I screwed up and bought a '99 XK8 convertible when I REALLY wanted a '96 XKS Series III convertible as pictured. Except for the new XK8 engine with cooling, cam chain tensioner and transmission problems, any chronic XJS issues carried over? Same hydraulic power top and same ZF 5-speed transmission? Any particular design or mechanical issues unique to the late XJS I dodged with the later XK8 that I will soon discover with an earlier 4.0L XJS convertible?

 

Could just be me,,,, but I'm confused by what I just read...

So, you have an XK8, and XJS,,, or both?

 

Bot an XK8 because the wife didn't really like the late XJS... but now she does! Accordingly, I was then drawn to the XK8's 4 cam, 32 valve V8... but it has proved 'problematic' to say the least. Now I've done British cars for over 40 years and there is not much I can't either cure or live with but I just don't want to get into another jackpot with just another set of unique, model specific Jaguar problems. In short, can anyone compare and contrast the two models? Going Series III with the AJ16 engine.

 

In the past also had to make the choice. The V8 engine was not my thing. In addition, the finish of the rear bumper is ugly. The AJ16 engine is very reliable. The XJS has a more classic look. Now drives an XJS celebration and have no regrets.

 

The AJ16 is a good engine. The t
XJS only ever got tops a 4 speed automatic transmission. The AJ16 had the ZF 4 speed, a purely hydraulic one. No electrical gubbins of the 5hp24.

 

Rust in the footwells is common to both - that said, I've had to repair the floor in my '98 XK8, but my '92 XJS is rock solid.

 

The later XK8 ‘s don’t suffer from the multiple issues AFAIK like plastic timing chains, nikasil etc. and they are beautiful cars. Much better looking that the later XK and even the F type in my opinion. Probably the last Jaguar sports GT developed under the “old guard” Jaguar style team.

As long as you find a well cared for car, a 4.0 AJ16 is pretty easy, as long as you are mechanically inclined.

 

Great news! The 4HP and NOT the XK8's problematic and expensive to repair 5HP!

Next Question: Is the XJS power top also hydraulic? If so, is it as problematic as the XK8 with the 6 high pressure hoses, 4 rams, microswitches and controller? More specifically, how is the windsheild header hold down latch actuated? I don't find anything on the power top here in the XJS forum whereas the XK8 forum is FULL of threads. (I take this as a good sign?)

Picture of the XK8 power top pump. Requires 'CHF 11S fluid'. XJS pretty much the same?

 

Technically the 5h24 is a very reliable transmission and if upgraded early enough, it won't fail. And if it does fail, the repair is cheap and easy. I've done it myself and even upgraded it for many more powerful applications... The 4hp22 isn't ZF's masterpiece. It can be very sluggish and slam the gears in rather hard.

Yes, the roof is hydraulically operated. Very common for them to leak. Though easy'ish to repair. Orangeblossom has enough on here about the troubles...

Btw., late XJS models have intank fuel pump issues and as they were a very late facelift and also had some specialties to them, which the rest of the lineup had, parts are getting hard to source...

 

I bought a 2002 XKR 100th anniversary, black, recaros, Brembos. I sold it . I really didnt like the car. It was a bit tight and i thought the handling was twitchy. Styling , boring. I went back to a 1995 XJS. Much happier.