I've had my 1963 MKII 3.8 65,000 org miles, since 2009. No issues. Tune ups every 2 years. Is this normal. I'm a bit surprised 🤨

 

Reliability issues occur with the plated bullet connectors in the wiring, especially in damp, and then dry climates, they oxidize, turn green, and create open circuits. (bad grounds too)

Other problems are with fuel pumps braking down if they're not serviced _ most put in Hardi pumps.
Ignition points can be a problem if they're not serviced, but the problem are the shitty parts around, like crappy condensers.

Carb parts that are not compatible with ethanol.
General over all lack of service like changing ones oil or coolant, but you do that to any car, you're going to have problems.

Most of what you hear, are from owners who have no idea how an SU carb works, or any carb for that matter, general ignorance of things in a technology that's sort of fading away.

 

Totally agree with Jeff. Servicing is key but old wiring can let you down.
Modern cars break down for a past time because some rogue sensor that is telling you that an item on the car is defective, when in fact it is the sensor that is defective. With a Mk2 or S type as long as it is maintained and serviced on a regular basis they are fairly bullet proof. I check my car on a regular basis and if I see or hear anything dodgy then it is replace before it has a chance to break. If you are not mechanically minded then finding someone who can work on your 60 year old Jaguar is difficult as it does not have an OBD port for them to plug their lap top into. Old school mechanics are hard to come by as most garages are just fitters.

 

true enough!

but WRT newer cars, i'm at a total loss when it comes to fixing them and find that i can ONLY work on the older ones effectively. smh

with the newer ones, it appears that about $10,000 worth of proprietary hardware and software must be at your disposable before opening the hood is even worthwhile.

although i have to admit i diagnosed the problem on my 2007 English two-seater when the entire dashboard lit up with dire warnings of impending doom. i knew it was lying to me, and sure enough, the coolant temperature sensor's wire, as i suspected, was loose. that was the good news...the bad news?

the intake manifold had to be removed to put it back on ($1500 of labor).