SOTW: Daimler XJ40 Auto
No, it's not a Jaguar. Well, okay, it kind of is...
This week’s shed is from the ‘plush Jaguar’ stable of Daimlers and, though it is sad to see a once proud nameplate reduced to little more than a trim level, this Daimler XJ40 has nothing to be ashamed of.
As far as we can work out, the main distinguishing features of this Daimler - apart form the grille and badges - are different seat designs, better quality leather and a higher level of general trim quality.
The engine - the 221bhp 3.6 - is sound and unsmoky (says the vendor), and the gearbox is also apparently solid, so it should be capable of still delivering sub 9-second 0-60mph times (we probably wouldn’t try too many traffic-light GPs, mind).
XJ40s are always a bit of a punt, and condition and history are crucial, so the fact that there is plenty of paperwork with this one is a definite plus.
Downsides? Both passenger side doors don’t work, the roof lining’s a bit saggy and we’re told ‘not to expect concours condition’ with the bodywork. Which would be worrying were it not for the £725 price - and that could no doubt be negotiated down a quid or two, especially since the vendor admits he needs to make a sale.
Advert is reproduced below
Daimler XJ40 3.6 Auto - Long MOT, FSH, Rare Spec (1988)
£725
** MUST SELL - NEED THE SPACE **
11 Months MOT
Metallic Bordeaux Red with Full Electric Heated Leather
Approx 135k miles
Based on the Jaguar XJ40 Saloon - but a much more rare and desirable car. Not many of these were made...
Very High Specification Car:
Full Cream Leather Interior
Electric Front Seats
Heated Front Seats
Rear Walnut Picnic Tables
Rear Blinds
Walnut & Chrome Trim
Trip Computer
Electric Windows x4
Electric Sunroof
Electric Doors Mirrors
Central Locking
Vanity Lighting
Climate Control
Rear Passenger Venting
* Every Single MOT from NEW!
* Lots of Bills and Receipts - including one for over £2k back in 1991!
* Jaguar Service Booklet and Dealer Manuals
ENGINE / MECHANICAL:
Mechanically 100% Sound - drives absolutely spot on: No leaks, bangs, knocks or untoward sounds.
Pulls well through every gear, and the gear changes are smooth, effortless and seamless, like a Daimler of this calibre should be.
Has plenty of grunt from the 3.6 litre unit, which has is renowned for being robust:
AJ6 Engine
3590 cc
Straight Six Cylinder
DOHC
221 BHP
Starts on the key, no issues whatsoever.
EXTERIOR:
Finished in period Bordeaux Red Metallic, this suits the Daimler really well. When polished, the car has a realy good shine and turns heads everywhere it goes.
Structurally solid: Bodywork has a few scars here and there, but this is a 22 year old car, so you can expect a concours example, unless you're spending over £4k on one!
* Please note - the car is pretty dirty in these photos, as it has been sitting in my office car park for the last couple of weeks. Needs a good wash / wax to bring out the shine, hence the photos don't do it justice!
INTERIOR:
The beige leather trim perfectly compliments the car's Bordeaux Red coachwork.
The interior is in near-immaculate condition. The rear seats are designed for 2 passengers only, and were generally only fitted to these high-spec Daimlers.
Has front electric heated seats, front and rear arm rests, rear blinds and rear picnic tables and walnut / chrome trim all over... You feel real special sitting in this car!
If you have driven a Jag before, then you would know what to expect from one of these. They just glide along, in pure comfort and smoothness. The cabins are such a pleasant to be, but I think the rear passengers are the ones who would feel like royalty!
A car to truly be driven in, or to be as equally enjoyed behind the wheel!
Usual XJ40 Faults:
* The LCD dash works when it wants to. Seems to be a loose connection somewhere, as when you go over a bump, they sometimes come on
* Roof lining is sagging slightly
* Both Rear Passenger and Front Passenger Door do not open from the outside (simple fix)
Apart from these, everything works. Wipers, horn, lights, indicators, heating, windows, etc, all operate the way they should.
SUMMARY:
This is a very rare example of an XJ Daimler. I mean, how many do you ever see up for sale? Just take a look on eBay, Pistonheads, AutoTrader, Car and Classic, etc!
These were a lot more expensive than the regular Jaguar XJ40, costing more than a 3-bedroom house back in it's day!
This was purchased to use as a car for my Engagement Ceremony function, and is now surplus to requirements, as we have just purchased an XJ8 Jag for the Wedding.
One of the nicest XJ40s I have owned and I have owned a handful. Drives better than the X300 I had.
No silly offers, timewasters or dreamers - you will not be tolerated. Sensible offers will be considered....
No warranty given and / or implied. Sold as per eBay Terms & Conditions.
Car is located in Milton Keynes.
Please call 07984 395400 for any further information, or to arrange a viewing.
ETA love how he slags off the V8 engine, and then goes on to say he has bought one to replace this. Does anyone else think that would be a horrible wedding car? It'd be good if it was your own car, but to rent?
It has 11 months MOT so that's pretty much a year's worth of motoring without any major worries. Any small niggles I would try and fix myself, seeing as I can throw a spanner around a little bit.
Keep running it until something medium/big goes wrong, or it fails its MOT.
Then, just throw it in a garage, do odd jobs on it if required and just generally store for a few years. Put it this way, it isn't ever going to worth less, is it.
Once its all done up and worth more, you are in the position to sell it, or carry on wafting!
I would have loved to see what would have happened if the people who DESIGNED these cars carried on to this day, and if the BL group of companies were still alive and individual today.
Imagine choosing between a '10 plate Triumph, Jaguar, Daimler, MG (not MG Rover), TVR, etc etc
I've had 2 XJ40s in the past, what's likely to kill it off will be rust underneath. The front subframe , radiator hanger etc.. will rot eventually, the subframe being a LOT of money to get fixed.
But if that's sound then maybe, although some of the sellers hyperbole should be taken tongue in cheek. The orginal striaght 6 3.6 engine sounded like a bag of old nails to me , seemed fine in the XJS but just too coarse for the XJ. The later 4.0 version was much, much smoother. And only an idiot would prefer the 6 over the v8, any remaining v8 will almost certainly have been sorted by now.
To be honest, the more I think of it , and with the general list of issues/little fixes, I'd run a mile, there must be far better out there for the money or very close to it.
ETA, and just noted that the car has been replaced with an XJ8 - doesn't surprise me
And just noticed the seller is aboard above me, welcome... this has got to be good publicity whatever some of us may say, best of luck selling it!
I had a 3.6, and then a 4.0 Sovereign to replace a series 3 XJ6 a few years ago.... on reflection I should have kept the series 3. Still the Sov was only £150 with tax and test; so I couldn't really complain at the time!
One idea that keeps popping up in my head is chucking the 4.0 AJ6 and four speed auto out of an XJ40 into a series 3; the best of both worlds.
Regards,
Rich
ETA love how he slags off the V8 engine, and then goes on to say he has bought one to replace this. Does anyone else think that would be a horrible wedding car? It'd be good if it was your own car, but to rent?
I would be proud to turn up in either one of the Jags for the wedding.
We are not renting it, my Dad has purchased an XJ8. I did not slag the engine, just said these are less problematic engines, which they are and it's a well-documented fact. We have already had to replace the thermostat housing (common fault) in the XJ8. But, it's still and XJ, and has the drve only an XJ can deliver....
The AJ16 engine in my old X300 Sport wanted for nothing.
And yes, you could buy an X300 for this sort of money, but I, it will probably be a rotter, not have as much service history, etc.
I love all XJ Jags - they are 'proper' Jags in my opinion, but obviously, some models are better than others.
Anyways - each to their own I suppose, and these are merely only my own personal opinions...
Well if it's that "simple" here's an idea, why not fix it? You will have one less fault to list and subsequently make the car more attractive to a potential punter.
I owned a couple of XJs back in the 70s, quite new ones.
I just see all the gadgets and gizmos on upmarket type cars as more to go wrong on old ones, and maintaining them still costs the same as on a newer model, if not more.
Potential moneypit with not enough thrills or exclusivity to make it worthwhile...as in say a TVR.
I had a 3.6, and then a 4.0 Sovereign to replace a series 3 XJ6 a few years ago.... on reflection I should have kept the series 3. Still the Sov was only £150 with tax and test; so I couldn't really complain at the time!
One idea that keeps popping up in my head is chucking the 4.0 AJ6 and four speed auto out of an XJ40 into a series 3; the best of both worlds.
Regards,
Rich
I've seen a conversion someone did where thay fitted the striaght 6 supercharge in a series III, now that looked good.
Now the thing to do would be to fit in a 4.2 v8 supercharge to a series iii, now that would entertaining, the series iii waft with the xjr power... luverly
Well if it's that "simple" here's an idea, why not fix it? You will have one less fault to list and subsequently make the car more attractive to a potential punter.
It's been parked up at my work car park for the last few weeks, gathering dirt.
If I wasn't getting married, then I would have fixed the minor issues, polished it up nicely and then put it up for sale.
ETA love how he slags off the V8 engine, and then goes on to say he has bought one to replace this. Does anyone else think that would be a horrible wedding car? It'd be good if it was your own car, but to rent?
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