Having recently bought my first XK8 convertible (2006), and after reading of many issues others are having, should I look forward to continuous costly problems? I know that my headrests don't work, my rear shocks area has problems and my passenger seat does not respond. The car has about 58,000 miles on it and runs great. Engine smooth and quiet.
The top mechanism works perfectly.
Kind of discouraging reading all the bad news.

By the way, does the gentleman who repaired seat modules still accept them for repair?

Sorry to whine, but concerned.

 

Salu498, Sounds like a good one to me, the car is 10 years old, so what would you expect from a Chevy or Ford. Don't be to worried until it gives you some codes, which you should have been checked before buying any car today.
Get the fluids changed and that means tranny also, then drive the hell out of it.


Wayne

 

Last I heard Darrell still repairs modules.

Really believe that you will enjoy the car more if you research issues and resolve them your self. Paying the big bucks at a dealer is not fun and turns a lot of people off . . . big time.

Remember, it is a 10 year old car even if it cost a lot new.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Jaguar!

 

Coming to any car forum, you read them over you will think the sky is falling as far as repairs. You got a 06 so you got the one that "most likely" will give you the least problems. That said, if it has not been taken care of you will be weeding out small crap eventually. Like others have said you will run into issues most any other car with out a Honda or Toyota badge on it will have also, Cooling system hoses, water pumps, old batteries crapping out, brakes, etc. Diff here is the Jag is costly to have others work on it for you. If you got the money then you are set, otherwise do what you can yourself and save money. Don't bother going to a dealer for parts, RIP OFF. Get them online, Jagbits or SNG that are sponsors here. Come here for help, many of us have been down roads you may travel.
First thing I would do is get the battery load tested, if is below 12.4 volts I think it is, REPLACE IT. While a weak battery in these cars will start it all day long and seem to drive normal there are MANY components on the car that require a healthy battery and will act up if battery is weak, scaring you and making you think that the SKY IS FALLING.
What do you mean by rear shock area?? Rust?
The most problematic area on these is the front end. The bushings seem to just bite the dust rather quickly on these. Low miles on these cars do not mean QUALITY all the time.
If it sits 85% of the time it will have issues, DRIVE IT. Everyone here will say the same. They do not like to sit. My head rest dont work either, they are all the way down, who cares, doesn't bother me., but if motors are working it appears to be a doable repair.
Is your trans acting up at all? ANY hard shifts in any gear? Squonk noise on the HWY and you step on it? Prob not at your low miles. Do yourself a HUGE FAVOR and have that trans flushed anyway. New Pan/filter (they are all one unit on these) and fluid. Find a good indy shop, don't let a chain shop work on it.
Check your cooling system also, hoses for bad spots, water pumps have plastic internal parts, they tend to go out about 10 years into the cars life, EASY EASY repair.
Just read up on all the threads. It is not as scary as it appears.
You did ok since it is the last model year of the 97-06 model run.

 

Darrell Turner is the module repair GURU. You can text him at 858-649-9090. He is out of San Diego. His work is excellent and service is prompt. Let him know you are from the JagForum

 

Even a vehicle with the best service history can have minor issues if the PO was not prepared to spend additional $$$ getting them fixed at the time. On a ten year old vehicle, the list can build up.

I usually buy one owner Jaguars with a full main dealer service history (this has included a 2001 and a 2005 XK8) and have never yet found one in which everything worked.

My first action with a new (to me) Jaguar is to complete all the items on the service schedule to pick up on anything that's been missed and to give a baseline for future maintenance.

Secondly, I fix anything that doesn't work.

After that it's time to enjoy the vehicle until I get bored with it, go for a change and start the cycle again.

Graham

 

You will have issues from time to time no matter what you drive,the times I have taken my xk for mot and come across cars 4to5years old with lots more problems and not just talking about reps cars,look on the brite side once any problems are fixed you have the peace of mind it's sorted and with the benefit of driving one of the nicest cars on the road,that's just the joys of motoring as that say,you will get loads of help with any problems you may have on this forum,take your time to read through you will see its not all doom and gloom.

 

As has been stated already, the key is to be able to DIY the vast majority of maintenance and repairs on these cars. If you have to pay someone else to handle every issue, ownership of these cars can indeed drain your bank account in short order. The good news is that every well-known flaw and weak link has already been addressed somewhere here on the forum and there are plenty of experienced folks who will guide you through the repair process. This forum will become the most valuable tool in your toolbox. Continue to read and study as you have been doing, ask questions when you need clarification, be clear and concise when doing so, and the chances are good that you'll be just fine in the long run....

 

Irrespective of car brand nobody posts on a discussion board saying that their car didn't break down today/this week/this month.

95% of the on line traffic is otherwise silent owners coming out of the woodwork with a problem big or small, followed responses from those trying to help. Then they go back into hiding till next time.

BTW, my S-type is by far the most reliable car I've ever owned.

 

Just to make a change (and maybe jinx my car) - it didn't break down today

Or this week. Or this month. Or this year. Oh wait, I had a puncture and it wasn't repairable

 

I'm sure NHS did a great job though

 

If you look right now there are 650 people on this forum and you see what, 20 people with problems. With an 06 you should have one of the more reliable years. To repeat everyone, if you can do it yourself, you will be better off. The headrest problems are well documented with videos and how 2s. I would check the battery, change the oil, check the brake fluid and coolant, and enjoy it.

 

Knock on Veneer.

Mine has never broken down in the 4 years she has been in my care. Not that it has been a free ride. There were a few things that needed cleared up at time of purchase and a few things since. But I've never been stranded or had a repair I couldn't plan out and execute with the generous help of the members of this Forum.

So mind your fluids, do the maintenance and keep it shiny for pictures.

 

That really sums up the general maintenance/ repairs for these cars ...good explanation brgjag!!

 

I think the only frustrating thing this car might throw you is when you see a CEL or check engine light.

beware you might be lead to the wrong path by those codes....the problem may not pertain to what the code says, so just don't assume.

For example: last year I got a transmission fault (went into fail safe mode), abs light on, DSC system fault...took it to an European transmission shop and they confirmed it's the transmission ecu which is not repairable....I was on the brink of shelling out $3K unnecessarily for a new tranny but then my guts told me that it cant be the transmission because it doesn't make sense ... then I took it a Jag specialist ...3 hours and $400 later ...they said it was actually the reluctor ring.

Then at beginning of this year, I had a CEL that shows an engine issue followed by the hesitant in the engine....at first I thought, here we go! here comes the big bucks repair....turned out to be the battery and cost $154 to replace.

So for me, the car has never failed me yet ...she loves mind games!! hahaha!! so play along!! at this point, everything is good with her .... so I am just waiting what's next...she's my dd but not the only car (this car can't be your only transport) I have a Ford expedition and my bike for when she breaks down and requires some mental games and research.

Would I get a different car if I can go back in time? not a chance!!! this car has given me more attention than any of my other friend's car (M3, Mercedes CL) and they pay twice than my Jag.

I've concluded that my car is a LIBRA

 

My Jaguars have been a lot less eventful than my Audis. I do a bit of PM here and there, as these are bit more intensive on preventative maintenance than a Honda Civic, but overall are quite reliable. If you do the common stuff that goes on these cars preventatively, and treat the suspension bits as routine every 70-90k, they really ain't bad! I'm nearing 100k and doing all the stuff I know goes on any car; bearings, bushings, etc.

I work a lot more on GM W bodies; my dad drives a Monte Carlo, my mom drives an Impala and she is being given a Grand Prix I just bought and am rebuilding the suspension on for her. Those cars have a garbage suspension design, they have issues with intake manifold gaskets, and regular cheaply made car issues. They are still decent cars, but they have their foibles. At least they're dirt cheap for parts.

 

These cars are like a beautiful woman with high maintenence. They need constant attention like so many exotics.

Best to purchase an extended warranty to keep it in perfect condition.