xjs refresh

[4WD]

Hi, I'm going to buy my dads BRG (G reg) v12 xjs soon. He's owned it since new and it's absolutely spanking condition. However, I fancy modernising the looks of a few details, using newer jag parts where possible:

1. Which newer & larger (17'' or so) jag alloys / tyres will fit? (Presently has small cross wire design alloys). Do you have any links to suppliers?

2. Either colour coding it's chrome bumpers, or replacing them with something smoother / colour coded. Any ideas?

3. Changing the walnut dashboard panel to a black finish, like on the newer xjr / xkr. Is it best to have a new one custom made somewhere, or have the original one resurfaced somehow? Any ideas, or links where to get this done?

Thanks in advance!

[4WD]

Recently been told aston db7 wheels will fit, so these will be fine. Just need to sort out the other small details...

[bobfrance]

You sometimes see TWR bumper kits (smoother plastic type) going second hand in the classifieds section of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club magazine. There may be something similar in the Jaguar mag you can buy in W H Smiths, but I can't say for sure as I haven't read it myself.

Good luck with the car. You'll have to post some pictures up of it whith the new bits on.

[4WD]

Do these parts look subtle? I don't want it looking too different upon first glance.

[bobfrance]

Fairly similar to the bumpers on mine (see pic in profile), though not exactly the same.

[4WD]

That looks good. I want a similar look in BRG.

[GavinPearson]

4WD said:

Hi, I'm going to buy my dads BRG (G reg) v12 xjs soon. He's owned it since new and it's absolutely spanking condition. However, I fancy modernising the looks of a few details, using newer jag parts where possible: 1. Which newer & larger (17'' or so) jag alloys / tyres will fit? (Presently has small cross wire design alloys). Do you have any links to suppliers? 2. Either colour coding it's chrome bumpers, or replacing them with something smoother / colour coded. Any ideas? 3. Changing the walnut dashboard panel to a black finish, like on the newer xjr / xkr. Is it best to have a new one custom made somewhere, or have the original one resurfaced somehow? Any ideas, or links where to get this done? Thanks in advance!

1) You can fit a Borbet 17x7 wheel with a 245/50 ZR17 wheel. If you try to go wider you run into clearance problems.

2) Fibresports make a bumper kit that updates the look to that of the 93 MY on MK2 XJS smooth bumpers. Worth considering.

3) Don't mess with the wood. If you saw what went into making it then you'd understand. If you can find a pre 81 (I think) XJS they have brushed aluminium inserts.

Regarding XJS handling etc, I would avoid DB7 wheels & tyres like the plague. The BEST tyre we ever fitted to XJS was a Dunlop SP2000 225/55 ZR 16. There were two variants, a British one, then a Japanese. They became the service fix tyres for any vehicle on P600s which at the time were well regarded by Joe public. I would get the forged lattice wheels used up until about 93 ish (the Otto Fuchs wheels) which suit the look of the car well.

Having spent a lot of time in test XJSs I know a fair amount about the capability of the car. I've been at speeds most people would consider total stupidity but the car remained progressive and controllable at the limit. Don't change what you have and ruin it.

[4WD]

Interesting regarding the handling - I'll look out for this size. However I don't think the modern styling of borbet alloys suits a classic car very well. I'll have to find something more restrained.

I wonder if it's possible to fit official newer smooth jag bumpers? Maybe there are specialists with these bits in stock?....

[4WD]

These look ok:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10390&item=4537532892&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

[lanciachris]

www.jagweb.com/hyper











I think that covers the variations

[bobfrance]

Hmm, wouldn't mind some split rims for mine

[4WD]

Oh dear. Please remove those pics as they're hurting my eyes.

[4WD]

XJR alloys look ok:


http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.prestige-spares.com.au/wheels.html&h=177&w=192&sz=9&tbnid=XFUFuGXontMJ:&tbnh=90&tbnw=98&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dxjs%2Balloys%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG">www.prestige-spares.com.au/l1995xjr.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.prestige-spares.com.au/wheels.html&h=177&w=192&sz=9&tbnid=XFUFuGXontMJ:&tbnh=90&tbnw=98&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dxjs%2Balloys%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG

>> Edited by 4WD on Tuesday 29th March 21:27

[lanciachris]

I forgot the eventer

[suggs]

BRG good colour. I agree with the previous correspondent who recommended getting the handling sorted out. the XJS can be sooo good when it is set up well and hienous when it is not. IF you change the wheel sizes you can alter everything and really upset your motor.

The Fond metal lattice 16", as said above, is the best wheel for this car period light strong and well made. {bugger to keep clean}

Have fun with your S I do with mine and my 3.6s is proven now to be faster than a v12 so keep on developing it there are gains to be made everywhere!

[8Pack]

Please 4WD, This car is a classic. Think hard before you do anything to make it "none standard". Wheels? yes fine, but keep your old ones and restore them too.

Saw one of these beautiful cars recently near where I live, fully restored to origional spec. It looked "Fabulous".

What was that company on "Top Gear" that did a full makeover on them? Worth thinking about in my opinion!
Pleeeeeese! take care of it!