Heh guys

I've just bought my first ever Jag and it was all done online and all thanks to the Jag forum. I started a thread about 3 weeks ago to help me find the right one for me. Along the way I had a crash course on the basics and meat some top blokes along the way. After much researching and asking alot of silly questions, the decision was made 2 days ago and I bought me a "Blue Goose" a 1985 XJS 5.3 litre V12.

I am working overseas ATM and i am getting it trucked to my house whilst I am out here (South China Sea) hopefully by the time I return home in 2 and a bit weeks. The picture below was taken of her just out of storage.

I will admit it is going to be a steep learning curve. I havent tinkered with cars since before I was married and had on old bomb my diesel fitter mate used to help me keep it going so I could get to work.

Ill be posting my experiences here for anybody interested, and hopefully any other people out there who are first time Jag owners can get some benefit from it too.

You might see some dumb questions here and there, but dont worry, ill be taking the wrap!

Well, its gonna start with the count down until I get home. 17 days left until I arrive home and see my bounty.

Then its Road Worthy Certificate and change of rego time.This is gonna be awesome as I will get to meet one of the blokes from our very own Jag Forum, who has helped me a great deal along the way.

Oh, an not to mention my first experience ever driving a V12

Stay tuned

 

Looks great, congratulations!

Cheers
DD

 

She looks to be in great shape - congrats!!!

 

thanks guys. She has been well looked after I hear. Been taken care of by one of our fellow Jag Forum members.

First hurdle today. Broke the news to the Mrs via email that she has to clean all of the gym equipment out of the garage to make room for the Goose......she was not happy.

Aint no way Im comin home to find her parked out side. Thats what my 4 cylinder Mitsubishi is for lol!

 

Hi Paul

The Mrs will be even more unhappy when you find the Car won't fit and She has to put it all back in!

Have you measured your Garage?

I had to build another one, it wouldn't fit in mine.

 

More 'Goose Photo's' Wanted!

 

Damn are you serious! I never thought of that! I hope it does bloody fit...doh!

oh here is another goosey gander. These are the only pictures i have to drool over until i get back to Oz

 

All done online and no more pics to share with us?? Anyway, congrats

 

oh i have a few more pics, including the original for sale ones, but the internet speed is so damn slow out here it takes for ever and a day to upload!

Counting down the days now. Was trying to keep doing my research before I finally met her. Anybody recommend or think its worth buying the workshop manual:


What about the Haynes version?

I know there is a tonne here in the forum and outside but sometimes I just prefer having the book infront of me, especially if i wanna sit it on the bonnet of the car whilst im investigating you know what I mean?

What about you guys? You bought many books on the XJS? Recommend a few essentials? Do you prefer to download them or have a hardcopy?

 

Lovely car you have there, looks great in blue. Impressive the way you bought it, too!

I bought the workshop manual and find it a lot more useful than the Haynes. I think it worth the money, for me anyway, as I often need help.

 

thanks bud.

Yeah I saw the Haynes covers the XJ12 and XJS in one book. They have big similaraties or whats the go there?

 

What a leap (leaper?) of faith. Buying online and never driven the '12' But lifes too short to get bogged down in technicalities.

I'm sure you'll love it. Congratulations! The XJS had a six cylinder engine as well as the 12. XJS - XJ12.
Check eBay for a manual on CD. Cheap as.

Looking forward to an update when you get home....

 

Ha ha ha ha....my daily driver was a straight 4 up till now.....i think i better be careful for the first few days until I get used to it. Im not really a speed freak, more of a cruiser so I should treat her right.

It'll all work out in the wash

Got two more weeks to go. Been reading in my room at night. Asking questions on the forum and all. Trying to knowledge up but I think it will all sink in better with the cat in front of me you know what I mean?

To say I am a tad excited to get home is an understatement!!

 

BTW Greg

The blue is called Sapphire Blue Metallic I believe. The interior is Doeskin.

She has a slight yellowish stripe down each side too but you have to look close on the pics. I have always been a fan of the darker colours for the XJS's IMO.

 

heh guys. Been doing some more pre emptive planning for when I get home.

My XJS comes with the original cassette player. I dont want to remove it so want to discretly install something that can play MP3's or better yet, work with bluetooth, that can be installed without altering too much. No fancy speakers or anything, just good enough to enjoy, knowwhataamean?

Any recommendations?

This is one of the first essentials when i get home lol!

 

I bought the Haynes manual for $20 online. Seems ok for me. The Jag manual is really expensive. I have sbc in mine so I dont need the v12 info in the Jag manual.

 

Paul, that is exactly the approach I took in this thread: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...js-done-94642/

It really does work well, and to my ears the existing speakers are fine.

This company iSimple Solutions | Get Connected has some cool options depending on your phone/MP3 player.

 

Hi Paul

Something to take your mind off the 'Goose'

Here is what 'sometimes happens' in the (UK) during an MOT when they Jack up the Front of the XJS on their Jacking Beam. (OZ Test may be similar)

They Slide the 'Beam' under the 'Jacking Points' on either Side of the Car, then add a couple of 'Metal Blocks' to either side of the 'Beam'

Then they 'Jack it up' with the weight of the Car on those two 'Jacking Points' (not a good look in my book!)

Although the 'Jacking Points' can take the weight, 'Metal on Metal' can slip and the way they do it (or used to!) on my Car, used to freak me out as it never looked very safe!

So I made up a little device, which I always take along to an MOT Test.

Its just a couple of pieces of 4X4X2 with a half inch hole through the middle (preferably made of hardwood) You must have loads on the Rig!

These can be placed on the ends of the 'Jacking Beam' and the 'Jacking Point Pegs' go into the holes in the Wood.

This not only helps spread the load, that would otherwise be taken on the 'Jacking Point Peg' but helps to prevent any slipping from Metal on Metal.

Maybe they have a better way of doing things in OZ?

But might be worth making a couple of these just in case.

 

See this thread:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ook-xjs-55325/

 

thanks for sharing guys

OB we cant take any thing back from the rig as we leave by helicopter lol! no planks of wood will fit in my little carry on bag ha ha ha. But nah, that must be a little cringe worthy to watch them jacking it up like that.

Thanks Greg, i was having a read of that. So you use an FM frequency still though?

cheers Scott. Many people have recommend the Kirby Palm to me. i have downloaded that and have started reading it. Good read.