HI, just rejoined after being MIA for several years since I sold my '95 xjs. Now, thinking about buying a '92 V-12 xjs with low mileage. The v-12 scares me a bit because of just that, a V-12. Can you offer some reasonable advice to someone who is not a shade tree mechanic? Thanks , Jim

 

Welcome back Jim,

I've moved your Intro from the end of dogdad's to a new thread of your own.

Follow this link XJS - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XJS forum for help, advice and information on the V12. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

You can also visit the US Lower Atlantic Region forum by following this link Lower Atlantic - NC SC FL GA - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome back to Jaguar Forums Jim,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

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The V12 engine itself is durable. Providing the cooling system is 100% up-to-snuff you're not likely to have any internal engine problems.

But.....

It *does* have quirky requirements and it *is* more difficult to work on.....so, since you're not a DIYer, you'll be paying extra labor hours for repairs.

The usual scenario is spending a chunk of time and money early on the get details sorted and play catch-up on all the routine repairs/services that have been neglected....and then enjoy the car!

Cheers
DD

 

welcome

 

I also have a '92 V-12. Yes they do look daunting when you open the hood.

The engine is crammed in with little room to work and this leads many to avoid working on them.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to give the car the attention it deserves. These are not stick-in-the-key-and-drive-away-cars. If you neglect them repairs can be expensive.
But if you treat it well, service it when needed and pay attention to the details on a regular basis the V-12 is an incredibly reliable engine.
Where most people fail, and have the car fail, is not taking care of their investment.

If you are not a person who will do his own work pay attention to the condition of the car before you buy it. Look for any evidence that the care was neglected. The cost to bring it back will break the bank in labor.
These cars are very reasonably priced today. There are some very nice ones out there. The difference in your up front cost, between a really good one, and a neglected one that will cost you later in repairs, is only about three or four thousand.

Remember, the XJS is not a sports car. It looks like one and many owners want to treat it like one. They think that they are supposed to have tire burning performance and are disappointing when they try to keep up with the muscle cars and kids at lights.

Their disappointment leads to neglect and/or outright abuse.

This car is designed for flawless and unending power at highway speeds with a ride of a luxury car.

If you are thinking you want to burn tires then this may not be the car for you.

If you want a no-maintenance vehicle then a newer car may be better.

But if you like to open the hood and look for the loose bolt or screw and can identify a metric wrench two times out of three without the book these cars are a joy to own and drive.

The XJS is, to many, as beautiful as the E type. To some of us who have owned both I prefer the XJS. It is not a snap the neck head turner that the E type is. It is more the admiring looks and low OOOOHHHH from the ladies type of car.

 

Thank you for the sound advicd. Jim

 

Exactly. These are "owner involvement" cars.






Agreed again. I'd extend that beyond just the engine though. An XJS (or any older Jag) can be reliable. But that isn't smething that just happens all by itself. It takes some effort.





And in many cases it's simply because they don't know the XJS and/or V12 quirks. Fortunately the internet has made information so much easier.






There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Jaguar






Not quite sure where you're going here.

Yes, the XJS isn't a sportscar. Nor is it a delicate, fragile car. An XJS will tolerate hard driving with no problem. There is no need to drive one as though it was made out of glass. The suspension systems, the body structure, the transmission and differential....all overbuilt and rugged.

But, if the car has been neglected it won't matter how you drive it or what your expectations are.....it'll give trouble. For example, if the cooling system is in poor shape you're headed for heartbreak whether you drive it like you stole it or drive it as though there was a bowl of goldfish on the seat





I feel that my XJS was probably THE most satisfying "highway" car I've ever owned





Well, I used to indulge in the occasional burn-out in mine . But, yes, that's not really what the XJS is all about.





Right!



Cheers
DD

 

By sports car I meant a small, light and agile car. The type along the lines of the classic British sports cars. i.e. Triumph, MG and the E type.

At 18 ft. long the XJS would hardly fit in this category. This car actually has almost the same wheelbase footprint as an F150 pickup. Heck, I almost had to put anti-collision lights on the hood 'cause Navy jets kept trying to land on it.

My next door neighbor has a Spitfire the same color and we joke that I could tuck his car in my truck for a spare.

I remember the old Top Gear review where they were driving an XJS in English villages. They noted that it took up almost the entire narrow roads. They also commented on the large turning radius.

But on the highway this car is a dream. And if you need to pass, it does so, so effortlessly, that you can be caught unaware. The second time I drove mine I pulled out from behind another car going 70kmh(43mph) and within the space, from his rear bumper to his front bumper, went from 70kmh(43mph) to 140kmh(86mph) and didn't even notice it.

The uniformed but off duty cop in the other car just smiled and waved.


I guess I should have used the word neglect instead of abuse. A lot of N. American drivers have never opened the hood on their car. If they did, they would not know what they are looking at. If you treat an XJS, or any Jag for that matter, like this you will end up with some major mechanic's bills.

Probably the main reason that these cars are available so inexpensive today is that the V-12 is so imposing. It scars the bejeebers out of most people. You don't have to be a certified Jaguar mechanic to work on them but you do have to be willing and able to take some things apart just to change the spark plugs. You have to be able to tell when a rubber hose is heat hardening and willing to replace it.

But those of us who are in lust with our XJS also love opening the hood and just staring with a slack jawed admiration. (just before your grab a rag to wipe it down and a wrench to tighten that pesky cruise control push rod.