I ran a V12 XJS, 1990 model in the early 1990's as my everyday car. I travelled 96,000 miles in it all over the country on business in all weathers. It never missed a beat. I was a three speed auto and did 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec, 0 to 100 in about 18 sec. Top speed was 157 mph, and would cruise all day at 100 on the motorway, pre speed camera's (there was a time, and £1.60 per gallon petrol!) I did 700 miles in one day on a house hunting trip home to the Lake District from Cambridge with ease. All you had to do to get this performance, reliability and incredible refinement was have it serviced at a main dealer on the button. A brilliant car. The only other car that came close was the 928S but more costly to run except for fuel, and with more road noise, or more accurately some road noise. The XJS new is whisper quiet. Personally I think the automatic suits it better but they did offer a four speed manual in 1976. You could pull away in fourth gear and go all the way to 150, such was the tractability of the V12. My car had 320 BHP and 318 LBFT and was fully equipped with heated seats, cruise control, lumber support etc. The brakes and handbrake were good on a new car and remained so if properly serviced. Very good review but a tip top version would give an even better impression. TWR and Lynx used to make manual versions, some with 7 litre V12 engines.
XJ-S V12 auto did not crack 60 in 6.5 seconds. The early V12 was actually the fastest of the 5.3 V12 cars. The manual cracked 60 circa 6.7 seconds, so you are being very optimistic, more like 7.5 seconds- with a strong wind behind it! Nor would you see a genuine 157 mph- that was probably a false reading due to the tacho not being particularly accurate- they aren't calibrated. High 140's mph at best, a really good one in a good state of tune 'might' scrape 150.
It's amazing how little wind and road noise these cars had, especially at 100mph. I owned an 85 HE for about 11 years and had some great memories with the car.
As we've probably all seen from Harry Metcalfe's manual converted XJC, V12 Jags with a manual box are some of the absolute coolest cars on the roads. Nothing but love for this car too.
Fun fact: without a manual transmission, the XJS is no faster than the XJ with the equivalent engine (probably also applies to manual conversions). The factory-spec XJS V12's 0-60 time is about 0.2 seconds faster than the XJ12's, so by getting an XJS rather than an XJ you basically sacrifice all the grace and space for no gain in pace. There's a reason why good examples XJ12s have started to appreciate in value (the average price has tripled if not quadroupled over the past decade), whereas XJS are still easily found for next-to-nothing.
@@AAWT That's not really true though is it? Usable V12 XJ-S are not easily found for less than £10,000 any more. If you can get one for £8-9000 it will need work that's difficult to hide. The XJ-S is a smaller cabin but fine for 2+2 children as I use mine for, and claiming it lacks grace is fairly subjective at best.
I was born the same year this car came into production. The XJS was always my favourite car growing up. I bought myself a 1988 XJS Coupe when I turned 40. Absolutely love it still.
3 years old the back end caught my attention. Then again sat in back of my mums mini around 8 years old watching and xjs and 911 Racing in front through traffic . Two of best back ends in the business . I got my first at 21 years old and now have 3 and love them . Manual sporty conversion seems to get very positive feedback almost shocked results so these videos are helping me make that leap to doing one
Not to mention it was basically the Series 2 XJ to start with, All Jaguars from the E type until the XJ40 came along shared many parts. Those parts that won races in some cars could still be found in a limousine or hearse decades down the line. Shows just how good the basic design was, and just how little R&D budget Jaguar had to work with. They could only afford to get it right.
@@thegearknob7161 I'd much rather drive a flawed car that someone put love and passion into than any of the cost-reduced, built to a government spec, over computerized garbage made in the last 20 years.
I've owned two of these in the past and you're spot on with most of that. However I love the looks of them and I found them very reliable. Fuel consumption is a killer though. I used to get about 12mpg about town but on a continental trip to Rome and back I averaged 20mpg. (Got married while there so ended up an expensive trip 😁)
12mpg around town is good, I could get 25mpg on a long run. I'd only get 12mpg around town in a Mondeo st24 2.5. The people that bought these cars new weren't bothered by fuel economy, they deprecated in value just as quickly.
Love them , and I’ve had most cars . So under appreciated and I always wondered if Jaguar had have made a more sports focused v12 with the manual and other mods it may have reached out to a whole different buyer or those with enough money may have bought both . As a kid it was always a fast car to me in it’s on Jaguar wooshing quiet way . Now I’m doing the Manual conversion on one snd keeping two in auto so let’s see which is most enjoyable
In my brand new 1988 XJ-S Convertible in 1988 on a road trip we were proceeding swiftly & the trip computer said it was doing 2.9mpg! But for absolutely wonderful cruising the XJ-S V12 Convertible is fantastic. I’ve had two. Yesterday 12 July 2021 I took a new Ferrari Portofino M coupe/convertible for a test drive which was splendid in a non- involving smooth way but nothing like as serene as the far less costly XJ-S.
I have to keep reminding myself UK and US gallons are different (so much for the imperial system... it can't even be consistent with itself) because 12-20 mpg is pretty much standard for a 2002 XKR/XK8 as well, but on US gallons. The biggest bummer is having to stop for gas so often. At least some of these older v12 jags (the xj12 specifically, or the double 6) had twin tanks. Even if you have the money stopping to pour in more jungle juice rankles. On a long distance road rally, out of my Tundra, the XKR, my MX-5 or my girlfriends prius, the prius wins cos it doesnt have to stop.
I remember a mechanical engineer here in Australia took one of these and improved its efficiency. If I remember correctly he was around the 30 MPG. Makes me want to try the same though finding a good starter car might be an effort. From memory he worked on the parasitic losses, and (I think) may be a manual conversion. Electric water pump, newer power steering pump, alternator. Not sure if he did an EFI conversion or not. Was many years ago I read the article.
My father and I had an XJS HE last year, completely standard, a little shagged, and we used to regularly return 16-19 MPG, and I think the highest we ever got was 25MPG on a long motorway run at 60mph, and the was an auto. People don't give them enough credit
The XJS has a way of charming the pants off of everyone. Whenever I take mine out, everyone smiles and waves. They just love seeing this gorgeous unique thing out on the road.
The car squats nicely when you floor it. Such a great car and the engine is one of the best ever made. They sound ferocious with a straight through exhaust.
You're not wrong. I've got an 88 with the auto, and even then, from standstill putting the hammer down, she'll squat up to 90kph in first gear before chirping the rear tyres going into second, pulling like a freight train without breaking a sweat.
@@CondescendingCowboy The DSC kicks in on my XKR if I floor it from a standstill. You have to get moving first to about 30mph before you can really give it everything. The car won't stay in 1st for long, it just goes into 2nd and stays there to 77mph or so. The 0-60 time suffers because it just doesn't have any traction, once you get to 60 mph though it climbs much faster. You can turn the DSC off but you just skid and don't go anywhere. You have to be gentle with the throttle to begin with but I'm no race driver so they could probably do a much better job then I.
@@Punisher9419 I'm envious. The XKR is a dream car of mine. While I know the later models with the 4.2l and 5.0l supercharged engines are the ones to have, I've got a soft spot in my heart for the early 4.0l supercharged models. I just love the curves of the earlier XK8 and XKR.
@@CondescendingCowboy Mine is the old shape from the X100 with the 4.2 supercharged engine. They do look very good. Just wish Jaguar had done a better job with rust protection on the chasis, body work and trim. The aluminium trim on the windows corodes and goes all white and fuzzy. Not a good look and I can't find any replacements. This sort of thing happens with a 20 year old car though so it's to be expected. If you want one I would get in now while you can, these cars will start to go up soon and they won't be so cheap any longer. I paid just under £10k for mine last year, now I am seeing examples for £20k plus. You can still find ones for around £10k but they are getting harder to find. Sorting out the rust on them isn't overly expensive either, there are plenty of panels available.
@@Punisher9419 I reckon the ship sailed on "affordable" XK's down here in Australia about 5 or so years ago. Back then values for an average example early XK8 bottomed out at about AUD$18000. Since then similar examples are now going for AUD$30000. Having a family with three kids and the need to buy a bigger house has to take precedence, but who knows, perhaps the use of an XJS as a hero car in a movie in the future could see the values rise, and I could part with mine putting myself in the cockpit of an XK (one can only dream, haha).
My dad has the facelift 6.0 and it’s just such a lovely car, they’re so underrated, also, the 5.3 and the 3.6 were replaced with the 6.0 and 4.0 with the facelift
@@richwilson239 believe it or not that was actually the original design language which was butchered through american regulations, it was never meant to have the quad headlights
OMG, James is always endearing, but never as much as when behind the wheel of an XJS it seems. I laughed out loud a few times (hair gel in eyebrows), and generally enjoyed this video even more than the usual. Loved the XJS, looked properly 70’s pure-class, accelerating down the road and really suited James (and the shirt)!
I'm so glad you enjoyed driving this - and that you have so many positive things to say about the manual conversion. I have a TWR version which I have been considering having converted for a long time, but I've never quite been able to bring myself to sacrifice the originality to get the job done. Hearing that engine put through its paces without the 3 speed slushbox getting in the way has made my mind up for me... It's on! And you are absolutely on the money as always. They are old, crap and British - but they are completely magnificent things to own and enjoy. I have considered parting with mine a few times over the years, then I will drive it and once again vow it will be mine until the day I die! Great video, really enjoyed it! Cheers!
Have a listen to the manual V12 XJC on Harry's Garage - I think he also had the diff ratio changed to lower the gearing. Sounds absolutely magnificent.
I did my 1990 recently, absolutely transforms the car, you won't regret it, and trust me it wasn't cheap getting the bits to NZ. Try Simply performance they do a good kit.
@@DjDolHaus86 check the Jag clubs around the world, the XJS is king with that smooth v12. I currently own 8 Jags, one '88 XJS almost daily driver, and I love the thing. To each its own I guess. Saludos from.Mexico!
I purchased a 1990 BRG v12, 5 years ago, sight unseen. It had sat inside for years and everything was wrong with it apart from the body and engine. 5 years later it is all pretty much sorted and now that problem areas are addressed it is very reliable. I have also converted it to a 5 speed manual, the same as this car, and on a long run, (when I can keep my foot off the loud pedal) I can get 28-30 MPG with the original 2.88 diff ratio, which makes it quite high geared. I have also warmed over the V12 to gain a few extra horses and sorted the suspension steering and brakes. It is a pleasure to drive and proper quick. In fact watching this, has made me want to go take it for a drive, I'm off
Based on the 4 speed Jaguar gearbox found as an option for the 12 months after the Turbo Hydra matic 400 only 1975 cars, the car felt as if it had 48 extra horsepower. In its old pre HE headed 286 hp form, 15.1 second quarter miles, 149 mph at MIRA to 155 mph claimed, but it fell to 16.1 to 16.6 seconds with the THM 400, and lost 15 mph top speed, 134 to 140 mph. And that is exactly what a chassis dynometer shows on manual verses 3 speed auto cars throughout the world. Figures like a 50 % or 1.5 factor loss for 3 speeds, but only 25% or approx 1.25 loss factor for a manual gearbox are common debits for flywheel DIN net hp to Rear wheel horsepower. As a passion killer fir a road car, nought better than a GM Turbo Hydramatic. Unless it has a trans brake and shift kit and it's strapped to a drag racing chassis. Then 326 cubic inches of 5.3 litre Vee formation engine with a Yankee auto...really struts it's stuff! The traction losses and gear ratios aren't an issue, and even GM two Speed PowerGlides regularly show stick shift manual cars a clean set of heals from as little as 270 hp to over 2500 hp. Some great observations in this video. Thesr in my opinion should be most positively attributed to Wiliam Lyons and Malcolm Sayers XJ-S, the Godfathers of its GT credentials as a mass produced V12 sports GT also eligible for Group A racing were it eventually excelled. The legacy of true British dynamic excellence in steering, brakes, Independent Rear Suspension and aerodynamics. GREAT VIDEO!
Brings back memories of my Dads XJS V12....which slowly decayed away...once when it wasn't working he went out and bought a six cylinder model from a neighbour who was selling it....bonkers.....nice to know you've discovered the delights of the XJS
My first experience of an XJS V12 was about 35 years ago... Sheds were available even (especially?) back then and my employer, at the time, bought one. It drank like Ollie Reed, the under-bonnet experience was a plumber's nightmare, rust-wise you could probably mine the thing for iron ore.... But it rode beautifully, was a joy to press on and was so, so comfortable. We ended up at a house party with some very questionable people... but that's another story. Safe to say the XJS got us safely back home again.
I worked for Istel (Redditch) for a few years. It’s almost unbelievable to think this now; (30 years later ) but they actually gave them out as company cars . You didn’t have to be “director” level either ! Quite a few software developers and mid-level managers had them.
Agree on the look. Much prefer the XJS to the E Type which looks too pinched and needs widening along the flanks. An ex girl friends dad had one with the optional mushroom farm growing away in the boot. Literal mushrooms like this 🍄. There was room in the back for 2 as long as we adopted a certain position 😉
Back in the day, when you could buy one of these for less than £2000, I use to joke whilst down the pub about getting one. I should have got one. Fantastic cars.
I just watched this in 2024. I had a 1983 XJS HE that was so subtle and sneaky fast! 145 mph on California's I-5 North years ago in the dark. Glorious car. We also owned a 6.0 V12 convertible 1994 XJS, such a sweet GT. Both were pricey to own, but I have no regrets. Great cars.
Man that exhaust note is heavenly. Shame they didn’t offer a clutch pedal on this side of the pond, even in the straight 6 😕 I’d be looking for one to swap
Strangely this car looks better and better every year as the time passes by. These old cars have much more character and personality than the new ones. Like Jeremy Clarkson said about the new cars: "It's like sitting in a laptop". XJS is a future classic for sure and the prices are not going down ever again.
Tom Walkinshaw brought these to Oz to challenge the Fords & Holdens @ Bathurst in the mid 80s. I was there to experience and hear them scream like eagles up Hill Straight. They did very well although had a tendency to suddenly implode on the track...!
I was there too. I think perhaps you might be referring to Mountain Straight rather than 'Hill Straight', unless of course you are referring to them screaming down Conrod Straight. The Australian Touring Car Championship and Endurance Championship were running under International Group A regulations at that time. The Walkinshaw XJS cars were competing against an international field that included the Grp A BMW 635s they competed against in the European Touring Car Championships and at places like Spa. Jaguars finished in first and third, and BMW 635s took the other top six winning positions, so the race wasn't about taking on a few local makes. In 1985 it was the BMW 635s that were the cars to beat, particularly the JPS team. Under Grp A Bathurst was 163 laps and was a round of the endurance championships and Bathurst is considered one of the toughest tracks on cars and drivers in the world. Pretty much every make entered suffered failures and retirements - including the local cars. That included Brock's Commodore V8 that retired with a broken timing chain on lap 160 and many other exceptionally well prepared cars, like the BMW 635s One Jaguar out of the three retired early in the race after a headlight was damaged on track and some pieces of the broken glass were ingested by the engine. The oil cooler on Walkinshaw's car was later damaged by a rock, removed, then the car completed the race to finish in third with no engine oil cooler. The winning XJS ran the 163 laps with no issues except a broken driver's seat mount. I don't think I would refer to that as a 'tendency to suddenly implode on the track'. Glad you enjoyed the race!
"I maybe old crap and british" Love it 😆 I would dearly love to buy my dad an XJS as a project. They stopped manufacturing them in my early teens, but I've always had a desire to own one. Proper old school Jaaaaaaag. I used to lust after an XJRS, rare beastie.
I had my 92 XJS V12 converted to a Tremec 6-speed by Keisler engineering and it absolutely transformed the car, unleashing that engine. Wish I still had it.
I had this model in 2004 with the auto box. Driving to work in it each day from cold, I never got more than 9mpg, so you are right. I always thought it looked better than it drove.
That's an absurdly awesome car. Kind of reminds me of Metcalfe's XJ hot rod project. And as far as I'm concerned, it has the loveliest sound ever. Thanks for these videos.
It maybe old and crap but you will forgive it that every time you see it drive it and smell it there is something alluring about an old jag absolutely love them one of my very favourite brands 👌
Good review, I had an XJ12 TWR with a ZF 5 speed manual transmission. It had lots of tasty options from new. The suspension and steering completed the transformation.... It was a very very special car.. I should never of sold it, I got 25 to the gallon on the motorway doing motorway speeds... From a tuned 6.0 V12 that's not bad at all. If you used it's power then it dropped to single figures.... By all accounts there is a handling pack from XJ restoration that does the job and KWE do something similar.... Keep up the good work!
Manuals make these cars. If it was a TWR factory manual it would have had a Getrag box, not a ZF manual though. Easy to confuse the two because the Getrag also has a 'dogleg' left and back first gear position. The cost of the ZF box put it out of the reach of most manufacturers. Even the TWR race cars used a specially made Getrag with a sand cast housing and stronger gearsets.
"Where do you start with a car like this. Well the interior....." No JayEMM. NO YOU DON't. You talk about the finest internal combustion engine of its day, mated to a fantastic manual gearbox, and how that is so wonderful in this car that every classic enthusiast should have a go at one. A Jaguar XJS V12 Manual is not about the f**king seats !!
Slight correction Jay, the 5.3 was replaced by the 6.0 before the end of production. I owned a 1993 6.0. model virtually from new, had it over 10 years when I foolishly chopped it in for an XJR...a decision which haunts by petrol head to this day.
Great overview of the XJS, what a beauty with the manual transmission. As a teenager in the 1980's, this was the car of that era. The XJS was just so much more masculine then the XKE, which was not all that cool for a teenager of the 80's. Not sure this is a 1990 though- maybe was not the same for the US market. The steering wheel shown is not stock, as the nearly all 1990 XJS's were sold with the bloated airbag steering wheel. Take the four catalytic converters off the US XJS and she is a beast. Most 30 year old cars also should get the six shocks replaced, which will make a huge difference with the suspension and handling.
yeah, or at the very least replace the cats with modern free-flowing ones. Add in some modern throttle bodies and ECU and these things sing. Just open them up and let them breathe. Airbags were well and good, but deleting them now isnt the big deal a lot of people make it out to be. Think about it - do you honestly trust a 30-40 year old airbag to save your life? Only one way to test it, and then youll never be able to use it. *shrugs*
@@JayEmmOnCars Very different compared to the Series 1 E-Type. But compared with the end-of-line, America-satisfying, auto-boxed, V-12 E-Type, perhaps not so different?
I have fitted a GM T700R4 4 speed auto with its overdrive and lock up converter into my pre HE car and it has made a huge difference to its fuel economy, now around 20mpg. It also cruises a lot better with much lower RPMs, now around 1700rpm at 60 mph. I have owned my car for 36 years and apart from the Opus ignition which I have now replaced with a Pertronix ignition system it has been a very reliable car.
how many miles have you put on it? I recently got a 1999 xk8 as a first car, been a dream for years to own one and I would love to keep it long term like you have kept yours, but i can’t help but think it’s inevitable to crash it over that long or deteriorate beyond repair if I drive it more than 200k miles (it’s at 86k now, got it at 82 or 84)
@@h7pubg It has never been a daily driver, only driven at weekends and for touring and so the mileage is not that high. It takes a certain amount of commitment to own a car for a long period as you are always battling time and the elements. Keeping up the maintenance and tackling any problems as they arise. Having the car rust proofed is a good place to start if you intend to keep it long term.
I had an XJS when you could buy a good one for less money, I fitted a manual shift kit to the auto box and a Hurst shifter, and manages nearly 30mpg on a run. FYI those wipers should park off screen.
Arguably the best production engine of all time. CAR magazine took an early HE 1981 around Euro trip averaging 70MPH and 21MPG. The advert can be found on ebay.
Funny I never hear anyone complain about a Countach, Boxer or Daytona v12's, and they're as thirsty, complicated, exotic and high cost to keep as the the Jag's. The thing is the XJS is affordable up to now, not considered the exotic car it really is, and people complain about costs. It has 12 cylinders for god sakes!
I had a manual V12 Series 3 TWR. It averaged mid to late twenties, unless I was trying... Divorce forced me to sell it. If not for that it was til death us do part. Best car I’ve ever been in, at any price. Absolute class.
I wonder if the owner is aware of a recent kit you can get from the US that converts this Jag V12 to carbs (and takes out the Lucas stuff). The Car Wizard did a video on it and he loved it.
I can't see that being an improvement to be honest. The fuel injection works fine on these cars. Being a 1990 this car will also have Marelli ignition too. Due to trouble with getting the originally planned fuel injection working properly, the V12 in the Series III E-Type ran on carburettors and it was crap. Especially a HE model engine. James has understated the improvement in both power and fuel consumption the HE made over the flat-head version. Without fuel injection you'll lose all those benefits all because some people can't get their heads around what is ultimately a pretty simple fuel injection system. American cars of this era were pretty formulaic - a nice way of saying they were all basically the same - an iron V8, a distributor and a 4-barrel carb on top. If it wasn't that, they couldn't maintain it.
Had one in 1990. Absolutely loved it. Unfortunately it was designed by engineers and put together with parts bought by accountants. Was never out the workshop. It was majestic when running though.
@@brighteyesvideos Nope. I AM an engineer. Everything was designed beautifully, just built using parts from the cheapest supplier. Electrics were a nightmare, 5p connectors/sockets everywhere that broke, cracked, corroded then failed.
There is another way of converting these to manual, using a kit made by a company called The Driven Man. It's a custom bellhousing and flywheel that allows you to install a Tremec gearbox, more modern and stronger than the Jag Getrag gearbox, and also you can opt for a 6-speed which would be great for cruising one of these. The kit is ferociously expensive though.
You are right - £10k -£15k if you pay a specialist to fit that. Plus the rear diff needs to change to 3.54 to match the 6-speed tremec - another slightly agricultural transmission like my getrag 265.
The V12 is gloriously smooth. When accelerating, from a stop , it just effortlessly pulls and pulls up to highway speeds and beyond. The front end does seem a bit heavy in tight curves so, in that regard, I preferred the lighter 6-clyender version. The 6 cylinder just felt more nimble.
Manual V12- the car Jaguar should have built in the first instance! Great review of an interesting motor. I think you are missing a trick re 'refinement.' Older cars are far more engaging to drive than contemporary metal now. Modern cars are refined to the point of being utterly sterile and dull to drive. Older cars require more input from a driver I think, which makes them more interesting and enjoyable to drive. I own two classics- a very interesting Capri 2.8i which punts out 280 Bhp and 300 lbs ft of torque, and a Rover P6 3500. Both are more rewarding to drive than my daily driver- a throwaway BMW 3 Series. When I want to have serious fun, I take the Capri out, when I go on a touring holiday, I take the P6- the BWM sits at home on the drive. I would far sooner own this V12 XJS, than a modern Jag. It's interesting to note that classic car ownership in the UK has soared by *40%* (Yes! you did read that correctly!) in a mere five years. I think that figure speaks VOLUMES about the cars which are on offer today, which to my eyes at least, are mostly dull, anodyne, soulless machines.
Everybody needs a V12 & these still represent spectacular value IMO. You just have to go through the complete car nose to tail as soon as you get it, fixing all the little things that have been neglected over the years (& several that Jaguar got wrong from new...) & you will end up with a genuinely reliable car that's a good drive & looks like nothing else.
Beautiful cat! See if you can get a go of the incredible Lister Le Man's take on the XJS. It runs a 7 litre version of the engine with 500+bhp! 0 to 60 in around 4 seconds and a top end of 200+mph!
Love the XJS absolutely beautiful.... Although Iam not sure how you emerge out of a narrow street onto a main road in one of those things as the front bumper must be on the white centre line before you can see if it's safe to pull out 😊 scary man... Great review 👍
As a student sponsored by BL Cars in the mid 1970s, I remember hearing a story about why the XJS and XJ-12 did not have a manual gearbox option. Apparently it was down to the rationalisation of “large car” manufacturing, or in other words reducing the amount of different bits made by Rover, Triumph and Jaguar. The ‘powers that be’ decided that Jaguar didn’t need to take their new gearbox into production, a Rover item would be perfectly adequate. It did not matter when Jag development drivers showed them what happened when the Rover box was used on a V12 - it stripped the gears, the decision had been made and that was that. So all V12 cars had the automatic and owners had to like it or lump it! One of many reasons I didn’t stay with BL when I graduated. The HE cylinder head was designed by a Mr May, and was featured on Tomorrow’s World and in various car magazines. Having patented his high efficiency cylinder head design, he offered it to various car manufacturers, expecting to sell it to someone building family cars where the 1973 oil crisis had made miles per gallon a major selling point. So it seemed quite ironic that the first (and only?) people to buy the design put it on a V12 gas guzzler.
I do enjoy these older car tests. Highly entertaining. On the E-Type -> XJS progression, I'm not sure the last iteration of the E was really very far from the XJS in concept. The Series 3 with e V12 was a world away from the original Series 1 and not a sports car at all in any real sense.
The space in the back isn’t anywhere near as bad as people think. Myself & my sibling were teenagers when my dad had xjs’s & we were never uncomfortable in the back
Dunno bout the Laque being OG, but we had, in Germany, a jet-black XJS 6.0 wtih blacked out rearlights. And that Black was piano-finished from factory. I attest that firsthand.
Back in the 90s I owned a 5.3 TWR version which was said to have 330-350 bhp but still with the auto box! It did have a much more “vocal” and free flowing 4 pipe exhaust system that would howl gloriously when under power! TWR did produce various versions from just body kits up to manual 6.0 versions with up to 485 bhp with the option of 5 speed manual gear box which was said to eat clutches! I looked for mine for months, wanting a 6.0 manual but settled for the 5.3 as none seemed available only to see a 6.0 manual for sale a few weeks after I purchased mine! It’s always the way I suppose! From info I was able to find and from my own tests it ran 0-60 in around 6 seconds, not being particularly quick from 0-30 but pulling like a train from there to 140+! (At which point the fuel computer would read 4 mpg!) With the larger Speedline wheels and tyres it would tramline at lower speeds feeling very much like a dog sniffing the road but would seem to “hunker down” as speed increased, feeling very stable! The TWR version came with Bilstein dampers and lower, up rated springs and a body kit that was wind tunnel designed for the racing version which actually worked and was said to be good for an extra 4 mph on its own! Never maxed the car out but hit around 150 on many occasions and backed off even though it felt like it had quite a bit more! The things to watch out for on those V12’s is low oil pressure which can be a problem and overheating, never under any circumstances let them overheat, stop at once or you will end up with a V12 paper weight! Water ingress and rust are other problems which plague the XJS in general together with exorbitant maintenance costs! If planning on owning one it is essential that you find a Jaguar Specialist (NOT dealer) to maintain it and he is likely to become your best friend! I loved mine (just not the maintenance costs) and would love to get my hands on a 7.0 supercharged Lister version which was a “true” Supercar!
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I ran a V12 XJS, 1990 model in the early 1990's as my everyday car. I travelled 96,000 miles in it all over the country on business in all weathers. It never missed a beat. I was a three speed auto and did 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec, 0 to 100 in about 18 sec. Top speed was 157 mph, and would cruise all day at 100 on the motorway, pre speed camera's (there was a time, and £1.60 per gallon petrol!) I did 700 miles in one day on a house hunting trip home to the Lake District from Cambridge with ease. All you had to do to get this performance, reliability and incredible refinement was have it serviced at a main dealer on the button. A brilliant car. The only other car that came close was the 928S but more costly to run except for fuel, and with more road noise, or more accurately some road noise. The XJS new is whisper quiet. Personally I think the automatic suits it better but they did offer a four speed manual in 1976. You could pull away in fourth gear and go all the way to 150, such was the tractability of the V12. My car had 320 BHP and 318 LBFT and was fully equipped with heated seats, cruise control, lumber support etc. The brakes and handbrake were good on a new car and remained so if properly serviced. Very good review but a tip top version would give an even better impression. TWR and Lynx used to make manual versions, some with 7 litre V12 engines.
XJ-S V12 auto did not crack 60 in 6.5 seconds. The early V12 was actually the fastest of the 5.3 V12 cars. The manual cracked 60 circa 6.7 seconds, so you are being very optimistic, more like 7.5 seconds- with a strong wind behind it! Nor would you see a genuine 157 mph- that was probably a false reading due to the tacho not being particularly accurate- they aren't calibrated. High 140's mph at best, a really good one in a good state of tune 'might' scrape 150.
Don't forget the 7.3L Lister Lemans
It's amazing how little wind and road noise these cars had, especially at 100mph. I owned an 85 HE for about 11 years and had some great memories with the car.
As we've probably all seen from Harry Metcalfe's manual converted XJC, V12 Jags with a manual box are some of the absolute coolest cars on the roads. Nothing but love for this car too.
Fun fact: without a manual transmission, the XJS is no faster than the XJ with the equivalent engine (probably also applies to manual conversions). The factory-spec XJS V12's 0-60 time is about 0.2 seconds faster than the XJ12's, so by getting an XJS rather than an XJ you basically sacrifice all the grace and space for no gain in pace. There's a reason why good examples XJ12s have started to appreciate in value (the average price has tripled if not quadroupled over the past decade), whereas XJS are still easily found for next-to-nothing.
@@AAWT That's not really true though is it? Usable V12 XJ-S are not easily found for less than £10,000 any more. If you can get one for £8-9000 it will need work that's difficult to hide. The XJ-S is a smaller cabin but fine for 2+2 children as I use mine for, and claiming it lacks grace is fairly subjective at best.
@@jamieduff1981I find usable V12 XJS all day for about $8000.
As a 10 year-old in1975
The XJS will always be my favourite jaguar.
I was born in 1975 and it’s my favourite too.
I was born the same year this car came into production. The XJS was always my favourite car growing up. I bought myself a 1988 XJS Coupe when I turned 40. Absolutely love it still.
The Return of The Saint?
3 years old the back end caught my attention. Then again sat in back of my mums mini around 8 years old watching and xjs and 911 Racing in front through traffic . Two of best back ends in the business . I got my first at 21 years old and now have 3 and love them . Manual sporty conversion seems to get very positive feedback almost shocked results so these videos are helping me make that leap to doing one
“Trained engineers” -cuts to shot of wiring resting on clutch pedal 😂
Hehe, I spotted that glitch too. :^/
Not all engineers are good mechanics 😆
Car drives, high-five!
Damn that sounds good! and loving the fact the owner isnt scared of sending it for the drive by's!
He certainly enjoys the car
I’ve gone through phases of wanting one of these since I was about 18, now watching this ... 18 years later ... you’ve made me want one again.
The only thing stoping me wanting one is the expense of I owning one
Enjoyed this video more than most, James seems to be really relaxed and having a great time in this car 👍👍
I did indeed
I love the old XJS regardless of its many faults. Thank you for reviewing this magnificent car.
aside from 1st gen XK, the XJS also morphed into Aston Martin DB7. It did go round quite a bit LOL
Not to mention it was basically the Series 2 XJ to start with,
All Jaguars from the E type until the XJ40 came along shared many parts. Those parts that won races in some cars could still be found in a limousine or hearse decades down the line. Shows just how good the basic design was, and just how little R&D budget Jaguar had to work with. They could only afford to get it right.
@@thegearknob7161 It also shows how ingenious the British are at guilding lillies. All them foreign cars are just transport aren't they.
@@thegearknob7161 I'd much rather drive a flawed car that someone put love and passion into than any of the cost-reduced, built to a government spec, over computerized garbage made in the last 20 years.
I've owned two of these in the past and you're spot on with most of that.
However I love the looks of them and I found them very reliable.
Fuel consumption is a killer though. I used to get about 12mpg about town but on a continental trip to Rome and back I averaged 20mpg.
(Got married while there so ended up an expensive trip 😁)
12mpg around town is good, I could get 25mpg on a long run.
I'd only get 12mpg around town in a Mondeo st24 2.5.
The people that bought these cars new weren't bothered by fuel economy, they deprecated in value just as quickly.
Love them , and I’ve had most cars . So under appreciated and I always wondered if Jaguar had have made a more sports focused v12 with the manual and other mods it may have reached out to a whole different buyer or those with enough money may have bought both . As a kid it was always a fast car to me in it’s on Jaguar wooshing quiet way . Now I’m doing the
Manual conversion on one snd keeping two in auto so let’s see which is most enjoyable
In my brand new 1988 XJ-S Convertible in 1988 on a road trip we were proceeding swiftly & the trip computer said it was doing 2.9mpg! But for absolutely wonderful cruising the XJ-S V12 Convertible is fantastic. I’ve had two.
Yesterday 12 July 2021 I took a new Ferrari Portofino M coupe/convertible for a test drive which was splendid in a non- involving smooth way but nothing like as serene as the far less costly XJ-S.
I have to keep reminding myself UK and US gallons are different (so much for the imperial system... it can't even be consistent with itself) because 12-20 mpg is pretty much standard for a 2002 XKR/XK8 as well, but on US gallons.
The biggest bummer is having to stop for gas so often. At least some of these older v12 jags (the xj12 specifically, or the double 6) had twin tanks. Even if you have the money stopping to pour in more jungle juice rankles. On a long distance road rally, out of my Tundra, the XKR, my MX-5 or my girlfriends prius, the prius wins cos it doesnt have to stop.
I remember a mechanical engineer here in Australia took one of these and improved its efficiency. If I remember correctly he was around the 30 MPG.
Makes me want to try the same though finding a good starter car might be an effort.
From memory he worked on the parasitic losses, and (I think) may be a manual conversion. Electric water pump, newer power steering pump, alternator. Not sure if he did an EFI conversion or not. Was many years ago I read the article.
My father and I had an XJS HE last year, completely standard, a little shagged, and we used to regularly return 16-19 MPG, and I think the highest we ever got was 25MPG on a long motorway run at 60mph, and the was an auto. People don't give them enough credit
The XJS has a way of charming the pants off of everyone. Whenever I take mine out, everyone smiles and waves. They just love seeing this gorgeous unique thing out on the road.
Same here. They turn lots of heads, and get people pointing. Kinda proud of it to.
That's because nobody HAS to drive an XJS. You must want to, so folks assume you're having a good time and that is infectious.
The car squats nicely when you floor it. Such a great car and the engine is one of the best ever made. They sound ferocious with a straight through exhaust.
You're not wrong. I've got an 88 with the auto, and even then, from standstill putting the hammer down, she'll squat up to 90kph in first gear before chirping the rear tyres going into second, pulling like a freight train without breaking a sweat.
@@CondescendingCowboy The DSC kicks in on my XKR if I floor it from a standstill. You have to get moving first to about 30mph before you can really give it everything. The car won't stay in 1st for long, it just goes into 2nd and stays there to 77mph or so. The 0-60 time suffers because it just doesn't have any traction, once you get to 60 mph though it climbs much faster. You can turn the DSC off but you just skid and don't go anywhere. You have to be gentle with the throttle to begin with but I'm no race driver so they could probably do a much better job then I.
@@Punisher9419 I'm envious. The XKR is a dream car of mine. While I know the later models with the 4.2l and 5.0l supercharged engines are the ones to have, I've got a soft spot in my heart for the early 4.0l supercharged models. I just love the curves of the earlier XK8 and XKR.
@@CondescendingCowboy Mine is the old shape from the X100 with the 4.2 supercharged engine. They do look very good. Just wish Jaguar had done a better job with rust protection on the chasis, body work and trim. The aluminium trim on the windows corodes and goes all white and fuzzy. Not a good look and I can't find any replacements. This sort of thing happens with a 20 year old car though so it's to be expected. If you want one I would get in now while you can, these cars will start to go up soon and they won't be so cheap any longer.
I paid just under £10k for mine last year, now I am seeing examples for £20k plus. You can still find ones for around £10k but they are getting harder to find. Sorting out the rust on them isn't overly expensive either, there are plenty of panels available.
@@Punisher9419 I reckon the ship sailed on "affordable" XK's down here in Australia about 5 or so years ago. Back then values for an average example early XK8 bottomed out at about AUD$18000. Since then similar examples are now going for AUD$30000. Having a family with three kids and the need to buy a bigger house has to take precedence, but who knows, perhaps the use of an XJS as a hero car in a movie in the future could see the values rise, and I could part with mine putting myself in the cockpit of an XK (one can only dream, haha).
My dad has the facelift 6.0 and it’s just such a lovely car, they’re so underrated, also, the 5.3 and the 3.6 were replaced with the 6.0 and 4.0 with the facelift
ford
ruined it changing the headlights
@@richwilson239 believe it or not that was actually the original design language which was butchered through american regulations, it was never meant to have the quad headlights
OMG, James is always endearing, but never as much as when behind the wheel of an XJS it seems.
I laughed out loud a few times (hair gel in eyebrows), and generally enjoyed this video even more than the usual.
Loved the XJS, looked properly 70’s pure-class, accelerating down the road and really suited James (and the shirt)!
Like this chap, he enunciates distinctly, is clearly interested and knows his cars. We need more of him. Thank you.
I'm so glad you enjoyed driving this - and that you have so many positive things to say about the manual conversion. I have a TWR version which I have been considering having converted for a long time, but I've never quite been able to bring myself to sacrifice the originality to get the job done. Hearing that engine put through its paces without the 3 speed slushbox getting in the way has made my mind up for me... It's on!
And you are absolutely on the money as always. They are old, crap and British - but they are completely magnificent things to own and enjoy. I have considered parting with mine a few times over the years, then I will drive it and once again vow it will be mine until the day I die!
Great video, really enjoyed it! Cheers!
Have a listen to the manual V12 XJC on Harry's Garage - I think he also had the diff ratio changed to lower the gearing. Sounds absolutely magnificent.
I did my 1990 recently, absolutely transforms the car, you won't regret it, and trust me it wasn't cheap getting the bits to NZ. Try Simply performance they do a good kit.
This Jag screams of old money being a V12, what a classic beauty.
Another epic review of an underappreciated car, love it!
Not under appreciated ,just drinks more than me..
Everyone loves therm, no one wants to own them.
@@DjDolHaus86 check the Jag clubs around the world, the XJS is king with that smooth v12. I currently own 8 Jags, one '88 XJS almost daily driver, and I love the thing. To each its own I guess. Saludos from.Mexico!
I purchased a 1990 BRG v12, 5 years ago, sight unseen. It had sat inside for years and everything was wrong with it apart from the body and engine. 5 years later it is all pretty much sorted and now that problem areas are addressed it is very reliable. I have also converted it to a 5 speed manual, the same as this car, and on a long run, (when I can keep my foot off the loud pedal) I can get 28-30 MPG with the original 2.88 diff ratio, which makes it quite high geared. I have also warmed over the V12 to gain a few extra horses and sorted the suspension steering and brakes. It is a pleasure to drive and proper quick. In fact watching this, has made me want to go take it for a drive, I'm off
Based on the 4 speed Jaguar gearbox found as an option for the 12 months after the Turbo Hydra matic 400 only 1975 cars, the car felt as if it had 48 extra horsepower. In its old pre HE headed 286 hp form, 15.1 second quarter miles, 149 mph at MIRA to 155 mph claimed, but it fell to 16.1 to 16.6 seconds with the THM 400, and lost 15 mph top speed, 134 to 140 mph. And that is exactly what a chassis dynometer shows on manual verses 3 speed auto cars throughout the world. Figures like a 50 % or 1.5 factor loss for 3 speeds, but only 25% or approx 1.25 loss factor for a manual gearbox are common debits for flywheel DIN net hp to Rear wheel horsepower. As a passion killer fir a road car, nought better than a GM Turbo Hydramatic. Unless it has a trans brake and shift kit and it's strapped to a drag racing chassis. Then 326 cubic inches of 5.3 litre Vee formation engine with a Yankee auto...really struts it's stuff! The traction losses and gear ratios aren't an issue, and even GM two Speed PowerGlides regularly show stick shift manual cars a clean set of heals from as little as 270 hp to over 2500 hp. Some great observations in this video. Thesr in my opinion should be most positively attributed to Wiliam Lyons and Malcolm Sayers XJ-S, the Godfathers of its GT credentials as a mass produced V12 sports GT also eligible for Group A racing were it eventually excelled. The legacy of true British dynamic excellence in steering, brakes, Independent Rear Suspension and aerodynamics. GREAT VIDEO!
I'm rewatching this about a year after the first time. This is probably my favorite car review on the site.
Brings back memories of my Dads XJS V12....which slowly decayed away...once when it wasn't working he went out and bought a six cylinder model from a neighbour who was selling it....bonkers.....nice to know you've discovered the delights of the XJS
My first experience of an XJS V12 was about 35 years ago... Sheds were available even (especially?) back then and my employer, at the time, bought one. It drank like Ollie Reed, the under-bonnet experience was a plumber's nightmare, rust-wise you could probably mine the thing for iron ore.... But it rode beautifully, was a joy to press on and was so, so comfortable. We ended up at a house party with some very questionable people... but that's another story. Safe to say the XJS got us safely back home again.
Literally , my dream car . I love these things so much and thats the exact mods I would want done to it
My Dad had quite a few of these and I always loved them. In the 1980’s he did a journey from Cardiff to Norwich and averaged 83mph... Allegedly.
seems like there's a string of comments about "my Dad's XJS's"
Imagine a 6 litre one with a manual gearbox. They do look tidier under the bonnet as well.
I worked for Istel (Redditch) for a few years.
It’s almost unbelievable to think this now; (30 years later ) but they actually gave them out as company cars .
You didn’t have to be “director” level either ! Quite a few software developers and mid-level managers had them.
The biggest compliment to this car is that he just wanted to keep driving and waffling 👍🏻
That p**** in the S2000.....you're readiness to lampoon yourself adds to the charm of your channel...just brilliant.
I have a 1992 XJS and Love it! It's in beautiful shape and classic.
Agree on the look. Much prefer the XJS to the E Type which looks too pinched and needs widening along the flanks. An ex girl friends dad had one with the optional mushroom farm growing away in the boot. Literal mushrooms like this 🍄. There was room in the back for 2 as long as we adopted a certain position 😉
My prayers have been heard! Finally a XJS V12 review! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
No problem!
Back in the day, when you could buy one of these for less than £2000, I use to joke whilst down the pub about getting one. I should have got one. Fantastic cars.
I just watched this in 2024. I had a 1983 XJS HE that was so subtle and sneaky fast! 145 mph on California's I-5 North years ago in the dark. Glorious car. We also owned a 6.0 V12 convertible 1994 XJS, such a sweet GT. Both were pricey to own, but I have no regrets. Great cars.
I had a few very enjoyable years running a manual 3.6 XJS. A set of adjustable shock absorbers and new bushes tidied up the handling a treat
Man that exhaust note is heavenly. Shame they didn’t offer a clutch pedal on this side of the pond, even in the straight 6 😕 I’d be looking for one to swap
Love a Jaaag. Hats off to the owner for that gearbox conversion , Looks and sounds like you enjoyed that one .
Strangely this car looks better and better every year as the time passes by. These old cars have much more character and personality than the new ones. Like Jeremy Clarkson said about the new cars: "It's like sitting in a laptop". XJS is a future classic for sure and the prices are not going down ever again.
or like driving an iPhone.
If you like these, do watch Harry Metcalfe’s review of his (now sold) V12 XJS, on a trip to Europe.
Definitely think a new channel is needed, jayemm on jags, it would be wonderful.
I love how the boot is just the right size to borrow some oil paintings
Excellent, nice to see the wintery grey skies of Northants/Bucks while watching here in Texas (former Buckinghamshire resident)
We already have an 84 Series 3 Jaguar XJ6. And wow!!! I keep falling more and more in love with the XJS’s. Need to pick one up this summer!
I drove a 3.6 auto for 6 yrs and loved it. More than adequate . Better check your petrol level...those gauges all look flat...
Tom Walkinshaw brought these to Oz to challenge the Fords & Holdens @ Bathurst in the mid 80s. I was there to experience and hear them scream like eagles up Hill Straight. They did very well although had a tendency to suddenly implode on the track...!
The big Jag did very well in 1985! Was there as well, every year for most of the 1980s!
But they also won! I never missed a race they entered in the UK but then my Dad did work there.
They imploded with class though. I suppose...
@@chriskelly9361 Everything Jags do, they do it with class.
I was there too. I think perhaps you might be referring to Mountain Straight rather than 'Hill Straight', unless of course you are referring to them screaming down Conrod Straight.
The Australian Touring Car Championship and Endurance Championship were running under International Group A regulations at that time. The Walkinshaw XJS cars were competing against an international field that included the Grp A BMW 635s they competed against in the European Touring Car Championships and at places like Spa. Jaguars finished in first and third, and BMW 635s took the other top six winning positions, so the race wasn't about taking on a few local makes. In 1985 it was the BMW 635s that were the cars to beat, particularly the JPS team.
Under Grp A Bathurst was 163 laps and was a round of the endurance championships and Bathurst is considered one of the toughest tracks on cars and drivers in the world. Pretty much every make entered suffered failures and retirements - including the local cars. That included Brock's Commodore V8 that retired with a broken timing chain on lap 160 and many other exceptionally well prepared cars, like the BMW 635s
One Jaguar out of the three retired early in the race after a headlight was damaged on track and some pieces of the broken glass were ingested by the engine. The oil cooler on Walkinshaw's car was later damaged by a rock, removed, then the car completed the race to finish in third with no engine oil cooler. The winning XJS ran the 163 laps with no issues except a broken driver's seat mount.
I don't think I would refer to that as a 'tendency to suddenly implode on the track'. Glad you enjoyed the race!
Stunning! Brings back happy memories of my father's V12 XJS in Dorchester Grey.
"I maybe old crap and british"
Love it 😆
I would dearly love to buy my dad an XJS as a project. They stopped manufacturing them in my early teens, but I've always had a desire to own one. Proper old school Jaaaaaaag.
I used to lust after an XJRS, rare beastie.
I have an '88 V-12 looking for a home right now, Nicholas!
I didn’t think he was that old?😂😂
I had my 92 XJS V12 converted to a Tremec 6-speed by Keisler engineering and it absolutely transformed the car, unleashing that engine. Wish I still had it.
It was a treat to see this being filmed
I had this model in 2004 with the auto box. Driving to work in it each day from cold, I never got more than 9mpg, so you are right. I always thought it looked better than it drove.
That's an absurdly awesome car. Kind of reminds me of Metcalfe's XJ hot rod project. And as far as I'm concerned, it has the loveliest sound ever. Thanks for these videos.
I'd have one in my dream garage in a heartbeat. This and Harry Metcalf's xj coupe.
To quote Jeremy Clarkson from a random TG episode...."and because their Smiths gauges they don't wuuurk!"
One of the best car reviewers ever, love your vids! Only one problem though, you often subconsciously push me to part with my money 🤣
Sorry, but if it makes you feel better I wind up doing it to myself aswell!
It maybe old and crap but you will forgive it that every time you see it drive it and smell it there is something alluring about an old jag absolutely love them one of my very favourite brands 👌
It's just a pity so few people buy them.
Good review, I had an XJ12 TWR with a ZF 5 speed manual transmission. It had lots of tasty options from new. The suspension and steering completed the transformation.... It was a very very special car.. I should never of sold it, I got 25 to the gallon on the motorway doing motorway speeds... From a tuned 6.0 V12 that's not bad at all. If you used it's power then it dropped to single figures.... By all accounts there is a handling pack from XJ restoration that does the job and KWE do something similar.... Keep up the good work!
Manuals make these cars. If it was a TWR factory manual it would have had a Getrag box, not a ZF manual though. Easy to confuse the two because the Getrag also has a 'dogleg' left and back first gear position. The cost of the ZF box put it out of the reach of most manufacturers. Even the TWR race cars used a specially made Getrag with a sand cast housing and stronger gearsets.
"Where do you start with a car like this. Well the interior....." No JayEMM. NO YOU DON't. You talk about the finest internal combustion engine of its day, mated to a fantastic manual gearbox, and how that is so wonderful in this car that every classic enthusiast should have a go at one. A Jaguar XJS V12 Manual is not about the f**king seats !!
JayEmm: "The speedo doesn't work hahahaha!".
Traffic cop: "George, get the radar gun".
Slight correction Jay, the 5.3 was replaced by the 6.0 before the end of production. I owned a 1993 6.0. model virtually from new, had it over 10 years when I foolishly chopped it in for an XJR...a decision which haunts by petrol head to this day.
Even if I don't like the car, which is not the case, always here lo leave my thumbs up 😁
Great overview of the XJS, what a beauty with the manual transmission. As a teenager in the 1980's, this was the car of that era. The XJS was just so much more masculine then the XKE, which was not all that cool for a teenager of the 80's. Not sure this is a 1990 though- maybe was not the same for the US market. The steering wheel shown is not stock, as the nearly all 1990 XJS's were sold with the bloated airbag steering wheel. Take the four catalytic converters off the US XJS and she is a beast. Most 30 year old cars also should get the six shocks replaced, which will make a huge difference with the suspension and handling.
yeah, or at the very least replace the cats with modern free-flowing ones. Add in some modern throttle bodies and ECU and these things sing. Just open them up and let them breathe. Airbags were well and good, but deleting them now isnt the big deal a lot of people make it out to be. Think about it - do you honestly trust a 30-40 year old airbag to save your life? Only one way to test it, and then youll never be able to use it. *shrugs*
Nice cars. Underrated 'cause people compared them to the E type. Love the idea of a manual version, very cool indeed.
Very much so, in truth this was a totally different car to E-Type
@@JayEmmOnCars Very different compared to the Series 1 E-Type. But compared with the end-of-line, America-satisfying, auto-boxed, V-12 E-Type, perhaps not so different?
I have fitted a GM T700R4 4 speed auto with its overdrive and lock up converter into my pre HE car and it has made a huge difference to its fuel economy, now around 20mpg. It also cruises a lot better with much lower RPMs, now around 1700rpm at 60 mph. I have owned my car for 36 years and apart from the Opus ignition which I have now replaced with a Pertronix ignition system it has been a very reliable car.
how many miles have you put on it? I recently got a 1999 xk8 as a first car, been a dream for years to own one and I would love to keep it long term like you have kept yours, but i can’t help but think it’s inevitable to crash it over that long or deteriorate beyond repair if I drive it more than 200k miles (it’s at 86k now, got it at 82 or 84)
@@h7pubg It has never been a daily driver, only driven at weekends and for touring and so the mileage is not that high. It takes a certain amount of commitment to own a car for a long period as you are always battling time and the elements. Keeping up the maintenance and tackling any problems as they arise. Having the car rust proofed is a good place to start if you intend to keep it long term.
I had an XJS when you could buy a good one for less money, I fitted a manual shift kit to the auto box and a Hurst shifter, and manages nearly 30mpg on a run.
FYI those wipers should park off screen.
Arguably the best production engine of all time. CAR magazine took an early HE 1981 around Euro trip averaging 70MPH and 21MPG. The advert can be found on ebay.
Funny I never hear anyone complain about a Countach, Boxer or Daytona v12's, and they're as thirsty, complicated, exotic and high cost to keep as the the Jag's. The thing is the XJS is affordable up to now, not considered the exotic car it really is, and people complain about costs. It has 12 cylinders for god sakes!
I had a manual V12 Series 3 TWR. It averaged mid to late twenties, unless I was trying... Divorce forced me to sell it. If not for that it was til death us do part. Best car I’ve ever been in, at any price. Absolute class.
Totally agree about preferring the xjs looks to the e type
I always wanted one and should have done it when they were dirt cheap
This is like a Land Rover defender it's quite rough in places but when it's in element it's fun
Massively under appreciated car this, in another world it could have been an icon
Yes, a really cool car, and you did a great job with the test drive and the introduction. Thank you!
I wonder if the owner is aware of a recent kit you can get from the US that converts this Jag V12 to carbs (and takes out the Lucas stuff). The Car Wizard did a video on it and he loved it.
I can't see that being an improvement to be honest. The fuel injection works fine on these cars. Being a 1990 this car will also have Marelli ignition too. Due to trouble with getting the originally planned fuel injection working properly, the V12 in the Series III E-Type ran on carburettors and it was crap. Especially a HE model engine. James has understated the improvement in both power and fuel consumption the HE made over the flat-head version. Without fuel injection you'll lose all those benefits all because some people can't get their heads around what is ultimately a pretty simple fuel injection system. American cars of this era were pretty formulaic - a nice way of saying they were all basically the same - an iron V8, a distributor and a 4-barrel carb on top. If it wasn't that, they couldn't maintain it.
I saw one of these in Harrogate yesterday. If the better half was at all interested in cars, I'm sure she would've appreciated it as much as I did.
Had one in 1990. Absolutely loved it. Unfortunately it was designed by engineers and put together with parts bought by accountants. Was never out the workshop. It was majestic when running though.
If it was designed by engineers, the car would work great. You might want to rethink your summation. Maybe designed by accountants?
@@brighteyesvideos Nope. I AM an engineer. Everything was designed beautifully, just built using parts from the cheapest supplier. Electrics were a nightmare, 5p connectors/sockets everywhere that broke, cracked, corroded then failed.
There is another way of converting these to manual, using a kit made by a company called The Driven Man. It's a custom bellhousing and flywheel that allows you to install a Tremec gearbox, more modern and stronger than the Jag Getrag gearbox, and also you can opt for a 6-speed which would be great for cruising one of these. The kit is ferociously expensive though.
You are right - £10k -£15k if you pay a specialist to fit that. Plus the rear diff needs to change to 3.54 to match the 6-speed tremec - another slightly agricultural transmission like my getrag 265.
I can't find it anymore on their website, not for the XJS. They have a conversion for the E-Type that all.
Always wanted one of these! A grandfather clock on wheels
Great episode and lots of laughs. Jag looked quicker than the 718 cayman you tested
The V12 is gloriously smooth. When accelerating, from a stop , it just effortlessly pulls and pulls up to highway speeds and beyond. The front end does seem a bit heavy in tight curves so, in that regard, I preferred the lighter 6-clyender version. The 6 cylinder just felt more nimble.
Another great video! And what a heroic blast by the camera right at the end there!
Manual V12- the car Jaguar should have built in the first instance! Great review of an interesting motor. I think you are missing a trick re 'refinement.' Older cars are far more engaging to drive than contemporary metal now. Modern cars are refined to the point of being utterly sterile and dull to drive. Older cars require more input from a driver I think, which makes them more interesting and enjoyable to drive. I own two classics- a very interesting Capri 2.8i which punts out 280 Bhp and 300 lbs ft of torque, and a Rover P6 3500. Both are more rewarding to drive than my daily driver- a throwaway BMW 3 Series. When I want to have serious fun, I take the Capri out, when I go on a touring holiday, I take the P6- the BWM sits at home on the drive. I would far sooner own this V12 XJS, than a modern Jag. It's interesting to note that classic car ownership in the UK has soared by *40%* (Yes! you did read that correctly!) in a mere five years. I think that figure speaks VOLUMES about the cars which are on offer today, which to my eyes at least, are mostly dull, anodyne, soulless machines.
Everybody needs a V12 & these still represent spectacular value IMO. You just have to go through the complete car nose to tail as soon as you get it, fixing all the little things that have been neglected over the years (& several that Jaguar got wrong from new...) & you will end up with a genuinely reliable car that's a good drive & looks like nothing else.
The E-Type has never done it for me either. The XJ-S on the other hand is a car I've loved ever since I got a red Corgi toy in 1979.
Talking of manual V12’s when are we getting a Classiche update?😃
Later this year I expect, next video will be a one year ownership summary
That engine sounds magnificent.
Great to see 1 still driving
Beautiful cat! See if you can get a go of the incredible Lister Le Man's take on the XJS. It runs a 7 litre version of the engine with 500+bhp! 0 to 60 in around 4 seconds and a top end of 200+mph!
Love the XJS absolutely beautiful.... Although Iam not sure how you emerge out of a narrow street onto a main road in one of those things as the front bumper must be on the white centre line before you can see if it's safe to pull out 😊 scary man... Great review 👍
Everytime i look at my S80 Turbo,s rear fenders and its rear lights i get reminded of the XJS. Yeah, it was the same designer.
As a student sponsored by BL Cars in the mid 1970s, I remember hearing a story about why the XJS and XJ-12 did not have a manual gearbox option. Apparently it was down to the rationalisation of “large car” manufacturing, or in other words reducing the amount of different bits made by Rover, Triumph and Jaguar. The ‘powers that be’ decided that Jaguar didn’t need to take their new gearbox into production, a Rover item would be perfectly adequate. It did not matter when Jag development drivers showed them what happened when the Rover box was used on a V12 - it stripped the gears, the decision had been made and that was that. So all V12 cars had the automatic and owners had to like it or lump it! One of many reasons I didn’t stay with BL when I graduated.
The HE cylinder head was designed by a Mr May, and was featured on Tomorrow’s World and in various car magazines. Having patented his high efficiency cylinder head design, he offered it to various car manufacturers, expecting to sell it to someone building family cars where the 1973 oil crisis had made miles per gallon a major selling point. So it seemed quite ironic that the first (and only?) people to buy the design put it on a V12 gas guzzler.
One of my dream cars, but the very early pre He jags
"There's a trip computer down there"...."Fuel average...nought"! So that works! Brilliant.
I do enjoy these older car tests. Highly entertaining.
On the E-Type -> XJS progression, I'm not sure the last iteration of the E was really very far from the XJS in concept. The Series 3 with e V12 was a world away from the original Series 1 and not a sports car at all in any real sense.
Superb drive. Really enjoyed your video and comments. 😁 The XJS Is one my Favourite Jags in spite of all the Negativity about it. Cheers TC 👍
The space in the back isn’t anywhere near as bad as people think. Myself & my sibling were teenagers when my dad had xjs’s & we were never uncomfortable in the back
Gorgeous car.. I shudder to think what it would take to obtain a car like this (MT of course) and keep it alive in the US
Another excellent video, kudos to you Jay!
I adore the late 90’s XJS V12 last of the proper boaty but sporty Jaguars
Seems like you were having more fun in this episode, nice video
Dunno bout the Laque being OG, but we had, in Germany, a jet-black XJS 6.0 wtih blacked out rearlights. And that Black was piano-finished from factory. I attest that firsthand.
1995 XJS 6.0 is the best GT long distance tourer I've driven and still is!
Back in the 90s I owned a 5.3 TWR version which was said to have 330-350 bhp but still with the auto box!
It did have a much more “vocal” and free flowing 4 pipe exhaust system that would howl gloriously when under power!
TWR did produce various versions from just body kits up to manual 6.0 versions with up to 485 bhp with the option of 5 speed manual gear box which was said to eat clutches!
I looked for mine for months, wanting a 6.0 manual but settled for the 5.3 as none seemed available only to see a 6.0 manual for sale a few weeks after I purchased mine!
It’s always the way I suppose!
From info I was able to find and from my own tests it ran 0-60 in around 6 seconds, not being particularly quick from 0-30 but pulling like a train from there to 140+! (At which point the fuel computer would read 4 mpg!)
With the larger Speedline wheels and tyres it would tramline at lower speeds feeling very much like a dog sniffing the road but would seem to “hunker down” as speed increased, feeling very stable!
The TWR version came with Bilstein dampers and lower, up rated springs and a body kit that was wind tunnel designed for the racing version which actually worked and was said to be good for an extra 4 mph on its own!
Never maxed the car out but hit around 150 on many occasions and backed off even though it felt like it had quite a bit more!
The things to watch out for on those V12’s is low oil pressure which can be a problem and overheating, never under any circumstances let them overheat, stop at once or you will end up with a V12 paper weight!
Water ingress and rust are other problems which plague the XJS in general together with exorbitant maintenance costs!
If planning on owning one it is essential that you find a Jaguar Specialist (NOT dealer) to maintain it and he is likely to become your best friend!
I loved mine (just not the maintenance costs) and would love to get my hands on a 7.0 supercharged Lister version which was a “true” Supercar!