonstrated? 
Negative. Never had that happen. In fact I've never experienced the car in the way he described at the time other than it's raw pace. Was very happy sitting behind a spiritedly driven P1 last summer. ikarl said:
I have so many silly questions;
what reaction do you get when you take it to the petrol station?
how much fuel does it take? do you fill it?
how long does a set of rear tyres last?
what's the most expensive 'consumable' that made you think "ooft"?
do you have any videos you can link to of the exhaust noise with the new exhaust?
any interior pictures?
do you ever take it out when the weather isn't 100% ok? if so, what's it like to drive if the weather takes a turn for the worse?
One at a time then...what reaction do you get when you take it to the petrol station?
how much fuel does it take? do you fill it?
how long does a set of rear tyres last?
what's the most expensive 'consumable' that made you think "ooft"?
do you have any videos you can link to of the exhaust noise with the new exhaust?
any interior pictures?
do you ever take it out when the weather isn't 100% ok? if so, what's it like to drive if the weather takes a turn for the worse?
Petrol station fills are always fun. Never fail to engage in conversation with someone that either hasn't seen one since 1988, saw one once, worked for the Jag, knew someone that worked for the Jag etc etc. I've had the pleasure of making friends with people that hunted my down and stopped in a petrol station. Oddly enough.
Yup, she gets filled. False economy to run it on the drippers.
Up until yesterday, tyres were tricky to come by. Bridgestone are now remaking them with Don Law Racing. I've run the set it's wearing now for the past 12000kms.
The most expensive consumable is the labour time. It's a more cost effective car to run than you would think.
Video will be posted soon. I've got a few dotted around.
Only interior pic I have on file...
Yes of course, she gets driven rain or shine. You just have to be very progressive with your inputs and be sensible. Just like any sports car really. It's not a monster.
Edited by RS_Phil on Thursday 8th September 15:44
Blayney said:
Thank you for starting this thread. Absolutely brilliant.
My favourite out of all the super cars from around that time. I had a VHS about it as a kid that I used to watch all the time. I also had that tin and used it for a pencil case too, until two lads decided to cave it's roof in... still pains me that.
Just wonderful.
Few questions, sorry if you've already answered I got distracted by the photos.
How long have you owned it?
- Just passed three years of ownership now. I usually get to drive it for circa two months of the year.
How many miles have you put on it?
- Just passed 16'000kms as I dropped it with Don three weeks ago. I've done about 10'000kms of those.
What's been your favourite moment with it so far?
- Favourite moment by a country mile would be the night I couldn't sleep, jumped out of bed at 2.30am and drove to Lands End from Warwick, to watch the sunrise, have a ciggy, a cuppa and drive back.
Would you ever part with it, or is it a forever kind of car?
- It's been a dream since the 1988 motorshow, all the XJ220 toys, posters, working at Jaguar, getting to know those involved in the creation of the car etc.. She's going nowhere right now.
My favourite out of all the super cars from around that time. I had a VHS about it as a kid that I used to watch all the time. I also had that tin and used it for a pencil case too, until two lads decided to cave it's roof in... still pains me that.
Just wonderful.
Few questions, sorry if you've already answered I got distracted by the photos.
How long have you owned it?
- Just passed three years of ownership now. I usually get to drive it for circa two months of the year.
How many miles have you put on it?
- Just passed 16'000kms as I dropped it with Don three weeks ago. I've done about 10'000kms of those.
What's been your favourite moment with it so far?
- Favourite moment by a country mile would be the night I couldn't sleep, jumped out of bed at 2.30am and drove to Lands End from Warwick, to watch the sunrise, have a ciggy, a cuppa and drive back.
Would you ever part with it, or is it a forever kind of car?
- It's been a dream since the 1988 motorshow, all the XJ220 toys, posters, working at Jaguar, getting to know those involved in the creation of the car etc.. She's going nowhere right now.
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