What's it like owning a XJS?

slim_boy_fat · Mar 30, 2018

zzr1200 said:
Colin

Jezzzus......48,000+ for a jap rust bucket.[/QUOTE]

Aye, but it did come with pretty pictures...... :laughing:

jsf55 · Mar 30, 2018

I run jag suspension on the hot rod, it rides better than any other car I've had, go for it, enjoy the luxury

daleyd · Mar 30, 2018

Back when I was an apprentice we got tasked to do security at Tidworth for a polo match involving prince Charles and quite a few other toffs.

We had to stop every 10th car or so, to do a thorough check, ie under the engine bay etc

An almost brand new top of the range xjs with red leather interior rolls up with the obligatory retired colonel driving in his plus fours, tweed jacket and driving gloves. “Excuse me sir, would you mind opening the bonnet so we can have have a check underneath?”

“Oh er, sorry I’m not sure how you would do that, I usually have a chap who does that for me...”

:laughing:

CompoSimmonite · Mar 30, 2018

daleyd said:
“Oh er, sorry I’m not sure how you would do that, I usually have a chap who does that for me...”

Reminds me about when I bought a 4 year old Skoda Estelle. Back home a mate came around and we were having a good look at it when I wondered where the spare wheel was. Mate quickly dived under the front (the Estelle was rear engined) and said "it's here; is there a knob up there ?" to which I pulled a knob - and promptly dropped the spare wheel straight on his face :ashamed:

Farside · Mar 31, 2018

CompoSimmonite said:
Reminds me about when I bought a 4 year old Skoda Estelle. Back home a mate came around and we were having a good look at it when I wondered where the spare wheel was. Mate quickly dived under the front (the Estelle was rear engined) and said "it's here; is there a knob up there ?" to which I pulled a knob - and promptly dropped the spare wheel straight on his face

He was right about there being a knob up there.
:scared:

CompoSimmonite · Mar 31, 2018

Farside said:
He was right about there being a knob up there.

His still a friend - there again he's Australian and it didn't spoil his looks anyway. :whistle:

Farside · Mar 31, 2018

CompoSimmonite said:
His still a friend - there again he's Australian and it didn't spoil his looks anyway.

I don't suppose the roos are too fussy, then.

zeppelin builder · Apr 1, 2018

CompoSimmonite said:
Mechanically, other than the engine, they are basically the same as an XJ6. I had a S2 3.4 for years and simple to maintain with service parts being reasonable. At the time there were plenty in the scrap yards but rarely need to buy secondhand parts. The V12 can be a nightmare to work on so I'd avoid. Neighbour asked me to get his XJS V12 started so he could drive to garage after auto inhibitor switch failed and access is terrible. Friend had a S3 XJ12 and told me it took 1/2 day to change the plugs. Personally I'd say only buy a post facelift HE XJS with the straight six engine and best body you can find. Anything cheap (say under £2500) is going to be a money pit and probably will need as much again spending on it to bring up to reasonable standard. Even a totally rotten car which is only fit as a spares donor and absolutley no chance of ever going back on the road will still probably be over £1000. Don't underestimate the size of them or cost of "cosmetic" repairs like trim and bodywork. Price up a few spares like bumper, wing, headlight etc to see what type of motoring expenses you intending entering. If you save up a few pennies an early XK8 in need to TLC is going to actually be cheaper than a good XJS so worth considering.

Beware hot starting troubles on the v12 they have bucket and shim tappets that dont usualy get done due to the work involved . Most are running around too tight

sg66 · Apr 1, 2018

aguycalledsteve said:
Ahem, Landrover would like a word.

The roof of my transit rusted through in a time scale that puts a landrover to shame, the only thing to beat both is an 80's lancia

Jag, rust, electrics, running out of money, in that order.

owas · Apr 11, 2018

I'm really liking this but the V12 horror stories are scaring me a little :laughing:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/222900301993

mechman · Apr 11, 2018

aguycalledsteve said:
I remember my old man having a Silver Datsun 180B. All the exterior panels were afflicted with the tin worm. They were made out of the worst quality steel.

I remember welding the so called chassis on a 180b in the 1970s.

mechman · Apr 11, 2018

Olderisbetter said:
Transits rust? this is news to me

And the add says good condition little body work required.

slim_boy_fat · Apr 12, 2018

owas said:
I'm really liking this but the V12 horror stories are scaring me a little

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/222900301993

Why wouldn't the Seller [Dealer :whistle:

] put a fresh MOT ticket on it, surely that would make it more appealing to potential buyers? Does look nice if you want a bit of 'wafting' and can afford the wages of the fuel tanker following behind.....

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

winchman · Apr 12, 2018

I went for a spin in one many years ago and it was fa but it was a friends car and rust and MPG killed it.
Audi 8 mentioned would be better, but I know its not the same

RaceDiagnostics · Apr 12, 2018

owas said:
Im not really a fan of the xk8 (i cant get insured on it either),

Beware of them also as they are rust buckets too, I am forever welding up holes in mine. Truly the worst car I have ever bought despite being the best looking.

owas · Apr 12, 2018

Found 2 XJS's i wanted to go view,
One has developed an immobaliser fault and the other started having running problems ... this is going to be fun :laughing:

Olderisbetter · Apr 12, 2018

A mates mum had a TWR xjs it just looked a bit sweeter than the old model she had, I am not sure how much different it was under the bonnet but it seemed the part

8ob · Apr 12, 2018

Olderisbetter said:
A mates mum had a TWR xjs it just looked a bit sweeter than the old model she had, I am not sure how much different it was under the bonnet but it seemed the part

Lister`s leery V12 600hp stroked/bored 7ltr version was the one I always fancied, one was clocked on a super test at over 230mph , v12 road smoking hell

mechman · Apr 12, 2018

owas said:
I'm really liking this but the V12 horror stories are scaring me a little

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/222900301993

So they should

Farside · Apr 12, 2018

I've loved the V12 since it came out, and had the use of a Daimler Double Six for a while (while the owner was abroad, he didn't mind it - I kept it in fettle for him and didn't take the proverbial), but the consumption was a bit of a buzzer.
Since then, I've always fancied just the engine, and something to put it in. I reckoned I could tune one up to 1000bhp as a nice round figure and nothing more than a paper exercise (it was done for real by others long after that) but time and life got in the way.

What's it like owning a XJS?

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