If one was considering a convertible XJS for say the summer.
Discussion
Rust everywhere, fuel consumption, heavy suspension wear, dodgy electrics, water leaks, nobody bothers changing the last two plugs, faulty air con - can't get the earlier refigerant - oil leaks - crank rear oil seal on the V12 is a massive engine out job - overheating, wonky build quality....
I'd choose a later 6 cyl TBH, It's almost as quick as the V12, is not so heavy at the front and the bodies are not so prone to rotting away. Take a manual for a long drive and ask yourself if you can live with the agricultural change and heavy clutch then buy an auto.
They are hoplessly impractical cars. The boot is tiny, rear visibility is poor and I've heard some body parts and trim are getting hard to find now. They must be maintained and cared for otherwise your P & J will disintigrate. I worked on several in the early 80's and found that even 5 year old cars that had been neglected were almost ready for the scrapyard. One thing you will find is that even a terminal one is still likley to ride, drive and feel ok so spend hours looking and checking everything before you get your wallet out.
On the plus side the engines are bombproof providing they are serviced and a good one gives a lovely old school Jaguar ride quality and unique looks - it's a proper 1970's grand touring car and there's a lot of enthusiastic owners in the JEC.
If you really want one, know what you are getting into and can maintain it yourself then why not?
On the other hand there's little difference in asking price for a really nice XJS and a good XK..
I'd choose a later 6 cyl TBH, It's almost as quick as the V12, is not so heavy at the front and the bodies are not so prone to rotting away. Take a manual for a long drive and ask yourself if you can live with the agricultural change and heavy clutch then buy an auto.
They are hoplessly impractical cars. The boot is tiny, rear visibility is poor and I've heard some body parts and trim are getting hard to find now. They must be maintained and cared for otherwise your P & J will disintigrate. I worked on several in the early 80's and found that even 5 year old cars that had been neglected were almost ready for the scrapyard. One thing you will find is that even a terminal one is still likley to ride, drive and feel ok so spend hours looking and checking everything before you get your wallet out.
On the plus side the engines are bombproof providing they are serviced and a good one gives a lovely old school Jaguar ride quality and unique looks - it's a proper 1970's grand touring car and there's a lot of enthusiastic owners in the JEC.
If you really want one, know what you are getting into and can maintain it yourself then why not?
On the other hand there's little difference in asking price for a really nice XJS and a good XK..After 15 years I'm still kickking myself for not buying one when they were current.
When I stared looking at a Jag, the wife fell head of heals in lust with a dark blue and cream XJS convertible in the showroom in Burham. When we went to test drive it it was raining lightly so the saleman suggested we went out in their demonstator first instead, and we then get the SH one out if we liked the demonstator. The demonstrator was one of the really late Celebration models. It was a really great car and we both loved it. I then drove the older V12 100 yards up the road before knowing I couldn't live with it.
Sadly wifey didn't want me to spend quite as much as he wanted for the demonstrator, me I wanted one of the runout 6L V12s, but I got out voted.
But every time a see a Celebration I still look back and think "If only..."
Find a late one, find a Celebration or one of the built on request late V12s.
These had Galvanised bodies, the 4L cars use the X300's AJ16 engine.
I still want one, no that I'd give up my X300 though, you understand.
When I stared looking at a Jag, the wife fell head of heals in lust with a dark blue and cream XJS convertible in the showroom in Burham. When we went to test drive it it was raining lightly so the saleman suggested we went out in their demonstator first instead, and we then get the SH one out if we liked the demonstator. The demonstrator was one of the really late Celebration models. It was a really great car and we both loved it. I then drove the older V12 100 yards up the road before knowing I couldn't live with it.
Sadly wifey didn't want me to spend quite as much as he wanted for the demonstrator, me I wanted one of the runout 6L V12s, but I got out voted.
But every time a see a Celebration I still look back and think "If only..."
Find a late one, find a Celebration or one of the built on request late V12s.
These had Galvanised bodies, the 4L cars use the X300's AJ16 engine.
I still want one, no that I'd give up my X300 though, you understand.
Don't be put off by all the horror stories. Go for a late model and take your time. I have had a 94 4L coupe for five years now and it hasn't cost me a penny other than routine servicing, or let me down.
It was however about the 15th car I looked at before buying, there is a lot of junk out there.
It was however about the 15th car I looked at before buying, there is a lot of junk out there.
Jaguar steve said:
Rust everywhere, fuel consumption, heavy suspension wear, dodgy electrics, water leaks, nobody bothers changing the last two plugs, faulty air con - can't get the earlier refigerant - oil leaks - crank rear oil seal on the V12 is a massive engine out job - overheating, wonky build quality....
On the other hand there's little difference in asking price for a really nice XJS and a good XK..
LOL On the other hand there's little difference in asking price for a really nice XJS and a good XK..As soon as I read your first para I thought "XK it could be then"
but thanks for all coments guys, they clearly hold a place in peoples hearts.I think they're achingly good looking and just encapsulate everything an excellent British spring & summer is all about.
I shall muse some more.
Edited by BigNige on Tuesday 3rd February 08:38
Jaguar steve said:
Rust everywhere, fuel consumption, heavy suspension wear, dodgy electrics, water leaks, nobody bothers changing the last two plugs, faulty air con - can't get the earlier refigerant - oil leaks - crank rear oil seal on the V12 is a massive engine out job - overheating, wonky build quality.....
...gassed-out bonnet support struts, heavily worn driver's seat, perished window trim, blocked drainage holes, flaky window motors, pitted alloys, windscreen and headlamp condensation, plenty more dodgy electrics, carbon footprint the size of a small town.... but get one! Must be V12.pr100 said:
Jaguar steve said:
Rust everywhere, fuel consumption, heavy suspension wear, dodgy electrics, water leaks, nobody bothers changing the last two plugs, faulty air con - can't get the earlier refigerant - oil leaks - crank rear oil seal on the V12 is a massive engine out job - overheating, wonky build quality.....
...gassed-out bonnet support struts, heavily worn driver's seat, perished window trim, blocked drainage holes, flaky window motors, pitted alloys, windscreen and headlamp condensation, plenty more dodgy electrics, carbon footprint the size of a small town.... but get one! Must be V12.
Now look what you've done The XJ-S in convertible form is a stunning looking car and in my opinion much prettier than the XK8 but as others have said the build quality isn't exactly German standard. The facelift cars better built but I have enjoyed 9 years with a 1988 car and it has been a pleasure to own.
As for rust , they all rust including the so called galvanized ones, I'm in the body trade and have seen them rusty as i've seen rusty XK8's.For what it's worth the body of the X300/ X308 seem to have stood the test of time brilliantly for a Jaguar
If you choose to buy an XJ-S both 6 and 12 cylinder engines are strong and buy on condition of the car not its age, everything is expensive on an XJ-S and as they say there's no such thing as a cheap Jag
As for rust , they all rust including the so called galvanized ones, I'm in the body trade and have seen them rusty as i've seen rusty XK8's.For what it's worth the body of the X300/ X308 seem to have stood the test of time brilliantly for a Jaguar
If you choose to buy an XJ-S both 6 and 12 cylinder engines are strong and buy on condition of the car not its age, everything is expensive on an XJ-S and as they say there's no such thing as a cheap Jag
Edited by mabjagm3 on Saturday 7th February 19:45
mabjagm3 said:
For what it's worth the body of the X300/ X308 seem to have stood the test of time brilliantly for a Jaguar
Owning a German car as well as an X300 I wouldn't think that finally qualification was needed.If the Jag was built like her MB it would long ago have gone to the garage in the sky.
I'm on my 3rd XJS. I had a 1985 V12 Cab which was great and when I sold that and bought a 3 year old XK8 soft top. Great car but it lost somthing. Perhaps to good? Anyhow I then had a 1991 4.0 manual. What a great car. If you want something relatively cheap to run and buy and an enjoyable ride the straight six is great. I sold this car to a mate who still has it and it's done well over 100,000 miles and it's just unstoppable. I now have a soft top 1988 V12 mated to a X300 manual gearbox. I've motored this car around Spain and France and it's just a great drive.
So my advice is if you want one is get one. I agree with previous advise. Go for condition over age. Age is unimportant the engines are all bullet proof. The V12 is tricky but basic but don't be put off if you do your own servicing. The Straight six is simple and easy to maintain. There becoming rare on the road so a nice one will always be admired.
Enjoy
So my advice is if you want one is get one. I agree with previous advise. Go for condition over age. Age is unimportant the engines are all bullet proof. The V12 is tricky but basic but don't be put off if you do your own servicing. The Straight six is simple and easy to maintain. There becoming rare on the road so a nice one will always be admired.
Enjoy
Mike Hawthorn said:
I now have a soft top 1988 V12 mated to a X300 manual gearbox. I've motored this car around Spain and France and it's just a great drive.
Much as I like my XJS HE I've just bought an early XJ12 series 3 as I can't seem to get the XJS back off my Father.. I'm interested to know how the gearbox off the X300 went on to the V12. I'd like to do something similar on the XJ12, instead of having to cope with the lazy 3 speed automatic.
Regards
Ric
Hi Ric
I didn't do the conversion however; I have all the paperwork and parts list for the conversion. As you would expect much of the equipment is form 3.6 & 4.0 manual XJS's and the bell housing is from the V12 EType. I'm not going to mention who did the conversion because I think it was not done well. (in my opinion)however, I've now tidied it up. I'm still on the original Diff which is a little high and means you can't pull 5th gear really below 60mph. However, on continental trips it's great. Over a 1000 miles driving around the Spanish and French Pyrenees it turned in 22 MPG which I think was good.
Anyhow if you’re interested in the paperwork I'll scan it in for you. But best give me your Email.
Mike
I didn't do the conversion however; I have all the paperwork and parts list for the conversion. As you would expect much of the equipment is form 3.6 & 4.0 manual XJS's and the bell housing is from the V12 EType. I'm not going to mention who did the conversion because I think it was not done well. (in my opinion)however, I've now tidied it up. I'm still on the original Diff which is a little high and means you can't pull 5th gear really below 60mph. However, on continental trips it's great. Over a 1000 miles driving around the Spanish and French Pyrenees it turned in 22 MPG which I think was good.
Anyhow if you’re interested in the paperwork I'll scan it in for you. But best give me your Email.
Mike
I'm almost at the point of buying a V12 Conv myself - Always loved them and this one seems to be a bit rare having the JaguarSport pack factory fitted..(Speedlines, bodykit, suspension, black heradlight surrounds)..Should I/shouldn't I? It has it's faults but haven't all Jags of this vintage??? Does anyone know how to track the history of such cars? It's at the right price too!!!!
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