Where are all the cheap Jaguar XJ series 2 & 3

[gn3dr]

I've been toying recently with converting a Jag XJ series 2 or series 3 to diesel for daily driving duties.

However when I've been looking in the usual places (i.e. mainly Ebay.co.uk) there seems to be a distinct lack of cheap but solid pre 1980 XJ's. ( I want pre 1980 for cheap tax benefits here in Ireland. I think for daily driving my ideal would be a series 3 but these were only introduced in 1979 I think so I can understand how these are a bit rarer)

Where have they all gone? A year or two ago there was loads on ebay for a grand or less that were still MOT'd and semi respectable looking?


As regards the conversion to diesel. I'm not really a diesel fan so I want to use a modern lump to get some sort of decent performance - thinking BMW 2.5 tds or Merc turbodiesel. I'd love to try fitting the TDV6 from the modern Jags or Land Rovers but these are still a bit pricey to pick up I think (aside from the elctronic control challenges with one of these).

PS Before anyone suggests it LPG is not really an option in Ireland.

[akku]

rust, banger racing, high petrol prices, kit car donors, clip donors for hot rod IFS or IRS...

I've only seen one on the road in recent times and that really stuck out as a "wow, series 2 XJ6, not seen one of those in years"

[10mpg]

yup seconded^^^

[popuptoaster]

Buy an XJ40 instead, not quite as classic looking but they feel the same and don't break down or fall apart.

[gn3dr]

Pity - I'll just keeplooking I guess.

XJ40 not really an option over here. Post 1980 so the annual road tax if I put a 3.0 diesel in would be >€1000.

That's why XJ40 can;t even be given away over here really - annual tax on a 4.0 is about €1600

[popuptoaster]

blimey, they are cheap enough over here with normal road tax.

[richw82]

As has been said most of the bottom end series 2 and 3's are now long gone. You get a few but they're snapped up quick. There was a few "Jag only" banger events which has had a bit of an impact.

To give you some idea, the series 1 and 2 I picked up last were £800, and £400 respectively, as non runners. On ebay, rmember to look in the "Cars" section as some people still don't see them as classic, and look under "Daimler" as well.

If you despearately want one, try and get hold of the latest issue of the Jag Enthusiasts Club magazine, ther's usually a good few to pick from in the classifieds.

There's several people I know using a Toyota diesel engine in XJ6's, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility to do. The performance seemed to be pretty good too.

If you're not too worried about the fuel costs you can run them every day as they stand... I always have with mine.

I'm currently undecided whether to get another series 3, to take some of the pressure off my old series 1. 1200miles to Le Mans and back have shown up a few tired bits that need attention!

Would you like me to keep an eye out for any XJ's I spot? I can usually find a few.

Regards,

Rich

[mrtomcat]

Seen a Jag in Holyhead a few monrhs ago, didn't look taxed and thought it might have been abandoned, not so look's as if it was heading for the ferry. This is the only XJ I have seen on the road in some time, rust is the killer with the older Jag's, I seen that first hand years ago.

Andy.

[gn3dr]

Thanks Richw82. If you do come acrss one then please drop me a line. Don't go out of your way though as this is currently at idea stage.
I might then be as well off looking at what is available over here - cuts out the shipping or ferry costs as well. Generally though what is for sale over here is whatever someone has driven off the ferry from Holyhead and added a grand or 2 to teh purchase price.

Running as a daily on it's original engine is a non runner for me. Couldn't justify the fuel costs.

I'll get the petrol buzz from my Daimler Coupes if i ever get around to finishing starting ::)them.

I must look up the Jaguar Enthusiasts Magazine - thanks for the tip off on that.

[Ads 19]

Due to bangering over here, i may be responsible for about 30 leaving uk to kinder shores.
i have a bad habit of buying series XJs that i don't need or want and sending them to germany. even though RHD still make lot more money than giving them to the bangerboys. i had to let one 77 go to them once, it was very rotten considering it had been restored shortly before, as i had to get a few other cars out of a garden with a hiab.

I'll keep my eyes peeled, if i was to chose an engine have to be the 2.8 nissan patrol lump or the volvo/vag 2.4 td!

don't stop at the Xjs though, the older Daimler Soverign/ jag 420s can be very cheap!

[conrad]

Jul 19, 2010 0:06:15 GMT Ads 19 said:

Due to bangering over here, I may be responsible for about 30 leaving uk to kinder shores.
I have a bad habit of buying series XJs that I don't need or want and sending them to germany.

if I was to chose an engine have to be the 2.8 nissan patrol lump or the volvo/vag 2.4 td!

For the first point quoted, good man! Far better for Ze Germans to have them than to be wasted by people who cant drive


and second point, yes indeed, 6 cylinder is what you need for diesel converting those, i saw and subsequently travelled one with a 3.0 1KZTE toyota engine (from a landcruiser) which is a 4 cylinder and while it's a gutsy and very punchy engine for what it is, it just didnt feel right, however an uncle briefly had a ealry 80s one with a nissan (diesel) 6 conversion from an Irish army patrol and it felt much better, he sold it to a friend of his who put a RD28T in it instead (the original one was a non turbo RD28 with no "T") and now wants to put a 4.2 turbo diesel in it, though that's a bit extreme an dit probably wont fit and will definately be very nose heavy

[conrad]

Jul 17, 2010 22:07:04 GMT gn3dr said:

thinking BMW 2.5 tds or Merc turbodiesel.

I have a real love for the bmw unit PROPERLY MAINTAINED, as in not in the typical irish fashion, but as a german would, they will do great mpg, have great power and last for hundreds of thousands of miles, last one we had still gets used by the new owner and should have 300k on it by january. we sold it at 250-ish thousand 2 years ago.

Another conversion that's been done to jags before and to landrovers it the Isuzu 2.8td motor (this is the good one, the unbreakable one, not the 99 on 3litre that had the problems) the 3.1 is good enough to but i'd trust a 2.8 more, and so do many in the know, with late 90s/ealtu 00s 3.1s and 3.0's having been convertred to the tough and hardworking 2.8. To get the best power find a J import one with the intercooler.

Daihatsu's 2.8 TD from the fourtrak is similar in nature, but if you a little "soft" when it comes to diesels, and I mean that non offensively you did say you're not a diesel fan, then you may be a bit scared off by them being pretty industrial and considerable more crude and a bit noisier than the likes of the bmw unit or mid 90s merc units, they would , however, repay you with tough and faithful service. it is maybe worth considering though.


damn should have done a multi quote, forgot, sorry

[anthonyg]

Copart, a salvage group have a series 1 up for auction.

www.copart.co.uk/c2/homeSearch.html?_eventId=getLot&execution=e2s1&lotId=15078320&returnPage=SEARCH_RESULTS

It's being auctioned on Thursday but it is in Bedfordshire. Its at £80(!!) at the moment but will presumable go for much more on the day.

[richw82]

That looks quite tasty!

Series 1's are usually too expensive on insurance to repair due to the wings and bonnet not being shared with the others. I don't think you can get brand new wings yet on the classic parts scheme.

[gn3dr]

Hmm that is nice looking although I want a LWB one. That is a rather big lump of filler that came off the back arch though.

[richw82]

You can get the arches, and the wheel tubs brand new though... so if you're handy with a welder (or know somebody who is) it's not that bad.

Take it from me the SWB's handle a lot better than the LWB. for a big car, you can't half throw them round corners!

[gn3dr]

Jul 19, 2010 2:15:21 GMT conrad said:

Jul 17, 2010 22:07:04 GMT gn3dr said:

thinking BMW 2.5 tds or Merc turbodiesel.

I have a real love for the bmw unit PROPERLY MAINTAINED, as in not in the typical irish fashion, but as a german would, they will do great mpg, have great power and last for hundreds of thousands of miles, last one we had still gets used by the new owner and should have 300k on it by january. we sold it at 250-ish thousand 2 years ago.

Another conversion that's been done to jags before and to landrovers it the Isuzu 2.8td motor (this is the good one, the unbreakable one, not the 99 on 3litre that had the problems) the 3.1 is good enough to but i'd trust a 2.8 more, and so do many in the know, with late 90s/ealtu 00s 3.1s and 3.0's having been convertred to the tough and hardworking 2.8. To get the best power find a J import one with the intercooler.

Daihatsu's 2.8 TD from the fourtrak is similar in nature, but if you a little "soft" when it comes to diesels, and I mean that non offensively you did say you're not a diesel fan, then you may be a bit scared off by them being pretty industrial and considerable more crude and a bit noisier than the likes of the bmw unit or mid 90s merc units, they would , however, repay you with tough and faithful service. it is maybe worth considering though.


damn should have done a multi quote, forgot, sorry

Good to hear some positive feedback on the 2.5tds BMW engine. It seems to get a lot of bad press but it is one of the most common straight six diesel car engines available for reasonable money. I do currently use a 318tds as a daily (it's smaller brother and it's OK - just underpowered down low in the revs)

No offence taken on the diesel comments - I'm a petrolhead at heart and money no object I'd be driving petrol everywhere but I must get sensible sometime
I do appreciate the massive gobs of torque from a good diesel though.
I hear what you ar saying about the 4X4 engines but I would definitely stick with the most refined car sourced engine I could find. The Merc and BMW ones are top of the list at present.
I would really like to get my head around the TDV6 Jag engine though. These have a lot of electronic control but there is a company in the UK that has fitted one to a Defender so it can be done - see here www.bellautoservices.co.uk/pdf/TDV6-Defender-Build-25-07-09.pdf.