I've wanted one of these for a long time. I own other expensive to maintain cars including a Ferrari, Porsche, etc. I've googled and I read mentions of it costing 6k/year to maintain a V12 XJS, but that just doesn't seem reasonable when I crunch the math.

I'm aware of electrical concerns, and fuel lines... cooling, etc. but it all sees manageable.

When I searched for the obligatory "Sticky- I want an XJS what do I want to know" but couldn't find it.

I'm finding some that seem well maintained and in great shape under $20k.

I really want a V12, Manual Transmission but that doesn't appear to exist.

I also want the quad headlamps and the leaping jaguar hood ornament. I know these seem petty, but I'll keep this car a long time in my collection. I'm having a hard time figuring out when these were available. They don't appear to be specific years... I see some cars that have both the round flat badge AND the leaping jag, others with one or the other...

Lastly, is there a good beginner guide? I've been reading like crazy.

 

V12 and manual exsist... But they were built in 2 digit figures...

If you're from the States, quad headlights were standard until the facelift in 92/93.

Leapers were NEVER a factory option. Some dealers thought it would be good to fit one but the factory never sold them mounted to the XJ-S. They also look dreadful when fitted. Dorsn't suit the car.

 

I don't have the V12, but I can tell you parts are a lot less expensive than my 993, and a lot more available than my SC. Also seem to me lately, and maybe this is because I have a later facelift car that parts are readily available. No more having Pelican special order stuff from Germany for me.

 

Looks like there may be a few, but they are all XJR-S Coupes in 93-94- AKA none have quad headlights or convertibles, but if I found one I'd certainly consider it

Interesting about the 993, because I find porsche parts somewhat reasonable compared to real exotics.
I thought the SC shared a lot of parts with Other Lexus and Toyotas, so I'm surprised to hear that... good to know though.

The special order from europe stuff is annoying. Getting a coil for a Ferrari 430 some how requires to manufacturer to custom-build one in italy and ship it over here... and thats a 430! I couldn't imagine finding specialized parts for something older.

 

Sorry 1980 911 SC. I have a few examples from the last couple of weeks, used cruise control brain $19 used, full seat leather kit $1200, I think I paid near twice that from GAH for my 993. I'm also finding a lot of these small Jag pieces fit a lot of other cars.

 

Very nice! haha. That makes more sense than the Lexus

 

V12 XJS; the truth:

• The engine mechanically is incredibly strong
• The body is very strong but prone to rust, like all cars of that era, if it has been subject to salt-laden roads. Buy one with no rust or minimal rust. Post again if you want to know where to look.
• The Kirbert Palm book, downloadable free from Jaglovers is vital to read before buying.
• Be aware that you are buying a 1970s design-era supercar. It WILL have been neglected unless you buy from an aficionado who posts here and who has done all the catchup maintenance.
• Catchup maintenance means: All suspension componenrts renewed (rubber bushing, wheel bearings, ball joints. stub axles, shocks. All brake flexible lines, discs and callipers, and master cylinder. All electronic ignition components, distributor parts, ignition amplifiers, spark plugs, HT leads. Aicon components like flexibles, maybe compressor. Fuel system complete clean, ALL flexibles renewed including injector hoses, new filters, maybe gauge sender, Rochester valves, FPRs. All vacuum lines, undo and clean EVERY electrical connector you can find, including the instrument binnacle carefully cleaning all connections. Be prepared for aicon blower motors to need replacing/fixing. The entire cooling system will need rebuilding, radiator, all hoses, thermostats, fan clutch. The alternator may need upgrading. The starter motor may need replacing eventually. All 4 fan/drive belts renewed. Air filters and all fluids and oil change.
• All this many of us have done over a period of years. The parts cost of all the above will be 5000 USD max, maybe far less. Parts are not expensive for the XJS, and there are loads of good specialists and second hand parts are easily available. You absolutely must do the work yourself with help from here; if not your costs will ballon and you are very likely to not get what you pay for. "No manure like the farmer's footsteps" remember!

Once all done, you will have one of the fastest, most practical, reliable and useable, most comfortable and most beautiful Grand Tourers ever made. Annual maintenance thereafter is just a matter of fluids, filters, sparkplugs (depending upon the model distributor lubrication) and greasing the rear suspension.
Get stuck in and live the life say I!

 

I agree with Greg.

We keep them scary to keep the prices down so we can afford them.

Worst part is the so called expert that has been caring for the beast, and that is more scary than the car. The best carer is the "nut behind the wheel" as we say down here.

My XJS, ONCE CAUGHT UP, was the Daily, and did 2 25000kms trips around our coast road, and never ever missed a beat.

Leapers, MAAAATE, ya gotta have a leaper.

 

XJ-S is not XJS. All US XJ-S had quad lights. The XJS (post 1992) had the option of quad or Cibies.

And manuals.... XJ-S is not an XJR-S. You can get the XJ-S with a manual, and they are double digit figures, but they are out there. But mainly from 1975-1978 IIRC. Any manual V12 after that in XJ-S form is a custom job with say a Tremec 5 speed or a 3.6l Getrag 5 speed unit.

Oh, and have fun finding parts. They aren't Chevys or Fords. Ypu'll need some specialist companies, like SNG Barratt, DMG, and of course Jaguar for parts. Not much fits from other brands/makes /aftermarket suppliers.

 

that's been my experience so far. That they are a lot less complex than I was led to believe. Fiddly,tight, and WTF did they do it THAT way all over,
and I would add to GIF's list is that most of the wires within about 12 inches of the engine are going to be crispy and fall apart if you so much as breath on them.
So in addition to renewing all the fuel lines, add rebuilding the injector harness, as well as replacing any wires in close proximity to the engine.
And first thing to check, would be how much debris is between the radiator and the condenser.

And I haven't even started mine yet.

 

VERY important point.

 

Although I do keep up with maintenance and start it regularly. I did not spend a dime on maintenance this year. I have had the brake master cylinder done but that was not an expensive fix. The hard part was trying to find one!

I do plan on redoing the suspension or the rubber bushings because I do hear some noise when going over bumps. I don't see that being too pricey.

 

If you can afford to run a Ferrari you can definitely afford to run an XJS V12....

Another factor to consider is that the car was produced for over two decades. All other things being equal, the newer ones should be less hassle to own.
Should be....

In terms of rust, again, there's a fair variation over the years I believe, but check this series out: http://www.justxjs.com/admin/resourc...why-part-1.pdf

When I got mine I paid the most attention to rust. Gave it a very careful examination for rust, and accepted that the relatively cheap purchase price was merely the entry fee, and she would require work afterwards. I didn't expect that the transmission would need rebuilding two days after delivery. Repairs on my car would definitely be more than the initial purchase price. But I walk past second-hand car lots and see cars for sale there for even more money, and not one of them is remotely as desirable. True, they're a lot newer and more reliable, with mileage I can only get when my car's being transported back to the shop yet again, but... Every. Single. Drive is a little bit special in an XJS.

I personally hate the quad headlights, which don't fit the housing at all well (the US has some amazing restrictive laws for being the self-described "Land of the Free"), and I'm with Daim: no leapers. The bonnet lack the strong central line and the grille lacks the central focus that will allow a leaper to fit in.


How do I rate in the GIF list. Hmmm....
--All suspension components renewed (rubber bushing YES, wheel bearings NO, ball joints NO, stub axles NO, shocks REAR)
--All brake flexible lines NO, discs and callipers NO, and master cylinder REPAIR?.
--All electronic ignition components, distributor parts YES, ignition amplifiers WHAT IS THIS?, spark plugs YES, HT leads YES.
--Aircon components like flexibles WHAT ARE THESE? --> HALF A MARK, maybe compressor NO. -->Will do heater core as soon as it arrives. They apparently go fairly readily. Might be worth checking on any new car. Be prepared for aircon blower motors to need replacing/fixing.
--Fuel system complete clean WHAT DOES THIS ENTAIL?, ALL flexibles CROSS-V HOSES DONE renewed including injector hoses DOESN'T APPLY TO MARELLI, new filters NO, maybe gauge sender, Rochester valves CHECKED, OK, FPRs. Fuel pump also replaced.
--All vacuum lines NO.
--Undo and clean EVERY electrical connector you can find, including the instrument binnacle carefully cleaning all connections NONE DONE. NO CURRENT (ha ha) ELECTRIC ISSUES, MIND.
--The entire cooling system will need rebuilding: radiator BRAND NEW ALUMINIUM, all hoses YES, thermostats YES, fan clutch NO. I'd also definitely recommend replacing the fan itself.
--The alternator may need upgrading HOW WOULD YOU TELL?. The starter motor may need replacing eventually.
--All 4 fan/drive belts renewed STILL FINE IT SEEMS.
--Air filters YES and all fluids and oil change OF COURSE.

I suppose I get about 50% on the GIF Test....

 

That rates as a "pass" SDSD! And your "not done yet" list will enable you to plan future expenditure accurately...
The A/C flexibles are the rubber pipes that cponnect the compressor to the rest of the system, by the way.
Of course, you have not admitted to your breaking of the main rule: The last sentence of the final bullet point!
Greg

 

Never having heard that saying about farmers' wellies being covered in cow dung, I had to look it up....
Well, no, not all the work is done myself. Not from a lack of desire or from contempt for whatever bizarre magic goes on under that big bit of painted metal in front of the windscreen (does it even open?). It's simply a matter of practicality: in addition to working on average 7 days a week (the joy of being self-employed: you don't turn work down if you can help it), I don't have a garage or any similar space to work on her. But I have done some smaller jobs myself, and totally intend to tackle the replacement of the heater core as well. I'm starting out by tackling jobs that won't render the car unable to be driven to the shop if and/or when I screw up....

Ah, in that case, the main flexible has been replaced, at least. So I can add half a mark there.

 

The Biggest problem seems to be when you find yourself Falling in Love with her and then She takes over your life

Nothing else matters and everything else just goes out of the window

 

That is true love, OB. But what the rest of us are wondering, is how do you manage to get away with polygamous true love, when the rest of us are monogamous?

 

Wellingtons !! A brand of classy foot gear ?


Carl

 

Hi Greg

I just started off with one and wound up with a Harem!

 

Rubber boots, as invented/popularised by the Duke of Wellington, Commander in Chief of the anti-Napoleon armies (in the era when Russia was a valued ally of the West!). He coated his riding boots with rubber to keep them waterproof.