Hi , as a new member I have a question . What is the difference between a 1994 -95 and 96 XJS ( 6 not the 12 )?
And is it true that the 96 is the one to buy and if so why ?
Thank you.
T

 

The later 6 cyliner models had a better version of the 4 litre 6 cylider engine, called the AJ 16. I am not quite sure if this change occurred between the 94 and 94 models, but I think it may have done.

Also, allegedly, the very latest bodies had more efficacious galvanisation treatment to the bodywork.

Greg

 

And I believe it was sometime during 1995 calendar year that the ABS system was changed to the same system used on the X300 sedans

Broadly speaking the last of any model run will have all the improvements and enhancements but, when choosing a 16-17-18 year old car I'd still go with the candidate that has had the best care and is in best condition. An exceptional-condition '94 might well be a better and more sensible purchase than an average-condition '96.

Cheers
DD

 

Someone told me that the 96 had a Bosch system installed , does it make the car more reliable ?

 

Which system? ABS brakes?

I dunno if the later ABS is Bosch. Might be. It's better regarded than the older Teves system by most.

As for Bosch in general, well, Jaguar has been using lots of "Bosch stuff" since the 80s, and increasingly more if it (and others, like Nippondenso) in the 90s.


Cheers
DD

 

The 95 & 96 AJ16 are both OBDII compliant great for trouble shooting. The 96 emmisions test can be done with the OBDII plug, whereas the 95 is still done with the tail pipe probe. All cars were to be OBDII compliant for the 1996 model year. I don't believe any 94's had the AJ16 considered to be the best 6 Jag has ever built to date.

 

Terry,
The three year models that you mentioned on your original post are the safest choices because, obviously, they're going to have all of the possible improvements and mods that Jaguar ever introduced to make these cars better (kind of like Doug pointed out). I also totally agree with Doug in that in looking at a '94 and a '95 it is the mechanical/cosmetic conditions what makes the car "better" and not the MY 18 years later.

The '95 and '96 do have an improved engine (called the "AJ16" engine) over the '94 MY, with 18 extra HP that jumped from 219 to 237.

With the '95 and '96 you get better wheels/tires, different seat leather pattern and, as mentioned above, the useful OBDII ('94's OBDI), but you do lose the useful trip computer. The '95 will have a trip computer only if there's a V12 under the hood/bonnet, but not on the '96.

It is my understanding that all of these changes came with the US '95 MY, although I believe that, in the UK, the change over occurred right in the middle of their '94 YM production (the MY timing is different between the two countries). However, externally, to the untrained eye it is hard to differentiate between the '94 and '95/'96, unless the '94 owner put '95 wheels on the car, in which case, it then makes it impossible. The biggest visual difference is in the engine bay.

Finally, on your '96 MY question, I can't really see anything that would make the '96 better than a '95, unless the fact that it was the very last of the XJS' long and glorious journey may give it a better "collector's value"?

Where in LA do you live?

Cheers,


Reinaldo

 

Another difference was the 1994 had a sports package option, stiffer springs, stiffer shocks, and a thicker sway bar, and 16" wheels, you can tell the difference by looking at the exhaust tips. The sports package had square tips, and non sports had oval tips. There is the ultra rare 5 speed stick shift in 1994 my only but less than 100 came to the US.
I have a couple of 1995 converts and i love them alot of car for the money
Neil