XJ6 Series III Reliable?

Robert, Knowing what I now know I must agree with Brian Vogel do not make the same mistake as the dubious ladies in To Wong Foo, your head must rule your heart in this situation.

Robert,

Never did I think there'd come a day when I would be referring someone to a clip from the movie, "Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar," but that day has arrived. Click the link at the end of the post to see the clip, I don't want to quote the dialog here, it's just so much better from the original source.

I believe you have come to face the same choice as the ladies in the film, but probably without quite the same wardrobe.

Given your self-described situation, I would strongly suggest that you make the opposite decision that they did.

Well, I fully understand much better examples exist, but I havent the deep pockets sadly for such prime examples. Im entering my senior year of High School and i was looking to trade my headache of a SAAB for a Jaguar thats at a local shop for something to cruise about in for my final year of high school. And with little to no expenses aside form gas and the occasional fast food run, I can pay for the parts it needed. Ive taken note of what id need to be wary of in terms of rust and electric and a list of things to look for when I go to look at it. The asking price is $1500, and seeing as no other Jags seem to pop up in this area unless theyre newer with a blown engine for such a price range i have to work within, this seemed like it could be a rather mildly expensive endeavor I could under take as far as purchasing it and getting the ignition switch fixed.

Robert, from what little you have said about the series 3 XJ6 I would recommend you continue looking, there are some good cars out there, you have not mentioned the asking price, does the screwdriver come with car

Sorry i havent replied latley, the Jag Im looking at is a 1985 Series 3 with between 105-120k miles on it (the guy selling it didnt feel like walking to one end of the lot and gave me that estimate) Ive yet to actually go up and look at it which ill be doing soon, so i guess what ever info you can give me about buying the used auto would be prime. Like rust spots, visible mechanical issues, certain blemishes, what to expect at such a mileage range, the guy said it will need an ignition switch but it starts with a screwdriver. Im not a mechanical person so id be taking it to local shops, and anything i should do as rule of thumb once purchased should i ever get that far? Its comming from a local garage not a private owner if that also helps Thank you very much, hope someone replies.

Sorry i havent replied latley, the Jag Im looking at is a 1985 Series 3 with between 105-120k miles on it (the guy selling it didnt feel like walking to one end of the lot and gave me that estimate) Ive yet to actually go up and look at it which ill be doing soon, so i guess what ever info you can give me about buying the used auto would be prime. Like rust spots, visible mechanical issues, certain blemishes, what to expect at such a mileage range, the guy said it will need an ignition switch but it starts with a screwdriver. Im not a mechanical person so id be taking it to local shops, and anything i should do as rule of thumb once purchased should i ever get that far? Its comming from a local garage not a private owner if that also helps Thank you very much, hope someone replies.

The new scion is nice too...lol......kinda looks like ahh well thats another story...
gtjoey1314 keep smiling in the rain.

I hope not, had he asked me I would have suggested a Mazda Protege,lol

I think Robert got scared, haven't heard any responses, wonder if he flipped to a honda accord?
Just joking....

The crankshaft problems of the late engines have been much ballyhooed over the years. Still, though, there are a many '85-86-'87 Ser IIIs running around with sweet running engines ...and apparently without destroyed main bearings.

As you say, problems typically cropped up at about 20k miles. It seems to me that any late Ser III that is still on the road has stood the test of time. Either it didn't suffer any ill result from the crankshaft issue or it has already been repaired somewhere along the line.

The issue is worth mentioning and consideration but I think it's a shame to use it as a reason to summarily disqualify a later Ser III from consideration.

Cheers
DD

Gentlemen, the late series cars -from engine no 8L168437- were the worst. Jaguar under Mr Egan took another backward step. from about may 1985 they fitted a sulphate hardened Crankshaft to save around 50 lb. It was a disaster, and from new they began eating up the rear main bearings. The engine had to be disassembled to tackle a repair, this in its-self was problematic as no one really knew what was happening and, the cranks could not be turned unless they were rehardened afterwards, some were line bored which worked for a short time as the crank actually bent and burned the bearings again. The fault did not show up until around 20K miles or more with a small oil leak which quickly got worse. The only real cure was to rebuild using an early crankshaft. Jaguar accepted no responsibility for the fault just as they accepted no responsibility for the loose tappet bucket guides, and many other weight saving "modifications" that destroyed hundred of engines. As suggested previously, the best sedans were the older ones.

I have to agree with David, find the latest series 3 ,lowest mileage if possible and pay for the best preserved body. If your buying some dads xj6 with 135,000 miles, you will be buried alive in bills and repairs if your not a dyi kind of person.
Owned them all,xj40's,ouch and the greatest xj300 or 95/96/97 xj6.
Now they are bullet proof.
Good luck.
Remember if you buy a non starter , forget it, its just a money pit.

They can be great drivers, however I would look for a late 1985/86 Sovereign or VDP with the 4.2 engine. Rust is the biggest problem especially around the front and rear window corners, door sills, wheel arches, headlights. Purchase the best car that you can afford that has a full service history, preferably owned by a Jaguar enthusiast or JCNA member read all you can about Jaguar XJ6 Series 111. Buy the book" The Essential Buyers Guide" Jaguar Daimler,XJ6,XJ12, & Sovereign 1968/1992 series 1,2,3 by Peter Crespin.
Unless you are dead set on a series 3 do not pass up on a late 93/94 XJ40 .I have two of them 90 sovereign and 92 VDP and they are great reliable drivers.
Good Luck in your search

This might help:

http://www.jcna.com/library/news/2002/jcna0105.html

As Ser III CAN be quite reliable. I used one as a daily driver for many years. Never once was stranded by the roadside or hauled home on a flatbed hauler. But.... it takes some effort to make one that way and keep it that way. Even under the best of conditions these are not "drive it and forget it" cars...and increasing age accentuates, rather than diminishes, that reality.

Unless you find a very rare exception any Ser III you find will certainly need at least some repairs. Most have received indifferent care or have been outright negglected. That's just the nature of 20-25-30 year old used cars. At this point in time the money and effort you'll need to devote to the car is almost entirely dependant on how well it has been treated by the previous owners.....and not too dependant on the original design faults (or virtues) of the car itself.

Many repairs are very DIY-able. Tons of internet support. Great cars. Not just great Jaguars but great cars in the grand scheme of things. Buy a good one, learn how to treat it right....we can help.....and your efforts will be rewarded in more than equal measure.

Cheers
DD

They were a better car than the rumours -started by Jaguar cars- made out, nevertheless i would look for a 1975 or older.