A Jaguar XJS either comes with a 6 or a 12 cylinder engine. The gas mileage is not all that different (13 vs. 17). So what engine should I look for? Ideally I would drive my XJS every day.

Is the V12 actually high maintenance? Is the inline 6 really robust and bulletproof? I see very few XJS with a 6 cylinder engine on the market (I found two) which would limit my choices. XJS with a V12 are offered everywhere and I could easily find one in my favorite color.

Now what?

 

The V12 engine is more time consuming to repair but can be quite reliable IF you take care of all the things that have been neglected and commit some time to keeping everything up-to-snuff.

The 6 cylinder is easier to work on and a great engine...but at this stage of the game these cars are all old enough where time and miles are taking a toll. Service history and actual present day condition might be more important than engine choice. A 6 cylinder, in and of itself, doesn't guarantee a happy Jaguar experience.

If you have your heart set on a V12, go for it. I love 'em, personally. But, if ambivalent about the choice, the six cylinder might well be a better option.

With either engine an XJS is not a 'drive it and forget it' type of car. You have to enjoy taking care of it or you're sunk. On the plus side, a well sorted XJS is an absolute dream to drive.

Cheers
DD

 

I am biased SERIOUSLY.

A V12 or a 6 are STRONG engines.

Both are Alloy engines.

The V12 will be less maintained than a 6, its just the human factor.

The V12 will need HEAPS more catch up maintenance, and there are more things to look out for.

A V12 that has been overheated, NO WAY, and they can overheat in a heartbeat due to that same lack of maintenance.

I have had a few V12's, and prefer them. Once sorted, and by that I mean bumper to bumper, they are sooooo reliable,and just an awesome beast to own. My HE has taken us on 2 X 25000km trips (gone for just over 12 months at a time), and had NO issues at all.

The wifes S2 XJ12 (OLD school) has now topped 540000kms, and the engine is untouched, but that catch up when it first came home, OH BOY.

My X300, same 6cyl engine, is easier to live with NOW, but it needed taht catch up.

Year of the said car will dictate the other LONG list of reasons for either.

 

I have owned both and still have my V-12's. Both engines once sorted are all but bullet proof. The V-12 is no harder to maintain than the six but as stated will most likely need a little more tlc at the get go to get up to snuff when purchased. I prefer the V-12 as it is so much smoother going down the road. Owning a 12 cylinder is not much different than playing marbles in a school yard. At the end of the day the one with the most pistons wins!

 

Andreas,

Both engines are great, but in different ways.

If you JUST want an XJS and greater certainty on daily reliability, ease of maintenance, lower costs, then buy an AJ16-engined (post April 94) 4.0 litre car. Very readily available and probably the most bullet-proof engine that Jaguar ever made.

But if you really want the incredible V12 engine, just accept the maintenance regime that is necessary to ensure the optimal running of the car.

You won't regret either decision. I think it's more about what you want, rather than which engine is "better". If you're genuinely not passionate about having a V12, then buy an AJ16.

Good luck with your choice.

Paul

 

my take on OP question;

nobody NEEDS a 12 cylinder engine, but its talking about them gets attention,BS factor,bragging rights,etc.

6 cylinders will get you around town OK,simple dependable but no excitement!

in this modern day, a 4 cylinder turbo is more than addquate, for every day driving.
but not in an XJS! (conversion anyone? they have some 4cylinders with over 300hp).

like said depends on body condition(rust etc.) expensive time consuming, engines can be repaired easily, suspension easy!

 

I agree with everything already stated. It all comes down to what you are comfortable with and to a large degree able to maintain yourself.

The newest or last XJS produced is now 20 years old so really no such thing as a hands off XJS ownership experience.

I truly believe that the more time you take to get to know the differences and quirks of all the 21 years of XJS production the better you will be able to pick out the best XJS that fits you right from the start. This will require reading as much as you can get your hands on which luckily there are some very well written books on the XJS.

I would then take the time to either visit your local Jaguar club or go to a Jaguar show to see as many different XJS' at one time. Talk to the owners, sit in them and if possible drive a few examples to really get a feel of what fits you best.

If you are not the type of person who enjoys wrenching on your own vehicles or has the ability and space to do so then owning any 20 to 40 year old vehicle may not be a great choice for you especially a more complicated car like a Jaguar XJS.

The general rule of thumb when it comes to buying a car like the XJS is get the best conditioned car you can afford. Do not under estimate the cost to bring a tired example up to the standards you will be happy to live with. Very easy to see a $5K example and thing that you can own a Jaguar XJS for $5K but in reality if you spent just $2-3K more you will have a much nicer example and in the end will save thousands over what a tired example will cost to bring up to your satisfaction.

No one can tell you what is a better fit when it comes to a 6 or V12 XJS. Both have positives and negatives. I like many aspects of the AJ16 version but I took my time on the front side of buying a XJS to make sure that was the best fit for me and have no regrets just as many have found the V12 is the best fit for them and they also have no regrets with their choice.

 

I, too, wondered. In the end, I realized that if I'd got the straight-six, I'd have constantly felt I was missing out on something - an XJS isn't a sensible decision in the first place, so you might as well go whole hog. Or whole cat, rather. Now, I've never driven the straight-six so can't compare, but in terms of richness and smoothness, I would liken a happily-cruising V12 to pouring thick cream.

I lack the space and knowledge to do any remotely significant wrenching, and the time to learn (I generally work seven days a week), but, apart from replacing the radiator and fan and hoses, and a horrendously expensive transmission rebuild, the V12 repair costs have not been too bad at all. Apart from fuel, which is ridiculous in town - 10 mpg....

 

Thank you for all the input. After test-driving an XJS I think I might go with the V12 and make my corner mechanic a rich man. I do enjoy the silky smooth acceleration and especially the absence of a crude Chevy roar.

 

Andreas:


Yeah, if you really like the car, it will suit you. V12 or I6. Of ourse, the converse is equally true.


Process of elimination, aka sorting, as means of selection. Down to the best two cars. One an I6, the other a V12. If close, the V12. First paragraph reasoning. If the I6 is far better, wisdom trumps, eh wot?
The I6 goes home.


My fleet has an I6 powered 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's OHV, a redesign of a 70's engine. The tough as nails AMC Rambler. Truck is still tight, shiny and runs well at , 215 mile and counting...


The other a repowered 83 XJ wuzza 6.


Oh, it's GM SBC based engine does not roar, it purrs, as a good cat should. Yet, lots of HP and more importantly, torque in the right place. About 2000 rpm at 70 mph. And plenty of grunt still there.


But, I'd love to mess with a V12. Intriguing to say the least...


Had one for a very brief time, decades ago. A 34 Packard sedan.
Much too much for a poor college student... Even with employment discount for gas. circa 20 cents!!!!


Carl

 

.

wow carl you had a Packard V12 ,thats outstanding!!

bet you wish you had it today, they are in the $100K money area!

way back around 1949/50, i delivered news papers with bicycle, this house had a 1937 Packard V12 car with for sale sign on it.

i asked how much, $75.dollars, just to much for a lonely paper boy,so passed, woulda,shoulda, coulda.

if it wasnt a Ford or chevy i wasnt interested in anything else!

my how times change.

 

I love the V12's they are smoooth, with effortless cruising ability, and sound wonderful at full song with an exhaust. But either will be a great car.

My only advise is buy a goodun DO NOT buy based on price as the catchup can be more than the purchase price of one in good condition. Take your time and look for ALL the common issues.

Rust
Engine bay wiring (V12)
Overheating
Coolant hoses
Interior condition
Paint condition
Has it been repaired (most likely yes) and if so is it a good repair.
Oh and RUST.

Rust is expensive to repair properly, and can easily cost more than an engine rebuild.

 

Oh they do, they do Ron. One right here! Even Grant is still nursing withdrawal symptoms!
Greg

 

HA, looked at one yesterday, dunno yet,

 

ooooohh quick, get Mrs WoOz to take you to the clinic before it's too late!
Greg

 

Mmmmm,

Drove a 2001 XKR Coupe for about 2 hours, and although she liked it, the statemet ''Nice but its not a V12" shook me a tad.

Maybe we both need the clinic?????

 

About a year ago I saw an XLS coupe with the six AND a manual transmission for sale on CL. It was in good shape and quite affordable. (Nearby too, near Sacramento). It languished on CL for a few weeks, and then was gone. I wish I could have gotten it but I was tied up with too many cars and not enough money, and especially space. If you want a manual trans, a later six is the way to go. I think either motor is fine, as I love the six in my X300, but the 12 is legendary, in all respects. Let's face it. Owning a Jag 12 is as close as most of us will ever get to having a Ferrari or Aston Martin.

 

Ronbros:


Yeah, oh me. I was in college and worked part time at a Texaco
station. The car belonged to an eccentric customer. Boss decided it needed plug wires. Swapped in a all 13 made from scratch. Now, not even a pop. Boss and customer fumed. Neither wanted anything to do with it. "I'll take it", said me. It must've been cheap, very cheap. Folks probably loaned me the money, although both thought I was nuts. Not a new thing to them. But, I did work and study and that
pleased them.


I figured out #1. Got the firing sequence from either my old Dyke's encyclopedia or a visit to the Packard dealer's shop.


It took a bit of gas priming and a bit of cranking, then it fired. Smooooth as all can be. Sold not that much later. Not to the original owner. I just might have made a buck.


A rich kid had a Packard. 28 as I recall. but, a straight 8. A phaeton.
At first, a magnificent beast. But, he and his frat pals beat it mercilessly. Ugh....


Carl

 

Too True

 

In either case will you work on the car yourself ? If not, money and finding someone too might be a factor. Gas mileage will be the LAST thing to be concerned about if considering a V12. Driving any XJS everyday in Minnesota's weather, good luck with that.