Hello Fellow Cat Lovers,
I am looking to purchase an XJS-6, I have a 1997 XJ6 sedan. Which years are the most reliable and trouble-free?
Thanks,
Rande

 

1995.25 and 1996 are highlighted by a working OBD2 system and avoids the Teves III brake system.

All of the sixes are reliable (both of them). Just depends how you want to diagnose problems. None of them will be trouble free.

 

Thanks, so similar to my 1997 XJ6 then.

 

IMO, this depends more on the care a car has rec'd.... and less on xxx-particular model year. If you can find which has been lavished with attention by a loving enthusiast you'll probably be OK. They've poured money into the cars getting them sorted out. You'll spend a bit more up front but you'll be buying that poured-in money for about 20 cents on the dollar

Or....buy one that hasn't been quite so lavished-upon and spend your own money at 100 cents on the dollar

Cheers
DD

 

DD,
I agree about spending the better money upfront!
Rande

 

OBDI cars are better in my opinion. The OBDII cars have an early version that gives off somewhat vague info compared to newer systems. But the the AJ16 is nice to look at and even though coils are an annoyance from time to time, theyre an improvement in ignition system.

 

I keep a six-pack of coils in my XJ6 and a Torx socket!

 

In my XJR/6 days I kept extras in the trunk. Could change 'em by the side of the road in mere minutes...and often did ! :-)

Cheers
DD

 

To this day I keep a spare coil in Nix's trunk.
Haven't had to change one for several years, but it's THERE if needed.
(';')

 

“1995.25 and 1996 are highlighted by a working OBD2 system and avoids the Teves III brake system”

Are the Teves III that bad? I’m looking at a ‘94 with the Teves III.

 

My understanding is that they can be easy to damage if you don't know what you're doing and parts after its damaged are hard to get and expensive. I think the most common mistake people make is forcing fluid backwards when working on the brakes. Its fine on most cars, but disastrous on this system.

 

The thing is that if youre fully aware of TevesIII being in your car, therefore you can always ensure its done by either you or a competent Jag mechanic. I have the tevesIII in 2 cars and its not an issue.

 

The issue with the Teves III system is occasioned by 4 things:

- Certain components suffer through age and this has only come to light in recent years, eg the ribbon cable inside the ABS valve block can deteriorate
- Certain elements suffer through poor maintenance. Again, this has only come about as the cars have reached 20+ years old, eg sediment in dirty brake fluid can cause dangerous havoc in the ABS valve block
- Many, if not most owners don't understand the complex system. So they just replace the wrong parts without being able to properly diagnose what is the problem.
- That lack of knowledge also means that many owners don't know how to do routine maintenance properly. As an example most owners don't know, or why, the brakes have to be bled in a certain way.

The system was fine when new. And can be easily maintained if you understand how it works. I've never had any brake problems on my car which I've owned for over 20 years.

Paul

 

Paul,
Thank you for taking the time to write this! Can you recommend somewhere I can find steps for routine maintenance of the system? I’d like to make sure I maintain my system properly and according to any recommended schedule.

 

Series 1 or 2, at most an early 3 - no software, no emissions, no problems if properly maintained - biggest issue rust and electrics.

 

Hi XJDanny

If the Teves Mk111 goes wrong it can be a very easy and inexpensive Fix, that many 'Shops' would not know how to do

It's not the Brakes you want to worry about, it's the In-Tank Fuel Pump, as if that goes wrong then you could have a problem on your hands!

Ask me how I know-or rather don't

 

Indeed, the fuel pump is a real PITA.