19. Jaguar XJS V12 Update - Road Test and Running Costs Following Overhaul

In today's video I take my Jaguar XJS V12 Manuela gearbox out for it's first 'proper' drive, following getting the car back from SE Jags, a few weeks previous. The changes in performance and drivability are amazing, but this all comes at a cost! Just hoe much? Find out as I take you through the running costs of this cars, since I bought it, almost two years ago. I hope you enjoy this video and if you do, please don't forget to like and subscribe to the channel. Jimbo.

[@paullloyd5401]

Black with silver/chrome trim, 5.3 litre engine, manual gearbox, light coloured interior = as close to perfection as ya gonna get IMHO. Love following this 👍

[@energyasylum997]

What a beautiful example of one of the sexiest cars ever created!! The choice of color and wheel design really compliment the Jag's body!! I first learned of the XJS back in 1989 when my cousin was given a maroon 1978 XJS, as a graduation present from his parents! I've been in love with the XJS ever since! Good luck with your cool Jag!

[@ChrisVonBron]

Sell it and someone else benefits from the expenditure you’ve invested. Hopefully, the car will now give you back lots of pleasure in return for the care you’ve put into it.

[@asdreww]

Really enjoyed following your story with the mighty XJS- please keep it going! RE coats, I think a lot of that expenditure is because you used specialists, and there are huge labour charges for some of those jobs. Top end overhaul for example; I did that myself replacing all gaskets, resealing cam covers, fuel hoses etc, and it was only £300 in parts or so total. These really suit a DIY touch I find. Good thing is it should now be pretty reliable and sorted so long as you keep the servicing up!

[@stevestone4346]

I think it looks stunning too Jim. Gotta be a keeper.

[@MichaelWilliams-rd9ke]

Glad to see the XJ-S back on the road, she looks and sounds fantastic. Please keep her!!!!

[@RickCT2000]

Looks great. I agree with you that it needs no more blacking out. You’ve done the perfect amount of mods without spoiling the original design. Nicely done

[@deanwright8825]

Really enjoy your easy presenting style Jim. you make it feel like mates having a good chat which it really is. Like many on here I love watching the highs and lows of old car ownership adventures so this is familiar territory to me with my Lotus. I always fancied an XJS which is what got me hooked on your channel. Ordinary bloke stuff as well Jim which i like. Cheers and keep the car and keep up the good work mate.

[@ironica15031955]

That’s a frank and stark report, well done for being honest and up front. With regards to costs, things like tax and insurance are essential for any car, so I would always discount this. The addition of wheels was a personal choice too. However the upkeep of a v12 engine is an eye watering expense. Watch Harry’s Garage and his v12 updates from his XJC, you will soon see that 6k is not out of court. I have just bought a 93 auto, with the 4.0 engine. Thankfully the previous owner has spent a fortune on the car. It needed an overhaul after an overheating engine - a warped head was the cause. That cost the sharp end of 2k. The braking system was renewed along with all the suspension joints, which included various other running parts. This cost over 4K. The underneath was completely stripped and treated by Dinitrol, the report showed a remarkable underbody condition. That was another 1k. The paintwork is unmarked apart from a couple of bumper scuffs. The interior is superb, there is nothing I can do to improve it other than keep it clean. With 71,000 miles on the clock it runs superbly. I paid 9k a few weeks ago. Really enjoying watching your updates, please keep them coming!

[@JimbosDriveway]

Thanks for the comment, very interesting and clearly any older Jag is a commitment to take seriously. Hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of your XJS. I’m sure you will and makes all the expenses worth it.

[@DanielJett]

“…and the Missus…” Classic. I feel your pain. Jag should place a warning sticker above the ignition tumbler: “Ownership not conducive to marital bliss.”

[@richardp6178]

Change that yellow cooling fan now! They are prone to cracking and can blow apart wrecking your hood and everything around it! It's a well known issue which your mechanic SHOULD have told you about! I used to check mine every day before starting my car and it was fine for the longest time then one day at a car show I checked it before I left and it was cracked in four places!!! I checked it before the car show and it was fine. I limped the car home and swapped it out for one of the new redesigned black versions. The new version is smoother, quieter and not prone to exploding on you. Trust me the originals are at least 30 years old now and it's not IF, it's WHEN they will explode!

[@JimbosDriveway]

I had a new one fitted last year, when I had a new water pump, it’s just got a bit grubby since then.

[@jamieduff1981]

Good video James - but on your initial video point about ownership costs I will again raise the point that this car is simple and the parts costs are not that expensive. Where this car gets out of control quickly from a running cost point of view is if you don't do the work yourself. Those who do most of the work themselves CAN run these cars on a modest budget very credibly. The labour costs mount up so fast for those paying others to do the work that bills can be very high. Still (much) less money than electronic borkage on e.g. Mercedes CL600 or mechanical borkage on BMW V10 cars, Audi RS6 gearbox grenading or Porsche 996 engine failures costs to sort out. The XJ-S doesn't need main dealer diagnostic equipment and the major mechanicals are very robust. It's a good car for a reasonably competent weekend tinkerer.

[@carlorizzo5308]

I just bought an 84 V12 Coupe and I intend on doing everything to it. Here's the biggest roadblock, if you sell the car you're never going to replace it and you are going to miss the hell out of it. So before you decide to sell it put it away and forget about it. But in the long run it will always be there for you if you want to go back to it❤

[@carlorizzo5308]

I always think to myself if I have to sell any of my stuff because I can't afford the upkeep, then I probably shouldn't have bought it in the first place

[@TheMileswin]

Great video and excellent financial insight.

[@paulb1034]

An interesting vlog Jimbo. A few points come to mind, some of your expenditure has been to rectify faults that were present on the vehicle when you purchased it, was the seller in Scotland entirely honest with you, looking at the issues you've had, it was more of a 5K car. As a series 3 E type owner for many years, it's important to be able to do as much of the maintenance and repairs on the car yourself, a garage for storing the car and working on it is a must. Understanding how a number of specialist Jag repair shops operate is also important, tie them down with a fixed price for the work, when it goes to them they will find all manner of other work that supposedly needs doing, don't get drawn into that without first deciding whether the extra work is really necessary, can it wait, can you do it yourself. Another issue I've experienced is when collecting the vehicle, as they present you with a large bill, they will soften you up by telling how much your vehicle is worth in the current market bla bla bla, which is why a pricing discussion before the work is started is so vital.

[@jongodsell88]

Re: the fuel smell in the cabin, check out the breather system to the charcoal canister, especially if there is a hiss from the tank when you removed the filler cap.

[@JimbosDriveway]

Thanks Jon, one to check out over the winter! 👌🏼

[@asdreww]

I'd honestly just get rid of the tank venting system all together; just combine all the vent hoses into a single and run out under the car.

[@drcharlestennant8658]

As others have said as long as you can see/feel the improvements from your investment then all good - I recently spent £4k getting all my brakes and suspension sorted and the car drives so well now - these XJS’s are going up in value quite sharply now so hang onto it and enjoy the experience

[@TheBishMan]

Definitely keep hold for a good few years my man, lovely Jag 👌

[@malcolmmay2655]

I love that my car is lower than virtually anything on the road. Regarding the ride: I have GAZ adjustable on my XJ-S. The bounciness is probably because they may be adjusted on the firm side. Mine was like that until I experimented a bit. You can go from "Cadillac soft" to "Boy racer Escort hard" on those dampers!

[@georgebeaton4544]

Remember jimbo even though these bills are hard to swallow, at least the car is going up in value! I have a friend who spent 2k to get a 15yr old Volvo through an MOT.....probably worth £500🤔

[@toooldclassics]

Good update 👍. Thank you. If I look at my spreadsheet for my '89 XJ-S V12 it comes to a big number: far exceeding the original purchase price. However, that's over 14 years of ownership and it's in way better shape now with all the restorative and improvement work. It's a keeper. If you are interested in a track day, then would suggest the JEC day at Mallory Park next April. There should be less cars than a regular public track days allowing plenty of time and space to enjoy the car, rather than being hounded by hot track focused hatches in the corners all the time. Re: insurance, hopefully on a classic policy with agreed valuation. If not, would recommend.

[@georgebeaton4544]

Car looks and sounds amazing by the way 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@harryscott2768]

Hi Jimbo. How are the sills and front sub frame? Both areas for thorough investigation and remedials where necessary. Sills on my 1989 3.6 we’re drilled ( front and rear edges), all loose / flakey rust removed(and there WILL be some), then internally sprayed with built hammer protection.

[@JimbosDriveway]

These areas are very good, as the car had a full body restoration and repaint in the 2000’s and has been very well cared for since. It is something that is kept an eye on to keep the rust at bay.

[@michaelcrump1288]

I share your experiences of cost of ownership, my XJSC has cost me about $15000 new zealand 7500 quid in the past 6 years for a car with total 120000KM since 1987. No major engine, gearbox or axle expenses , but power steering, shocks, brakes, ignition leads, distributor cap, plugs, oil cooler, waterpump, oil leaks, routine servicing. Just had offer of &20000 but will not sell it. Ex Pat Brit

[@francoisgauvin9240]

Owning a Jaguar is like being married to the most beautiful woman in the world with a very, very expensive Heroin habit. 😂😂😂 Very beautiful XJS you have there sir. I am looking to buy an XJS but i am still not sure if it will be a coupe or convertible.

[@markscully2342]

looks to me as though the transmission mount isn't right? the gear lever shouldn't bounce up and down the way it does!

[@JimbosDriveway]

You’re right, that is one of the jobs on the list still to do.

[@philipcutcliffe8207]

Thank you for this car looks great. However I am now convinced that these are not for me. Its not so much the cost of parts but the time you must have had to put in to get it to that standard. Sounds like a lot of effort.

[@darrenhalsall2838]

Hi cane I ask whot cosd the hunting I have 3.6jag xjs wth a munul garbox my Jag dos it

[@JimbosDriveway]

I’m not sure what was causing it, but overhauling the fuel and inlet system seems to have resolved it.

[@andrewnichols1023]

It’s only a high ownership cost as you overhauled the engine. That was not a cost you had to take, but as you obviously want to keep it, you saw that as an investment, to keep the car on the road a long time. I expect you could ask more for the car if you have the bill to prove the work, so it’s a hit now, but I expect you will get all or most back when you sell it. There are a lot of bad examples out there, with that servicing you have done makes your car stand out. These XJS,s are one of the cheapest v12s out there, so a lot are not very well maintained, but an example like yours will stand out when you sell it.

[@andypresland]

On the upside you haven’t paid out for a steering wheel boss

[@bradsmith6972]

Try a Ferrari you wil love what you have.keep it you made up your mind when painted the trim! What are you going to get for 21 that looks that good and make you smile when you drive it.and you look back at it when you walk away

[@JimbosDriveway]

This is so true!

[@predragbalorda]

So se jags got 6 grand off of you? For the "top end work"? I'd reconsider my relationship with those people to be honest.

[@Hennersbass]

Was you there? Did you see how much time and effort they put into it? Obviously not

[@killasmurf3978]

End of the day mate , an xjs isnt your normal for fiesta or vauxhall corsa , parts are expensive labour is extensive as bolts can be seized things can break and you cant always find bits for these , thats why the parts are expensive, im sure when he got into the ownership of a jag ( which every jag owner knows are not cheap cars to maintain) he was half prepared and realised that getting stuff done on them is not cheap, so before you go commenting do some research before mate , im sure if jimbo thought the work wasnt up to par or was to expensive he wouldnt have got it done. 👍🏻

[@Hennersbass]

Cheap work ain't good and good work ain't cheap. Do it nice or do it twice. I know where ill carry on taking my car 👍

[@predragbalorda]

@@Hennersbass "was you there" that's rich. Yes, he posted a video of them taking 7 months to sort it out, not because it was a lot of work - I know EXACTLY how long it takes to re-seal the cam covers on the xjs v12, I've done it with a mate in 3 hours. Measured all valve lifter clearances, ultrasound cleaned and re-sealed all 12 injectors in the process. Replaced all 12 connectors in another sitting, in about 45 minutes or so. Cleaned pcv, re-adjusted throttle bodies ("they were WAAAY out of whack", yeah right), put new bushes in, adjusted pedestal rods, tps... I've done it all and more on my car. Once changed a block on a v12 in 4 days, as in take out the engine and tranny, strip it all off, put it all onto a new block, return engine and tranny into the car. So go lecture someone else who "wasn't there". 6 grand for THAT is taking a piss. Yes, he zinc passivate plated the fuel rail and some pipes so they look pretry, that takes 5 days for a plating company to finish, not 7 months. And mine does 20-22 mpg on a cruise, so I know what I'm talking about.

[@predragbalorda]

@@killasmurf3978 and if YOU did YOUR research, you'd know, just like you don't, that parts for an xjs are cheap as chips. Even direct from jaguar classic parts, but then you didn't know that even existed, now did you? Smart ass keyboard warriors..