hey fellas, just wondering the difference between the 96xj6 and 97 xj6. any improvements in 97? Does the 97 have the cd changer in the trunk. Are all these models vander plas?

 

There really aren't any noticeable differences in the 96 and 97 cars. Except the rear seat belts. The middle seat has a shoulder strap in the 97s, and the 96s have a lap belt. The 97 VDPs (Vanden Plas) have bucket style seats in the back while earlier models have a bench variety. All cars have a CD changer in the trunk unless otherwise modified by a previous owner.

By the way, it's Vanden Plas, not Vander Plas. For some reason, people these days cannot read cursive.

 

thanks tophatchef

 

TopHatChef, I didn't know rear seat belts differed to these models , that's a slight change .I have learnt something new lol

 

Also 96/97 are about the most reliable jaguars in the past 20 yrs which is why i have a 96 vdp

 

Why do people only credit 96 and 97 X300s with being 'the most reliable'. The 1995s are the same car aren't they? My 95 is at 300,000Km and still plenty reliable.

 

Yes 95 should be included but still has some "carryover" from earlier years. Plus has alittle 1st year jitters. 95 also is not recognized in the us as a obd2 car even though it is. When doing a state either you have to do a dyno emmissions test or lie and say its a 96. Still a great car too

 

If by "reliable" you mean the car has never left you stranded, then my '95 has been very reliable as well. It has required a number of repairs to keep it in top shape, though. The only significant one, though, was a diff replacement at about 70k miles.

It seems to be going through the "15 year old blues" right now. A number of items have been crept up, which is to be expected.

I know less about this car, by far, than my previous Jags. There simply hasn't been the need to do as much tinkering....so I've had less opportunity to learn what makes her tick. There are things on the car that are complete mysteries to me.....don't know what they are or what they do!

Cheers
DD

 

The largest 'carry over' I've seen in my car is it's lack of glove box. Everything else looks identical to my dads 96 (aside from his being LWB), an believe me I've gained intimate knowledge of both cars.

 

Jaguar reinstated the glovebox not long after X300 production began. "1995¼ model Year" is how I think they describe it.

Heh heh...I've never known any other manufacturer to use "¼" model years :-)

One X300 change ....not sure if it was 96 or 97...was thicker side window glass.

Cheers
DD

 

The bigger, more noticeable differences are the 95s from the 96 and 97s. The 95s have chrome grille inserts on all cars (excluding the R models which are mesh), and have a door lock on the passengers door in addition to the driver's door, and what they are most popular for, lack of glove box on some models.

For some reason, most of the 95 cars I see are tan/golden with regards to their paint.

 

My 95 is an 'XJ Sport' and it has plastic grille inserts painted to match the body (maroon).

The trunk finisher trim/handle is chromed metal, while my dad's is chromed plastic.

Did any cars ever have chromed metal grille inserts, or were they always plastic?

 

Hmmm. my inserts in the grill are chromed metal and fluted surrounds. But I always thought this was on the VDP's only..

 

You sure it's actually metal? Dad's always looked metal until I examined them more closely. Well if metal ones do exist, then I'll have to get me some of them. It's a shame if they're chromed, rether than stainless steel. I want to sand blast them and paint them to match my car's body, just like the stock plastic ones. I think it looks pretty nice that way. If I had a non-sport car with the chrome trim I'd leave them shiny though...

 

Sorry, I should have mentioned that the VDP's have the chrome inserts regardless of year, along with the fluted surround. I am 99% certain that they aren't chromed metal and just plastic. They started using plastic when they introduced the Xj40's.

 

TopHatChef
yes you are right they are plastic. I replaced the grill in my 96 VDP because the previous one had the chrome all flaked away and started showing this hideous tarter colour plastic

 

Damn. I guess I'll be getting a mesh grille then.