For some reason, the last time I spotted an XJS I kind of fell in love with it's long and low slung shape. Not going to ask anybody talk me out of one.. but other than the typical english electrics, what is there to watch out for?
Chances are I am going to yank the overly complicated V12 and put something more friendly in.. along with a manual trans
Just lie down until the feeling passes......
Swap a Jaguar six into it. The SBC is overdone and in my opinion ruins them.
They look like fun if you had an ton of money, i dont think id want one though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if2j6yqZg0Q
The boys at Top Gear talk about the sort of person who would own a Jaaaag.
I posted about a close to free XJS in indiana a while back. I ended up passing on that car (it's a SERIOUS basketcase), but I'd pass along the contact information for the right price...
"Would you mind settling this while I warm up the jaaaag"
http://www.jag-lovers.org/ has a 738 page pdf file you can download for free that goes into great detail about the XJS - everything from decoding the VIN to common problem areas and solutions to modifications. It's about a 5MB download so it doesn't take long. Here's the direct link:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/xj-s/book/XJS_help.pdf
Also, there's a section for converted Jags that could help you out if you decide to change out the V12.
http://www.jag-lovers.org/lumps/
If you decide to swap in a Chevy V8, here's a very detailed book dedicated to it:
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Jaguar_V-8.html
And finally, if you do get an XJS, the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust will sell you a factory service manual on CD-Rom for GBP16, or I've got a couple of sources where you can get them much cheaper (wink wink).
Good luck,
Bob
Oh god yes, I need more Jag...
the horror... I am actually considering a BMW lump to be different. either a 3.5 from a 5,6,or 7er.. or a s52(of 54 if I can find one) from an M3
Go on, be a cad 
.
i really like xjs's, but i still have nightmares about them... usually the night terrors involved getting crushed by the rear end assemblies... I found this pic on the web to demonstrate my fear...
mmm.....inboard brakes....mmmmm /homer
Don't forget about rust - XJS can rust with the best of them and a lot of them do.
Inboard brakes scare me.
Streetwiseguy wrote:Just lie down until the feeling passes......
Hilarious!
Can't help you, as I suffer the same thinking and lusting.
Doesn't help that cheap Jags abound in Craigslist these days.
Schmidlap wrote:http://www.jag-lovers.org/xj-s/book/XJS_help.pdf
Good luck,
Bob
This is the coolest thing ever to read.
I wanted an XJS bad. Planned to tear out EVERYTHING and M.S. it and remove all the complex systems.
Read that and it pretty much crushed my dreams.
But now I want one again.
Things like inboard brakes are cool. Things like using the a/c system to cool the fuel AFTER it has passed through the engine to prevent excessive vapors, IMO is NOT cool. The compressor is always cycling on and off.... Fiber optics in the HVAC controlls for lighting? Cool, but why?
It took me a few weeks to read that pdf, but it was so worth it. I can not imagine buying one before reading that.
And do it. Paint it black and put straight pipes on it
I saw one at the junkyard and with the V12 it is the most cramped engine compartment I have ever seen in my short years. I'd hate to have to do any work on that car. My dads friend had one overheat and drop the valves.
Was this the car that has the fuel pump right on top of the engine or was that another jag? I like that design because if you ever blow a fuel line it goes under the hood.
Some mercedes have a fuel line that runs through an AC line to cool the fuel and prevent vapor lock.
The AC cooled fuel return is par for the course as far as euro luxury goes.
E38 7 series bimmers have water-cooled alternators, lots of benzez had vacuum operated locks, and Jags have air conditioning for gasoline...
yea, I think simplifying everything is best...
