As I start my hunt for a second XJS convertible, I am trying to become a de facto expert on builds. I am very specific on the '95 model year, as in NC, '96 MY and later requires full emissions inspections, and as for the '94s, I'd rather have the AJ16 engine (like in my current '95), and well, I just don't like the seat pattern and 15" lattice wheels.

My current '95 is not a Celebration model, but I want the next one to be, as I like the wood steering wheel, shifter, and seat piping. It seems like a given here that Celebration models start with VIN 221855.

Check this out:

1995 Jaguar XJ - Houston, TX

VIN is 221968. No piping on the seats, no wood steering wheel. Looks like the right shifter, but those wheels don't look like polished chrome.

Thinking that the 221855 VIN is not necessarily accurate for where the changeover takes place. Thoughts?

 

One item to consider is that the 1996 has the revised ABS without the "pressure ball". It seems that many of these pressure ***** are now starting to fail and I believe that they are no longer in production. I do not know the VIN of when the changeover started.

 

I am not familiar with that. Please elaborate.

 

 

I think it is called an ABS pressure accumulator and was eliminated on the 1996 XJS. If available, they were probably last produced years ago and are expensive. I've heard they are at the age where they are starting to fail.

 

Another plus for the 1996 is that they are equipped with the on-board diagnostics system. Not sure if the 1995s were equipped with that or not.

 

re: pressure accumulator - Snag a part number and cross check it with Ford, BMW, Volvo, Mazda, etc. May be much cheaper and readily available under another manufacturer.

 

It was a standard GM part and was quite cheap and easy to find. Unfortunately, now it is out of production.

Here is a detailed thread about it, and the least expensive alternative I was able to find:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...lators-175265/

 

Celebration does start at 221855. I know 2 of the first 5 cars and they are built to the revised Celebration spec. The car in the pics does seem to have a few non-Celebration items (seats and steering wheel). Are you sure the VIN is correct?

The brakes were changed to the non-accumulator setup in late 94 at VIN 198335 so pre-Celebration. Jaguar called that the 1995.25 MY but may have referred to it as something else for the US market.

Hope that helps.

Paul

 

I have three '95 XJS' and from what I understand there is some confusion on what is a true '95 and what is considered a " celebration " model or '96 at least here in the United States. All celebration models at least here in America were equipped with OBD2 and have the seat piping and the leaping jaguar is embroidered in the headrests of the seats. All the celebration examples came from the factory with the half wood steering wheel and aero wheels as stock but the wheel could have been switched out at the dealer or special ordered with the chrome five spoke from the factory.

The tricky thing is you could find a non celebration example with some or all of these items added or switched to the car except the OBD2. It is unlikely you will find a '95 with the AJ16 with the seats put in from a '96 but not impossible.

The reason I have stayed with the '95 AJ16 version is because I have read and seen first hand the '96 celebration with the OBD2 having an issue with a high idle and it appears this can only be re calibrated on the '96 with a Jaguar scanner. This issue does not appear that uncommon with the '96 so just not worth it to me to deal with. I also really like the 5 spoke factory wheel on the '95 and find the '96 aero wheel to my eye makes the car look older. This is not a deal breaker as the wheels can be switched out and often are on a true celebration example.

As far as the half wood steering wheel goes I do like the look of them but many are cracking or sun damaged now. Keep in mind that a factory half wood steering wheel can be put in a '95 with no issues and one of my '95's had a all wood steering wheel installed and it looks wonderful.

 

Thanks for your informative post. I was not aware that OBDII was built into the late '95s/Celebrations. One of the reasons I've stayed away from the '96s was the OBDII. I need to take another look now. Where is the OBDII port? My Volvo had it in the center glovebox.

I've learned about the (above post) brake setup as another difference between 95-96. This is the kind of info I knew I would find here. Thanks, guys.

 

Do you know if this was the same time the ventilated discs were added?