Watch This Video Before You Buy A Jaguar XJ Series 1, 2, 3, or Daimler | The Ultimate Buying Guide

A Series 1,2 or 3 Jaguar XJ is truly one of the finest luxury cars. Buy a good one and you will be treated to an intoxicating blend of space, grace and pace. Buy a bad one and you will really wish you didn't!

Using my own 1985 Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 Sovereign and a Daimler Double Six V12, join me as I talk through a basic check list of what to look out for on these truly special cars before you buy.

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[jonathanpardoe]

After both 7 series BMW's consigned to scrap for hopeless unfixable electronic bug manifestations I bought a Japanese imported NOS V12 Daimler 2 years ago zero mileage and in gold with dayton chrome wires . In 2 years and just recommisioning for UK roads it has been the absolute epitome of luxury motoring, now done 40k miles nothing has gone wrong it is magnificent in every respect and they say other manufacturers have caught up with the magic of an XJ in terms of ride comfort and style . BUT THEY HAVE NOT . Even latest from BMW and Mercedes are still light years behind the series 3 possibly given up on competing ?? Yes more bling more gadgets more tech on a new car but the XJ doesnt need such trivial gimics as the shear quality shines through . Privately, both Dereck Mathewson and Jeremy Clarkson would both say that the XJ series 3 is the finest car that has ever been built .

[paulmcgeever]

My late father had a 1986 series 3 the 4.2. Great to see a young man so enthusiastic about one of the great luxury cars ! Jaguar are nothing but a brand name today !

[scotty]

Series 1's are the best IMO! Classic Jag dash layout and perfect looking big front grille.

[RobMoores-pvbo]

I have an 87 XJ12 Canadian VDP. A work of art on wheels - designed and built by those who were dedicated to excellence.

[observationtowerpoint]

I bought a Series 2 1977 4.2 in the early 90s for about seven hundred pounds; it never stopped rusting but I didn't care, the driving experience was worth every penny spent. It went through two engines and a differential in ten years and I still loved touring in it. It was so thirsty you could watch the fuel gauge moving before switching to the second tank. I had occasion to remove the back seat once and found a parcel tag tied to the springs underneath. In ball point pen it said "Made by Ken". I eventually traded it for a 1977 Mercedes coupe and realised that if Mercedes made Jaguars, you'd have the best car in the world!

[DrCharlesMontague]

I’m in the U.S. and have a 1987 Series 3 XJ6 (XJ40 was not sold here until 1988) in Solent Blue, which I believe was only offered on the S3 in 1987 here as a sort of final edition color. I feel I bought a good one since it runs and drives beautifully, and has an interior that’s about 97% perfect, and the exterior is probably an 8/10 with the usual rusting around the right rear lower windscreen, and a faded spot on the roof. What I have discovered with this car is that people tampered with these and earned them an unnecessarily bad reputation. Even though no harm was done yet, I found where people replaced fuses with the wrong ratings, matched replacement light bulbs by fit only (incorrect wattage for tail lamps found in mine), a shop installed iridium sparking plugs I swapped back for the OE Champions, and so on. I have corrected many of these items very easily and inexpensively at home, however. It really pays to know something about cars, and the extent of your own abilities, when owning one of these. You have described many key items well here, including the rear suspension design people are indeed shocked about.

[EdAb]

I've wanted a Series III ever since I first laid eyes on one in 1981. I could never quite bring myself to buy one though. The cost of ownership has always scared me.
I now have 2005 XJ8/X350 Vanden Plas and I adore it. It is probably better in every way than a Series III... but my heart still yearns for a Series III.

[joannedickie]

In the early 1990s my husband took me to look at a S1 manual O/D we wanted to buy. Parked next to ot was an extremely original & immaculate S2 SWB auto. As much as we both preferred manuals, I told my husband to buy the S2 as the S1 needed some minor work & he already had too many other cars & motorcycles that kept him busy with maintenance & repairs. The S2 was Turquoise with Cinnamon trim that was a fairly rare combination & very attractive compared to some other early 1970s colours. It had manual windows & no air-con. We used the car as a daily driver & for towing our race bikes to interstate meetings & it never let us down. We only sold it last year to buy a X300 as we needed air-con as we got older.

[connashio]

I bought a bad series 3 4.2 in the days before the internet when research was not so easy. Rusty rear window frame, collapsed fuel tanks, crap what an engine!!!! 140mph on a Dutch motorway!!!

[KJM.]

Loved my series 3 absolutely loved it a good review and advice as always I traded mine for a s type sport loved that car but always regretted selling my series 3 keep the reviews coming 👍

[MLC...]

Beautiful car, I want one more with each passing year! The looks of this S3 is XJ6 perfected.

[twentyrothmans]

If anyone out there has my lumped S2 VDP, take good care of my baby.
The biggest problem that I had was two collisions - where <not going to say> ran into me - repairs are very hard to have done to a good standard. The first one took three months, and even then, it wasn't right.
The regret is that I didn't swap out the slushbox for a manual when I had the chance.

[kasperkjrsgaard]

As far as I’m told, the reason for the headlining dropping is because to deafen noice there’s a thin layer of foam between the plastic, or fiberglass shell and the visible lining. That foam detoriates with time, and causing the headlining to drop. Most of the new replacements made are without the layer of foam and is as such theoretical louder 🙄 but doesn’t sack with time.

[whec]

My earlier days revolved around my desire for a Jag. Couldn't handle the prices...Still bothers me that I never got one;regardless of the bad reps/.

[paulie-Gualtieri.]

The 3 Series is a lovely looking car, especially in Sovereign or a Daimler Vanden Plas in the right colour. Base XJ6s feel low rent, especially without rear headrests. Having owned and been around all the XJ6 series, don't shoot me, but the XJ40 is my favourite XJ of all of them.

[jaapjandevries]

Be careful when driving in the winter in countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Most common snow chains (quick-fit) do not fit on this car, due to its special rear suspension. You need the classic chains you have to drive on.

[rpj]

Owned a S2 and S3, both 4.2 LWB Auto. Both were dogs with low oil pressure by the time I owned them even though they were both well under 8yrs old and less than 70k miles at the time of purchase. S3 got towed to the scrappy after 1yr due to the chassis rusting away in front of my eyes and the S2 was well on the way. Both needed new rear driveshafts. The gearbox and diff were shot on the S3... so much backlash. The sunroof was like a sieve on the S3 but the full length Webasto was fantastic on the S2. Fuel pumps failed on both.The fuel injection was always going wrong on the S3. The V bushes on the rear subframe disintegrated on the S3. The elec windows and central locking had minds of their own. I loved them both but would I own another one? Not on your nellie.

[paultucker]

Your Series 3 is a beautiful car. I'd actually forgotten it was designed by Pininfarina! A very good overview, thank you :-)

[McGrory]

Always thought a V12 Jag engine looks like an arial shot of a petrochemical plant.

[biroldjoshan]

Very informative video, very good advice, i've had series 2 and 3's both auto and manual, the manual one's were proper driver's cars but the auto's were nice and yes could do with that extra gear for motorway driving, but overall they are lovely cars ...providing you get a good one