How good is the XJS
Discussion
I've been dreaming about my next car again and I keep coming back to the XJS. I didn't like them when they were new but recently I've been seeing them in the for sale adds and I think they look great!
If I got one it would have to be one with a manual gearbox preferably the 4.0 litre. I was wondering what they were like to own, would they be terribly unreliable,is rot a big problem? Also how thirsty are they and what are the performance figures like? What sort of 0-60 times are they capable of and what is the top speed? Is the v12 a lot faster than the straight sixes?
If I got one it would have to be one with a manual gearbox preferably the 4.0 litre. I was wondering what they were like to own, would they be terribly unreliable,is rot a big problem? Also how thirsty are they and what are the performance figures like? What sort of 0-60 times are they capable of and what is the top speed? Is the v12 a lot faster than the straight sixes?
Jag Coupes are not my speciality, but generally I think rust is a problem although maybe th very late ones were better (like the post '90 XJ40's were). I don' think the V12' were inificantly faster, but the way the power is delivered is addictive.
The good news is that most of the crap ones have long since been dismantled for parts.
The good news is that most of the crap ones have long since been dismantled for parts.
skidrisk said:
I've been dreaming about my next car again and I keep coming back to the XJS. I didn't like them when they were new but recently I've been seeing them in the for sale adds and I think they look great!
If I got one it would have to be one with a manual gearbox preferably the 4.0 litre. I was wondering what they were like to own, would they be terribly unreliable,is rot a big problem? Also how thirsty are they and what are the performance figures like? What sort of 0-60 times are they capable of and what is the top speed? Is the v12 a lot faster than the straight sixes?
Your biggest enemy will be rust and electricial problems - even on a later car. The 4.0 is probrably the best choice, and I'd go for an auto as the manual box is a bit agricultural compared with more modern cars. Thirst will depend more on how you drive rather than engine and gearbox. You'd get up to 26MPG or more with a carefully driven 6 cyl car and about 22 at best with a V12. In the real world the 6 is probrably the best bet, the engine is almost indistructable and does not have the complexity or poor access of the V12.If I got one it would have to be one with a manual gearbox preferably the 4.0 litre. I was wondering what they were like to own, would they be terribly unreliable,is rot a big problem? Also how thirsty are they and what are the performance figures like? What sort of 0-60 times are they capable of and what is the top speed? Is the v12 a lot faster than the straight sixes?
Buy the very best you can afford and get any potential purchase checked out by sombody who knows the XJS really well.
I think you're being a lttle optimistic about the economy of a V12, they drink fuel.
The manual transmission on a 4.0 XJS is very baulky and I would test drive one before you buy.
Later cars with sportspack are the ones to go for, I would also consider V12s because what it costs in fuel you may save in price.
The manual transmission on a 4.0 XJS is very baulky and I would test drive one before you buy.
Later cars with sportspack are the ones to go for, I would also consider V12s because what it costs in fuel you may save in price.
Hi,
The V12 figures are very optimistic. I have a 1984 XJS which is a HE model, and it regularly returns 17 mpg. A staright motorway would probably return more, but I'm not going to have too much fun on motorways...
Both the six and the V12 are sensitive to coolant. I learnt the hard way with a 3.6 XJS when the head cracked in winter due to insufficient antifreeze. They also have a habit of blowing out head gaskets at the back.
The 5 speed gearbox is a good strong box, but has a very close gate and a very heavy clutch. Spares are also a bit hard to find for it now too.
If I was after another XJS, I'd be looking for a late 1980's or early 90's 3.6 Sports. You get the better handling due to wider tyres, revised steering geometry and a rear antiroll bar, and the four speed ZF automatic gearbox instead of the old GM400 in the V12.
Regards
Ric
The V12 figures are very optimistic. I have a 1984 XJS which is a HE model, and it regularly returns 17 mpg. A staright motorway would probably return more, but I'm not going to have too much fun on motorways...
Both the six and the V12 are sensitive to coolant. I learnt the hard way with a 3.6 XJS when the head cracked in winter due to insufficient antifreeze. They also have a habit of blowing out head gaskets at the back.
The 5 speed gearbox is a good strong box, but has a very close gate and a very heavy clutch. Spares are also a bit hard to find for it now too.
If I was after another XJS, I'd be looking for a late 1980's or early 90's 3.6 Sports. You get the better handling due to wider tyres, revised steering geometry and a rear antiroll bar, and the four speed ZF automatic gearbox instead of the old GM400 in the V12.
Regards
Ric
Performance figures below.
I had a 3.6 auto and you could get 27mpg at 85mph no problem, with a little urban work as well.
The cars are built like brick out-houses. For instance, I had the oil cooler on mine bypassed (it'd failed) and it really didn't prove an issue, as they are just so over engineered. I guess if you were towing and going every at 110mph, then you would need it..
Spares are readily available and not expensive. Rust, rust, rust is your emeny, check arches and around the front screen where it meets top of the wing and the boot gutter areas. Wheel bearings I remember are a pig of a job and can get expensive. The 6s are sensible and easier to find a good one, but if a good V12 comes up just do it! But finding goods one in your budget will not be easy, but certainly not impossible. You've got to drive them, looks of V12 with no power, the rea plugs are very difficult to change and therefore many haven't been done.
Steer away from manual, unless its what you really want, as they are hard work and not nice to drive and to me spoil the point of these huge old GTs.
Fantasitc boot on them as well.
BHP Torque Top 0-60 urban 56mph 75mph
XJS 3.6 (1983-91) 223 249 138 8.1 18.2 36.4 30.6
4.0 (1991-96) 238 286 147 7.6 21.7 37.9 28.6
5.3 (1983-91) 291 312 153 7.6 15.2 27.7 22.4
6.0 (1991-96) 318 336 155 7.1 14.7 26.6 21.7
I had a 3.6 auto and you could get 27mpg at 85mph no problem, with a little urban work as well.
The cars are built like brick out-houses. For instance, I had the oil cooler on mine bypassed (it'd failed) and it really didn't prove an issue, as they are just so over engineered. I guess if you were towing and going every at 110mph, then you would need it..
Spares are readily available and not expensive. Rust, rust, rust is your emeny, check arches and around the front screen where it meets top of the wing and the boot gutter areas. Wheel bearings I remember are a pig of a job and can get expensive. The 6s are sensible and easier to find a good one, but if a good V12 comes up just do it! But finding goods one in your budget will not be easy, but certainly not impossible. You've got to drive them, looks of V12 with no power, the rea plugs are very difficult to change and therefore many haven't been done.
Steer away from manual, unless its what you really want, as they are hard work and not nice to drive and to me spoil the point of these huge old GTs.
Fantasitc boot on them as well.
BHP Torque Top 0-60 urban 56mph 75mph
XJS 3.6 (1983-91) 223 249 138 8.1 18.2 36.4 30.6
4.0 (1991-96) 238 286 147 7.6 21.7 37.9 28.6
5.3 (1983-91) 291 312 153 7.6 15.2 27.7 22.4
6.0 (1991-96) 318 336 155 7.1 14.7 26.6 21.7
I've owned two XJS and had the use of a friend's third car. He had a 4.0 4spd auto which was a nice drive but it didnt have the full leather. It was almost as quick as a 5.3v12 up to about 120 but to do this you had to work it very hard. If you want to travel in an easy relaxed style at wonderful speed without getting the feeling of doing any work then it has to be the V12. True the fuel economy isnt great but on my 5,3HE I used tog et 24 on the motorway on a cruise( 70-80 ) but edge up to that 100+ mark and it would drop to 19mph. However, the best one to get by far is the 6 litre V12 - you get reliable electrics, a four speed auto with sports mode, a great stereo - superb leather. The exhaust wails beautifully about 4,000 rpm - although its still quiet and refined. There are a few about if you look hard enough - if you see a 6.0 litre convertible then snap it up, there were only about 150 made.
Happy hunting and let us know how you get on
Nick
Happy hunting and let us know how you get on
Nick
Thanks for all the advice. I'm just considering for the future at the moment. I was just wondering how they compared with modern Jags so I appreciate the data. I would have to get a manual version as this is what attracted me to them as there is no manual option on contemporary Jags.
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff