I need to get a car cover for my XJR. It is parked under an awning so it is somewhat protected from direct sunlight and rain, but it’s nonetheless an “outdoor” environment.

Every time I go on Amazon I give up because there are too many choices. In particular, I don’t trust the size recommendations. The last cover that I bought for the XJR was too big so it caught leaves and dirt in the folds.

 

I highly recommend Covercraft. I bought the sunbrella version which is a heavy canvas. It’s definitely not cheap and I bought mine at the start of Covid so it took a few months but it was well worth the wait. I can’t vouch for any other cover though. I know they have warranty’s on some of these covers though. I know what you mean about looking for one on Amazon, it’s an endless sea of options and trying to see what’s the best cover for the money is nearly impossible. I too had to walk away from Amazon when looking.

 

2003 Jaguar Vanden Plas Car Cover for Outdoor and Indoor Protection | CarCover.com
They are very nice covers. The only issue I can speak to is the fact that the cover does
not address the side view mirrors as well as I would have liked.

 

The "best" car cover for our ladies really depends on the environment it will be used in.
Carport covered cars can usually find adequacy in a cover that is far less expensive than
a Jaguar that is outside with no rain or wind protection. Garaged Jaguars usually just need
something to keep the dust off without harming the finish getting it on and off.

 

Currently my car has a very old Jaguar OEM cover fitted to it which is fine for indoor use but it is past it’s best for outdoor use. However in the past I had a cover craft one sent to me by a friend and past forum member from the USA and it was fantastic. It was used year round and water used to bead off it in wet weather, the only thing I had to do was add an additional clip to the rear bumper area which I used to attach to part of the rear suspension as in high winds on my driveway it would find its way off. I did also used to use the supplied clips to keep it secured to the vehicle so it didn’t blow away. Sadly the interim owner threw it away as he had no intention of using it I found out when I bought the car back.

Once I’ve finished my restoration I will buy the best cover money can buy as storage will alternate from indoor and outdoor as the seasons pass.

 

I bought this car cover: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09BYXF1GX (Size A5) which fits my XJR beautifully, including the wing mirrors, although I usually fold these in when putting on the cover.

At first, it took me a while to put the cover on, but I can now put it on and take it off in 3 mins or less but just by rolling the entire cover from back to front (or vice versa).

 

I for my part do not rely on just one piece of car cover.
From what I read in negative feedback of a hail-cover: If you use (just) that, wind may rub it and cause damage to the paint.

Thus, what I do:
1st layer: bed-linen or bed doona
2nd layer: Hail cover (got mine from Aldi)
3rd layer: tarpaulin (e.g. 3.6x6.1m - silver or clear or any colour) fixed with cloth line all around) to protect the hail cover from UV light and minimize the movements caused by wind.
4rd layer: tarpaulin (preferably silver) to protect the 3rd layer from UV light.
The UV light will eventually destroy the outer layer - thus, when the outer layer is destroyed, use a new 3rd layer and use the former 3rd layer as 4th layer...

 

One could do all that and I am certain it would work.....or
just buy a premium that has adequate underlay.

 

i've had the same issue with amazon sizing being way off and catching debris in the folds, which just ruins the paint. for an outdoor spot like an awning, you really need a custom-fit breathable fabric that won't trap moisture or sag.

the xjr has such a specific shape that generic covers never sit right, so it's worth spending a bit more for a tailored brand. my friend recently had the same struggle trying to find snug covers designed for audi models in his garage, and switching to a custom fit made a huge difference in keeping the car clean.

 

I do not believe, that even a $1000 car-cover with woven in gold would do the trick - that is in response to the "premium that has adequate underlay".
I actually do use - as detailed above - a pretty good hail-cover in midst of my protective layers. That hail hover looks pretty good and solid and has an adequate underlay. But specifically for that hail cover I read negative feedbacks, that it would scratch the paint. Yes, of course: The laws of Physics do explain how repeated strong winds over time do rub again and again on the paint via the moving cover...
I have just spend a few days re-wrapping 8 cars of mine out in the open as described above. This time I used even more cloth line to secure the upper two layers with it via strings underneath the car from left to right - I used up to 3 strings underneath alone - apart from the string around.

I replaced again all the upper layers of traps, which have now been destroyed by UV light (which would normally have been the fate of any expensive premium car cover...)

The sun (UV light), rain and the winds are crazy here, but my cars are safely wrapped up....