Hello again members, following my previous thread & taking on board the advice given I have selected the possible purchase of a 1996 Daimler double six.
The car is like new all round, the leather smells fresh, it has a genuine 75,000km
or slightly under 50,000 miles. I have had 2 trials but need to know what to look for. The suspension feels very firm is this normal with this car?

 

Harry,

The Daimler has softer suspension than the equivalent Jaguar but the only way for you to tell whether this one is OK is to try another example of the same model.

Graham

 

I am comparing the suspension to my Audi quatro A8, its very smooth. Thanks. I see your Scottish heritage, I am from Johnshaven, 20 mile south of Aberdeen.
Harry

 

Harry,

There's two possible models for the 1996 Daimler 66. The end of the X300 or the first of the X305. Which do you have?

X300


X305


Hover over the images to enlarge them.

Graham

 

An "X300" type Jaguar (red car, first pic) with a V12 IS an "X305"

Your second pic looks like an X350 Jaguar....which never had the V12

Cheers
DD

 

As mentioned the Daimlers would usually have the softer suspension but the catalogs do mentioned a "Sportpack" suspenion option....at least for the Jaguars. Perhaps the car in question is so equipped?

A rear anti-roll bar is the usual quick identifier.

Cheers
DD

 

Hello Graham, hello Harry,

@Graham:
don't be mad, but the images definitely don't show neither the X300 nor the X305 (which is, btw, the codename for the X300 with the V12 engine).
The red car shown with the image "X300" is a 1997.5+ MY X308 and
the silver car shown with the image "X305" is a 2006+ MY X350.
A 1995 Daimler Double Six looks like this (see below) and a 1996 MY either.

The X300 range (end of 1994 thru May 1997) was succeeded by
the X308 range (May 1997 thru May 2003), which was succeded
by the X350 range.

For more and detailed information see
The cars : Jaguar X300/X308 | AROnline
and
Jaguar XJ Model X300-X305-X306-X308 versions, models & types in the catalog of cars

@Harry
To answer your questions:
For the 6.0 Litre, there are two types of suspension available:
a) comfort suspension (the same as in the 4.0 Litre), part no. JLM12342 and
b) sport suspension, part no. JLM12256
I've got the latter in my DD6 (quite expensive but fine).

What to look for:
First of all: A complete dealer service record should be present.
Then: just buy and read Peter Crespin's little booklet "The Essential Buyer's Guide Jaguar/Daimler XJ - All models 1994 to 2003", Veloce Publishing, ISBN 978-1-84584-200-0. This will help you - especially chapter 15: "Problems due to lack of use". Flat tyres, leaky steering, noisy rear axle, defect shock absorbers, defect a/c compressor and worn radiator hoses are typical for cars with low mileage - I've made the experience. ALL fluids (this means cooling system, air condition, steering, braking system, automatic gearbox and differential) older than one year should be renewed - and don't save on the brake pipes and brake pads (especially in the rear).

Best, Harald

 

Thanks for unpicking the mystery Doug and Harald. Pleased we've got that sorted! It's as well these 66's are rare beasts.

This comes back to why I jumped into this thread originally. Does anyone have a Driver's Handbook PDF or a link to one?

Graham

 

see
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...48/#post263943

 

Thanks again, my car is very similar to the x300 red car, it is badged as Daimler double six, for the Japanese market.
From what I have learned over the past few days is its similar to the uk Vanden Plas model,I may be wrong but I think its a 305, can I tell from the VIN #
Harry

 

Harald, that was very informative so thanks a lot., for me just now its all a learning curve & without this forums I would be lost.
Thanks. Harry.

 

hey,

just saw that your question concerning the clock display remained unanswered.

it's a known issue and almost every x300 is getting this problem, sooner or later.
there are two ways: replace or repair.

repair: there are two guys in england doing this job, see their ads on ebay:
Jaguar X300 XJ6 Clock Digital LCD display REPAIR SERVIC | eBay
and
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-XJ6-XJR-X300-LCD-REPAIR-SERVICE-CLOCK-DISPLAY-94-97-SIDMASTER-/200678503506?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM& hash=item2eb95ef452
i don't know whether they are doing a good job or not. i had the same issue, and i decided for replacement.

replace: you probably need the part with seat heater and headlamp levelling, the part no is LNA6290DA and its available at jaguarclassicparts.com e.g., the price is GBP 181.05 plus 20% vat plus shipping. it's not that easy to find the part on their site: select "english" on the start page, then select "latest parts information / parts news" in the upper row and then scroll down, the part comes with a frame, looking like this:

or you can order it at terrysjag.com or at martinrobey.com, e.g.

if you've got a cd changer in your car with the original jaguar radio, you will realize sooner or later that the radio is "losing" the changer or that it can't find it, showing "NOT CONT" (= not connected) on the display. you don't need neither a new radio nor a new changer, it''s only a soldering problem with the radio. it's a tiny pad with the no 223 which was forgotten in the automatic soldering programme by the factory. see at mraven.com/Jaguar_X300_Radio.html how to fix it; it's marked with an arrow (NOT with the circle!) on the picture. You only need someone who is familiar with soldering circuit boards (a television technician for example)....

for how to replace the radio and/or the clock, there is a smart little video at youtube:
and don't miss to take a look at www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x300-26/ski-slope-removal-1995-xj6-x300-faq-57038/, it's quite helpful, especially how to remove the gearshift surround with the retaining chrome ring.

cheers!
harald

 

Thanks for all the replies, I am getting there now, I have a niggle about my vin code, the car is a 1995 Daimler double six for Japan market. The tenth letter on the VIN is B, from what I have seen it should be P. i cant find any info for this letter.
Harry

 

One *possible* explanation is the VIN decoding info you're using is North American-centric, as most are.

Cars for the North American (or at minimun, USA) market used an entirely different VIN "convention" versus ROW.


Cheers
DD