I see more rusty XJ40s than X300s. Is this just a coincidence, or did Jaguar improve rust proofing in the X300 vs the XJ40?

Also, what are your thoughts on this specimin:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-351444468.htm

Is 200,000km (125,000 miles) much for the 6.0 V12?

EDIT: It says the air con isn't working - is the air con used for fuel cooling or anything important in these cars?

 

Looks OK.

Last of the XJ40 and considered to be well sorted by then.

200K kms, NO, just run in basically. That will depend on care over the years, oil/filter/fuel etc etc, but they are generally good for 500+k kms without too much fuss.

Not sure on the XJ40, if they kept that stupid cooler, none of my 5.3 have them and NO issues. Maybe out of gas due to lack of use, coz that can cause issues with teh front compressor seal, so maybe a new compressor and flush and regas, which is about $1500 here in OZ.

They are quite rare here, not sure about NZ??.

 

Say again?!

 

As far as I am concerned , later XJ40s has a better rust protection that can be contributed to Ford owneship and using galvanized steel .
X300s generally seems better built and overall better car

 

In my 40+ years with Jaguars, I have had very little issues with the engines.

Our Pre HE V12 S2 XJ12 is coming up on 435000kms, and still strong, weeping tappet blocks, rattly tappets (not bad), still LUVS the fuel, and is as reliable as anyone could ask. The BW12 (antique) trans is not so reliable, so a TH400 sitting in the shed MAY see its way in there one of these days, MAYBE.

The XJ-S, '85 Coupe, is touching 300k kms, and strong as hell. Took us all the way around the coast road of OZ in 2009, and the only failure was the idiot light oil switch, life goes on.

The main issue with the V12 is some fool lets it overheat, not the cars fault. Radiators need to come out and be properly cleaned about every 5 years, new hoses at the same time, and ALL of them, no exceptions, and there is NO shortcut, sorry.

The timing chain tentioner fails, usually coz that same fool wound the engine backwards, again not the cars fault.

Oil leaks, yep, bad design??, but generally not a pain, and old age does effect all seals etc at some stage. The 1/2 moons are sort of easily replaced, the timing cover plug is easy to replace. O/rings fail usually from running "hot", so back to #1.

I say again, as long as it gets clean oil, clean fuel, clean air, and the "nut behind the wheel" does the maintenence when required and does it PROPERLY, no shortcuts, like 10 spark plugs coz the 2 front ones are toooooo hard??, the engine will last indefinately, IN MY OPINION.

The nephews XJ-S '87, is nearing 400k kms, and is as strong as you could want, and that car gets a "hard life" as all younger drivers do.

 

Oubadah,

Since I note you are in NZ, but dont know where, are you OK with this earthquake.

Watching it now, NOT good.

Take care, keep safe.

 

I'm in Auckland, so unaffected, but thanks for your concern.

 

^Ah good to see that you are OK, hope the family is too.

 

Thanks for the update, glad you're OK