This reminds me of my fathers XJ12 Vanden Plas that he had 40 years ago , poor chap is now suffering with Parkinson’s, I’ll try and show him this video to remind him of his pride and joy, thank Wizard
I can't get enough of the V12 XJS whether it's from 1995 or 1975. It's a car of such utter beauty and I love it more than any other and have done since I knew what a car was (a LONG time ago ;)
That v12 really came into its own in that stunning 6.0 Litre guise. The peak of it's evolution (if you ignore the Lister 7.1L race version) and also reliability. Of all the XJS to buy, the Celebration and the last of the 6.0 v12 are the best of the breed. Wonderful car, I hope you get it all nice and squared away for the gentleman who owns it, I'm really glad to see it go to someone who'll do right by it.
Love the clear, concise gauges on this car. Every car company should use this design. All the information you need, nothing you don't, and it's all very clear and easy to read at a glance.
As people have already commented probably the same for the switches, especially once you've had the car for a while. Touchscreens are a very poor choice on a car where you are supposed to be looking at the road.
About the crooked steering wheel : to do an alignment on those Jags you have to first set the steering rack at center and then mess with the steering rods. They won't be at the same length left and right and this is normal ! A previous shop may have done the alignment by just putting the rods at the same length, so the steering rack itself is not centered. Car Wizard may already know that but hey, figured it might help.
I bloody love these awful old cars. I grew up quite close to the factories of most of the British cars and while they were never that good, it's still beautiful. Nothing else drives like that car before or since.
I completely agree with you. I owned a 1980 XJS V12 and although it was constantly having problems, when we could drive it, it was amazing to sit in and just marvel at the isolation it afforded the occupant(s) from the road, whilst driving in it. I have never experienced anything quite like the ride that XJS offered. It truly was a beautiful car and if you ask me, I think it has aged quite well over time also. Just a timeless classic. Fred
@@philgrimsey3637 yes indeed the username comes from my sd1, a very late c plate V8 injection in crystal green. Again, not a fantastic car really but something quite unique and unlike the BMW 5 series or even a top of the line Granada of the same year which I have also owned, was it the best one probably not, was it special, yes!
The most beautiful car ever built..... Only in America could the owner afford the gasoline for a V12. The union jack is the right way up too... A beautiful classic .
I grew up with this car and spent many nights riding in the back seat with my older brother in the front. My dad was always needing to get something fixed on it but the engine was solid. Still love the look and feel of this car!
I was just about to say the same, also from Oxfordshire, near Chippy, hmmm, Harry... Oxfordshire... you don't by any chance hang out near Shilton and like the B4437 do you?
@@GM-ii8gs I don’t have quite the same collection as the gent that you’re referring to! E30 BMW and and a W123 Merc. I do know the road well though! Live in Wallingford myself, but grew up in Finstock and Freeland.
Thanks for the great content Car wizard. Your honest and real assessments and work ethics are what keeps me coming back over and over again. Stay healthy!🇺🇸
Very nice car, what you would expect for a well maintained 50,000 miler. Definitely will be an appropriating asset. Grab one now, before they go sky high !
the 95's are awesome. I love my clients that are not stressed and just trust you! 9:28 perfect camera shot with england! buy some dollar store garden pads or something, save your kneeeeeeees!
Although you are still a young man, you are the last of a dying breed. When customers walk in and hand you the keys.... tell you to do whatever it takes to fix it..... that tells everything about what they think about your integrity as a businessman. Wish we had a Wizard in my area.
Like the composite European-style headlights. But this set looks oddly “unfinished” because of the painted bezels. Usually they are either chrome or stainless. Looks MUCH better that way, in my humble opinion.
Yeah completely agree with you on the bezels, but I live in Australia & I've changed my headlights to the US spec ones, just to be different, Oh & my coupe has also been converted to 350 small block, Rj in Oz
Love that color ! A V-12 facelift car is quite rare, (most of them had the 4.0L I-6). If the info I found on the Jag-Lovers forum is correct, that XJS is one of a mere 148 V-12 equipped cars produced for 1995. I love my 55k mile '96 XJS !
Not keen on the boot spoiler or the leaping Jaguar bonnet mascot but yep, a beautiful car. I think I prefer the shape of the convertible. And, even though we never got the round headlights in the UK, I think I prefer them lol.
The 1993+ Coupes are the prettiest of the bunch up to 1995. Grandfather had a black on tan V12 1995 with the full size rear windows. Absolutely beautifulumptuous.
Did a water pump on one of these recently - what a lark. The bolts were a mix of metric and imperial. Very strange but enjoyable job to keep one of these old beasts on the road
My 87 had similar issues (also similar miles). Steering turned out to be simple alignment but all shims were missing so it turned into a complex DIY job to set up brake centering, camber and caster. All safety lock wire was missing also. Another fun job at the front was wheel bearings. Rock side to side - no play. Rock top and bottom and there was a noticeable wobble. This was worn spindles (stub axles). The inner bearings had rotated and worn a groove in the axles. I fixed that with new axles and conical clamps to lock each bearing in place (racing trick apparently). This had a HUGE effect. I think the wobble caused the pads to back out leading to soft pedal occasionally. Mine works great now - fast and quiet. Drives smooth and been reliable for the last five years or so - love it!
It's identical to one I owned and regret selling to Doctor out west. The "leaper" hood ornament was added by a previous owner. They DO NOT belong on Jaguar sports cars they ONLY come on Saloons (sedans). You are correct, rear seats are for insurance cost reductions.
I met a guy at a gas station with two of these, one has the Straight 6 and the other the V12. He says they're the only cars he's owned since he bought them in 2004. The 6 cylinder one he was driving to the gas station had 160,000 miles and looked immaculate.
I generally like the Wizard's and his channel but I would like if we could watch some things being fixed. I am sure given his popularity he has other things to do now, but cars that are messed up that need to be fixed are way more interesting. Looking at the brakes, shocks, sway bars, and exhaust on nice cars is the same every time.
There are RUclips channels that cater to such an audience. There are any number of reasons for not doing what you suggest: content reasons (he may have his own reasons for this), content length (not everyone is up for sitting through a two to four hour overhaul video, and I might add that he does have a business to run, likely precluding being able to film hours long RUclips videos), trade secrets (not revealing his techniques to possible rivals is protecting his business), liability reasons (an unskilled person may try to copy a repair and potentially injure themselves), or the repair may involve using special tools not available to unlicensed mechanics.
@@houseofno just remarking that while having a system to be a good mechanic and check problem areas is great, it becomes monotonous as a viewer. The videos I most enjoy are a story or a problem and a resolution.
I am with YOU Mike, Sure there are other fix it channels, but DAANG it would be nice to see him fix something other than the Yacht.. think about the wizards MOST POPULAR MOMENT: Pulling the blackwater tank out of the boat! HILARIOUSLY ENTERTAINING!! That shit does not happen on Vice Grip Garage or B is for build COME ON GUYS!!
Agree with Wizard. I also prefer the original headlights rather than the American spec. However because this one is a later model, it doesn't have the early rear light lenses which were a really unusual and unique design. I previously owned a 1988 XJS V12 HE. I changed the plugs at home-bit tricky as you have to remove the air con compressor to get at spark plugs 1 and two...
The second Car I ever sold new was a 94 XJS Convertible, ah happy days! The gold badges were fitted to the final UK 1995 Celebration Editions (as well as host of other unique features)
@@msalzberg4962 You are absolutely right ..... if the car had come from the factory with the leaper it would have been mounted where the round badge is, not 8 inches behind it . It doesn't look aesthetically pleasing. If I owned the car I would certainly remove it!
They weren't factory installed for pedestrian safety. It was a US thing back then. Those leapers were installed by the dealer if the customer wanted to.
A nice XJ-S V12 Convertible. My first car was a 1978 XJ-6 Series 2. The Transmission went after 6 months, swapped it for a Vauxhall Cavalier SRi saloon. Kept the Cavalier for 6 years & it was still going strong when I sold it.
@freepieanchipsgarage hi. i own a 94 6l.stock with the growler. went through ALL of the service manuals/spec sheets for nigel(the name of the xjs). did not come up with a leaper at all on any parts listing for the car.
@freepieanchipsgarage ....it IS possible though that it was a dealer installed option. on the car in the wizards garage though that is not likely to be the case. it had to be installed by either the present or previous owner. either way with both on the vehicle at once the persobnal opinion is that it looks ridiculous. a bit late for the bonnet though to be correcting that now. :-)
Always preferred the older models, though they often looked rather forced in design, none of the flowing lines that the marque usually enjoys, but sure the modern attributes of fuel-injection and updated electronics make these cars a pure joy to own. Great introduction to the more modern models. Thanks!
My Dad had a V12 5.2 XJS ...I remember my mum driving and an Escort XR3I pulled up next to us at the lights he thought he was on for a race ..never saw the XR3I once the lights turned green .I think hes still sat at lights that was 1987 and that was only my mum driving ...I never saw anything that could keep up with it..beast of a car the XJS
The 'S Type' coupe is one of my favorite classic cars. I prefer the couple because of the styling of the roof around the rear glass (the flying buttress). Gorgeous car. Love the blue body color on this one.
The leaping jaguar hood ornament is actually older. I remember seeing them on Jags here in England in the 60s and 70s. I think they stopped fitting it because of the risk of disembowelling people if you were unfortunate enough to run into them. Rolls made the Spirit of Ecstasy ornament retractable for the same reason.
I like how your wife is getting more and more parts. You two seem to balance each other out. You come off as the "Serious" one, your wife seems lighthearted and comes off as the "Fun" one. :p
XJS. Such pretty, classic cars. That is such a good example in great condition. Not sure the convertable ones are a great purchase, but they look superb.
My absolute favorite Jag body style. To me it has a muscle car look to it with the Euro headlights & full width taillight, and the prominent wheel arches. I had a '91 Cougar XR-7 test mule I bought at an estate sale for $500. Took it to a friend who was a Ford mech and he said they only made about 300 of them. It had the same Teves stand alone power brake system; used also on the Mark VIII. I also had the same issue, felt like they were grinding even after a brake job. He found that the issue were the relief valve seals & the pressure switch. Back in ;04, they were already expensive since there wasn't a rebuild kit; so he ended up getting a new pump from the U.K. costing $250 because he couldn't find any available here in the states at the time.
That beautiful car looks ridiculous with that spoiler but it's factory so I guess I could live with it if I owned it. If it was made in late 1995 chances are it's been updated to OBD 2 so that's a plus I guess.
@@walkerpendleton760 That’s a four year old Mercedes. “Your brake calliper seals need replacing sir.” “So replace them” “Mercedes doesn’t do seal kits sir, you must replace all four callipers!”
The first three years of the Buick Reatta have the same brake system. Many of them have been junked because no one has the tools or knowledge to repair them. I bought a new Jaguar accumulator for my 88 Reatta and that fixed the problem for a while. There are a few Reatta recycling yards out there that stock used parts too but they are hard to find.
I have two (yes I'm a sadist, but not really) Vanden Plas sedans, a 2001 and a 2002, both titanium grey. That time was about 10 years into Ford's ownership of the brand and they had fixed a LOT of things by then. The cars are still quirky, but comparatively reliable. I have a car wizard-esque mechanic who can fix ANYTHING on a Jag, and for a reasonable price, so both are always all of a piece, and pleasures to drive. Always happy when I'm behind the wheel of one of them. Could never justify the price when they were new, but bought these showroom perfect, low mileage versions when they were 12 years old for $7K apiece. Nobody wants them, but I always get compliments whenever I drive them. Wonderful highway wafters. Don't buy a used Bentley with all the expensive issues that come with them. These give you the same feeling and cost a fraction to own them.
Yes Car Wizard only seems to want to do an assessment on camera and doesn’t like to be shoulder surfed when doing the work. It would be interesting to see a little of the deep dive and rectification process. He actually did a bit of time lapse fitting a new bilge pump to his boat. It would be interesting to see at least some work in progress on the cars
they were options at the time this was produced, the jag face is known as the "growler" and the jumping statue is known as the "leaper"- i have a firedn who ws an old jag master tech, he has an entire box of leapers, brand new ones....
@@deadprivacy No they were not an option.. They were outlawed by law as they caused even more bodily damage to any person unfortunate to be hit by one. The only way too get away with it was to fit them at least 24 inches from the front of the car as is the case here.
Yes and no. The first Jaguar's like the XK120 had the flat round badge, with the "Leaper" coming out in the 50's and 60's. They then went back to the round flat badge to allow the car to meet passenger collision laws that were starting to appear in the 80's/90's era USA, and in the UK.
I owned a new 2007 DB9 volante. Other than occasional electrical problem, no V12 problems with 40,000 miles. At 4,500 rpm a bypass muffler would kick in with louder exhaust note. Still did not sound like a Ferrari V12 probably because Ferrari could rev to almost 9000 rpm with their flat plane cranks. I own Tesla’s now, Model X snd Model 3. I do have a Panamera 4S which I will be trading on a Tesla plaid plus with 1100 horsepower. Nice to charge at home with my solar panels. I save $500/month on gas and home electricity. I also have a powerwall battery storage which helps will more frequent power outages. Love your video on the V12 jag!!!
The DB9 uses a completely different V12 from this mid-90's Jaguar, which the V12 design dates back to the early 1970's. Aston Martin has intermittently gone back and forth between using its in-house V12s and borrowing from Mercedes Benz. The Jaguar 5.2L/6.0L were discontinued after 1995 because neither Ford nor Jaguar could bring the old V12 into OBD II requirements effective 1996 model year in the USA.
Wizzard You know as well as me if a jag is not leaking oil the only reason is that it has no oil. Remember the old drip trays for you garage floor? Most jags need one of those screwed to the bottom of the oil pan with a bilge pump on it. During my apprenticeship back in the early 80s we had three steel templates hanging on the wall in the storeroom that had "Jag rear brakes" written on them. One was for the holes you had to cut under the rear seat base to access the calipers for the xj6 series 1, 2 and 3, The second was for the patch panels that we had to make to cover the holes. The third was for the previous model from the 60s with those tiny hand brake pads. LOL
from Fraser, husband of Leslie These cars first came out in 1975 ! The car here is the facelift done when Ford owned Jaguar. I believe Ford also made the shell from galvanised steel, the previous cars rusted badly. This is a lovely example of the convertible that came out quite late during production in 1988. Cars like this in very good condition, now fetch high prices here in England.
One of the reasons that high performance Sports Cars, ( Such as Jaguar's replacement for it's famous E-type ) were built as coupes and provided with four seats, that supposedly could carry a child, was because Insurance Companies radically increased the Insurance payments on high performance cars. In Australia the Ford Falcon GT, which at the time was the fastest four door sedan in the world, had it's produt name changed. A good one will now cost you $200,000 plus, because cars that people like me used as a daily driver are now as rare as "Hens teeth". Loved the XJS, which has been underated since it's release. A superb daily driver in the late 1980's. Phil.
But without the terrible Lucas electrics, they are just as reliable than any other European brand, and far more reliable than any Alfa/Lancia/Fiat ever made.
@@subarnosinha8042 Don't think so... Owner surveys in both the United States and the UK place them near the bottom for reliability/durability. In Europe they are usually ranked 28 to 31 out of the top selling 31 marques surveyed.
"Which Jaguar hood ornament do you like the most?" The jumping Jaguar like on this XJS. Makes the whole car look like it's in motion even sitting still. That car looks amazing. Always thought these cars had a very unique look to it. Yes, even considered getting one to put in a Chevy V8. Instead, swapped out a late 80's Toyota Supra with a bad 7M with a blown head gasket. VT247
One paper in Sweden ran a tema on : owning unusual cars and not being afraid of fixing themself. The SM owner could be described as Major Tom (the car's cockpit is Citroen issue spaceship inspired) and he were at that time Major (OF-3) in the swedish air force and a flight aircraft engineer (ie combat pilot with an aircraft engineering degree.) He wasn't afraid of the engine's injection system at all !
For the later XJSs v12 came with a spoiler and body paint matched headlight surrounds. 4.0 inline six came with no spoiler and chrome headlight surrounds. There might be a few other differences.
I’ve had several (3) v12 XJ-S and the best are the later 6.0 V-12 with coil packs and Denso ignitions. They were also more reliable with Ford electronics.
You and these jaguars reminds me of the jan and Dean sond dead man's curve. I'm impressed with the vehicles that work on. And I love your videos. I'm an average mechanic on most cars. But if I had a car like that its yours. Keep up the great work
The pushrod adjustment is not the individual throttle stop adjustment. This is where it all starts turning to shit. Turning those pushrods is the very final step.
My XJS is identical, but with two differences I am happy about: when I see those V12 engines, I am glad to have the much easer to fix straight six. I agree with many of the coments below about the light bezels and side mirrors. Mine are chromed and look much better than those painted ones. And I also think that the car looks better without that rear spoiler.
This car is a lot rarer than car wizard suggests. This model is a “facelift” version which came out for the last three years of which very few had the 6 liter V12 engine. The majority had straight 6 cylinder 4 liter engines. Of the approximate 2,500 6 liter cars 2/3 rds were convertibles, the balance were 2 door coupes. The convertible was the most expensive Jaguar at that time at around $95,000 each. It is truly a magnificent automobile and this version is by far the best of the bunch. I know having owned a 92 with a 5.3 liter V12, A cylinder 4 liter and a 94 almost identical to this one. My car did not have the chrome leaper Jaguar on the bonnet and I suspect it was added later on.
I had one of these as a medical student in the early 00's. It was a 1985 V12 HE in silver with factory spoiler and red leather interior. I hacked out the headliner with a penknife and eventually scrapped it for 300 quid
Correct. There are a whole lot of people who won't buy a car if there isn't the possibility of moving the small children, or at least cramming some coworkers in it for a brief jaunt for launch, and, of course, getting the purchase past the missus.
I sold the exact sister of ths car earlier this year. The car was British Racing Green (Brooklands Green), tan convertible with 34,000 miles. It was indeed a wondeful example of how a well tuned and maintained 6.0 liter V12 could be. Like its sister, it also suffered from leaking valve cover gaskets. After an expensive conversion to a Wizard Cooling aluminium radiator, monster twin electric fans and Evans waterless coolant, the car just could not cope with the sheer level of Texas summer heat. It now resides in a more forgiving NE climate and had been replaced by a XK coupe with ice cold air conditioning and a V8 power band more suited to suburban driving needs and a geriatric penny pinching owner!
This reminds me of my fathers XJ12 Vanden Plas that he had 40 years ago , poor chap is now suffering with Parkinson’s, I’ll try and show him this video to remind him of his pride and joy, thank Wizard
My father had a Daimler Sovereign in the 70s. Fabulous car. Sorry to read about your father.
oooooohhhh lala the vanden plas
I still remember al those trips to France with me in the back and my dad behind the wheel racing my uncle in his S class..
You cant use any V12 Jaguar because these engines are made fom material made in India and drop valve seats any 20.000 KM!!!!
No way@@Schlipperschlopper
I can't get enough of the V12 XJS whether it's from 1995 or 1975. It's a car of such utter beauty and I love it more than any other and have done since I knew what a car was (a LONG time ago ;)
Brake hoses have been replaced, likely not bled 100%- that would be my first check. Lovely old car
4:48
Can Wizard even go upstairs? It says 190lbs a sq. foot. Imagine being a customer there and seeing Wizard crash thru ceiling in the office
Just what I was thinking
@@619guy202 I don't think he has square feet, so it should not be a problem.
Code on a house is around 40lbs per sq foot min.
That v12 really came into its own in that stunning 6.0 Litre guise. The peak of it's evolution (if you ignore the Lister 7.1L race version) and also reliability. Of all the XJS to buy, the Celebration and the last of the 6.0 v12 are the best of the breed. Wonderful car, I hope you get it all nice and squared away for the gentleman who owns it, I'm really glad to see it go to someone who'll do right by it.
Ive been out in one a few times and they are so comfortable inside.
This style of Jag puts the newer ones to shame.
you can see it all going wrong on this car, the later back end on these is ugly as sin, the early ones were gogeous front to back,,,
Back of the XK8 had to be revised because Jaguar's management insisted it had room for two sets of golf clubs.
@@deadprivacy
Yes, IMO, this revised XJS tries to weld an XJ40 rear end look onto it. Doesn't work.
you are thinking of the C5 Corvette
Beg to differ. 2007 - 2015 XK is a work of automotive art on par with Picasso...
Love the clear, concise gauges on this car. Every car company should use this design. All the information you need, nothing you don't, and it's all very clear and easy to read at a glance.
@ThePatUltra I think you mean they don’t eat meat lol
As people have already commented probably the same for the switches, especially once you've had the car for a while. Touchscreens are a very poor choice on a car where you are supposed to be looking at the road.
About the crooked steering wheel : to do an alignment on those Jags you have to first set the steering rack at center and then mess with the steering rods. They won't be at the same length left and right and this is normal !
A previous shop may have done the alignment by just putting the rods at the same length, so the steering rack itself is not centered.
Car Wizard may already know that but hey, figured it might help.
My 944 has that same problem with the steering wheel being crooked. Do you think it's a similar problem? I haven't had it fixed yet.
I bloody love these awful old cars. I grew up quite close to the factories of most of the British cars and while they were never that good, it's still beautiful. Nothing else drives like that car before or since.
I guess you're a Rover man yourself with that id?
I completely agree with you. I owned a 1980 XJS V12 and although it was constantly having problems, when we could drive it, it was amazing to sit in and just marvel at the isolation it afforded the occupant(s) from the road, whilst driving in it. I have never experienced anything quite like the ride that XJS offered. It truly was a beautiful car and if you ask me, I think it has aged quite well over time also. Just a timeless classic. Fred
@@philgrimsey3637 yes indeed the username comes from my sd1, a very late c plate V8 injection in crystal green. Again, not a fantastic car really but something quite unique and unlike the BMW 5 series or even a top of the line Granada of the same year which I have also owned, was it the best one probably not, was it special, yes!
@Darth Wheazius friends dad? Sure it wasn't the police? 😅😎
@Darth Wheazius 👍😂
The most beautiful car ever built..... Only in America could the owner afford the gasoline for a V12. The union jack is the right way up too... A beautiful classic .
Come back when you’re sober
Back when these were made gas would not have been that bad price wise?
XJS V12!!!! OMG! OMG! OMG! That is a Jaguar on the prowl!! Absolutely the most beautiful Jag ever.
Just a tip on that Jag , The u joints interchange with Ford F150s of the same year.
The u stands for universal.
Thanks for the timely tip. Have to pull the IRS for seal leak, bushings, etc. Might as well put new Ford$ u joints in instead of Jag$$$$.
I grew up with this car and spent many nights riding in the back seat with my older brother in the front. My dad was always needing to get something fixed on it but the engine was solid. Still love the look and feel of this car!
Good to see the Union flag the correct way around this time! Greetings from Oxfordshire 🇬🇧
I was just about to say the same, also from Oxfordshire, near Chippy, hmmm, Harry... Oxfordshire... you don't by any chance hang out near Shilton and like the B4437 do you?
Hi Blackpool lol
@@GM-ii8gs I don’t have quite the same collection as the gent that you’re referring to! E30 BMW and and a W123 Merc. I do know the road well though! Live in Wallingford myself, but grew up in Finstock and Freeland.
Hey that guy hasn't paid the bill. No worries he has a Jaaaaaaag
Greetings also from Oxfordshire ... Woodstock 👍
Concours de elegance damn Wiz you spit that right out..
Right?! The Car Wizard is turning into The Language Wizard also. Good on ya Wizard man!
It would be great to see how the issues are diagnosed and fixed! This would be very interesting and educational.
Thanks for the great content Car wizard. Your honest and real assessments and work ethics are what keeps me coming back over and over again. Stay healthy!🇺🇸
Very nice car, what you would expect for a well maintained 50,000 miler. Definitely will be an appropriating asset. Grab one now, before they go sky high !
the 95's are awesome. I love my clients that are not stressed and just trust you! 9:28 perfect camera shot with england! buy some dollar store garden pads or something, save your kneeeeeeees!
Wizard should buy a X308 Vanden Plas Super V8 for his Lady, keep these Jag's Rollin !
Although you are still a young man, you are the last of a dying breed. When customers walk in and hand you the keys.... tell you to do whatever it takes to fix it..... that tells everything about what they think about your integrity as a businessman. Wish we had a Wizard in my area.
Like the composite European-style headlights. But this set looks oddly “unfinished” because of the painted bezels. Usually they are either chrome or stainless. Looks MUCH better that way, in my humble opinion.
yep...the bezels do look weird not chromed or stainless
The later models had the painted bezels.
Yeah completely agree with you on the bezels, but I live in Australia & I've changed my headlights to the US spec ones, just to be different, Oh & my coupe has also been converted to 350 small block, Rj in Oz
Love that color ! A V-12 facelift car is quite rare, (most of them had the 4.0L I-6). If the info I found on the Jag-Lovers forum is correct, that XJS is one of a mere 148 V-12 equipped cars produced for 1995. I love my 55k mile '96 XJS !
Not keen on the boot spoiler or the leaping Jaguar bonnet mascot but yep, a beautiful car. I think I prefer the shape of the convertible. And, even though we never got the round headlights in the UK, I think I prefer them lol.
Seeing a brit / euro spec car person being jealous of US specs headlights made my day, ill trade our jags for your 80s and 90s bmw headlights🤣🤣
Totally agree with you! I have the 89 but it's a garage queen!
@@sunnohh 😂 what were different about the US BMW headlights?
The 1993+ Coupes are the prettiest of the bunch up to 1995. Grandfather had a black on tan V12 1995 with the full size rear windows. Absolutely beautifulumptuous.
there used to be an antiques dealer in the neighborhood that drove one. Always admired.
Did a water pump on one of these recently - what a lark. The bolts were a mix of metric and imperial. Very strange but enjoyable job to keep one of these old beasts on the road
Indeed.
Quite a nice cat, if you like the rear (and the spoiler is a no-go).
Spoilers on convertibles seem wrong to me.
Spoilers were standard on 12 cylinder cars. They were optional on the 6 cylinder examples.
Agreed. The rear spoiler spoils it for me. (sorry for the pun) Fred
My 87 had similar issues (also similar miles). Steering turned out to be simple alignment but all shims were missing so it turned into a complex DIY job to set up brake centering, camber and caster. All safety lock wire was missing also. Another fun job at the front was wheel bearings. Rock side to side - no play. Rock top and bottom and there was a noticeable wobble. This was worn spindles (stub axles). The inner bearings had rotated and worn a groove in the axles. I fixed that with new axles and conical clamps to lock each bearing in place (racing trick apparently). This had a HUGE effect. I think the wobble caused the pads to back out leading to soft pedal occasionally. Mine works great now - fast and quiet. Drives smooth and been reliable for the last five years or so - love it!
Wizard just talking himself into buying a Jag at this point.
After a lifetime of V8's, some straight 6's, and even one two rotor turbo Wankel, I still have a V12 on my bucket list. I would love this Jaguar!
It's identical to one I owned and regret selling to Doctor out west. The "leaper" hood ornament was added by a previous owner. They DO NOT belong on Jaguar sports cars they ONLY come on Saloons (sedans). You are correct, rear seats are for insurance cost reductions.
The stopped fitting the hood ornaments in the UK a long time ago as they were a hazard to any pedestrians who didn't run fast enough.
I met a guy at a gas station with two of these, one has the Straight 6 and the other the V12. He says they're the only cars he's owned since he bought them in 2004. The 6 cylinder one he was driving to the gas station had 160,000 miles and looked immaculate.
I generally like the Wizard's and his channel but I would like if we could watch some things being fixed. I am sure given his popularity he has other things to do now, but cars that are messed up that need to be fixed are way more interesting. Looking at the brakes, shocks, sway bars, and exhaust on nice cars is the same every time.
There are RUclips channels that cater to such an audience. There are any number of reasons for not doing what you suggest: content reasons (he may have his own reasons for this), content length (not everyone is up for sitting through a two to four hour overhaul video, and I might add that he does have a business to run, likely precluding being able to film hours long RUclips videos), trade secrets (not revealing his techniques to possible rivals is protecting his business), liability reasons (an unskilled person may try to copy a repair and potentially injure themselves), or the repair may involve using special tools not available to unlicensed mechanics.
@@houseofno just remarking that while having a system to be a good mechanic and check problem areas is great, it becomes monotonous as a viewer. The videos I most enjoy are a story or a problem and a resolution.
@@houseofno Well said, Weir...spot on indeed.
He did videos like that before for a Ferrari and I loved it, wish he’d start doing them again.
I am with YOU Mike, Sure there are other fix it channels, but DAANG it would be nice to see him fix something other than the Yacht.. think about the wizards MOST POPULAR MOMENT: Pulling the blackwater tank out of the boat! HILARIOUSLY ENTERTAINING!! That shit does not happen on Vice Grip Garage or B is for build
COME ON GUYS!!
Agree with Wizard. I also prefer the original headlights rather than the American spec. However because this one is a later model, it doesn't have the early rear light lenses which were a really unusual and unique design. I previously owned a 1988 XJS V12 HE. I changed the plugs at home-bit tricky as you have to remove the air con compressor to get at spark plugs 1 and two...
“Oh so you think you can just drive all the cars all the time?”
Well she is Mrs. Wizard so if it’s just straight to the lift the answer is yes!
Gorgeous car indeed. Lovely seeing one that has been cared for. Many, many happy miles and happy years left in this beauty.
The Porsche rubber floor mats really make the interior of this Jaguar.
The second Car I ever sold new was a 94 XJS Convertible, ah happy days! The gold badges were fitted to the final UK 1995 Celebration Editions (as well as host of other unique features)
The car did not come from the factory with the leaping jaguar ... someone has added that. It should only have the round badge.
Reminds me of a benz or bmw with a logo on the hood and a decorative plate with the same logo on the front bumper. Never liked it
It doesn't look right with the leaper. Very few Jags actually do.
@@msalzberg4962 You are absolutely right ..... if the car had come from the factory with the leaper it would have been mounted where the round badge is, not 8 inches behind it . It doesn't look aesthetically pleasing. If I owned the car I would certainly remove it!
They weren't factory installed for pedestrian safety. It was a US thing back then. Those leapers were installed by the dealer if the customer wanted to.
Yep, looks naff imo
A nice XJ-S V12 Convertible. My first car was a 1978 XJ-6 Series 2. The Transmission went after 6 months, swapped it for a Vauxhall Cavalier SRi saloon. Kept the Cavalier for 6 years & it was still going strong when I sold it.
the leaper was added. the growler is stock.
it's an old argument: growler vs leaper. :-)
The leaper is out of place on this car. My X-Type had a leaper; I replaced it with a growler. Much better.
@freepieanchipsgarage hi. i own a 94 6l.stock with the growler. went through ALL of the service manuals/spec sheets for nigel(the name of the xjs). did not come up with a leaper at all on any parts listing for the car.
@freepieanchipsgarage ....it IS possible though that it was a dealer installed option. on the car in the wizards garage though that is not likely to be the case. it had to be installed by either the present or previous owner. either way with both on the vehicle at once the persobnal opinion is that it looks ridiculous. a bit late for the bonnet though to be correcting that now. :-)
They are beautiful cars, pure class
Any “borrowed” paintings in the trunk by chance?
The 'tool kit' will have seen regular use and not just on the car. lol
Boot
Or silverware?
JAAAAAGGGGGG
It’s called *BOOT* 🤦♂️
Always preferred the older models, though they often looked rather forced in design, none of the flowing lines that the marque usually enjoys, but sure the modern attributes of fuel-injection and updated electronics make these cars a pure joy to own. Great introduction to the more modern models. Thanks!
"Nothing majorly wrong, just a leaking valve cover gasket!"
$2500 later...
What in the early to late 2000's BMW 7 series?!
$2.500 is nothing.
You can't buy any car with that money......worth fixing.
lol that’s just one side!
£15.77, plus labour.
3 hours labour and $100 in parts. Apparently you don't know what you're talking about.
Seeing this brought back memories of watching 'Return of the Saint' in the late '70s (although his XJS wasn't a convertible).
I don’t like beetles or rovers or jaguars, but you’re becoming my most educational and relaxing channel. Thanks wizard.
The weeder card casts his hypnotic car spell over you
American?
@@s20ttv so American.
My Dad had a V12 5.2 XJS ...I remember my mum driving and an Escort XR3I pulled up next to us at the lights he thought he was on for a race ..never saw the XR3I once the lights turned green .I think hes still sat at lights that was 1987 and that was only my mum driving ...I never saw anything that could keep up with it..beast of a car the XJS
26 years old and still looks stunning.
It’s a pretty sweet ride. Friend drove one and we cruised all over NJ back in the 80’s in amazing comfort.
Can we have a follow up video on this Jaguar? Thanks
I'm not the biggest jaguar fan but must say that one is simply gorgeous.
That's a nice car I'd love one of these over the new junk ones of today
The 'S Type' coupe is one of my favorite classic cars. I prefer the couple because of the styling of the roof around the rear glass (the flying buttress). Gorgeous car. Love the blue body color on this one.
A good Leather Feed will bring those seats up like new
The leaping jaguar hood ornament is actually older. I remember seeing them on Jags here in England in the 60s and 70s. I think they stopped fitting it because of the risk of disembowelling people if you were unfortunate enough to run into them. Rolls made the Spirit of Ecstasy ornament retractable for the same reason.
THIS IS HOW GOOD MECHANICS ACT IN THE SOCIETY
I like how your wife is getting more and more parts. You two seem to balance each other out. You come off as the "Serious" one, your wife seems lighthearted and comes off as the "Fun" one. :p
Can we please that W124 Mercedes 300E??? WHAT A GEM
XJS. Such pretty, classic cars. That is such a good example in great condition. Not sure the convertable ones are a great purchase, but they look superb.
How refreshing seeing a US review of an XJ-S without a Doug Demuro going THHHHhissssss...
I agree, he annoys me to no end.
Still, I'd rather watch an hour of Doug than 5 minutes of Shmee.
"Look at this storage cubby!"
@@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261 IT's the absolute worst.
@freepieanchipsgarage They started saving money on hyphens, I guess.
My absolute favorite Jag body style. To me it has a muscle car look to it with the Euro headlights & full width taillight, and the prominent wheel arches. I had a '91 Cougar XR-7 test mule I bought at an estate sale for $500. Took it to a friend who was a Ford mech and he said they only made about 300 of them. It had the same Teves stand alone power brake system; used also on the Mark VIII. I also had the same issue, felt like they were grinding even after a brake job. He found that the issue were the relief valve seals & the pressure switch. Back in ;04, they were already expensive since there wasn't a rebuild kit; so he ended up getting a new pump from the U.K. costing $250 because he couldn't find any available here in the states at the time.
That beautiful car looks ridiculous with that spoiler but it's factory so I guess I could live with it if I owned it. If it was made in late 1995 chances are it's been updated to OBD 2 so that's a plus I guess.
Really hope to see another video on this like the valve cover removal and replacement and solving the brake issues! Thanks 👍🇨🇦
"The jaaaaaaaaaag wont start, problem with the wallet" - Clarkson
Money pit lol
Jaaaaag owners never bring their wallet.
@@walkerpendleton760 That’s a four year old Mercedes. “Your brake calliper seals need replacing sir.” “So replace them” “Mercedes doesn’t do seal kits sir, you must replace all four callipers!”
The first three years of the Buick Reatta have the same brake system. Many of them have been junked because no one has the tools or knowledge to repair them. I bought a new Jaguar accumulator for my 88 Reatta and that fixed the problem for a while. There are a few Reatta recycling yards out there that stock used parts too but they are hard to find.
The badges are affectionately know as ‘The Growler’ and ‘The Leaper’ do love a V12
...and should absolutely not be used in tandem...
@@dericanslum1696 Exactly, pick one. And for that car, the only correct answer is growler.
I have two (yes I'm a sadist, but not really) Vanden Plas sedans, a 2001 and a 2002, both titanium grey. That time was about 10 years into Ford's ownership of the brand and they had fixed a LOT of things by then. The cars are still quirky, but comparatively reliable. I have a car wizard-esque mechanic who can fix ANYTHING on a Jag, and for a reasonable price, so both are always all of a piece, and pleasures to drive. Always happy when I'm behind the wheel of one of them. Could never justify the price when they were new, but bought these showroom perfect, low mileage versions when they were 12 years old for $7K apiece. Nobody wants them, but I always get compliments whenever I drive them. Wonderful highway wafters. Don't buy a used Bentley with all the expensive issues that come with them. These give you the same feeling and cost a fraction to own them.
I'll be curious to see how the problems with the Jag were found and fixed.
Yes Car Wizard only seems to want to do an assessment on camera and doesn’t like to be shoulder surfed when doing the work. It would be interesting to see a little of the deep dive and rectification process. He actually did a bit of time lapse fitting a new bilge pump to his boat. It would be interesting to see at least some work in progress on the cars
Maybe he just does the assessment s and has his mechanics do the work???
I like this XJS convertible. I had totally forgotten these existed.
You've got it the wrong way round.
The leaping jag mascot is the old style and the badge is the modern style.
they were options at the time this was produced, the jag face is known as the "growler" and the jumping statue is known as the "leaper"- i have a firedn who ws an old jag master tech, he has an entire box of leapers, brand new ones....
I wouldn't put a leaper emblem on this style Jag. I think the leaper suits their sedans better.
@@deadprivacy
No they were not an option..
They were outlawed by law as they caused even more bodily damage to any person unfortunate to be hit by one.
The only way too get away with it was to fit them at least 24 inches from the front of the car as is the case here.
@@mikecorvette60 yep they were, the leaper was an option, the growler was stanbdard, source: an who installed them for forty years.
Yes and no. The first Jaguar's like the XK120 had the flat round badge, with the "Leaper" coming out in the 50's and 60's. They then went back to the round flat badge to allow the car to meet passenger collision laws that were starting to appear in the 80's/90's era USA, and in the UK.
I owned a new 2007 DB9 volante. Other than occasional electrical problem, no V12 problems with 40,000 miles. At 4,500 rpm a bypass muffler would kick in with louder exhaust note. Still did not sound like a Ferrari V12 probably because Ferrari could rev to almost 9000 rpm with their flat plane cranks. I own Tesla’s now, Model X snd Model 3. I do have a Panamera 4S which I will be trading on a Tesla plaid plus with 1100 horsepower. Nice to charge at home with my solar panels. I save $500/month on gas and home electricity. I also have a powerwall battery storage which helps will more frequent power outages. Love your video on the V12 jag!!!
The DB9 uses a completely different V12 from this mid-90's Jaguar, which the V12 design dates back to the early 1970's. Aston Martin has intermittently gone back and forth between using its in-house V12s and borrowing from Mercedes Benz. The Jaguar 5.2L/6.0L were discontinued after 1995 because neither Ford nor Jaguar could bring the old V12 into OBD II requirements effective 1996 model year in the USA.
Car Wizard must be hitting the Duolingo app working on his French pronunciations. Nice!
Hahaha!
Wizzard You know as well as me if a jag is not leaking oil the only reason is that it has no oil. Remember the old drip trays for you garage floor? Most jags need one of those screwed to the bottom of the oil pan with a bilge pump on it. During my apprenticeship back in the early 80s we had three steel templates hanging on the wall in the storeroom that had "Jag rear brakes" written on them. One was for the holes you had to cut under the rear seat base to access the calipers for the xj6 series 1, 2 and 3, The second was for the patch panels that we had to make to cover the holes. The third was for the previous model from the 60s with those tiny hand brake pads. LOL
Probably one of the few imports that I actually liked the round US headlights over the ugly Euro models.
Me too
from Fraser, husband of Leslie
These cars first came out in 1975 ! The car here is the facelift done when Ford owned Jaguar. I believe Ford also made the shell from galvanised steel, the previous cars rusted badly. This is a lovely example of the convertible that came out quite late during production in 1988. Cars like this in very good condition, now fetch high prices here in England.
I used to think that was one of the coolest Jags back in the day before I found out that the J stood for junk.
Me too. Not as big a fan these days but that one looks nice.
How creative
Beauty but a money pit waiting to happen if not taken care of
@freepieanchipsgarage True
I’ve been obsessed with the coupe version since I was a kid. Gorgeous cars.
When she drove up I thought that was Hoovie driving.
Same
One of the reasons that high performance Sports Cars, ( Such as Jaguar's replacement for it's famous E-type ) were built as coupes and provided with four seats, that supposedly could carry a child, was because Insurance Companies radically increased the Insurance payments on high performance cars. In Australia the Ford Falcon GT, which at the time was the fastest four door sedan in the world, had it's produt name changed. A good one will now cost you $200,000 plus, because cars that people like me used as a daily driver are now as rare as "Hens teeth". Loved the XJS, which has been underated since it's release. A superb daily driver in the late 1980's. Phil.
So beautiful...
SO UNRELIABLE!
Take a 75 For everyday over. This
Lucas...
But without the terrible Lucas electrics, they are just as reliable than any other European brand, and far more reliable than any Alfa/Lancia/Fiat ever made.
@@subarnosinha8042 Don't think so...
Owner surveys in both the United States and the UK place them near the bottom for reliability/durability.
In Europe they are usually ranked 28 to 31 out of the top selling 31 marques surveyed.
The XJS coupés and convertibles are really good looking. Super cool cars.
Smooth running until it's not...running.
Which usually isn't a long wait.
@freepieanchipsgarage yes, that is why they have such a stellar reputation.
@freepieanchipsgarage yes, I am sure that the Jaguar V12 reputation for unreliability just spontaneously arose from very thin air.
"Which Jaguar hood ornament do you like the most?" The jumping Jaguar like on this XJS. Makes the whole car look like it's in motion even sitting still. That car looks amazing. Always thought these cars had a very unique look to it. Yes, even considered getting one to put in a Chevy V8. Instead, swapped out a late 80's Toyota Supra with a bad 7M with a blown head gasket.
VT247
Wait till his customer rolls in a Citroën SM with a Maserati v6. Drinking will ensue....
One paper in Sweden ran a tema on : owning unusual cars and not being afraid of fixing themself. The SM owner could be described as Major Tom (the car's cockpit is Citroen issue spaceship inspired) and he were at that time Major (OF-3) in the swedish air force and a flight aircraft engineer (ie combat pilot with an aircraft engineering degree.) He wasn't afraid of the engine's injection system at all !
If a Citroën XM he would shit him self and become an alcoholic as quick as you could say hydrostatic brake and suspension system 🤣😂
@@fraserlivingstone1244 No he would not , he would work systematically work through the systems.
@@kris8742 And take 4hrs diagnostic to find the problem and costing the customer money.
For the later XJSs v12 came with a spoiler and body paint matched headlight surrounds. 4.0 inline six came with no spoiler and chrome headlight surrounds. There might be a few other differences.
Mrs Wizard likes the J!
I think the car wizard is in big trouble now if Mrs. Wizard likes it for a daily driver.
Dont SIMP
I’ve had several (3) v12 XJ-S and the best are the later 6.0 V-12 with coil packs and Denso ignitions. They were also more reliable with Ford electronics.
That medallion on the hood is known as the “Growler” in Jaguar circles.
Growler in the uk sometimes means something else.
@@markspence3295 If you mean a toilet, that’s been used in the USA too.
@@CrazyPetez nope not a toilet haha
@@markspence3295 - I've heard some Australian's refer to that "something else" as "a map of Tasmania"
@@CrazyPetez - As politely as I can put it, it refers to "unmanicured lady bits"
You and these jaguars reminds me of the jan and Dean sond dead man's curve. I'm impressed with the vehicles that work on. And I love your videos. I'm an average mechanic on most cars. But if I had a car like that its yours. Keep up the great work
These cars are notorious for having out of balance butterfly throttle. 2 push rods of a central wheel.
None of that sounded right. They definitely do have problems though...
The pushrod adjustment is not the individual throttle stop adjustment. This is where it all starts turning to shit. Turning those pushrods is the very final step.
My XJS is identical, but with two differences I am happy about: when I see those V12 engines, I am glad to have the much easer to fix straight six.
I agree with many of the coments below about the light bezels and side mirrors. Mine are chromed and look much better than those painted ones. And I also think that the car looks better without that rear spoiler.
If you don't say Jaaagggg like Jezza are you even a car person? 😅
.....😭😂
Can you get the check, i've left my wallet in the Jaaaaaaaag
Yes because Clarkson is an arse
It's a Jaaaaaaaaag...
This car is a lot rarer than car wizard suggests. This model is a “facelift” version which came out for the last three years of which very few had the 6 liter V12 engine. The majority had straight 6 cylinder 4 liter engines. Of the approximate 2,500 6 liter cars 2/3 rds were convertibles, the balance were 2 door coupes. The convertible was the most expensive Jaguar at that time at around $95,000 each. It is truly a magnificent automobile and this version is by far the best of the bunch. I know having owned a 92 with a 5.3 liter V12, A cylinder 4 liter and a 94 almost identical to this one. My car did not have the chrome leaper Jaguar on the bonnet and I suspect it was added later on.
The garage looks so empty because the Jaaag owner took the other cars as Jaaag owners do.
I had one of these as a medical student in the early 00's. It was a 1985 V12 HE in silver with factory spoiler and red leather interior. I hacked out the headliner with a penknife and eventually scrapped it for 300 quid
"4 seats for insurance reasons" is a MYTH
Correct. There are a whole lot of people who won't buy a car if there isn't the possibility of moving the small children, or at least cramming some coworkers in it for a brief jaunt for launch, and, of course, getting the purchase past the missus.
That one was a 4 door. This one's a two door.
Thanks hun. Yesterdays dinner was roast beef and potatoes. Todays dinner is bread and butter.
301 horses from 12 cylinders is awful, regardless of age 😂😂😂
...exactly...crazy...
1969-502ci V8 220hp
2021-1.6T 4cyl 400hp
350 lb -ft of torque is a clue about what they were aiming for.
To put it in perspective, the 5.8 litre V8 in a Ford F150 from the same year was 210 hp. Think 301hp out of 6.0 is that bad now?
I sold the exact sister of ths car earlier this year. The car was British Racing Green (Brooklands Green), tan convertible with 34,000 miles. It was indeed a wondeful example of how a well tuned and maintained 6.0 liter V12 could be. Like its sister, it also suffered from leaking valve cover gaskets. After an expensive conversion to a Wizard Cooling aluminium radiator, monster twin electric fans and Evans waterless coolant, the car just could not cope with the sheer level of Texas summer heat. It now resides in a more forgiving NE climate and had been replaced by a XK coupe with ice cold air conditioning and a V8 power band more suited to suburban driving needs and a geriatric penny pinching owner!