So, as I posted previously a snow plow hit my car this past Sunday. Ive looked all over the forum and if im reading the tech bulletins correctly I have a LWB model.

Is there any way to test this by like taking measurements or something?

I so lost.



Thanks!

 

If you can post the picture of the rear seats or the car side view, many of us can tell if it is a LWB or not.

 

Chances are if you have more legroom in the back than in the front you have a LWB

Have you checked your VIN?

 

Im not sure this is what you need for the back seats, the last 6 of the vin number starts with 747 also that rear seat has like a console portion that lifts up in the middle where the 3 passenger would sit which i have not seen in other X300's i have been in.

if im reading this manual correctly i do have a long wheel base?

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...4&d=1297795673

Thanks

 

The LWB is 4.9 inches longer than the SWB. The extra length is all in the rear passenger compartment.




This is my X308 LWB but the side view is very similar to an X300. I had an X300 before this but haven't got an equivalent side photo!





Note the rear door (at the waistline stripe) of the LWB is very obviously longer than the front door.

Graham

 

It's not a good picture unfortunately, I should've said I would need the pic from outside with the rear door open, with the leg room. Then it will be obvious.

 

The 7th character in your VIN confirms body variant:

L = 4 Door Saloon
M = 4 Door, 5 Seat LWB Saloon
N = 4 Door, 4 Seat LWB Saloon

Graham

 

Get your woman back there. If it's comfortable laying down then you have the LWB

 

The little console extension is very common. It is in all models that have rear heated seats.

If an adult can get into the back and generally not have their knees touching or within an inch or two of the back of the front seats, you have a LWB. Once you have noted the difference, you really will never again be unsure

Here are two interior photos that may make it more clear. Note on the LWB version the extra couple inches between the floor "console extension" and the rear seat than on the non-LWB version.

Non-LWB

http://car-from-uk.com/ebay/carphoto...ebay688673.jpg


LWB

http://liveimages.redbook.com.au/red...thin&width=440

.

 

YOU GUYS LOL I CANT, well I did just get married on the 2nd...... lol anyway here are the side profile pics, and the rear seats are not heated.

 

Looks like a standard non-LWB to me.

BTW, if it is a 1995 VDP, I would think that rear heated seats were standard if offered, but maybe those were 1996+. I forget.

Also BTW, noting your sig "non supercharged", only the XJR was supercharged for the X300 series. None of the VDP were SC in the X300. Now in the X308, that is another story

 

I hope you and your new wife are short, you have a regular WB

 

Yes my friends, I concur. Short wheel base. In the USA, most of the 95 model year Vanden Plas were short wheel base, except for the very late 95s, starting with VIN 746814 (according to JDHT). So yours could have been a LWB, but it's not. I don't know why, since your VIN is 747xxx!

On a positive note, less space = closer snuggling. Congratulations!

 

Uh oh Graham,

In the good 'ole US of A, the seventh digit of the VIN is actually the engine type. 7 = AJ16, 3 = V12, 2 = 1997 AJ16. Y'all know we like doin' things our own ways round here!

UNLESS, you check for the REAL, secret VIN, stamped in the metal down by the battery. A genuine "mark" still found on the USA models.

I believe the sixth digit of the USA VIN (which would be 6) denotes the LWB.

 

Richard,

Thank you for that very useful information.

I knew US vehicles often have an 'alternative' VIN but didn't know the original factory VIN is still left visibly stamped next to the battery.



Most of the online VIN lookups are for the 'alternative' US VIN and therefore useless for the Rest of the World!

I'm compiling a full set of Jaguar VIN lookup tables for a new General Tech Help thread so any detail I can get on US VIN structure differences is very helpful. Here's the X300 table:



Does the 'secret' VIN on your vehicle match this decode?

Graham

 

Interesting info Richard, I didn't think any LWB MY95's were offered in the states. I'd bet it's an early 95: rear seat console is our consolation prize for no glove box due to airbag figment. My VDP identical and sans heated rear....ney, not even heated FRONT seats until I tinkered with it.

 

There is NO LWB X300 for the 1995 MY (first year production). Even the VDP was a Short Wheel Base for that year!!!!!!!!

First MY for the X300 LWB is 1996...bob gauff

 

See, and this is why I like this community so much you guys are so enthused! Well fortunately for this discussion i have to replace the battery because Its nice and swollen. don't worry I'm replacing it with the group 49 H 8 batteryand I will look at the super secret number while I'm in there feeling around

 

Strictly speaking it came in at MY1995.75.

Jonathan

 

The decode of my USA trio "secret VIN" is accurate with the exception of the 11th digit for emissions type. The sixes show 'S' there and the twelve shows 'T'. That could be specially for USA emission cars, with the 4 cat converters, air pumps, etc.

Interestingly, the XJ12 has 'M' at the fifth position, which is 'Majestic'. I don't really know what that designation means. I suppose it applies somehow to non USA cars. Still it is a lovely way to describe the car!