Series 3 Jag XJ6 1984 - advice needed!

manatoo

Hi all

I'm interested in a Series 3 Jag XJ6 1984 that's currently being advertised. Anyone have any advice on what problems to look out for or words of wisdom in general? I know the engines can be difficult to work on, electrics are mid-80s union on strike British Leyland stuff and the injector system on the early ones are a no-go area

Cheers everyone

carchaeologist

I guess it's a 4.2? Thirst is one issue if you have a heavy foot. Nice cars when in good order, dogs when bad.

pooldbest

There is a link to a buyers guide for the Jag on the 'buying guides' page of our website www.westlimerickvintageclub.com that might be of some help.

si_guru

I agree.... a good one will appreciate, a bad is worth it's weight in scrap, less if you can't drive to the scrappers. The problem is spotting which is which!

Injection is 4.2.. 3.4 is carbs IIRC.

johnos1984

Bring a magnetic and see how much of it is steel and how much is filler

Also check if the floor has been cut open to allow the mechanics to change the rear brake pads. This can cause irreparable rust and will also give a clue as to weather a grease monkey or ape maintained it

Ali Babba

Stay well clear OP, i've had over thirty of them down the years and each and everyone of them was a dog, even the "good" ones, Lucas electrics and rust, not a good combination and add a damp Irish climate to that and it spells DISASTER!! You have been warned!! A good series one or two would be a far better option and way better built too.

8~)

All of the above... but it is so easy to forget about the fuel consumption and the rust and the hassle of changing brake pads when you sit in to the driver seat and take in the surroundings. So be careful when you do go and take a look.

mike65

Ali Babba wrote: »

Stay well clear OP, i've had over thirty of them down the years and each and everyone of them was a dog, even the "good" ones, Lucas electrics and rust, not a good combination and add a damp Irish climate to that and it spells DISASTER!! You have been warned!! A good series one or two would be a far better option and way better built too.

Like banging your head against a wall? :eek:

At what point did Jags stop rotting after a couple of winters?

Mr Benevolent

mike65 wrote: »

At what point did Jags stop rotting after a couple of winters?

At some point in the early 90's.

Ali Babba

Confab wrote: »

At some point in the early 90's.

True..........i've a 1995 Daimler super 8 now and probably one of the best cars i've ever owned, trouble free, everything works as it should and not bad on fuel for a car of it's size.

quattro777

What do the experts think of this?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1602274

johnos1984

Its been for sale for a while but to be honest the 1984 model you talked of should be a SIII which were the best built so that could be very very expensive to run as a daily

unkel

mike65 wrote: »

At what point did Jags stop rotting after a couple of winters?

Not until '95 with the new series XJ, developed by Ford

I wouldn't have the balls to buy an older one myself tbh

Ali Babba

johnos1984 wrote: »

Its been for sale for a while but to be honest the 1984 model you talked of should be a SIII which were the worst built so that could be very very expensive to run as a daily

Fixed that for you.......... Series 1 and 2 cars weren't bad to be fair not anyway as bad a the series 3 anyway.

johnos1984

unkel wrote: »

Not until '95 with the new series XJ, developed by Ford

I wouldn't have the balls to buy an older one myself tbh

Aye I agree completely.

The electrics can be fixed, it's usually down to poor soldering of the joints form the factory but the rust...........well you need to check everywhere.

Remember anything pre 1995 dates back to the stone age in terms of design, although delivery commenced much much later

johnos1984

Ali Babba wrote: »

Fixed that for you..........

I always understood they were the best in terms of design and usability but I'm open to correction

S1 - original concept so always desirable. S2 - nicest looking but ****test made. S3 best of the lot for reliability but still rusted

in short they were alll ****e but the S1 was nice and the S3 was the best of a bad bunch

Ali Babba

johnos1984 wrote: »

I always understood they were the best in terms of design and usability but I'm open to correction

Not a bit of it......for starters the electrics mainly by Lucas or Magneti Marelli were a disaster from day one, the quality of the metal was very poor and the bonded windscreens were never water tight which only added to the rust and electric problems so the car never stood a chance really. If you were living in a warm dry climate you might have some hope but not in the UK or Ireland.

johnos1984

Ali Babba wrote: »

Not a bit of it......for starters the electrics mainly by Lucas or Magneti Marelli were a disaster from day one, the quality of the metal was very poor and the bonded windscreens were never water tight which only added to the rust and electric problems so the car never stood a chance really. If you were living in a warm dry climate you might have some hope but not in the UK or Ireland.

Isn't that true of all of the series Jags?

The S3 was hardly the worst

johnos1984

yum yum

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C208480/

Kevin_Herron

Ali Babba wrote: »

Not a bit of it......for starters the electrics mainly by Lucas or Magneti Marelli were a disaster from day one, the quality of the metal was very poor and the bonded windscreens were never water tight which only added to the rust and electric problems so the car never stood a chance really. If you were living in a warm dry climate you might have some hope but not in the UK or Ireland.

As far as I know Magneti Marelli electrics were never used in any Series 1, 2 or 3 XJ6s and none of there windscreens were ever bonded in.

Having worked on and ran all three I would favour the Series 3 from a comfort and driving point of view. It is the most developed of the Series. A really nice car and I would have alot of time for a series 3 XJ12.

The Series 1 are, I suppose, considered the most classic being the original of the species. I personally prefer the look of the Series 2 to them and they are a better car, driving, stopping, steering, comfort etc.
But I think the Series 3 outshines them all in every department bar perhaps looks.

The Series 1 and 2 XJ6's would be more straight forward mechanically, carbs and no electronic ign. But if its a Series 3 you have your heart set on dont buy one for £1000, search for a 'proper' car and expect to pay a premium for the right one.

johnos1984

Kevin_Herron wrote: »

The Series 1 and 2 XJ6's would be more straight forward mechanically, carbs and no electronic ign. But if its a Series 3 you have your heart set on dont buy one for £1000, search for a 'proper' car and expect to pay a premium for the right one.

A straight one, not a show car, in great condition can be had for £2k according to the owners club

The S3 is the way forward if you must have one but you need deep pockets

Kevin_Herron

johnos1984 wrote: »

A straight one, not a show car, in great condition can be had for £2k according to the owners club

The S3 is the way forward if you must have one but you need deep pockets

You would require 'deep pockets' if you are going to try and restore one but a good car wont require thousands of Euro to be spent every year on maintenance.

johnos1984

Kevin_Herron wrote: »

You would require 'deep pockets' if you are going to try and restore one but a good car wont require thousands of Euro to be spent every year on maintenance.

They can be very hit and miss. I'm talking about one which you can use daily, not mint but well maintained and working well.

I have a friend who only has Jags and has never had an issue but still maintains they are expensive and problematic to run..........a labour of love though

Ali Babba

Of the many series 3 XJ6's I ever had every one of them had bonded front and rear screens and at least four of them had Magnetti Marelli electrics.

charlie1966

OP if you want to see what you need to look out for, I have an 85 Sovereign that will show you the worst that can happen to an XJ6. Admittedly it starts and drives beautifully but it is the rust that is holding everything together. Don't let this or any other comment put you off owning one but do take your time and buy the best one you can get.

Kevin_Herron

Ali Babba wrote: »

Of the many series 3 XJ6's I ever had every one of them had bonded front and rear screens and at least four of them had Magnetti Marelli electrics.

Really? I always thought the bonded windscreens were introduced with the XJ40.
Were they put in on a rubber and bonded aswell?

The XJS throughout the 80's had a rubber seal.

Ali Babba

Kevin_Herron wrote: »

Really? I always thought the bonded windscreens were introduced with the XJ40.
Were they put in on a rubber and bonded aswell?

The XJS throughout the 80's had a rubber seal.

No, the windscreen was bonded in and the trim is fitted after, a curse of a job even for an experienced windscreen fitter, it took me five attempts to get someone to do it.