1989 Jaguar XJ40 review from UK and Ireland

Heater control panel started to act intermittently before stopping completely.

Power steering leak.

Brake boost leak.

The self-levelling suspension can give you a bouncy ride on a bad road if it's on the way out. Many owners seemed to have changed the suspension to the standard type, once faced with problems, due to the cost of fixing the self-levelling suspension.

The car is a pleasure to drive and it corners beautifully.

It looks fantastic in tungsten grey with the XJR bodykit.

The kick-down on this is impressive, but I don't often need it.

The leather seats are comfortable and the cabin with its digital dashboard looks very impressive for a car made in 1989.

What I like about Jaguars is that there aren't that many on the road compared to BMWs, and having driven in France, it draws far more attention then most new cars.

My car has low mileage, and the previous owner looked after it, and it shows in its reliability.

Apart from the leaks mentioned, which happen on all cars, this 3.6 non supercharged engine is powerful enough for a car this size.

Two of the things to look out for when buying a XJR or XJ40 is rust, and to ask whether it has self levelling suspension.

If you do buy a XJ40, try and keep it dry and thus avoid water getting into the foot-wells, boot and onto the electrics.

I have had the car 3 years, and it has cost me virtually nothing in maintenance.

The car has never let me down, and because it was made in 1989, there are many websites that can answer your questions about the electrics or engine.