The dilemma

[BillDag]

Considering getting an XJS and am sure this question is asked of the forum often, trust mine is a little different.
At the moment I run a XJR 350 use mainly for runs out and trips,it is a truly wonderful car. We have a smaller car for everyday use.
I also own a E Type which I've had for many years.
The dilemma is in truth both my wife and myself are getting older and getting in and out of the E is not as easy as it used to be. It only comes out to go to a show or maybe a club run.
So I'm wondering whether to let the XJ350 go and possibly the E Type. To be replaced by an XJS, my heart tells me a V12 but could be persuaded to 4let 6 and a Celebration Convertible. Pretty obvious really but the downside is the cost of this model now, though not out of reach I wonder if it's worth the premium plus the difficulty in finding one.
So I started looking at early models. I then went to KWE website and have scared myself with the photos of all the very hidden rust problems, the impression given that every older XJS is a root box and will require huge amounts of work.
So my question is am I right to be concerned are they that bad?
If not which should I go for i.e. advantages disadvantages. How good are the convertibles?
I average around 23 mpg and on a run can get 27 mpg out of the XJR 350 would a V12 be worse?
Your thoughts and advice greatly appreciated.
Bill Dag.

[davidr]

Hi Bill - if you'd like to have a chat I'd be happy to talk you though the options. I'm available wednesday and Thursday evening. 07774 195661
Regards
David Randall

[franrca]

Hi Bill

I'll swap your e-type for my XJS if it helps and then you can keep your XJ350...sorry, couldn't resist

I would have thought a late straight 6 convertible would be just what you need and performance wise is close to the V12 by that point; that said, David will be the man to answer all your queries.

Good luck with your search.

Richard

[BillDag]

Thank you David I will take you up on your kind offer.


Richard.
Yes I should have seen that coming an E Type is a very desirable car and I have often over the years as its value has risen and fallen thought of parting with it, but then I go out the Garage look at it, stork it then fire it up, return indoors contented. But it is an out and out sports car with all the highs and lows of its breed.

The XJ 350 as I have said is truly a wonderful car and a joy to drive shrinking journeys leaving you happy to continue driving when at the end of one. As said by others I feel the last real Jaguar. My wife and I have at times been to our local Jaguar dealer and take more modern offerings for a test drive. To my eye the styling is heavy lacks grace and has no presence on the road, the interiors leave me cold and reminds me of our runabout Skoda.
So the question to myself is would an XJS offer the compromise I'm seeking, looking after my own cars is part of my pleasure of owning them, but I don't think I want to get into another full blown restoration. Regards Bill Dag

[Tintin]

Hi Bill

David R will tell you all you need to know - he is "Mr XJS" but I will add my two penn'th if I may.

The XJS is no different to any other car - there are rot boxes and money pits out there, but there are also some beautiful 5 star examples for sale. You will need to look hard, take you time and travel the country but will be rewarded in the end. I went with a friend of mine (not a club member) to Sussex a couple of months ago to look at a 4 litre Celebration convertible. A couple of niggles to sort out but overall a first class car (he bought it). Don't be unduly influenced by the doom and gloom merchants.

I don't know the E type well enough to comment on its accessibility but the Celebration does have power seats to ease the transition from prone to erect!

Good luck.

Robbie

[franrca]

Robbie - you mentioned Sussex...did you buy yours from Clarkes?

[davidr]

This is a very useful guide along with Nigel Thorley's "You and your XJ-S"

[Tintin]

Robbie - you mentioned Sussex...did you buy yours from Clarkes?

No - it was a private sale (I can't afford Clarkes!). Having said that it had passed through Clarkes at some time in its life, and they had done some good work on it.

Robbie

[cabriolet]

Thank you David I will take you up on your kind offer.


Richard.
Yes I should have seen that coming an E Type is a very desirable car and I have often over the years as its value has risen and fallen thought of parting with it, but then I go out the Garage look at it, stork it then fire it up, return indoors contented. But it is an out and out sports car with all the highs and lows of its breed.

The XJ 350 as I have said is truly a wonderful car and a joy to drive shrinking journeys leaving you happy to continue driving when at the end of one. As said by others I feel the last real Jaguar. My wife and I have at times been to our local Jaguar dealer and take more modern offerings for a test drive. To my eye the styling is heavy lacks grace and has no presence on the road, the interiors leave me cold and reminds me of our runabout Skoda.
So the question to myself is would an XJS offer the compromise I'm seeking, looking after my own cars is part of my pleasure of owning them, but I don't think I want to get into another full blown restoration. Regards Bill Dag

Hi Bill,
If you believe an XJS is a possible compromise I would not buy one. I totally love my 1983 XJ-SC 3.6 manual cabriolet. I bought it about about 2.5 yrs ago for £10750 and have spent about £5k on it since to keep improving the condition. I realise the V12 convertable automatics are fetching high prices but for me driving a proven straight 3.6 engine with manual gearbox gives you enormous amount driving feedback experience.
I am a Jaguar fan but the new ones lack character and do not stand out in the crowd. I have never driven an e type but I think the prices have maxed out, so if i was in your position I would sell it and buy the best XJS that you can find and bank the difference.
Regards
Alan

[PaulGover]

My ha'penny-worth:
I've never ridden in an E-type, but I'd say the XJS seems to get lower as you age
IMHO it's not that easy to get up out of. Also, the doors mean you need a very wide parking space.

The post '91 cars are less rusty, due to a thin layer of zinc plate below the waistline. The post '93 ones are better still, more zinc.

Mine is a post '91 V12 (5.3); were I to buy it again, I'd go for the 4.0 - more space around the engine; the V12 is a ridiculously tight fit; AFAIK the performance is about the same, and the fuel consumption is better.

[davidr]

I had a V12 coupe for 15 years and the engine is sublime but very restrained by the 3 speed box. Once you get into 3 figure speeds not much will live with it.
But for every day driving my AJ16 with 4 speed auto will more than keep up!
I've also had a 350 and in many ways it was the best car I ever had. Supremely comfortable and refined, surprisingly swift for a big car and with proper Jag styling.
Having said that, I've had a couple of modern Jags. The best was an XF 3.0 D S. This had the uprated 3 litre Diesel engine. It was very fast and handled we'll but still was comfortable and economical if that was your mood. But it looked more like a Vauxhall Vectra than a Jag. Modern Jag styling is just so indistinct compared to the older models.
As for XJS, a 6litre V12 with the 4 speed auto is pretty good. As I say, the AJ16 with 4 speed auto is very refined and will still pick it's skirts up and go if provoked. Earlier cars tend to have better ride quality, later cars better handling.
None of them will feel like a 350 which is a much superior car from another era.
If you prefer the feel of a modern car then I'd say look at the later facelift XJS which has the more modern feel and the best build quality.

[RichardSEL]

Went out to Newmarket a few years back to view an enthusiasts' XJ-S 5.3L -- luverly it was until such time as I tried to get out of it. It was like I'd been sitting in a bucket -- keen price too. The sellers were a couple of retired GPs and they assisted in levering me out and then said that they have a trip away in it at least one weekend per month but are also finding it difficult nowadays -- they were in their 80s

If I ever reduce my rotund-ness, would have one but that experience put me off -- X350 is going up in price £10k+ for a decent one given the extra cog and alu body -- 4.0L and R versions a bit more. Yet, X308 prices are still in the £3,500 for a decent 100k miles+ '01+MY one. With not much more to pay for an XJR or LWB or all toys or 4L.

For both you'd probably have to have the timing chain tensioners done, ATF and fluid change, brake fluid flush out and refil, change of CTS sensor and thermostat, probably plugs, coolant back flush (not forgetting heater matrix) and fresh refill too (all subject to service history)
If you can do all or some of the above then the grand spent at an indie will reduce. I've just had my oil / filter change combined with an engine de-contamination treatment by an EDT agent. I do notice the very slight difference in performance -- that and the new CTS now getting 31/32 MPG mixed mode light foot.

It's a dilemma, but a nice dilemma to be in.
Since getting my XJ8 Sport her indoors liked it so much that I bought her an Exec.
Course she won't admit it but makes a beeline for it if we're going out together
Lot of car for very little...

[poprivet]

Considering getting an XJS ...
... my wife and myself are getting older and getting in and out of the E is not as easy as it used to be.
Bill Dag.

Bill, Try to drive one or two XJS first, depending on how much the seat has sunk you may not find it much better then your E Type.

I find myself crawling out of mine now and then and along the ground a way before finding something to lever myself back upright.

[Mackie]

s-l500[1].jpg

This is a very useful guide along with Nigel Thorley's "You and your XJ-S"

I remember that book only TOO well! Haha!

[BigCatXJS]

I find myself crawling out of mine now and then and along the ground a way before finding something to lever myself back upright.

Happens to the best of us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkJTqrWf5KY