Hello chaps. Let me preface this by saying I do not have a XJS yet but it is my car-to-be and I'm grinding through the gears of getting ready for one. Must be patient unfortunately but I'm busy soaking everything in. Lots of great resources I've found from youtube (Living with a Classic Channel for example) and on this forum and Jag Lovers. Downloaded and printed the Experience in a Book by Kirby Palm and that's been a good read. Have tried to put together some parts vendors and I've found Moss Motors (which im sure everyone here probably uses) and was wondering what other vendors are US based. If the reader is at all curious I'm a 31yo male, married, little 4 yo daughter (She's a helper type of personality so i'm looking very much forward to her holding a flashlight for me and handing me things), and i work on helicopters. Taking on a project XJS is very much up my street. My limit will be garage space. Big projects like removing front and rear subframes or pulling engine might be a little out of the realm of possible, however I might end up bringing it to the hangar for big projects and sticking it in the back. We shall see. My boss is very kind. I'm very much looking forward to having my own in a few years, but i'll settle for admiring everyone else's Jag.

PS: anyone else in the Atlanta area?

 

Welcome to the forum. 93 4.0l 6 cyl. I am currently refreshing some age related items as well as about to do a head gasket. As I have worked on both the 6 and the 12 cyl. I prefer the 6. Easier to work on and fewer problems overall engine wise. Team it with german auto trans and Salisbury differential and drive line is pretty bullet proof except for a poor quality head gasket. Just my opinion. Highly recommend getting the shop manual, parts book and electrical guide for whatever model year you purchase. Jags are alot like helicopters, Thousands of parts holding hands and trying to go in different directions. Good luck and pick a good one. They arent really expensive to buy, but damn sure can be if not well maintained.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I do think I have my heart set on the 12, but you never know what happens between now and purchase time and whats available. My wife did mention the old XJ looks nice lol.

We always say that there are a thousand parts spinning around an oil leak. Sounds like the V12 is much like that haha. I'm certainly not interested in buying a complete hot mess. Saw one in my area for $500. No way i'm touching that. Once im ready i'll be looking for one around $10K maybe. Have seen some nice ones in that price area. As long as the engine and transmission are in good working order I can tackle the rest. I see you're in Gulf Breeze. Have you been to the Zoo? It's lovely. We went to Navarre in 2018 I think and stopped in there. Really liked it. Other than Moss do you know of any reputable parts suppliers?

 

I'm so close to the zoo that on a calm day I can hear elephants. My Grandkids had a great time a few years ago. SNG Barrett, Jagbits, Engel Imports, are some I have used. Also Rock Auto for engine parts when they are available and generally much cheaper. Research for parts is always a fun game to play. The company I work for is headquartered in Atlanta as well as my sister, so I'm up there on occasion.

 

How awesome! Thanks for the references!

 

Mark,

You should always use the Jaguar parts website when buying a part for an XJS. At least that way you'll get the right part number and understand the cost of buying a genuine Jaguar part. (Jaguar have a large parts warehousing facility in the US). Jaguar parts can be purchased online or via your local US Jaguar Dealer, SNG Barratt are also nominated "Jaguar Dealer" for the purchase of genuine Jaguar parts, so another source. They have a large US capability. They also often sell OEM options for certain parts. They also sometimes sell aftermarket pattern parts. I wouldn't buy any pattern parts for my XJSs unless I absolutely had no option. There is a huge amount of poor quality repro parts out there.

Good luck in your search for the car.

Paul

 

Hi Mark. Smart to do the research first. You can choose the right XJS for you. "Flat head", HE, or 6.0. Lucas or Marelli. Coupé, H&E or factory convertible, maybe a cabriolet. There's a version for nearly everyone.

 

Oh, that's Good!!
I'll remember it for a Long time!
(';')

 

Thanks for the reply and I have now added SNG to my bookmarks tab. I do plan on staying away from cheap aftermarket crap.

I definitely am leaning to the HE 5.3. Prefer a hardtop, but I do like the shape of the convertible better without the buttresses. IF I could find a 1991 (same build year as myself) that would be a bonus. My wife has expressed interest in only owning a car in a decent color (no brown or champagne). So thats what I'm working with.

 

Just a note of warning about suspension bushes. You MUST use only Metalastik brand. These are the original EM suppliers; but Jaguar do not have them any more. Even SNG do not hqve them, and anything else but Metalastic, whatever the seller claims, are UTTER rubbish with a life expectancy in weeks not months.
For now, David Manners still have stocks of Metalastic.

 

Yes sir I've read that the poly bushings are garbage. Unfortunate that the proper ones are almost unobtainium. Once it's time I'll go down the right path Obiwan.

 

I got mine from Welsh Ent and so far theyre all holding up well. I have put about 12k miles on them and the only time they were not to my liking is if I drive the car in the rain, and immediately drive it on the dry cold days that follow since rain for me, equals snow in the mountains near by. The car will develop a squeak. I have to wash the undercarriage and then it quiets down in which Im able keep driving it throughout the year. I know people love to talk about unobtanium but adding rubber is always better than no rubber.

 

David Manners have stock, AFAIK the only place that does. Ask for Jack Weston.
Attached a photo of what were meant to be good quality aftermarket bushes after 5 weeks:


These are for the lower front wishbone inner fulcrum, other places are not quite as loaded; but if you want the classic Jaguar combination of quietness, ride and handling, there is no substitute for OEM bushes throughout.

 

I think Ive seen you post those pics for some years now. Thats definitely a crappy set of bushings someone sold you. Yikes! I just went under my car and mine look as good as new still. So I will give Welsh Ent some credit for being able to get me bushings that dont fall apart after 5 weeks. Good to know that OEM may still be available. But the future will have to rely on good aftermarket rubber, once the OEM stuff is gone. I