Hi Everyone,
Just a brief introduction as a newbie to the XJ40 model section. I have been a Jaguar forums member for around 12 years, my previous models being Series III and X300. Both of those cars have been gone for some time and I'm now back into Jaguar territory with my newly acquired XJ40 4.0 Sovereign. I chanced upon this beauty being sold by a local Jaguar car club member, fortunately he hadn't advertised it beyond the club's own website classifieds, so I was in the right place at the right time to jump on it quickly. She is completely original and in absolutely mint condition with 111,800km. With several gold award wins at club shows under her belt, my duty is to keep her looking as she has always been kept by her previous fastidious owner. Not a problem for me, I'm equally as fussy!
I'll be posting more shortly, including some pics of course. In the meantime I look forward to once again being an active participant in the forum.

 

XJ40s have picked up a little in popularity in the club scene as everyone made is now 30 years old.
In most Australian states that qualifies them for concessional/club registration.
In Queensland that is around $200 per annum versus around $1000 pa for a 6 cylinder car (including 3rd party insurance)

 

Club plates are certainly a side benefit, although not my key reason for choosing XJ40. In Victoria I could have bought another X300 or even an early X308 and still been eligible for club plates as all have reached the 25 year benchmark. Having owned the models either side of XJ40, I'm already feeling that this model (particularly post 1990) is the sweet spot in the '80's / '90's era of XJ. The differences are already very evident, certainly much higher quality of finish and electrics for example, than S3, and more wholly 'Jaguar' than the Ford influenced X300. All of mine have been great cars though, but I think this one just seems to have hit the spot for me.

 

A few pics taken just before collecting the car...

 

Tony
That is a very, very nice car.
Is the battery in the engine bay or in the boot?
The reason I ask is there were significant changes in 1992 and the easy way to differentiate is the battery position. The earlier cars had the battery in the engine bay
Most XJ 40 service manuals only deal with the earlier cars and that is frustrating particularly in the electrical area.
I had a 1994 XJ40 but used to have to refer to X300 electrical diagrams. e.g. the relay for the radiator fans is in the same place as in the X300 and not where the earlier car manuals indicated.

Ps interested on the Vic. 25 years versus Qld.30-year requirement. One day we might get our states to agree on something

 

Thanks Bill. Built in '92 before the battery was shifted aft, complianced and first registered early '93. So it fits into the first of the two XJ40 'mid-life crisis' periods (i.e. '91 / '92). I had the opportunity of a '93 build / '94 reg, a lovely car but with twice the mileage and with an unknown history beyond the last 5 years. Thus I opted for the earlier incarnation since it came with full provenance from day 1 and in truly outstanding condition.

As for our varying state based motoring regulations, it's crazy that we don't have consistency between the states. I didn't realise that Qld has a 30yr vehicle age benchmark for the club permit scheme, I'm not sure about the other states but Vic has always been 25 yrs.

 

Tony
Was only trying to alert you to the difference between different builds.
But it seems you are on top of it all and I hope you will enjoy the car.
My X300 is the same colour but the paint has taken a beating as it sat for 2 years under a car cover until probate was finalised on the deceased estate. (scalded clear layer)


X300 at Warwick, QLD

 

Tony,

I just spotted your thread and am excited to see your XJ40. That is a real beauty!

I have owned two XJ40s and most folks don't realize how wonderfully luxurious they are. I'm happy that this beautifully-preserved example has found another owner who will give it the care it deserves.

Cheers,

Don

 

I think the XJ40 shown in the thread would be Arctic Blue Metallic (JFE). The X300 is Ice Blue Metallic (MDP).
/pedantry

 

My XJ40 is Diamond Blue. Pretty sure that Bill's X300 is Ice Blue, coincidently the same colour as my former X300 Sport.

 

Thank you Don. The XJ40 oozes class, even more than I had realised in the past. It will certainly continue to receive all the care it's been used to.