Hello everyone,
I'm Steffen and have been reading along here for some time now. Now I'm actually thinking of buying an XJS V12 convertible. That's why I've now registered.

The object of my desire is an XJS V12 with 188 thousand kilometers on the clock. Technically, it was completely overhauled by Jaguar Classics in 2022.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to view and test drive it. Everything met my expectations so far. I was also able to inspect it from underneath on the stage.

That engine and gearbox have some oily moisture belongs to a British car, doesn't it?

Apart from that I didn't discover any abnormalities, but I did take some pictures that I would like your opinion on.

Many thanks for your help!

Best regards
Steffen

 

The amount of oil on the undercarriage is not unusual for the average XJS. But clearly you have an active leak… front main seal, oil feed on the rear of the engine, and valve cover gaskets are typical causes.

I don’t know what you mean by this car was completely technically overhauled. I do see some new shocks. But I also see a bad steering rack bush in picture number two, and no evidence of new upper control arm bushings. These are things I would expect to be replaced in a complete technical overhaul. The stainless exhaust and new radius arms are nice, but if you think this is a drive it and forget it kind of car it’s not. I would not pay over the odds for this particular car because like Jaguar XJS cars it needs work.

 

Thanks for you opinion! Good catch on the steering rack bush!

I've been told, that a complete technical overhaul took place and I also got a copy of the invoice. The owner spent more than 20k Euros in this overhaul, but my impression was, that not everything was done - e.g. the oil leakage. That's why I made the pictures and asked here, as I'm definitely not an expert.

 

Steffen,

I'm not sure what "Technically, it was completely overhauled by Jaguar Classics in 2022." means. Who are Jaguar Classics"? You don't mean "Jaguar Classic" ie Jaguar's Classic division, do you?

At the risk of being disingenuous, I'd politely suggest that those photos indicate that it's had new front and rear shocks (but not springs, and why Sachs shocks?), new rear radius arms, new front flexis and a centre exhaust. But nothing done to springs, front subframe, steering rack leak, front track rod ends gearbox, engine et etc

I'd want to examine that invoice very carefully, and particularly want the rest of the underside and engine examined much more thoroughly. I'd also be going through the known XJS corrosion areas in detail, because ultimately that's what will kill the car.

Go into this with your eyes very wide open.

Good luck

Paul

 

I agree with everything that has been said.

As for the leaks, well, they're not too bad. I'm fairly forgiving of minor leaks on old cars, personally. But the oil can deteriorate rubber parts so some leaks are more important to repair than others. If nothing else, the oil must be rinsed away from time to time.

At today's prices, plus the inevitable Jaguar surcharge, €20K doesn't go very far. These are fabulous cars but can be a real money sponge without DIY labor.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks again!

May be something got lost in translation, so I'm trying to be more precise. The seller had the car at Jaguar Classic division in Germany and they made a so called "Health check" and replaced / maintained what they considered necessary repairs. That's how he spent >20k Euros. Among others all fluids, many hoses, shock absorbers, thermostat and certain electrical components were replaced.

So it wasn't a complete overhaul in the meaning of a "complete technical restoration". Sorry for the confusion.

But it looks like, you as the experts would consider some more things that need attention - and that's why I raised my question.

 

Steffen,

Did they really do "all fluids" being Engine Oil & Filter , Gearbox Oil & Filter (not sure that gearbox sump gasket looks brand new?), Rear diff oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid (Critical every 2 years on a Teves ABS system)?

The car does look quite corrosion-free underneath for a car from a European climate, although there are many other areas to check, as I'm sure you'll appreciate.

Good luck

Paul

 

I think one of the leaks is bad - looks like the steering rack is leaking from the top seal, none of the pics are the really important places - jacking points need a lot of attention, seat belt mounts too if up can get near them but they're well buried. Clearly had some new items fitted and looks like a wheel refurb - doesn't look like 20k euro's worth to me - I've spent that on mine and pretty much everything underneath is new suspension / brakes and steering.

I don't think that transmission sump has been off - you need to remove the mount to get it off - if they removed the mount they were really careful not to disturb the crud or the leaking is really bad.

End of the day if the tin worm (corrosion) seems absent from the jacking points, rear of the front wings, crossmember below the radiator, the wells either side of the boot behind the rear wheels, sills and seatbelt mounts, pay attention to the inner wings near the exhausts and look for any signs of swelling or bubbling anything else is straightforward to fix - corrosion really depends how bad and your skillset with a MIG / TIG - not sure I'd want one of these cars if I had to rely on a 3rd party for repairs since most of todays mechanics are clueless about these cars and that includes Jaguar.



I made this hole after finding 'swelling' on both sides - both sides of my car were affected.

This is what it takes to fix that kind of damage properly ....

 

There seems to be a great deal of agreement in the assessments. The leaks do seem to be a major issue and the amount of work at Jaguar Classic seems to be less than necessary and appropriate. I wonder what a “health check” by them is worth then?

I had hoped to have a well-maintained example here that wouldn't eat up thousands of euros right after purchase, but this is probably not the case. My DIY skills are unfortunately very limited when it comes to cars :-(

 

Need to set expectations based on age of car v well maintained vs cost, a modern car it isn't, service history that so many put faith in is in most cases worthless beyond an indication that the owner 'kind of' cared, mileage is on the whole irrelevant, in fact a low mileage old car is probably in worse condition than a high miler - these cars hate standing around.

If you want a truly 'mint' example you are looking at a significant 5 figure sum - get what you pay for as they say - buy cheap pay twice.

If you really can't DIY or don't have the confidence to attempt make sure you locate a good shop that knows these cars.

 

Have a look at the Level of the Power Steering Fluid (with a Torch) in the Reservoir

That leak doesn't look too bad to me and you've also got a Grands Worth of Stainless Steel Exhaust!

Also the Rear Rotors look good and so that's one big problem out of the way

Alex