Hello chaps.

Just joined. Been a Jag owner for about five years now. I got a 1997 XK8 convertible in 2005 and still have it (need to sell that now...). I learnt to drive on my father's old XJ12. He wouldn't insure me on Mum's car, so taught me on his company car. Brilliant vehicle. But the new car is in a different league....

I've joined because yesterday, in a fit of madness, I headed up to Sunderland to buy a 2000 LWB Daimler Super V8. Sweet Mary mother of God but it is quick. Epically; biblically; buttock-clenchingly quick.

I love it. It makes my XK feel like a skoda estate.

But I am - almost inevitably - struggling with making sense of the VIN. Been on the net for two days now, but a lot of the guides for 2000 X308 models don't seem to work for the Daimler. The characters don't make any sort of sense. The best stuff I have found has originated in the States, in fact. Any help from pros such as yourselves much appreciated.

It's SAJAC34J1YMF13900. This is what I have pieced together:

1 - SCountry (ENGLAND - easy)2 - AManufacturer (JAGUAR - piece of cake)3 - J
Manufacturing Division (JAGUAR - was rather of expecting Daimler, but there you are.)

4


- A


Market / Airbag (Rest of World - ie: ENGLAND)

5 - CTransmission & Steering (AUTOMATIC RHD)6 - 3Vehicle Line / Body Type (?)7 - 4Vehicle Line / Body Type (?)8 - J
Emission (UK, CANADA, JAPAN & REST OF WORLD)

9 - 1Check Digit10 - Y
Year (2000)
11 - M
Model Line and Assembly Plant (4 litre Super-Charged, Browns Lane, England)

12-FModel Specific Sequential Number Prefix Letter (Daimler, XJ8, XJR)

13-1Sequence of the vehicle for production14-315-916-017-0

As you can see, it's the sixth and seventh digits that have completely foxed me - although the third also makes me slightly nervous. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Naturally, the formatting is utterly buggered. Sod's law. Perhaps it's easier to say that I'm trying to figure out what the "34" means in SAJAC34J1YMF13900 in my 2000 LWB Daimler Super V8

 

Is this what you are looking for?
Trim Codes http://www.captainjaguarscathouse.com/Trim_Codes.htm
Jaguar Vin# http://www.jagplanet.com/tips/vin-numbers
I hope this helps!

 

Thanks Gus - I had clocked those two, but nope - they don't hold the answer either.

I'm going to take a picture of the VIN tonight when I get back from work because even I'm not sure I've got it right now... The "34" code seems to fox all of the guides out there!

All the best
James

 

Tis a toughy to be sure.

Me thinks that the 3 you quote in position 6 is actually an 8, thus giving 84 for 6 and 7.

84 = 4 door - 4 seat - SE LWB.

Course I could be way out.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

... Nice outside the box thinking, Richard! I'll check this evening (need to check the trim codes anyway to start ordering new mats). Thanks for the idea and thanks for the welcome, too.

This forum looks smashing so far. I've just read the *brilliant* illustrated guide to fixing the ABS on here. It that works, I will be a very happy man!

One other thing that is *really* starting to play on my mind is the engine bay info - which says this is an X300. Shouldn't all 2000s be X308s? Or is that a good thing - no Nikasil etc? Hmmmmmmm.

All the best
James

 

I'm still thinking about your VIN, maybe a new post over in the Gen Tech help might be more appropriate, if things don't sort themselves out.

That 34, or 84 is causing an itch. Couldn't be 32 by any chance? 4dr LWB XJ8 Sovereign.

The engine numbers are easy to work with,

Engine numbers are basically a date and time code.

0108122359 = 12 august 2001 23.59 pm.
0108130000 = 13 August 2001 00.00.

The first steel lined as opposed to Nikasil were from engine no 0008181043.

So you can work out what you have from the 'block' number.

You do have the V5 for the car?

 

Welcome to the forum James,

I understood that the consensus on nikasil was that if it hadn't failed by now you were good as the petrol additives causing the failures had been changed.

 

Thanks chaps. This is excellent stuff - I can see another post might be on the cards (was hoping this was going to be an easy one!).

Richard, I checked the VIN last night on the windscreen and the front of the engine bay. It's defo SAJAC34J1YMF13900.

I do have got the V5 (although that's about *all* I have). It says this is a Daimler Super V8 Auto - first registered 30-03-2000. So that's good news.

I don't think this is a 4dr LWB XJ8 Sovereign because it's got the Solar allow wheels. The interior is pure Daimler - nice hides, picnic tables. 2 individual seats in the back, rather than a 3 seat bench. Nice piping. Chrome inserts to the side moulding. Ds everywhere on the headrests, steering wheels etc. The engine has a Daimler label, too. The back is pure Super V8, too.

All good.

But I am worried by a number of things:

- the front grille matches the paint work. It's not chrome. Was this an option on the Super V8?
- The engine, although it's clearly a super charged Daimler (my God, but it's quick), is labelled X300.
- I don't understand those two VIN digits.

And Richard, it's a bit humiliating, but I don't know where to look for the engine number....

I have

e11*96/9*0080*
2265 / 2290
4165
1100
1275

You're quite right, Richard, I'll transfer this to a technical query now that it looks like I might be figuring this out for some time!

Good news on the Nikasil, Norri - and thanks for the welcome!

All the best
James

 

Still looking through files here.

Good news is that the windscreen and VIN plate match.

I think I may have found your 34.

See pic below.



Re the grill, folk do change them there are after market options or even just paint.

 

Richard,

Thank you so much! That is excellent news. Superb, in fact. I have become paranoid over the last couple of days that I'd got a Japanese import! I can't thank you enough.

Marvellous. So that's the grill and the VIN.

Anyone else want to take a punt at the engine query?!

All the best
James - grateful

 

Hi James welcome to the site, good to have you here with us
I can see you've made a little splash already and caused some interest and I see the welcome team have made you feel right at home

Its a pretty easy going n friendly place to be especially if you're a Jag owner / lover but all car enthusiasts are welcome.

Some top guys here with plenty of good info and excellent techs.......
I've manually upgraded you to full forum access.....jump in and enjoy

 

Cheers Jim - it's been incredibly helpful.

As the car has...

- an aerial that only goes half up;
- the tinny-iest sounding sound system (amp must have gone);
- the wrong grille;
- no mats;
- buggered ABS / ASC / Traction control;
- knackered key bleeper unit
- a missing screw driver in the tool box
- the notorious dodgy wiper; and
- NO LITERATURE

... I can see this forum is going to be very, very useful.

All the best
James - soon to be very poor