I'm looking to buy a Jaguar XJS V12 between 1985 and 1991 and there are a few things I'd like to find out first. I live Florida and found a 1990 XJS with only 48,500 miles for $5000 and the body looks fantastic and it runs and drives well but the A/C doesn't work. What price range would I be looking at to fix this? Also, it was raining while I test drove the car and I had water dripping on my left leg the entire time apparently due to a leak somewhere around the windshield into the dash. Is this a common problem and if so is this an easy fix? Lastly, I've looked at a lot of cars online and have noticed that some of the cars have the horrible automatic seatbelts while others of the same year don't. What determines whether it would have come with automatic seatbelts or not? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Trent

Submitted by NC43-62049 on Tue, 09/12/2006 - 18:58

I have a XJ-S built in late '89 registered as '90 model. There is no autobelt just a mechanical 3 point belt. Also has a driverside only air-bag (specially designed to punch driver for denting such a pretty car).

Regards Dan Lokun
Toronto Canada
'90 XJ-S aka Bloosom
'62 XKE aka Aftica

Submitted by talowman@yahoo.com on Mon, 09/11/2006 - 19:31

Allan,
That would have definately been a consideration but this morning I bought a '96 XJS with the 6.0 liter V12. I'm really excited to join the ranks.

Steve,
Every '89 coupe I've seen pictures of has had the motorized seat belts. I'm fairly certain that's what I saw but most of the pictures I saw were on E-bay as I was shopping so I could be mistaken. Let me know if have some references on what was available on those models.

Thanks all!

Trent Lowman
1996 XJS V12

Submitted by talowman@yahoo.com on Sat, 09/09/2006 - 10:12

Thanks Doug! I've decided to cut the '88 and '89 models out of consideration because of the seat belt issue. I realize that if I'm going to even think about purchasing the previously mentioned car I just need to find a good mechanic in the Miami area and get it checked out. I definately appreciate the information about the windshield leaks, that's good to know. I plan to get myself a copy of "The Book" and go throug it to get an idea of what to expect from these cars.

Submitted by dougdwyer@adel… on Fri, 09/08/2006 - 20:33

Air conditioning: the refrigeration portion of the system is straightforward enough: typical hoses, compressor, condenser, etc. and a very hard to replace evaportator. The *control* portion of the system is complicated and includes a microprocesser ($$$$). Without knowing more details it is impossible to say what the repair cost will be. Perhaps a recharge for $150 or major repairs for $2000. I'd speculate that if it was simply a matter of a simple recharge the seller would likely have done so already :-)

Water dripping: leaky windshield seals are common. It is a straightforward job for a glass shop to replace the seal. Sometimes the leaks cause electrical problems behind the dash by way of corroded grounds and connectors.

Also, the evaporator drains can clog, allowing condensate to splash out of the casing as you drive, especially around corners :-)

The motorized seat belts are a problem at times. *Some* of the parts have a lifetime warranty from Jaguar. The automatic belts commenced at about VIN 140xxx (roughly April 1987) ....which is 1988 model year on the USA cars.

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
1988 XJS

Submitted by talowman@yahoo.com on Fri, 09/08/2006 - 20:04

I now know that the '87-'89 models were the ones that come with the automatic seatbelts. Some help with my other questions would still be helpful though.

Thanks,
Trent