Discover high-quality used Jaguar parts at this online store - JaguarSpareParts - all at unbeatable prices!

JaguarSpareParts is a family operated business out of Perth Western Australia (WA), in the Rockingham District, specializing in used parts for the Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign and Daimler models from 1986 to 1994

We are one of the few remaining specialised Jaguar wreckers which provides Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign 1986-1994 and Daimler 1986-1994 top quality warranted used parts at very competitive and realistic prices.

We have been providing these top quality used parts now for over 15 years to Jaguar enthusiasts all over Australia and built up quite a good reputation amongst clubs and meets for the knowledge offered goods sold and repeat business with garages and the public.

Need advice or assistance or even a quotation on parts to restore your Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign or Daimler back to its former glory? then contact us! We will only be to happy to offer assistance.

Here are the key features of the Jaguar XJ40 across different model years.

The Jaguar XJ40 has distinct features that evolved throughout its 3 eras.

• Era 1. 1986 to 1989 - Early Years of Jaguar XJ40
• Era 2. 1990 to 1992 - Mid Years of Jaguar XJ40
• Era 3. 1993 to 1994 - Final Years of Jaguar XJ40

Era 1. 1986 to 1989 - Early Years of Jaguar XJ40

1986 (Launch Year – Model Year 1987 in most markets)

• Debut of the XJ40: Replaced the Series III after nearly 18 years of service.
• Styling: Modern, boxier design (a big shift from the classic curves of the Series III). Flush headlights, slimmer bumpers, and more angular lines.
• Engines introduced:
1. 2.9L AJ6 inline-six (single cam, economy-focused).
2. 3.6L AJ6 inline-six (DOHC, higher performance).
• New Technology:
1. Digital vacuum fluorescent dashboard on higher trims (very 1980s, but notoriously unreliable).
2. Self-leveling rear suspension (Citroën-derived hydropneumatic system).
• Trim levels: Base, Sovereign (luxury focus), and Daimler (UK) / Vanden Plas (NA).
• Transmission: 5-speed manual standard in Europe; ZF 4HP22 4-speed automatic optional (and very popular).

1987 (First Full Year of Production)

• Market expansion: Wider availability outside the UK, particularly in North America (mostly 3.6L automatic cars).
• Refinements: Early reliability issues became clear (digital dash, suspension, electrical gremlins).
• Equipment: ABS brakes offered on higher trims — advanced for the time.
• Design detail: Some minor tweaks in trim and materials as Jaguar responded to feedback.

1988 (Second Year Updates)

• Growing pains addressed: Jaguar began making incremental fixes for early reliability problems, but major changes were still a few years away.
• Interior updates: Improved dashboard electronics, though still problematic.
• Suspension: Some changes to the troublesome self-leveling rear suspension system; many later owners converted these to conventional coil springs.
• Trim variations: More distinction between Sovereign (luxury) and sportier versions in some markets.

1989 (Last Pre-Ford Independent Jaguar Year)

• Engine updates:
1. Introduction of the 3.6L with revised electronics (improved fuel injection system).
2. Development began for the larger 4.0L engine that would debut in 1990.
• Dashboard changes: Some cars began to see the return of conventional analogue dials (in response to customer complaints about the digital dash).
• Build quality improvements: Small but noticeable — Jaguar was struggling financially, but working to improve fit and finish.
• Market expansion: XJ40 gaining traction in Europe and North America, but often criticized for reliability compared to German rivals.

Era 2. 1990 to 1992 - Mid Years of Jaguar XJ40

1990 (First Ford-Influenced Production Year)

• Big engine upgrade:
1. Introduction of the 4.0L AJ6 engine, replacing the 3.6L. Much smoother, more powerful, and with better torque.
2. The 2.9L remained as the entry option.
• Dashboard: Major change → the digital dash was discontinued (except in some rare base models). Most cars switched to traditional analogue instruments (much more reliable and preferred by buyers).
• Suspension: Self-leveling rear suspension (SLS) was gradually phased out, replaced with more conventional dampers/springs on many cars.
• Trim and luxury: Improved cabin materials, better veneers, upgraded seat comfort.
• Safety: Driver’s side airbag became available in some markets.

1991 (Refinements Begin, V12 Teased)

• Engines revised:
1. Introduction of the 3.2L AJ6 (replacing the 2.9L). This engine solved reliability issues with the 2.9 and gave better performance while still being economical.
2. Lineup now: 3.2L AJ6, 4.0L AJ6.
• Transmission: ZF 4-speed automatic updated for smoother operation.
• Trim updates:
1. Mid-range Sovereign gained more luxury kit as standard (cruise, leather, better stereo).
2. Sportier trims (like the XJ6 Sport in some markets) introduced with firmer suspension and unique alloys.
• Interior tech: More conventional and reliable switchgear replaced the problematic early electronic modules.

1992 (Luxury Deepens)

• Refinement focus: This year marked a big push for quality improvements as Ford’s investment in Jaguar started to take effect.
• Safety upgrades: Driver’s airbag more widely standard, passenger airbag optional in more markets. ABS became standard on most trims.
• Interior: New veneers, softer leather, improved seat bolstering. Better sound insulation for quieter cabins.
• Electronics: Revised wiring harnesses and improved reliability of climate control and window lift modules.
• Special trims:
1. XJ6 Gold and similar “value-packed” editions introduced in some regions.
2. Daimler / Vanden Plas versions became even more luxurious.
• Legacy: By 1992, the XJ40 was much more sorted — the cars built this year are widely considered the “sweet spot before the final 1993–94 refinements and the shift to the X300.

Era 3. 1993 to 1994 - Final Years of Jaguar XJ40

1993 (Final Maturation, Reliability Up)

• Refinements to reliability: Jaguar had steadily worked through the electrical and mechanical gremlins that plagued early XJ40s, so by 1993 the cars were far more dependable.
• Engines:
1. 3.2L AJ6 inline-six (replacing the 2.9L in many markets).
2. 4.0L AJ6 inline-six as the range topper.
3. Some markets still offered the 3.6L but it was being phased out.
• Trim & equipment updates:
1. Newer wood veneer finishes and higher quality interior trim, giving a more luxurious cabin feel.
2. Airbags introduced in certain markets (driver’s side standard, passenger optional).
• Transmission: 4-speed automatic ZF unit continued; manual gearboxes extremely rare.
• Suspension & ride: Softer tuning compared to earlier cars, with refinement aimed at competing with Mercedes and BMW luxury saloons.

1994 (End of XJ40, Transition to X300s)

• Run-out year before X300: Production of the XJ40 wound down by mid-1994.
• Special Editions:
1. Jaguar offered run-out editions such as the Gold and Sovereign special trims in some markets, featuring extra equipment and unique trim at a value price.
2. Some very late cars had unique alloys, leather piping, or badging.
• Standard equipment upgrades: More features became standard across the range (air conditioning, ABS, airbags, better sound systems).
• Exterior styling: Essentially unchanged, but very late XJ40s benefited from improved build quality as Ford’s investment in Jaguar took effect.
• Engines: Still mainly the 3.2L and 4.0L AJ6 units.
• Legacy: By late 1994, the X300 (XJ6) launched, with smoother styling, revised AJ16 engines, and major quality improvements—so the last XJ40s were transitional models bridging the old and new.

Jaguar XJ40 spare parts do vary a lot between years, but not every year. Many parts interchange within the eras of years, but certain updates (dash, engines, transmissions, suspension) sometimes make cross-year swaps tricky.