1992 Jaguar XJR-S
Discussion
The car has been running really nicely and now has another thousand or so miles on it.
I'd been bothered by the non-working radio, and that has now been addressed and fixed. The radio, cassette tape (I know, excitingly retro!), electric aerial and in-boot multi-CD changer all work perfectly. Even the little but important things, like the aerial retracting if you open the boot whilst the engine is running so as not to foul the antenna with the spoiler, all work. The in-car sound is pretty good too. My local garagiste fixed the wiring issue which was at the heart of the thing not-working, and commented that it's a nice system (Alpine).
He also replaced the switch for the climate control and I now have aircon and a heater that works. A small thing perhaps, but an important one, not least to offset the glowing-star-like quantity of heat that those 12 cylinders put out.
All in all, the car is running nicely and is an absolute pleasure to drive. I'm averaging a little under 17 mpg though which, even considering the addictive acceleration, seems-less-than-austerity, especially on Esso premium or whatever it's called.
Does it make a difference if you run these things on 'normal' premium fuel?
Next immediate job is to clean and condition the seats with some of Furniture Clinic's finest, which has been ordered today.
I'd been bothered by the non-working radio, and that has now been addressed and fixed. The radio, cassette tape (I know, excitingly retro!), electric aerial and in-boot multi-CD changer all work perfectly. Even the little but important things, like the aerial retracting if you open the boot whilst the engine is running so as not to foul the antenna with the spoiler, all work. The in-car sound is pretty good too. My local garagiste fixed the wiring issue which was at the heart of the thing not-working, and commented that it's a nice system (Alpine).
He also replaced the switch for the climate control and I now have aircon and a heater that works. A small thing perhaps, but an important one, not least to offset the glowing-star-like quantity of heat that those 12 cylinders put out.
All in all, the car is running nicely and is an absolute pleasure to drive. I'm averaging a little under 17 mpg though which, even considering the addictive acceleration, seems-less-than-austerity, especially on Esso premium or whatever it's called.
Does it make a difference if you run these things on 'normal' premium fuel?
Next immediate job is to clean and condition the seats with some of Furniture Clinic's finest, which has been ordered today.
craigjm said:
not bad, I would get some really intense leather conditioner on that
Depending on the nature of the leather conditioner can do a lot more harm than good. For a 'modern' sealed surface leather there is no way for it to be absorbed so it just sits on the surface helping filth and grit to adhere to it. If you've ever used leather conditioner and found your previously matte finish leather has gone shiny then that's why.On an early 90s Jaguar it might be proper aniline leather though.
It is very good quality leather, and it has certainly absorbed the conditioner I applied at the weekend. In fact, the seats appear cleaner, smoother and shinier now than they did when I did the work.
I have ordered some colour restoration in the right Jaguar colour to see if I can cover some of the age-related creases, and that'll be the next job. The polishing and restoration is surprisingly enjoyable and therapeutic.
I have ordered some colour restoration in the right Jaguar colour to see if I can cover some of the age-related creases, and that'll be the next job. The polishing and restoration is surprisingly enjoyable and therapeutic.
They are such wonderful cars, great to see you're enjoying yours.
My father has a 1991 XJR-S (though I seem to drive it more than he does!), and it is an absolute joy to drive. I know it's an overused term, but they really don't make them like they used to! The gearbox and the torque from the V12 shows everything that is wrong with modern 8 and 9 speed gearboxes, the 3 speed in the pre-facelift is perfect for the application. I'm sure the 4 is even better, but I've never tried it.
It's had issues, it was sat in a collection for 10 years and has required some extensive recommisioning, but now it's running as it should, it's brilliant. The induction noise is wonderful, very Jaguar. A supremely stable car at high speed too, it really feels in it's element over 120mph. It's usefully more nimble than a regularly XJS in the twisties, too.
The reaction from the public is overwhelmingly positive, people walking up to say how nice the car is, asking what it is etc.
Sadly he's now got an order in for a new Mustang, and with that coming he will hardly use the XJR-S, so he's half-heartedly trying to sell it. Shame
Here's to many happy miles ahead in yours
My father has a 1991 XJR-S (though I seem to drive it more than he does!), and it is an absolute joy to drive. I know it's an overused term, but they really don't make them like they used to! The gearbox and the torque from the V12 shows everything that is wrong with modern 8 and 9 speed gearboxes, the 3 speed in the pre-facelift is perfect for the application. I'm sure the 4 is even better, but I've never tried it.
It's had issues, it was sat in a collection for 10 years and has required some extensive recommisioning, but now it's running as it should, it's brilliant. The induction noise is wonderful, very Jaguar. A supremely stable car at high speed too, it really feels in it's element over 120mph. It's usefully more nimble than a regularly XJS in the twisties, too.
The reaction from the public is overwhelmingly positive, people walking up to say how nice the car is, asking what it is etc.
Sadly he's now got an order in for a new Mustang, and with that coming he will hardly use the XJR-S, so he's half-heartedly trying to sell it. Shame
Here's to many happy miles ahead in yours
craigjm said:
CDG.... Can you do me a favour? Asking here because you don't seem to have an email registered. Can you measure the height of the XJS seats from floor to top of headrest in their lowest and most upright position please?
I do have a mail address registered and do normally receive PMs. Anyway, I've just seen this and will take the measurements this afternoon.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Craig, this is the seat adjustment switch.
I'm not exactly sure what measurements you're after, but the height from floor to top of head rest is 84cm. If you take the measurement following the line of the seat-back, i.e. the diagonal, it's 88cm.
Any help?
Great help cheers. Looking at the best way of fitting electric adjustable heated seats to my XJC and late xjs seats may be the answer I'm not exactly sure what measurements you're after, but the height from floor to top of head rest is 84cm. If you take the measurement following the line of the seat-back, i.e. the diagonal, it's 88cm.
Any help?
craigjm said:
Great help cheers. Looking at the best way of fitting electric adjustable heated seats to my XJC and late xjs seats may be the answer
Good luck. I know you're not going for originality, but I recall that the seats are quite different in style; the XJS ones are thinner and 'squarer'. I'm going to do a bit more polishing and buffing of my own seats to see if I can bring them up even better - got all the restoration stuff, just waiting for a match of time and weather to be able to get on with it.
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