XJ6 Buying, top things to look out for?

[RobinOliver]

What are the top few things of utmost importance when buying an XJ6, more specifically a late 4.2 series 3?

From what I've heard:

Rust on any rear suspension bits
strange engine noises
blue smoke when warm
clunking gearbox

Anyone shed any light on any other essential no-no's when looking at one?

[Mercdan68]

I bought an xj8 recently body wise I checked inner sills floors rear suspension areas ,, was Told the v8 is a bad engine but so Far I've had no problems great cars and such a great car for beer money

[RobinOliver]

bump, any other tips?

[composimmonite]

Ensure body is mint or accept the state it's in as parts to tidy up a scruffy car will make you weep. To buy a car "in need of body" attention will cost more than a mint car by the time you have done repairs and paintwork. Chrome is especially dear. Fuel tanks rot out their bottoms despite being inside the rear quarters where you'd think immune to road salt. Exhaust system is horrendously expensive to replace and tyres aren't a modern low profile (unless previous owner has fitted them) so proper items means far dearer than you'd expect to replace. My 1976 SII had Avon TurboSpeeds and today they are something like £175 each.
Mechanically nothing frightening to worry about.
Remember this was a upmarket car when new and is now getting scarce in good condition so be wary of a cheap vehicle as it might have been run as a banger with subsequent abuse. Also running costs - fuel, consumables, repairs / part etc are more than a modern car so budget accordingly.

I'd love another (had mine for 12 years) so as long as you check the car over carefully then "go for it".

[RobinOliver]

Secretly buying an XJ6 4.2 tomorrow, its got a bubble on two arches and a bubble on a door corner, but appears to have good sills and apparently drives fine. passed its last mot with no advisories as well.
135k, 10 dealer stamps and some decent history with it.
only real thing wrong with it is a torn seat, all of which are blue leather.
only a bag-o-sand for it, hoping it doesn't explode.

[Lisa]

We have owned over the years an XJ40, X300 & X308, all were not in mint condition, but they were all very reliable, beautiful drivers cars for little money, the common problems with them were the cost of tyres and exhaust parts and corrosion, but they are a joy and a pleasure to own, good luck with the car tomorrow.