[xj40] Things to check-out before buying a 87 Sovereign 3.6

Hello everybody,
There is a 87 Sovereign 3.6 in good condition. And the owner have
set a low price for the car. I am interested in buying this
beatiful car and really wonder If I should. Some people here
dealing with spare parts and services in Turkey recommends me to
stay away from her. Unfortunately I can’t get her out of my mind.
So at this point I stand, I need some information on the things I
should do to see if the car is in proper condition to drive many
more kilometers. Also I need objective opininons and facts about
this series.
Thanks in advance.–
XJ40 Sovereign 3.6
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In reply to a message from meejay sent Wed 4 Jun 2008:

Don�t know how does the weather is in your country, but a point to
check is rust: in the visible parts of the body, but take a look at
the underbody panels (floor panels, sills, etcetera), front cross
member and bumpers anchorage points.

Mechanically, check that there are no codes showing, and that all
the lights in the dash are working! (check when you first turn the
key to run (II) position.

Make a drive test, take a corner at a descent speed, it must have a
good amount of grip (yeah, is a 2 Ton car, but it has more grip
than a cheap car). Look for strange sounds from suspension and
drive train.

After all, is like when purchasing any other second hand car…

Good luck,

Daniel–
Huaorani Warrior, '92 XJR 4.0, manual gearbox, VIN 653523
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Even if I do not post a lot, I own one of these.

Check the rear suspension. It is a self levelling unit and should give, on =
65 profile tires, the best ride on earth, in case it does not suspect a bro=
ken system.

In that case you need to tear it out and put a standard unit with top range=
bilstein or boge dampers, very easy to do with the Jaguar kit. The ride wi=
ll never be the same as on a perfect SLS system. Believe me I got the best =
of the best bilstein dampers and it is just not the same.

Tires are the other issue. Does it have the 220/65 TD tires, then expect a =
change to 15 or 16 inch wheels or pay 400 =80 a tire for quality Dunlop rep=
lacements. As much as I loved the wallowy ride on the TD’s, I swapped to 16=
inch rims. I regret, 15 inch match better the Sovereing nature, for my tas=
te.=20

Rust rust rust. Everywhere. Check everything and in case you buy it dismant=
le doord and inner front wings and get everything cleaned of debris or it w=
ill rust.

Engine and gearbox are wonderful. In case it is the car without catalyst it=
is everybit as fast as a latter catalyst 4 litre and will do 9 litres to 1=
00 driven carefully. Coolant should be changed every 2 years, it’s an all =
aluminum engine so this is a MUST.

Check for leaks of green hydraulic fluid on the front left area of the engi=
ne bay.

Start the car 1 minute. Stop it. Put the key in second position but do not =
start the engine. Pump the brake pedal, in an alarm appears before 10 pumps=
, the accumulator sphere of the hydraulic system must be changed. 350 Euro =
plus fitting.

Check the interior. It’s bullet proof, so in case it’s rotten, suspect a ro=
ugh life.

Drive it. Noise level should be very low. Bearings make a rumbling most not=
iceable between 80 to 100 Km/h before wind noise takes over. If bad they ar=
e easy to replace. Differential bearings are equally replaceable.

ABS brakes are excellent in case they work. Easy to solve but a nightmare t=
o detect electric problems are the main issue here.

Steering racks may go, a little play on the straight ahead is quite normal.

Check that all electric things work. The AC system is difficult to test. If=
it cools, the rest can be solved with a little dismantling and little mon=
ex. In case it does not cool it will usually be an empty system of stuck fl=
aps.

Parts are not a problem at all, provided you do not mind ordering abroad.

I love these early cars.

Best regards

Lluis> To: xj40@jag-lovers.org

Subject: [xj40] Things to check-out before buying a 87 Sovereign 3.6
From: utku.gulcek@yahoo.com.tr
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2008 15:03:52 +0200

Hello everybody,
There is a 87 Sovereign 3.6 in good condition. And the owner have
set a low price for the car. I am interested in buying this
beatiful car and really wonder If I should. Some people here
dealing with spare parts and services in Turkey recommends me to
stay away from her. Unfortunately I can’t get her out of my mind.
So at this point I stand, I need some information on the things I
should do to see if the car is in proper condition to drive many
more kilometers. Also I need objective opininons and facts about
this series.
Thanks in advance.

XJ40 Sovereign 3.6
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La vida de los famosos al desnudo en MSN Entretenimiento
http://entretenimiento.es.msn.com/

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In reply to a message from meejay sent Wed 4 Jun 2008:

DONT BUY
Better car is post 89, reasons
Better brakes
Better build
Less rust
Eletrics better
ABS better
Parts for braking system getting costly
Good points engine is bullit proof, gearboxs tend not to fail
Wheel bearings fail after 50,000 if not repacked with grease front
and rear.
If you buy first spend time reading the forum comments then crawl
all over the car and note all faults read any invoices to see what
has been done in the past, no history means it could be a PIG–
Mick Gannon Daimler 4.0 1991 England
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In reply to a message from meejay sent Wed 4 Jun 2008:

I bought one of these on eBay 6 months ago and have enjoyed every
minute of it… A couple little rust bubbles here and there, but
you can’t be the ride. Check that all the electrics are working,
or it’ll drive you crazy. This is the very best automobile I think
I’ve ever owned–
Jarhead0428
Montrose, United Kingdom
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For what is worth having owned an March 1987 XJ40 inherited from my father and driven it till almost 400.000 Km:

I would say care 100% about RUST, early cars were notorious everywhere in particular bonnet and boot edges, doors, sills and wings as well as a-pillars

Electrics had a bad reputation (mine never had an issue other than the odd cruise control not engaging) and SLS (Self-Levelling-Suspension) which was very good when it worked, but worked rarely (check that it is CONVERTED to normal shocks.

Rest is normal stuff, bearings are typical Jag, adjustable at the front, pressed at the back and will be OK 80-90K, output bearings at the diff are strained and will rumble at 120-150k, quite a job. Suspension bushes, etc… nothing special.

Check that the early XJ40 interior (polyurethane basis) is not wrapped, it’s a pain (impossible) to get right, in particular things like the under-glovebox panel.

I loved it, really, it was kind of our initiation into Jaguar.

Best,

Ll.

AFAIK There is no ‘code’ facility, at least on my '88 XJ40. So again, AFAIK that came later…