Hey- I've got three MGs and just bought an XJ-S too. What to look for: Any
signs of overheating, ever. That includes clean spots near the overflow tank
where hot coolant could have washed the inside of the fender, or clattery
valves indicating that the car overheated. If any signs of overheating, walk
away, it is the #1 most expensive and pervasive fault of XJ-S V-12s. Why is
overheating a problem? Well if it has happened even ONCE the engine could
very well be terminally screwed up. Because it is an all alloy engine the
aluminum heads expand at a greater rate then the steel valve seats. This is
fine until you really get the aluminum hot, then the valve seats simply fall
out and end up in the cylinder. NOT CHEAP, NOT FUN.
How to get a bargain: If any of the following is broken, it's ok, will be
cheap to fix, and help you get the car at a lower cost-- Slow windows, easy
to fix, but also easy to scare previous owner into thinking it needs $400
Jaguar motors. Broken Wipers? Twenty minute/no cost fix for even the most
severly water damaged motors, but still $350 from Jaguar. Look for leaks near
and around the master cylinder. If it hasn't leaked yet it will, cheap to fix
on own (about $35 using Jaguar rebuild kit and generic hose) but the Jag shop
will gladly charge you $1200 for that.
What will cost a fortune to fix and you should avoid cars with the following
non-operative systems:
Air Conditioning: If it's broken, you're screwed.
Upholstery: Better be mint, except headliner which is gonna be either
repaired already or need to be. ($250)
Shocks: $500 all around plus installation
Cruise control: Very finicky
Rust generally isn't a problem on these cars, but look in all the normal
places, like sills, etc, and on the rear suspension there are large arms
coming off it that fill with water... again, big bucks.
I'm only 20, I bought my XJ-S when I was 19, put nearly 10,000 miles on it so
far and barely $40 in unplanned expenses, just the brakes. But planned
maintence ain't cheap, like I need shocks now, and they can run from $250-600
depending on brand. I just got tires, and you must get V-rated tires, and
they were the cheapest V-rated tire I could get, and they were nearly $100 a
pop. Also takes 12 quarts of oil so oil changes are cheaper at the lube shop
than doing it yourself. Overall pay between $5-7000 for your XJ-S, higher
mileage lower price.
John
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