So I'm considering a 1995 XJ12 with 100k on her. The owner is listing the following problems -

Bad oil pressure sensor.

ABS/ traction control light on- he has reportedly replaced the front calipers, rotors, pads, front abs sensors and the abs modulator and has not been able to get the light off.

So I'm wondering if these issues are big cause for concern? are they easily rectified?

The current owner has had her since 99 and has all the maintenance records for her. She also benefits from the bilstein shocks, all new suspension bushings and new tires.

I'm currently daily driving a series 3 XJ6 and am considering this as an upgrade with a little more interior refinement.

Any other comments on reliability for this model vs my series 3 would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much

 

Hi Lec,

Do it.......

The XJ12 is an outstanding vehicle. If you've found one in very good condition, with a long-term owner and good service history showing regular care and maintenance, there is very little to worry about.

A few talking points for you:

You might want to resolve the oil pressure reading issue before committing. If only the sender is bad, it is a quick and cheap fix. There are no known issues with the oil pump in these engines as far as I know, but we want to make sure. Is the oil light on too?

The wheel sensors are the usual suspects for the ABS and/or trac fail light, especially since the module was replaced. Probably one of the rears has gone out. However, there is a lot of ABS advice on the X300 forum because it is the same system.

100k miles is low for its age, although it is still 100k (and 19 years). But the engine should have plenty of life in it. The transmission is the same as found in the XJR6 (X300 section, GM Powertrain) and is sturdy and readily maintained.

New brakes, shocks, bushings and tires are a huge plus. It is a heavy car but will feel rather light because of the new suspension parts, and of course the V12!

Any upgrades or replacements in the cooling system would also be a plus. Look for service history there. This engine must be kept cool. If the system is sturdy, you will not have any overheating issues. The factory system is quite adequate when maintained.

Your fuel mileage will be 13-14 mpg. Perhaps not the best for a daily driver, although you also have an XJ6 to drive too (as I do).

The car benefits by sharing many systems with the X300s, and the knowledge base there is vast! Also the factory service manuals are published and very useful.

As an XJ6 owner I imagine you don't mind getting your hands dirty. As always, most members here would agree that it is expensive to take the car to a Jag specialist. Do your own maintenance, and you probably won't have to, unless you prefer to.

Read up on the differences between the 95 and 96 models in this section if you haven't already. The most important difference: the 96 XJ12 has the long wheelbase, with much more rear seat legroom and headroom. Could be important for road-tripping.

Also, both 95 and 96 cars are (supposedly) OBDII compliant. You can get a lot of information from a scan tool. Of course it will display codes and allow you to reset a check engine light once repaired.

Keep your thinking cap on while making the deal.

"Pay no attention" that it is a great-looking, powerful, quiet, stealthy V12 powered Jaguar, the last of its breed (so to speak), and quite rare in the USA. The V12 is very different from the six, but suits this car very well. It is top of the line, upper crust, cream of the crop, and best in "class" as a true luxury sedan from that era. If you've driven the car, you probably already know this!

Any questions?

Let us know what you decide, of course. Best of British.

 

The Ser III is "the most of modern of all antique automobiles". Driving an X300 is an entirely different world, doubly so when it's the flagship V12 model. I say this after driving a Ser III for many years and then going to an X300/XJR.




If by "reliable" you mean never being stuck by the side of the road, both my Ser III and my X300 have been equally reliable. I've never been on the back of a tow truck with either one. Ever.

My XJR now has 150k miles and I'd jump in it today for a coast-to-coast drive without the slightest reservation. I felt the same way about my Ser III at the same age and mileage.

If by "reliable" you are referring to how many repairs are required, I'd say the two cars have been about the same.

If you're a DIY mechanic the X300 brings you into an entirely different world, and in almost all cases it's a better world. Some of the engine management electronics get tricky. Fact is, though, the X300 is superior to the Ser III in virtually every technical respect.

Interestingly, you're contemplating a step forward from Ser III to X300 while I'm making a step backward from X300 to Ser III. I've always had a soft spot for Ser IIIs and missed mine terribly from the moment the new owner drove it off.

I now have a Ser III project that will replace my XJR.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks so much for the replies gentleman! Encouragement to buy another Jag is exactly what I needed......I think!

I'm having the car checked out tomorrow and will report back.

"the most of modern of all antique automobiles" is an excellent way to describe the series 3 and I'm still contemplating selling mine to focus all efforts on 12. There's something about the series 3 feeling and looking a lot older than she is.

The next Jag was originally going to be an x300 XJR, but I happened to stumble upon this 12.

Luckily, living 15 mins from my office MPG is not a huge issue!

 

So it looks like i'm sticking with the 6!

I had the guys at London Auto in falls church, VA check the car out this morning. While the car was mostly mechanically OK, there were some cosmetics I just couldn't get over. The headliner needed to be done, the sunroof needed new tracks, the leather was pretty badly cracked and dried, multiple dings, scuffs and scratches ETC.
Probably the biggest issues were the paint on the roof and hood was badly cracked and faded (needed paint) and the car had been in a front/ left side collision, so had a new wing and very bad panel gaps on the front end. Also there was still a lot of play in the front suspension (wandering and pulling to the left) and noted loose subframe mount bolts, so she creaked and bounced a lot over bumps.

While I'm not adverse to putting work in (the xj6 keeps me busy), I'm not ready to shell out for the services that I can't complete (paint, headliner, sunroof, leather ETC).
So I'd rather wait and spend more money on a nice, clean XJ6/ R/ 12 when it comes up. I also felt while inside the 12 that she really deserved to be a LWB.

Thanks for all the input!

 

You made the right decision. Paint/leather/cosmetics can run into serious money.

Sorta sad to see these X300/X305/V12 cars fall into a state of disrepair. Back in the day they were the $75,000 flagship of the fleet; really fantastic cars.

When I bought my XJR I was simultaneously looking for an X305. The "right" XJR just happened to come along first.

Cheers
DD

 

Well Lec,

Sounds like there's a lot more going on than a couple of dash lights! There's really no substitute for experiencing a prospect for yourself, no matter what car. There are still a few nice XJ12s out there (and certainly XJRs), although you might need to go out of the neighbourhood for one. That makes it more difficult, but not impossible. For sure, the LWB 96 is the "Ultimate" XJ. Good luck to you.

Most of the nice XJS I see and want (out west) are in California, and that's where my XJ12 came from! I had her trucked in from the Bay area. I was very lucky to be surprised in a good way, at most qualities of the car, since I hadn't seen it in person!

 

I have a running 1996 xj6 and want to put the engine and everything under the hood in the body of a 1995 xj12.

Will it work, can the transfer be done with little or no problems ?

The frame is bent on the 96...

 

With effort and patience anything is possible, I guess, especially if you donor car and recipient car side by side so *every* required part could be swapped over.

Actually *installing* the engine might be the easiest part. Sorting the countless details would be daunting. The differences in electronics alone are significant.

Possible but not practical, I'd say.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks for your response to Lec. I just bought a 96 XJ12 and I feel a lot better about it now.

 

You are welcome Ross. A bold move to step right into V12 ownership! However, as you probably gather from my other posts here, The X305 last generation V12 is the most "user-friendly" of them all. Finding a mechanic that will work on it might not be easy, but we here on the forum can help you to turn a wrench if you need to.

Cheers. Happy V12 motoring!

 

I have to say, I love my 95 SWB XJ12, I have run the Jag club slalom with it and it does very good. it is surprising to see a sedan like this light up the tires and drift corners. I am fond of the 12 cylinder engine, years ago I had a 79 SII XJ12L. I also have an early 71 E-type. I am really impressed with the acceleration of the car, it has 3.54 gears. Does anyone know what other of the 6.0 liter cars came with this rear? it is the same as my E. I have had this for 6 years now and love driving it. I chose the short car for styling and handling reasons but that is just me. I just got an 86 XJ-S and am a little bit surprised that it doesn't perform like either of the other 2.


Sorry for the wandering reply but its nice hearing from others who own and like the late 12's. I'm glad I can work on them


Rick
71 SIII E
86 XJ-S HE
95 XJ12 SWB

 

Hi Rick.

Very interesting to hear of your XJ12 on the slalom! I tend to think of the car as rather big and heavy, though usually as I drive it, I find it handles quite well, and I drive it with more vigor than the six!

The 3.54 rear end seems to do well with this car too. I believe the last gen 6.0 XJS have the 3.54 as well, unlike the 86. Limited slip was an option in some areas, though my XJ12 is not. So it can peel the tread off that right rear pretty quickly. I just replaced the tires and the right rear was near worn out while the left rear had plenty of tread left on it.

You must have plenty to do with that kind of collection! It is to be admired, as you are too.

 

As others have stated, make sure to check that oil pressure sensor. If that is not the problem it means your bearing will be shot. Which replacing those means either removing engine or dropping front suspension to get to it.

 

I've got a 1996 XJ12 for sale with 128,404 miles on it in good condition.

 

Send pictures to johncitro@ymail.com