[modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Disused Categories Modern
1

Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about yet another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter. Specifically, the May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

  "but we found ourselves rowing
   the dreaded J-gate to execute
   tight passing maneuvers".

Well, I for one actually like the J-shifter. What about all of you that
have one in your Jags? Paddle shifters are more efficient, certainly, but
the feel of your hand on a stick is nice too. Specifically, I likethe
saftety of moving forward and back without the concern of engaging neutral
or reverse.

I want to write a carefully crafted letter to C&D about this, but want/need
a sanity check to know if I’m not really off my rocker and out of step. Am
I? Opinions??

Wayne Estrada
Still Homeless Somewhere in the USA
1989 Vanden Plas (Alpine Green)
1989 XJ-S Convertible (Dorchester Grey_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

2

you’re right… I’ve often mentioned that as well… but I guess those
journalists are impressed by fancy electronics or want to feel like Michael
Schumacher…

the J Gate does somethign none of the other system provide : instant
feedback thru the position of your wrist… no display to look at…

I always use it, it’s great especially to downsfhit. The only thing missing
is a way to force an upshift so for instance, in town, I’ll select 3rd at a
light and trigger the upshift with the throtle. then down shift to second
coming near the next stop…

On highway, you can downshift before passing so that you bring the revs
where you wnat them for max power. If I’m looking at the road ahead the
last thing I want is to have to look down at the display…

I remember some fun driving on some tight canyon roads in the Texas hill
country during the Texas 2000, tight roads considering the size of the XKR,
where I spent period of times acelerating out of bends by preselecting the
highest gear I’d need, triggering with the throttle, then jumping on the
brakes and downshifting back to 2nd… it was heaven !

It’s encouraging that Jaguar kept it on the revised S, I hope they on the X
350. I’ve seen pictures of the BMW shifter on the new 7 … it looks like a
turn signal thingt on the steerring column… with small digits on the
dash… is that progress ?

Pascal----- Original Message -----
From: “Wayne Estrada” wayne_estrada@hotmail.com
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 4:28 PM
Subject: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about yet
another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter. Specifically, the
May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

3

Hi there,

Concerning the J-gate shifter, I think it is nice style-wise. It is a
Jaguar trademark and it would be a shame if they change it! I dislike
the fact that there is no 1 for first gear, and the fact that they
haven’t incorporated something like steptronic (BMW). Paddle shifters
aren’t really that well either. Imagine you’re in the middle of a turn
and had to shift with the paddle… I’ve tried it and it gets kind of
tiresome - it only slightly depends on whether it’s fixed to the
steering wheel or behind the steering wheel. Buttons are okay I guess
and a little more suited for the Jags (unless it’s the XKR or XJ220
where paddle shifters would “look” more appropriate).

To be honest with you, after using the steptronic on my BMW, I really
dislike most other automatic shifters that don’t have this feature. If
I was to compare both from a practical point of view, it would go hands
down to the BMW… but where style is concerned, I would go with the
J-gate. Overall, the steptronic would be my choice nevertheless.

Abdullah
95 XJR-----Original Message-----
From: owner-modern@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-modern@jag-lovers.org]
On Behalf Of Wayne Estrada
Sent: April 17, 2002 4:29 PM
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Subject: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about yet
another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter. Specifically, the
May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

  "but we found ourselves rowing
   the dreaded J-gate to execute
   tight passing maneuvers".

Well, I for one actually like the J-shifter. What about all of you
that
have one in your Jags? Paddle shifters are more efficient, certainly,
but
the feel of your hand on a stick is nice too. Specifically, I likethe
saftety of moving forward and back without the concern of engaging
neutral
or reverse.

I want to write a carefully crafted letter to C&D about this, but
want/need
a sanity check to know if I’m not really off my rocker and out of step.
Am
I? Opinions??

Wayne Estrada
Still Homeless Somewhere in the USA
1989 Vanden Plas (Alpine Green)
1989 XJ-S Convertible (Dorchester Grey

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

4

Although most Jag owners approve of the J-gate in general, it would
appear that Jag had determined that the ‘size’ of the J-gate was too
large and that owners were commenting that the distance between gear
positions was too cumbersome and not able to be done with a simple flick
of the wrist. The new J-gate in the X-type is considerably smaller
and does allow for much easier shifting back and forth without feeling
like a bus driver. I don’t know if the smaller J-gate is now intended
to be the standard across the line.

Mark
2002 3.0L X-type

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-modern@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-modern@jag-lovers.org]On
Behalf Of Wayne Estrada
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:29 PM
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Subject: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about
yet another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter.
Specifically, the May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

  "but we found ourselves rowing
   the dreaded J-gate to execute
   tight passing maneuvers".

Well, I for one actually like the J-shifter. What about all of
you that
have one in your Jags? Paddle shifters are more efficient,
certainly, but
the feel of your hand on a stick is nice too. Specifically, I likethe
saftety of moving forward and back without the concern of
engaging neutral
or reverse.

I want to write a carefully crafted letter to C&D about this, but
want/need
a sanity check to know if I’m not really off my rocker and out of
step. Am
I? Opinions??

Wayne Estrada
Still Homeless Somewhere in the USA
1989 Vanden Plas (Alpine Green)
1989 XJ-S Convertible (Dorchester Grey

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

5

While it took me about 30 seconds to get used to it, far
beyond the attention span of the normal C&D reviewer, I
found I love the J-Shift. The positive feel,
particularly through the downshift, is great to have.
As I got to know my cat better, the ergonomics and
common sense behind the shift positioning and that of
the rocker switch as well as the solidity of that knob
combined to enhance the experience of driving this fine
machine.

Mark
'93 XJ6> Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about yet another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter. Specifically, the May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

  "but we found ourselves rowing
   the dreaded J-gate to execute
   tight passing maneuvers".

Well, I for one actually like the J-shifter. What about all of you that
have one in your Jags? Paddle shifters are more efficient, certainly, but
the feel of your hand on a stick is nice too. Specifically, I likethe
saftety of moving forward and back without the concern of engaging neutral
or reverse.

I want to write a carefully crafted letter to C&D about this, but want/need
a sanity check to know if I’m not really off my rocker and out of step. Am
I? Opinions??

Wayne Estrada
Still Homeless Somewhere in the USA
1989 Vanden Plas (Alpine Green)
1989 XJ-S Convertible (Dorchester Grey

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

6

I use the J-gate on a hill near my house for braking but am apprehensive
about using it to accelerate. What are the shift limits. i.e.at what
RPM/speed can you shift safely??? John Kettenhofen The mountians in N>C>----- Original Message -----
From: “Pascal Gademer” pascal@pam-trading.com
To: modern@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 16:51
Subject: Re: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

you’re right… I’ve often mentioned that as well… but I guess
those
journalists are impressed by fancy electronics or want to feel like
Michael
Schumacher…

the J Gate does somethign none of the other system provide : instant
feedback thru the position of your wrist… no display to look at…

I always use it, it’s great especially to downsfhit. The only thing
missing
is a way to force an upshift so for instance, in town, I’ll select 3rd at
a
light and trigger the upshift with the throtle. then down shift to second
coming near the next stop…

On highway, you can downshift before passing so that you bring the revs
where you wnat them for max power. If I’m looking at the road ahead the
last thing I want is to have to look down at the display…

I remember some fun driving on some tight canyon roads in the Texas hill
country during the Texas 2000, tight roads considering the size of the
XKR,
where I spent period of times acelerating out of bends by preselecting the
highest gear I’d need, triggering with the throttle, then jumping on the
brakes and downshifting back to 2nd… it was heaven !

It’s encouraging that Jaguar kept it on the revised S, I hope they on the
X
350. I’ve seen pictures of the BMW shifter on the new 7 … it looks like
a
turn signal thingt on the steerring column… with small digits on the
dash… is that progress ?

Pascal

----- Original Message -----
From: “Wayne Estrada” wayne_estrada@hotmail.com
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 4:28 PM
Subject: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about yet
another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter. Specifically, the
May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

7

Hi there,

From my experience with BMW steptronic shifters, you really don’t need
to look at the display. After the first hour of driving the car, you
will know from your speed and the sound of the engine which gear you’re
in. In either case, the BMW system and most other similar systems will
not allow you to go down if you over-rev the engine… so if I’m going
to pass someone, I just keep pulling back at the gear and it will go to
the lowest gear! Furthermore, the kickdown overrides and will simply
throw the car back in the lowest gear possible once depressed… The
nice thing about it is that you can shift up whenever you like and that
gives you the feeling of more control.

I agree with you concerning the new 7 series shifter! I think they’ve
gone back a few years (maybe 30) with that shifter - at least the
placement of it - certainly technology wise, it is more advanced than
any automatic shifter sold today (with 6 forward gears, etc.) I think a
floor mounted shifter would have been nicer!

Abdullah
95 XJR-----Original Message-----
From: owner-modern@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-modern@jag-lovers.org]
On Behalf Of Pascal Gademer
Sent: April 17, 2002 4:51 PM
To: modern@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

you’re right… I’ve often mentioned that as well… but I guess
those
journalists are impressed by fancy electronics or want to feel like
Michael
Schumacher…

the J Gate does somethign none of the other system provide : instant
feedback thru the position of your wrist… no display to look at…

I always use it, it’s great especially to downsfhit. The only thing
missing
is a way to force an upshift so for instance, in town, I’ll select 3rd
at a
light and trigger the upshift with the throtle. then down shift to
second
coming near the next stop…

On highway, you can downshift before passing so that you bring the revs
where you wnat them for max power. If I’m looking at the road ahead the
last thing I want is to have to look down at the display…

I remember some fun driving on some tight canyon roads in the Texas hill
country during the Texas 2000, tight roads considering the size of the
XKR,
where I spent period of times acelerating out of bends by preselecting
the
highest gear I’d need, triggering with the throttle, then jumping on the
brakes and downshifting back to 2nd… it was heaven !

It’s encouraging that Jaguar kept it on the revised S, I hope they on
the X
350. I’ve seen pictures of the BMW shifter on the new 7 … it looks
like a
turn signal thingt on the steerring column… with small digits on the
dash… is that progress ?

Pascal

----- Original Message -----
From: “Wayne Estrada” wayne_estrada@hotmail.com
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 4:28 PM
Subject: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about yet
another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter. Specifically,
the
May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

8

I’ve driven S and X loaners a couple of times and I find to small…
personal opinion… I prefer the size of the one in the XK and XJ. spacing
is perfect.

I think it’s smaller in the S and X because of overall interior space, they
tried to keep the size of the console down to maximise space… that’s
another thing I like… the XK and XJ fit you like a glove, you have enough
room but you fit the car. unlike most others where you just don’t have that
cozy feeling… of course… with expert testers rating cars based on their
cup holders and cubic feet of volume… they pick the boot volume over
style of the car and like a big bulky box and… ok I’ll stop there ! :slight_smile:

Pascal----- Original Message -----
From: “Mark Boileau” mark.boileau@windriver.com

Although most Jag owners approve of the J-gate in general, it would
appear that Jag had determined that the ‘size’ of the J-gate was too
large and that owners were commenting that the distance between gear
positions was too cumbersome and not able to be done with a simple flick
of the wrist. The new J-gate in the X-type is considerably smaller
and does allow for much easier shifting back and forth without feeling
like a bus driver. I don’t know if the smaller J-gate is now intended
to be the standard across the line.

9

Yeah that’s one thing about BMW I never did like. An engine sound like a
sewing machine (or at least the one I drove across Germany on the autobahn
in 1986 sounded like a Necchi sewing machine and the owner was a bit miffed
by the remark. But then he had done a similar remark about Jaguar (his
brother living in Switzerland had one and he knew I had one (an 85 series
III).

Jay

Abdullah Suleiman wrote:> Hi there,

From my experience with BMW steptronic shifters, you really don’t need
to look at the display. After the first hour of driving the car, you
will know from your speed and the sound of the engine which gear you’re
in. In either case, the BMW system and most other similar systems will
not allow you to go down if you over-rev the engine… so if I’m going
to pass someone, I just keep pulling back at the gear and it will go to
the lowest gear! Furthermore, the kickdown overrides and will simply
throw the car back in the lowest gear possible once depressed… The
nice thing about it is that you can shift up whenever you like and that
gives you the feeling of more control.

I agree with you concerning the new 7 series shifter! I think they’ve
gone back a few years (maybe 30) with that shifter - at least the
placement of it - certainly technology wise, it is more advanced than
any automatic shifter sold today (with 6 forward gears, etc.) I think a
floor mounted shifter would have been nicer!

Abdullah
95 XJR

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-modern@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-modern@jag-lovers.org]
On Behalf Of Pascal Gademer
Sent: April 17, 2002 4:51 PM
To: modern@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

you’re right… I’ve often mentioned that as well… but I guess
those
journalists are impressed by fancy electronics or want to feel like
Michael
Schumacher…

the J Gate does somethign none of the other system provide : instant
feedback thru the position of your wrist… no display to look at…

I always use it, it’s great especially to downsfhit. The only thing
missing
is a way to force an upshift so for instance, in town, I’ll select 3rd
at a
light and trigger the upshift with the throtle. then down shift to
second
coming near the next stop…

On highway, you can downshift before passing so that you bring the revs
where you wnat them for max power. If I’m looking at the road ahead the
last thing I want is to have to look down at the display…

I remember some fun driving on some tight canyon roads in the Texas hill
country during the Texas 2000, tight roads considering the size of the
XKR,
where I spent period of times acelerating out of bends by preselecting
the
highest gear I’d need, triggering with the throttle, then jumping on the
brakes and downshifting back to 2nd… it was heaven !

It’s encouraging that Jaguar kept it on the revised S, I hope they on
the X
350. I’ve seen pictures of the BMW shifter on the new 7 … it looks
like a
turn signal thingt on the steerring column… with small digits on the
dash… is that progress ?

Pascal

----- Original Message -----
From: “Wayne Estrada” wayne_estrada@hotmail.com
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 4:28 PM
Subject: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Dear Lists (maybe pass this onto lists outside modern and xj-s):

Sorry for cross-posting, but I am pretty non-plussed again about yet
another
auto magazine bad mouthing the Jaguar J-Gate shifter. Specifically,
the
May
2002 Car and Driver, page 42, when they opined:

10

Hi!

Someone on the list has reported in the past that if you open up the slot to
allow the stick to go further forwards it will select 1st.

NW----- Original Message -----
From: “Abdullah Suleiman” asulei@po-box.mcgill.ca
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 10:27 PM
Subject: RE: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Hi there,

Concerning the J-gate shifter, I think it is nice style-wise. It is a
Jaguar trademark and it would be a shame if they change it! I dislike
the fact that there is no 1 for first gear, and the fact that they
haven’t incorporated something like steptronic (BMW). Paddle shifters
aren’t really that well either. Imagine you’re in the middle of a turn

11

Hey there,

Now that makes a big difference!! I will try it out soon! Do I just
remove the gear surround or do I have to physically drill a slot??

Thanks,

Abdullah
95 XJR-----Original Message-----
From: Norman Watkins [mailto:norman@norman-watkins.fsnet.co.uk]
Sent: April 18, 2002 2:21 AM
To: Abdullah Suleiman; modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Hi!

Someone on the list has reported in the past that if you open up the
slot to
allow the stick to go further forwards it will select 1st.

NW

----- Original Message -----
From: “Abdullah Suleiman” <@Abdullah_Suleiman>
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 10:27 PM
Subject: RE: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Hi there,

Concerning the J-gate shifter, I think it is nice style-wise. It is a
Jaguar trademark and it would be a shame if they change it! I dislike
the fact that there is no 1 for first gear, and the fact that they
haven’t incorporated something like steptronic (BMW). Paddle shifters
aren’t really that well either. Imagine you’re in the middle of a
turn

12

Abdullah

That would be up to you but I’d try it with gate plate removed and see what
is possible - I have never tried it - just passing on info’.

NW> Hey there,

Now that makes a big difference!! I will try it out soon! Do I just
remove the gear surround or do I have to physically drill a slot??

Thanks,

Abdullah
95 XJR

Hi!

Someone on the list has reported in the past that if you open up the
slot to
allow the stick to go further forwards it will select 1st.

NW

----- Original Message -----
From: “Abdullah Suleiman” asulei@po-box.mcgill.ca
To: modern@jag-lovers.org; xj-s@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 10:27 PM
Subject: RE: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Hi there,

Concerning the J-gate shifter, I think it is nice style-wise. It is a
Jaguar trademark and it would be a shame if they change it! I dislike
the fact that there is no 1 for first gear, and the fact that they
haven’t incorporated something like steptronic (BMW). Paddle shifters
aren’t really that well either. Imagine you’re in the middle of a
turn

13

Put me down as another lover of the J-Gate. While it was somewhat strange
at first (this being my first Jag) I quickly started taking advantage of
it’s capabilities whilst alone (my wife thinks that I’m nuts for even going
to the ‘gear’ side of the “J”). She has her straightforward automatic and
I can play to my hearts content.

My understanding is that the earlier J-gates were vague in their detent
positioning and that would surely have poisoned the ‘analysts’ to the
device. I have to say that on my X-type the detents are very solid. I
have never (yet) put the stick in a location and found that it was between
locations - or in the wrong location.

In the latest issue of Motor Trend they have a multi-page article on the
BMW 745i. The new stalk shifter is the only device that is widely panned
in the article. In fact, they state that for the 745i Sport, BMW is moving
away from the new ‘stalk’.

What would be helpful for we newbies to the J-gate would be a small article
or dissertation on how to use the J-gate to full advantage, rather than
dismissing it out of hand.

Happy ‘rowing’

Cliff

2002 3.0L X-Type
BRG/Ivory

14

Hi.

I really like the J-gate. I certainly prefer it to any other automatic I’ve
driven, though I admit I haven’t driven a steptronic.

It gives you a physical reference for intent. Manoeuvringring your way around
town, just peacefully trundling about? Well, you want the right-hand side of the
box. Park, reverse, standard drive…all there. Fancy mixing it up a bit? The
left-side of the box, with its greater control, awaits.

As for the reviewers - many of them have no experience beyond boy-racing. If it
doesn’t fit into the boy-racer mould, it will often be derided.

Two recent examples spring to mind. Last night, on a UK motoring problem (5th
Gear), I saw potentially the most pointless review of all time. A
not-very-successfull racing driver, Tif Needel (spelling?), took the new Range
Rover, a BMW X5 and a Mercedes M-Class to a twisty tarmac racing track to see
which was quickest.

Who cares? Who on earth buys anything like that to take on the track? A complete
waste of time and petrol.

The other example concerns an XKR/Masarati comparison in a recent edition of
Autocar magazine. With the exception of its 0-60 time, at which I believe the
Masarati is 0.1secs quicker, the XKR trounced the Masarati in every single test,
massively so in the more vital 50mph-70mph area. However, Jaguar is not a boy
racer’s favourite marque so it would go against the grain for the reviewers to
simply pick the winner. They chose the Masarati, because it had a louder exhaust
note…

The moral? Be aware that when reading a review, of any kind (computing springs
to mind as well), that the reviewers might not be the all-knowing connoisseurs
they present themselves as.

Ian

15

Always remember… a review, is just one persons opinion, complete with
their pre-delilections, prejudices, and personal or business agenda (Ian’s
Maserati story). One always has to experience the product for themselves;
YOU will be driving the car for the long term, NOT the reviewer!

Mike
95 XJR----- Original Message -----
From: “Ian McCall” ian@eruvia.org
To: modern@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 8:15 AM
Subject: Re: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

Hi.

I really like the J-gate. I certainly prefer it to any other automatic
I’ve
driven, though I admit I haven’t driven a steptronic.

It gives you a physical reference for intent. Manoeuvringring your way
around
town, just peacefully trundling about? Well, you want the right-hand side
of the
box. Park, reverse, standard drive…all there. Fancy mixing it up a bit?
The
left-side of the box, with its greater control, awaits.

As for the reviewers - many of them have no experience beyond boy-racing.
If it
doesn’t fit into the boy-racer mould, it will often be derided.

Two recent examples spring to mind. Last night, on a UK motoring problem
(5th
Gear), I saw potentially the most pointless review of all time. A
not-very-successfull racing driver, Tif Needel (spelling?), took the new
Range
Rover, a BMW X5 and a Mercedes M-Class to a twisty tarmac racing track to
see
which was quickest.

Who cares? Who on earth buys anything like that to take on the track? A
complete
waste of time and petrol.

The other example concerns an XKR/Masarati comparison in a recent edition
of
Autocar magazine. With the exception of its 0-60 time, at which I believe
the
Masarati is 0.1secs quicker, the XKR trounced the Masarati in every single
test,
massively so in the more vital 50mph-70mph area. However, Jaguar is not a
boy
racer’s favourite marque so it would go against the grain for the
reviewers to
simply pick the winner. They chose the Masarati, because it had a louder
exhaust
note…

The moral? Be aware that when reading a review, of any kind (computing
springs
to mind as well), that the reviewers might not be the all-knowing
connoisseurs
they present themselves as.

Ian

16

I just want to put in my oppinion before the list closes!!!

I personally never use the J-shift because I never need it. Bear in mind I
drive XJ12 and the car rarely needs to down shift anyway. I think the car in
sport mode shifts perfectly and downshifts perfectly as well. My number one
problem with the J-shifter is that the car can chose a smaller gear than the
one knob is on.

Another problem is that I have a 4-speed auto ( like most X300s???) and i
don’t really see how much shifting can be done with just 3 gears??

Most user of the j-shift claim it works perfectly on the freeway when passing
other cars. On the XJ12 i find that on the freeway (speeds above 60 MPH)
downshifting is never necessary…

I just don’t find it useful… can someone enlighten me a bit on how to use
it??

Peter 1994 XJ12

17

Quoting Pete112883@aol.com:

I personally never use the J-shift because I never need it.
…On the XJ12 i find that on the freeway (speeds above 60 MPH)
downshifting is never necessary…can someone enlighten me a bit
on how to use it??

On the motorway/freeway/ I never use it either.
Just no point, since the Jag is perfectly cable of knowing what’s going on in
conditions like that. One possible exception is queuing traffic, certainly in
towns or m-way traffic jams I often lock into second or third to stop the car
from rolling away with itself.

It’s on more twisty roads, or when preparing to overtake someone that I find it
useful. For a specific example, there’s a roundabout near where I live called
Bisham Roundabout. One of the roads leads off to the nearby town of Maidenhead,
and that’s got a couple of really tight bends in it. Due to the acceleration
times, if I let the auto handle it I find it shifts gear mid-corner, something I
distinctly dislike. My approach is always to lock in third for the first bend,
then lock into second for the next three. Third again for the one after, then
auto all the way.

Now, I -could- allow the auto to do all this for me. However, the overall stance
and handling of the car becomes considerably more sloppy in this sequence -
you’re never applying power at the right point to stay at maximum grip, and
hunting for the right gear when approaching a tight apex is not fun.

The preparing to overtake someone bit above is simple. If you know you’re
approaching an overtaking point, it helps to have the revs in the right location
for maximum power, without the (admittedly small) delay of using kickdown.
Again, a useless technique on the motorway, a useful technique on other road types.

Cheers,
Ian

18

The V12 like the supercharged V8 has so much torque that there is rarely a
need for downshifting while at speed. the only time I actually switch off
the sports mode is while cruising on highway, to reduce downshift when
accelerating and using more of the engine low end torque instead.

But on regular, as someelse jsut mentioned, it’s nice to force the downshift
approching a bend instead of in the middle of it.

Pascal

Most user of the j-shift claim it works perfectly on the freeway when
passing----- Original Message -----
From: Pete112883@aol.com
other cars. On the XJ12 i find that on the freeway (speeds above 60 MPH)
downshifting is never necessary…

I just don’t find it useful… can someone enlighten me a bit on how to use
it??

19

My dad had one of the first XJ12s (197?). It was only near the end of the
running-in period - 1000 miles in those days - that we realised it was
permanently stuck in top gear. (we were used to BW auto boxes)

Trouble with the J-shift is that it is the wrong way round for right hand
drive. Excellent in US, crap in UK.

Mike Craig
94 XJ40 3.2S----- Original Message -----
From: Pete112883@aol.com
To: mwarne@wmis.net; modern@jag-lovers.org; ian@eruvia.org
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 6:10 PM
Subject: Re: [modern] Survey on J-Shifter

I just want to put in my oppinion before the list closes!!!

I personally never use the J-shift because I never need it. Bear in mind I
drive XJ12 and the car rarely needs to down shift anyway. I think the car
in
sport mode shifts perfectly and downshifts perfectly as well. My number
one
problem with the J-shifter is that the car can chose a smaller gear than
the
one knob is on.

Another problem is that I have a 4-speed auto ( like most X300s???) and i
don’t really see how much shifting can be done with just 3 gears??

Most user of the j-shift claim it works perfectly on the freeway when
passing
other cars. On the XJ12 i find that on the freeway (speeds above 60 MPH)
downshifting is never necessary…

I just don’t find it useful… can someone enlighten me a bit on how to use
it??

Peter 1994 XJ12

20

The moral? Be aware that when reading a review, of any kind (computing springs
to mind as well), that the reviewers might not be the all-knowing connoisseurs
they present themselves as.

It’s worth adding that Jeremy Clarkson, possibly Britain’s most famous
car reviewer, is a diehard Jaguar fan and adores his XJR!

Boy racer magazine reviewers are a waste of space: anyone who judges a
car on how loud it is or its alloy wheels isn’t going to rank high in
the taste league. Many reviewers’ cars (if you read the small print)
tend to be BMW 3-series or similar entry-level chassis with oversize
engines shoehorned in.

IMHO.

And yes, I like the J-gate - it’s easier to use than conventional
automatics, whether you’re doing city driving or braving winding country
roads (both being characteristic of weekly driving in the English
Midlands!).

Best regards,

Russ Sadd

1994 XJ6 - the red one in Heidelberg