Hi all,
that thorny chestnut of a question..

I can potentially get another X300. Both same price, lowish mileage, both one of my favourite colours, navy blue.

One is a relatively rare Daimler Century, 300 bhp, 6 litre V12. better legroom in rear, but only seats 4.
other is an XJR, converted to 5 speed Getrag manual, chipped to 340 bhp, sagging headliner.

I am torn. I would like either or both.
If I got the V12, I would get some AJ6 parts to mildly warm it up, and hope it would end up with 340-350 bhp, plus awesome smooth V12.
But the manual XJR would be a blast.

what to do...?

 

Manual XJR would be my choice....if the conversion is sanitary

Cheers
DD

 

If you can get your hands on a copy of "Jaguar World" magazine, August 2014 edition, they ran a comprehensive feature comparing the two - worth reading in your situation!

Cheers,

 

I have owned both and in stock trim the V-12 hands down. However a modified XJR sounds interesting.

 

I am leening V12 coz its a Daimler, and as you said RARE as, and that will only get rarer.

The "R" is at least interesting. The conversion was obviously to "blast it" as they say. I wonder if perhaps it has been "blasted" to lifes end, or very close??. Diff, etc may have taken a hiding?????, dunno.

 

My thoughts are the same.

If you are looking at future value, the Daimler is the one. Rare and desirable when new, it can only improve. The XJR was obviously modified for performance and will inevitably have been thrashed. The sagging headliner points to a less than caring owner. If it's for a bit of fun and future value is not a concern, nice to have as a spare car for the times you want to really move.

Graham

 

Xjr every time

 

The Daimler Century is absolutely rare.
Only 200 were built worldwide (100 in Six and 100 Double-Six) !!!!

It was to celebrate the 100th. anniversary of Daimler in 1996 and it was the top model at the time.

So my choice would be the Daimler anytime.

 

The comments already posted pretty much cover it; they are chalk and cheese. You did raise the possibility of buying both.......a very elegant solution to your dilemma!

 

Easy choice. I'd go the v12 Daimler. The V12 and rarity make it a no brainer in my opinion.

Cheers

Steve

 

The Daimler ... hands down!

The XJR 5 speed conversion, if done cleanly, is OK if that's what you want.
But when I see the word "chipped", I figure the car has been pretty well flogged!
(Not always true, I realize, but a pretty good indicator).

Good luck with whatever you decide!
Retro

 

Love my XJR, but since I already have one, I'd go for the Daimler. Very rare, and interesting car that if well maintained should hold its value and be a fun conversation (and driving) piece.

Regarding the XJR, I'd also be leery of any "conversion" unless I knew who did it, how they did it, and had a lot of confidence they did it well. Unless they converted just like the factory, the conversion may hurt the value long term.

.

 

I would say Daimler V12 is something special. It contains luxurious comfortable ride quality and the highest class trim (unlike other Jaguars there is soft Autolux leather everywhere with no vinyl leather called "Ambla") comprised with great power, which is enough for any driving situation. Of course, if the traffic lights racing is something you need, the manual XJR would be a better choice. Otherwise, Daimler (especially the rare Century one) is the way to go. Or just get both)

 

I understand all the comments about concerns regarding modified cars. However, lots of people have commented on the rarity of a Daimler long wheelbase V12 X300. Jaguar only built 268 manual XJRs, so even allowing for a few conversions, such as this one, it will be an equally rare car. I've personally modified my car extensively, and the engine is probably now producing about 400bhp and has remained completely reliable for the last 7 years since the upgrade. These engines are very durable.


It is such a personal choice. You need to buy the car that YOU want.

 

thanks everyone

I am indecisive!

I phoned the guy who had the Century, it has gone, so that option off.

Andy, the XJR is likely to be properly converted to manual, as the guy is a Jag mechanic and racer. In fact, the 'chip' is a reprogrammed ECU that you did for him. It still has std exhaust. He has tried your 5' bracket with the engine but he said it wasnt happy so presumably the increased advance is already part of the ECU re-map.

If I was to buy that car, what easy 'bolt-on' mods might help without pulling engine apart, gas-flowing ports, etc?
Would extractor type exhausts make much of a difference with that ECU programme? thanks

 

Any exhaust system changes that reduce exhaust back pressure will help performance, but the improvements are quite modest. If you could remove the entire exhaust system and have straight pipes like a dragster out of the cylinder head you would be lucky to add 30bhp. Just fitting some low loss silencers with the same size pipes in between then, you would be lucky to see half the benefit. The exhaust changes would complement the increase in ignition advance from my reprogrammed ECU. However, my revised crank sensor bracket should not be fitted , as the ignition has already been advanced by the reprogramming.


The most popular performance upgrade for an XJR6 is a 10% bigger crank pulley; assuming this modification has not already been carried out. Another popular change is to fit a less restrictive after-market air cleaner assembly. This will work best if some ducting is added to ensure that the engine breaths ambient temperature air, not hot air from the engine bay.

 

I have agreed to buy the XJR manual, with Andy's reprogrammed ECU.
I haven't taken it over yet, but pleased with the decision.
I haven't had a good manual to drive for a long time, although I am lucky to use my father's vintage Alvis with non-synchro 'crash' box, so not totally out of practice..
I think 340 bhp will be plenty for road use, looking forward to it.

 

Good choice at the end of the day AL.

Just dont run off the edge of the island with all that mumbo, HAHAHA.

ENJOY.

 

Mate

I get my "new" 2000 XJR tomorrow. Can't wait.

Will probably also be looking at getting an exhaust mod (removing the middle resonator and adding a X crossover, maybe cold air intake). But this car is so good (has the correct and unopened tool kit, and the "Jaguar" phone in the console) that anything I do has to be able to be reversed for value sake in heavens knows how many years.

Go hard, and enjoy it - responsibly (well - while anyone's looking anyway).

Lyndon

 

Sorry you missed the v12. I would like to get an xj40 styled v12 with the sovereign trim level. I have a 97 xjr. Its auto and has the andy bracket and large open air breather. I am not sure the breather did much but allow you to hear the supercharger. But that alone is a success for me. People who ride in it love the engine sound. The car is purposely NOT my daily driver. I dont want to take it for granted.

As much as I or anyone else would love their xjr to go faster, I think its mostly a pride issue. But, also you want that surprise feeling you felt the first time you put your foot in your xjr to always feel fresh. But, even if we succeed in getting our xjrs to post 0-60 times under 6 secs that too will eventually be mundane and we'll want below 5.5 etc.

Back to pride. You never want "that guy" to beat you. But "that guy" is a knuckle head. I rarely get messed with by cars that are ACTUALLY fast. While after about 2 weeks and 10 tire spinning 0-60s I stopped "testing" what my car could do and starting respecting it for what it is. I took a new lexus down the other day after they twitched from lane to lane to finally get next to me at a light. If They are going to go through all that I will often put in sport, turn off traction control and allow the jag its pride.

Enjoy your new XJR! I do wish mine were a manual... I THINK. Its pretty cool the way it is. But a raced out AJ16sc done properly and near bullit proof would be kinda cool. Then you need carbon brakes and exhuast. It never ends.......

Oh and 340hp allows it to be plenty forceful at highway speed. I am in the US. 70mph is max legal speed most anywhere. Thats cruel and unusual punishment for these cars.