It's official. My trip to the workshop has revealed that I haven't bought a complete lemon. There are things that need attention, sure, but the XJ6's oily, expensive bits have been looked after.
Despite no service history and just a couple of its most recent MOT reports with the car, it seems someone has actually been looking after the old thing.
Meridien Majestic's mechanic Mikey was more surprised than me. He's got plenty of experience working on XJ6s for customers and banger racing, and he didn't shake his head or laugh once.
The care was apparent as soon as we got the wheels off. The pads and discs show minimal wear, and while rusty on the outside (a normal thing I'm told), its springs are as sturdy as the day they were fitted. Fluid changed, the brakes now feel better.
However, my fears about the front shock bushes were confirmed. With no history to go on, I'm not sure they've ever been replaced, but a 20-year, 1800kg pounding from cratered UK roads has been enough for them to perish almost completely on the driver's side.
Thankfully the rest of the suspension bushes front and back are looking good. A full set, even online, costs in the region of £350, and it's a massive job stripping down each corner, so the resulting labour costs would be of the wallet-crippling variety.
Next up was replacing the engine, transmission and differential oils as well as the engine coolant. As we started the drain I expected the worst but again, the news was good.
All the oils smelt and felt in good condition, as though they'd been changed recently, and the coolant was a good colour, too - no wonder the engine and 'box still feel super smooth. Swapping over the air and engine oil filters took seconds.
All-in-all a good trip, then, and I'd learnt the basics of servicing an XJ6. It's booked in again in March to fit the new fuel filter to have new front bushes. I'm loving every minute behind the wheel, but once the ride and alignment is sorted, it'll feel even more special I'm sure.
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I just re-read this article
Disappointing. It's perhaps surprising for someone on the staff of a motoring magazine that some of us that run older cars do actually take our motoring seriously, and do check our bulbs occasionally, do double-up on oil changes, do care what tyres we put on, do listen to noises and don't just turn up the radio.
Yes, there are a lot of people running knackered old cars ready to throw them away at a moments notice (and they should be locked up!), but there are some who do value their transport, and do consider their duty to other road users and their passengers. We shouldn't assume based on appearances.
Why do I feel this potentially promising blog is becoming no more than an student's 12 month project? If successfully completed, Rory will get to 'long term' (what a misnomer!) the latest dreary German eco-diesel crossover?
I'd love one of these
Eh?
Contrast owning a new Jaguar XF: Customer Deposit £6999.00 (have you got that in cash?), 36 Monthly Payments of £299.00, Final Payment £14,749.50 (not insubstantial, is it?). Financially, no comparison then. The concern for us in the real world is that unexpected breakdowns leave you unable to get to work. Not so bad if you live near work or somewhere with good public transport.
But ultimately, how much cooler is this Jag than any modern car? If you don't 'get' that, I'd suggest you get your company to buy an diesel Audi.
50% is a little optimistic.
I'd expect most modern large cars to get low to mid 40s. 75% more fuel consumption from that XJ would be a better ballpark, and 100% more wouldn't be unreasonable in a lot of circumstances.
Personally I'm fond of the XJS's looks but the prettiest models are hellishly inefficient, mid-teens mpg at best, so I can't see myself owning one as a main car.