Tips on driving Daimler 2.5 V8 in the Mountains

[Hooghiemstra]

Dear Jaguar/Daimler friends,

Does anyone have tips/experience in driving a Daimler 2.5 V8 saloon in challenging mountain conditions (French Alps) with or without conversions (brakes etc).

Although we are still looking to buy a Daimler V8 saloon, we would like to use our future car for summer tours to the Continent. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, for example what type of spare parts to take etc...

[Martec]

Hi,

We have taken our rebuilt 3.8 MkII around europe a little and enjoyed the experience and the challenge of taking a car of this age so far from home, as have those who regularly enjoyed the 'Entante Cordial'.

As you have not yet bought your car can I suggest you drive your intended purchase some distance to see if you will be comfortable in it for a number of days, old cars are not as comfortable as moderns and unlikely to have air con. I would say to enjoy an old car over a distance it has to be a state of mind and a good back.

When you have chosen your vehicle have it serviced by a known expert in these cars to give you the reliability and carry a gallon of your chosen engine oil (you will need it), having bought oil in France I was charged twice its UK cost!

Best of luck

Brian

[oldtimer]

Hi,
What ever choice of Classic Jaguar you settle for, any one of them will do an admirable job weather it is in the UK or France.

The overall condition is what sorts out the men from the boys.

So, some fast hard work in ALL weather conditions the UK will help to build up your confidence in the Vehicle and reduce the risk of it coming home on the back of a recovery truck.

If you have an 'ole smoker like Martec you need to carry the odd gallon of oil to fill up the gaps !!!!!

Oldtimer

[Martec]

Bit early for you to wake up Oldtimer, spring is not here.

I expect your V12 has a crankshaft seal, early XK engines including early MkII's didn't have a crankshaft seal and as I use a thinner oil then it loses it!

Best wishes for the new year.

Brian

[oldtimer]

You don't want to believe what Martec tells you.
He leaves an oil slick trail to find his way home.
Tight gitt won't buy a Tom Tom

Oldtimer

PS, Just look and see where me nuts are and will go back to sleep !

[p-B]

Hi Hooghiemstra

"Does anyone have tips/experience in driving a Daimler 2.5 V8 saloon in challenging mountain conditions (French Alps) with or without conversions (brakes etc).

Although we are still looking to buy a Daimler V8 saloon, we would like to use our future car for summer tours to the Continent. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, for example what type of spare parts to take etc..."

Yes I took my Daimler 2-1/2 * automatic down to Slovenja over the Germany-Austria Alpine passes and had no problem at all. The car was very comfortable despite my being quite above average height. I always felt safe and she was not in the slightest unreliable. I was working in Slovenija so drove the car around over there for a year before returning to the UK. On the way down I slept in the car (which was admittedly too small for me !) but never-the-less that's what was needed.

*The Daimler 2-1/2 having the Mk.2 style bumpers, whereas the 250 has the slimmer ones.

I think that one might want to remember that the Daimler is a luxury 'compact saloon' car, and not a sports car. Engine power has a claimed 140bhp and so the performance is on par with the 2.4 Jaguar. However the all-alloy engine is lighter than Jaguar's cast iron lump, and so the weight and balance is better for steering and handling. By Jaguar standards 140bhp is very little, but you may recall the XK120 was fitted with the 2.4 motor !.

To be frank the Mk.2 body shell, all that chrome, and then the leather upholstery with thick under-felt is heavy. But if you want a lighter more sporty car then choose a Ford Cortina, Vauxhall Vx4/90, or Rootes of the same era. You'll immediately hear, feel, and smell the difference.! Even just looking at their pressed tin or plastic dashboard will make your heart drop.. Unless you go into the supercar league there's really nothing much to compare to the Jaguar-Daimler.

Do you need 220bhp ?? With a strong and very willing 2.5 litre (which also happens to have a glorious V8 burble ...that the Jag doesn't have !), then even with the extra weight the Daimler performs better than most 'other' compact saloon cars of 1950's, 60's, and even the 1970's - where 1000cc, 1600, and 2 ltr were the norm. No, the Daimler doesn't have the torque nor the overtaking acceleration of the more powerful Jaguars, nor even the competitors 'big saloons' with 3 ltr motors like the Zodiac, but then what do you want.. and what do you need. ?

I've also driven a Citroen 2cv across the Alps and down to Vienna ...never had a problem.. just dropped down a gear or two, or three and took my time. We were sightseeing and on holiday after all.! ...and I was with a pretty girl.

Likewise with the Daimler, take your time, enjoy the journey rather than to be wishing for the destination ...and you'll be glad for the classic experience. The car is very beautiful and admired by the young and old alike, whether man or women, rich or poor - So you'll be met with friendly faces everywhere you go, and often the Inn keepers will be glad for you to park the car in their private courtyards.. If you were in an E-type then you'd definitely have 'wow factor' but fewer people would be comfortable with your ego. A classic Jaguar -Daimler saloon is comfortable in every sense of the word.

As for brakes, no issues at all. I drive reasonably quickly, but I have enough common sense not to race down the Alps in several ton of car with 1960's brakes. Although standard I had them serviced before I left ..and never once had cause for concern, experienced brake fade or squealing from being too hot. Likewise the suspension and steering. Ok it's not nearly as good as my current classic S-type IRS with PAS by any means, but again by 1960's standards the Jaguar-Daimlers were good ! Ahead of their competitors and (literally) years ahead of most post-war cars ...which also might be used to comfortably traverse the Alps !

Spares ? I took my usual tool kit and a torch, a previously used set of points and old water hoses (well they'd been fine in service ..until replaced !) with a few hose clips, a couple of fuses, classic motor oils and some petrol additive, a puncture tyre inflater, and a card with the car's European breakdown recovery number on it. I was after all going across western Europe which the Romans had kindly paved on our behalf some year before ...and not down to Johannesburg in either the monsoon or Rhino rutting seasons.

well that's my 2p's worth

[Hooghiemstra]

Hi p-B

Thanks for your comments, great reading! I think our driving styles would be very similar. You're right that it's all about the journey, less about the destination, I'll remember that one.

Now all that's left is to find the right car!

Thanks again,

Mark.

[p-B]

Glad to have provided nutritious food for thought.

Part of my early retirement 'plan' is to 'journey around' some of the more beautiful &/or interesting places in Britain, Ireland and the extended-Europe. I'll be on a tight budget ..but I enjoy camping anyway - as it gets me to stay in places (often riverside locations) that would otherwise be impossible. Of course every so often a hot shower and a comfortable bed, along with local hospitality - makes the traditional Inn most welcoming.

With changing circumstances I sold my Daimler eight years ago, and only recently have come back to the marque. On this occasion (as I couldn't afford an XK150 coupe) I chose an S-type. I was actually hoping for the 3.4 litre with manual and overdrive, but the best one that came up at the time (end of last year) and that I could afford was a 3.8.. Never-the-less the fuel consumption is only a couple of mpg different.

Fortunately, as mine (yes, I bought it) was built as an automatic, but later converted to manual with overdrive - it has a higher ratio differential = taller gearing for cruising. In overdrive it's about 32mph for every 1000rpm, so you might gather that travelling along below the speed limit is quite relaxed.

I chose the S-type because not only is it less expensive than the Mk.2, and more convenient dimensions (for me) than the larger saloons, but it has a decent size boot. The Mk.2 and Daimler claim 13 cu.ft. whereas the S-type has 19cu.ft ..almost half as much again. And for touring economy I wanted to fit LPG.. and so needed space for that tank. ..and tent.

I was anxious about taking on the extra complexity of the independent rear suspension and the inboard brakes, but as they had been previously restored and are in good order, then I'm fine. As it transpires I find the ride comfort (genuinely) surprising good. I wouldn't have believed the difference.

I do have a few issues with this car, but I paid the price for a driver which had been keen-amateur restored in the early 1990's. Of course when anyone buys a classic which is some 48 years old, then they're taking a chance. If you get it wrong then you either cut your losses and get out quick, or you fix it and move on. Hopefully to driving pleasure for years to come.

Mine ('Flirt') is to be a driver, a rolling restoration as and when things need attending to, mildly modified only if deemed a real improvement, but otherwise almost standard ...quirks an all ! She'll be out in the rain, she'll have some miles put on her, and she'll also be a camper, yet I hope to look after her well. Still, I deliberately didn't want precious 'originality'.

Why ? because for example : I would really have liked a full Webasto sunroof, but that didn't come with the car.., and to have a new one is outside my budget - so I'll probably have a glass sunroof fitted instead. The purist will think ill of me, but I do like to see the sun through the trees, the changes in the weather or the stars, the old buildings ..and especially when driving through scenery like the Alps.. (they're also great for screen demisting !). But had I bought another very low mileage, all original, or a spotless restoration - then even I wouldn't have been comfortable with a later style sunroof. So, I would not have got what I actually want to live with ! ...if that makes any sense !?

These are decisions only you can come to as you buy your own car..

BTW I'm also not saying the S-type is a better car.. you ought to get one..!! On this cold and blustery February evening.., I might only suggest that with much the same values as the Daimler, they might possibly be worth your looking at ? It is a different car.

Just a thought..

Peter

[dev12]

Hello guys,

I m sharing tips for Mountains drive a car please follow my instruction:-

1. Ensure that your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, warmer, and fumes frameworks are in great condition.

Guarantee that your brake and transmission liquids are filled and have been changed inside the interim prescribed for your vehicle. Brake liquid, as it ages, goes up against dampness and contaminants that brings down its bubbling level. Visit brake utilize can overheat the liquid and you can lose braking proficiency when it is generally required. Likewise, check the tread on your tires and guarantee that they are appropriately expanded.

2. Try not to go down a mountain street any quicker than you can go up it.

Try not to utilize your brakes to hold your declining speed. Down move to S or L - the main time you should advance on your brake pedal is to moderate while you are changing down to a lower gear. Oppose the enticement of zooming down a slope.

3. On soak updates, downshift to a lower equip, watch the temperature check in your vehicle, and kill the cooling in the event that it begins to overheat.

In the event that you have to cool the motor, locate a protected place to pull off the street, stop it and keep the auto at a quick sit without moving. Try not to close off the motor, and never evacuate a hot radiator top. A quicker method to cool a motor is to turn on the radiator, yet as a rule that alternative is somewhat unsavoury for the driver.

4. Try not to "embrace" the middle line.

Most mountain streets are smaller than Interstate parkways. A few drivers tend to embrace the middle line, however, this driving procedure is both imprudent and disturbing to different drivers. In the event that you are embracing the inside line, and another middle embracing vehicle comes around a bend from the other way, the two drivers may overcorrect and make an unsafe circumstance.

5. Keep in mind forget that the auto going UPHILL ought to be given the privilege of way.

Continuously permit a lot of time for passing vehicles to make it back to their path. Remember that higher heights lessen a vehicle's accessible pull, and your auto may not execute too at 10,000 feet as it does adrift level.