Daimler Double Six...V12 X300
Discussion
So 2024 saw me take over this one, not entirely by design, but enough of that. The car itself is as the title, it's an X300 Daimler V12, but it is a Jap import, so not only is it low mileage (49k km) it's also (very nearly) rust free.
Earlier in 2024 I'd previously gone to see an XJR in this shape and rather liked it, but I was too slow to commit to it. This one was my brothers and he wanted rid so I took it on.
It's a SWB model and has been in the UK since 2017. It has covered few km since. Nearly everything still works, there's not a single dent on the bodywork and the engine bay is almost immaculate.
The money shot..
First impressions? It feels quick, but in 2024 a Golf GTi would make it look silly at the traffic light grand prix. It drives superbly, feels almost new and is comfortable. It takes all the best bits of my XJ40 and makes them all better. The bodywork is superb .
Downsides? Well as always there's a list of work to do, which I'll detail below, but the question is, just how thirsty is it? Well, massively so. Although mostly town and urban driving, trip computer currently says 9.5mpg
Work that I've identified....
Fix sagging rear suspension (seems common on the X300)
Change radio to UK spec FM
Sort noisy PAS pump (appears to have been an issue for some time)
A good detail
Fix drivers side folding mirror
Coolant change
The clock had faded like all X300 ones do, I'd already got this done when the climate control one went the day I put the dash back together.
I also have the square number recess at the back which I want to change back to one with the oblong style plate.
Finally I'm tempted to give it an XJR look, with wheels and grill easily available. Jury is out on that one still though.
More updates as they happen.....
Earlier in 2024 I'd previously gone to see an XJR in this shape and rather liked it, but I was too slow to commit to it. This one was my brothers and he wanted rid so I took it on.
It's a SWB model and has been in the UK since 2017. It has covered few km since. Nearly everything still works, there's not a single dent on the bodywork and the engine bay is almost immaculate.
The money shot..
First impressions? It feels quick, but in 2024 a Golf GTi would make it look silly at the traffic light grand prix. It drives superbly, feels almost new and is comfortable. It takes all the best bits of my XJ40 and makes them all better. The bodywork is superb .
Downsides? Well as always there's a list of work to do, which I'll detail below, but the question is, just how thirsty is it? Well, massively so. Although mostly town and urban driving, trip computer currently says 9.5mpg
Work that I've identified....
Fix sagging rear suspension (seems common on the X300)
Change radio to UK spec FM
Sort noisy PAS pump (appears to have been an issue for some time)
A good detail
Fix drivers side folding mirror
Coolant change
The clock had faded like all X300 ones do, I'd already got this done when the climate control one went the day I put the dash back together.
I also have the square number recess at the back which I want to change back to one with the oblong style plate.
Finally I'm tempted to give it an XJR look, with wheels and grill easily available. Jury is out on that one still though.
More updates as they happen.....
MedwayMonaro said:
So 2024 saw me take over this one, not entirely by design, but enough of that. The car itself is as the title, it's an X300 Daimler V12, but it is a Jap import, so not only is it low mileage (49k km) it's also (very nearly) rust free.
Earlier in 2024 I'd previously gone to see an XJR in this shape and rather liked it, but I was too slow to commit to it. This one was my brothers and he wanted rid so I took it on.
It's a SWB model and has been in the UK since 2017. It has covered few km since. Nearly everything still works, there's not a single dent on the bodywork and the engine bay is almost immaculate.
The money shot..
First impressions? It feels quick, but in 2024 a Golf GTi would make it look silly at the traffic light grand prix. It drives superbly, feels almost new and is comfortable. It takes all the best bits of my XJ40 and makes them all better. The bodywork is superb .
Downsides? Well as always there's a list of work to do, which I'll detail below, but the question is, just how thirsty is it? Well, massively so. Although mostly town and urban driving, trip computer currently says 9.5mpg
Work that I've identified....
Fix sagging rear suspension (seems common on the X300)
Change radio to UK spec FM
Sort noisy PAS pump (appears to have been an issue for some time)
A good detail
Fix drivers side folding mirror
Coolant change
The clock had faded like all X300 ones do, I'd already got this done when the climate control one went the day I put the dash back together.
I also have the square number recess at the back which I want to change back to one with the oblong style plate.
Finally I'm tempted to give it an XJR look, with wheels and grill easily available. Jury is out on that one still though.
More updates as they happen.....
Wow, lovely car. Imagine getting that new, quite a thing. Earlier in 2024 I'd previously gone to see an XJR in this shape and rather liked it, but I was too slow to commit to it. This one was my brothers and he wanted rid so I took it on.
It's a SWB model and has been in the UK since 2017. It has covered few km since. Nearly everything still works, there's not a single dent on the bodywork and the engine bay is almost immaculate.
The money shot..
First impressions? It feels quick, but in 2024 a Golf GTi would make it look silly at the traffic light grand prix. It drives superbly, feels almost new and is comfortable. It takes all the best bits of my XJ40 and makes them all better. The bodywork is superb .
Downsides? Well as always there's a list of work to do, which I'll detail below, but the question is, just how thirsty is it? Well, massively so. Although mostly town and urban driving, trip computer currently says 9.5mpg
Work that I've identified....
Fix sagging rear suspension (seems common on the X300)
Change radio to UK spec FM
Sort noisy PAS pump (appears to have been an issue for some time)
A good detail
Fix drivers side folding mirror
Coolant change
The clock had faded like all X300 ones do, I'd already got this done when the climate control one went the day I put the dash back together.
I also have the square number recess at the back which I want to change back to one with the oblong style plate.
Finally I'm tempted to give it an XJR look, with wheels and grill easily available. Jury is out on that one still though.
More updates as they happen.....
It only looks better because they put a cover over it 
Joking aside this is the absolute best version of the engine with distributorless ignition, integrated injection and ignition control, and an electronic four speed auto vs the old 3 speed slush pump. Back in the day I ran an SWB XJ12 up to moon mileages driving all over the country and it was an absolutely fabulous way to travel. SWB X300s look much much better than the awkward LWB ones, rare indeed to find a SWB Double Six.
Will be following with interest OP, I've picked up a real rat look smoker X300 4.0 Sovereign to use as a shed and it's very nostalgic, I'd be in heaven with another V12. Nothing in the world sounds quite like the starter sound of a V12
Daimler V12s were the only X300 versions to come with Autolux leather too. I'd say keep it OEM too, the chicken wire XJR style grille etc is a bit of a cliche on an old X300 surely?
Square vs oblong plate recess is a new boot isn't it?
Joking aside this is the absolute best version of the engine with distributorless ignition, integrated injection and ignition control, and an electronic four speed auto vs the old 3 speed slush pump. Back in the day I ran an SWB XJ12 up to moon mileages driving all over the country and it was an absolutely fabulous way to travel. SWB X300s look much much better than the awkward LWB ones, rare indeed to find a SWB Double Six.
Will be following with interest OP, I've picked up a real rat look smoker X300 4.0 Sovereign to use as a shed and it's very nostalgic, I'd be in heaven with another V12. Nothing in the world sounds quite like the starter sound of a V12
Daimler V12s were the only X300 versions to come with Autolux leather too. I'd say keep it OEM too, the chicken wire XJR style grille etc is a bit of a cliche on an old X300 surely?
Square vs oblong plate recess is a new boot isn't it?
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Monday 13th January 09:49
Thank you for the comments.
You are completely right, the start of a V12 is music to my ears!
To change the plate recess is indeed a bootlid change, but the square plate really bothers me so it needs to be done. It won't happen overnight as there's more pressing mechanical issues to deal with, but I'm not keen on the square plate at all.
You are completely right, the start of a V12 is music to my ears!
To change the plate recess is indeed a bootlid change, but the square plate really bothers me so it needs to be done. It won't happen overnight as there's more pressing mechanical issues to deal with, but I'm not keen on the square plate at all.
I don't like the square plates either. Issue you'll have is getting a colour match on a 30 year old car though!
I seem to recall that while the 4 speed auto blunted performance off the line once the car was moving it was really quite brisk. Great waftability too, with crushing fuel economy in traffic but 20mpg tanks possible with a light right foot.
I seem to recall that while the 4 speed auto blunted performance off the line once the car was moving it was really quite brisk. Great waftability too, with crushing fuel economy in traffic but 20mpg tanks possible with a light right foot.
Can't help but love these things; way back in the day someone I knew had one, it was maybe six years old at the time and it was a money pit like you wouldn't believe. Anything and everything went wrong on it, and the bills were eye-watering. However, on those (rare) days when everything worked, it was absolutely glorious. It did like a bit of fuel, too, but it was not as impressive an appetite as yours is showing. On mainland Europe, we don't do MPG but single digits of those is a thing to aspire to, for most.
Thanks for the feedback.
I think the XJR thing is more aboutcthecwheels, I can't stand the ones on it. Plenty of other option though I guess.
In terms of rust, there's a very small spot developing at the bottom ofvthe rear screen, so I'll get on that and stop it before it gets too bad.
Some progress today, the drivers side folding mirror has now been changed and folds in smoothly as it should.
I'm lucky enough to have a garage with a scissor lift (which for some reason won't lift the V12 car, but will lift my XJ40!). After I've had a look at an issue on my brother in laws car on Sunday I plan to start the rear suspension on the Daimler and also look at the steering pump (will check filter if fitted as above, thanks). I will then look to change the coolant too as I've no evidence it's been done recently.
I think the XJR thing is more aboutcthecwheels, I can't stand the ones on it. Plenty of other option though I guess.
In terms of rust, there's a very small spot developing at the bottom ofvthe rear screen, so I'll get on that and stop it before it gets too bad.
Some progress today, the drivers side folding mirror has now been changed and folds in smoothly as it should.
I'm lucky enough to have a garage with a scissor lift (which for some reason won't lift the V12 car, but will lift my XJ40!). After I've had a look at an issue on my brother in laws car on Sunday I plan to start the rear suspension on the Daimler and also look at the steering pump (will check filter if fitted as above, thanks). I will then look to change the coolant too as I've no evidence it's been done recently.
Yuri75 said:
Can't help but love these things; way back in the day someone I knew had one, it was maybe six years old at the time and it was a money pit like you wouldn't believe. Anything and everything went wrong on it, and the bills were eye-watering. However, on those (rare) days when everything worked, it was absolutely glorious. It did like a bit of fuel, too, but it was not as impressive an appetite as yours is showing. On mainland Europe, we don't do MPG but single digits of those is a thing to aspire to, for most.
In mainland Europe terms you are looking at 30L/100km. Impressive(ly bad).Stunning car, enjoy it!
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