Hi from California. Bought my first Jaguar last year, a 1994 XJS coupe with 4.0L six, but it's not my first English car. Started out with a 1959 Morris Minor 1000, then a 1952 MG-TD. The XJS is in really great shape and I hope to get tips from the forum on how to keep it that way.

 

Welcome aboard Jim, you will find some great help over in the XJS, XJ6 and XJ40 sections.

Look forward to seeing some pics, when you are able to post.

 

welcome to the site AJ
Hope you enjoy the forum

 

Welcome to the forums

 

Just what we need, another Jim! j/k ya

Always a pleasure to welcome new members with such positive attitudes and an obvious love of their car.

Cheers!

 

Howdy Jim

Welcome to the forum!

 

I'm still learning to navigate this forum, it's much different than others I've seen. Seems to have a lot of restrictions placed on new members, don't really understand why.

 

Hi, welcome.
The XJS will always be a real head turner, I get compliments every day, and when people can't say anything like when I am at a stop light they gawk and give me the thumbs up and smile, some stare. The other day there was a guy who came right into traffic at a stop light and started to ask me questions on what it was and what year, finally I said he should get off the road since my car wasn't worth getting run over for....
As for the XJS regular maintenance can't be stressed enough, NEVER neglect your car. It needs regular oil changes, coolant changes when specs say so. I recently had all my wheel bearings repacked with grease, one had to be replaced, as well as one wheel bearing sleeve, and one wheel bearing hub had to be replaced, the same bearing failed twice because the hub was cracked and no one knows why except maybe an impact underneath by the previous owner. Reguarly clean, wash and wax it , especially any areas that have small scratches. Don't forget to wash the wheel wells and underbody reguarly too. Dry the door jams, as well as the jams around the hood and trunk. Keep a close eye on the fuel hoses on the fuel rail. I am not sure if Ford upgraded them to metal but my car(an 88) has rubber fuel hoses, one was leakin and I had it replaced. Ford bought Jaguar in 1989 and did upgrades to improve reliability, not sure all they did but I have read that they did something to the wiring which would be welcome. Check the car floor under the carpets and underlay, sometimes the floor gets a little surface rust from moisture caught under the underlay. You can buy rust converter to be used on surface rust. Any small rust spots on your car should be taken care of right away. Around the window in the back in the corners the XJS tends to rust because water pools there, I have seen this on several cars as well I have read it on Jaguar articles on the internet, it is one of their vulnerable spots. I have a V12 so I use premium fuel, some say don't and others say to use it, the one manual I have says to use premium gas.
When I take my car for a long run in the hot summer I crack the hood when I get into town to let some of the hot air escape from under the hood and I run the car ( in park) for a little while with the hood up when I get home to allow the heat to escape rather than just shut the car off with a hot engine bay, my car never overheats anyway but it is one precaution I take if I have run the car at high speeds for a couple of hours. I know it sounds like obsessing but I don't want to injure my 'cat' and have it bite me and tear a hole in my wallet which it has done already~!~!
Mostly ENJOY your car Donna

 

I think the restrictions will be lifted once you post ten posts, that is to prevent spammers from getting on this forum is what I was told. Keep posting and you won't have any restrictions soon.

 

Thanks Jetlag700 for the lengthy response, there was a lot I didn't realize. I've done a few minor repairs already but now I see I'll have to look closer. My car is BRG so it requires constant washing and waxing to keep it looking sharp. Unfortunately, I live out in the sticks so it tends to dirty up fast.

 

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum, post more often and have some fun with us, if you don't believe me check out the Mug shots and see the humour in the last few pages between me and JagPo.....ha ha ha...

 

CA former BMW enthusiast, now thinking about joining Jaguar owners with a 2004 XJR. Several that I'm looking at. Love the looks and feel. When test driving and asking questions about these vehicles, what should I look for, besides the obvious? CarFAX, maintenance records (timing belt change @100K) Also I've read that the 04+ has more interior room... I'm 6-4, 260 lbs. appreciate your comments-

 

Hey QDP....start your own newbie thread so we can all welcome you too...Its how its done!
As for your questions? Once you've started your own thread in the new member section, why not start a thread in the relevant XJR section and ask your questions there? I'm sure all the guys will be more than happy to chip in with their knowledge and experience...

Good luck

 

You're welcom, what's BRG stand for? Meguires makes the best shine, use a glaze and then a wax, lots of work but worth it.

 

Hi, if you're looking to buy a Jaguar at 6'4" and 260 lbs don't even think about an XJS, there is little room in the cockpit. I am 5'3-1/2 inches tall and 128 lbs and I can lean forward and touch the window frame and window with my forehead which is why I am installing a four or five point seat belt asap, and that is buckled in and leaning forward with waist strap done up and the shoulder belt loose. Should I be impacted slightly sideways and slide out of the shoulder belt well I don't want to even think about it. Just come and join us and have fun with us. This site is a blast with all the fun and jokes we sometimes play on one another, check out the Mug Shot section and see what I mean, check out the fun between myself -jetlag700 and JagPo.... and see what I mean.

Donna

 

BRG is my favorite color: British Racing Green. In the dark (night) it looks almost black but in the sunlight, it's green. I hope my response works, still learning the ropes on this website.

 

If its a California car, rust should not be a problem, but is the main killer of these cars in the UK due to the amount of salt put down in winter.

 

Right where a BRG jag belongs, in the sticks, on the prowl!

 

JIm, I'm leaning towards an older 01 XJR just because it FEELS sportier. I think the 4" height and 3" width and 3"L make it easier inside, but a low-slung, tight fittin' kitty (no i did NOT use the other word!) is naturally more sensuous.... in any color.