Is an early XK8 a china cabinet?
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Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/29/2008 10:51:24 AM
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Donnylee
Posts: 21
Joined: 3/27/2008
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Well, I have read about every horror story written about early XK8 cars now.... After buying mine from a large Chevrolet dealer with no apparent problems upfront with logged 43K miles...I am thinking I might have bought a time bomb with trouble around every corner ahead. From wheel bearings, to ABS modules, Timing chain troubles, Nickosil, Throttle body failures, Tranny troubles, you name it I have read it.
Is it possible that people are only reporting the trouble they have had and not the necessarily the positive reliable experiences that actually represent more balance that just do not get reported? Yea its a beautiful car to look at, wonderful to drive. But I am getting heartburn now and almost wish I would not have bought it. Yea, I bought a 36K bumper to bumper warranty.... Some peace of mind...at a cost for a while.
Does anyone have anything good to say about these cars that have not had major problems and have been reliable with some high mileage they have logged? I am trying to figure out if people come here only when they have trouble? I have not seen really anything positive here about these cars at all other then Eyeball, and when they do run, that they are great fun to drive. I think you get my drift... These things really break and fail all the time frequent? Is it that bad...Or is it that I am only seeing the bad that is reported? Is it a result of poor maintenance other then the weak links Jag gave life to the car with?
Anyone have anything nice to say about these rides? I will be agressive on the oil changes and will be getting my tensioners checked/updated.....And I guess keeping my fingers tightly crossed. Because it appears I sighned up for a ticking, money bleeding, time bomb they call XK8.
That in mind, why would anyone want these Jaguars? Car reports I saw showed newer Jaguars reliable...I am thinking now just no way with all the negative horror that is reported on the Jag forums on the net! I only wish I would have read it first before sighning up for this Kitty that appears well taken care of (Like new)....But seems to have much evil just waiting for me to deal with around the corner....
Am I seeing it the wrong way? I would love to hear the good storys...Anyone have any positive to offer? No problems, yet, and I am already hating this car because of what I think is to come!
Is it the only good Jaguar made is one that has a extended warranty with silver linings??
Thanks for listening to the rant!
Donnylee
< Message edited by Donnylew -- 3/29/2008 11:10:20 AM >
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/29/2008 1:01:09 PM
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test point
Posts: 123
Joined: 3/23/2008
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I love my 2000 XK8 but it is a toy car and I bought it for a hobby. And I had read this, and other forums for months before purchase. My obversation is that the early ones have a number of issues that are probably going to happen at one time or another. Wheel bearing and front bushings on pre-2000, water pumps on '97-99, transmission by 100k miles, etc. My opinion is that if your car is running good now the Nikasil issue has passed.
My car has had the tensioners changed . . . twice. Had the lower bushings changed . . . twice. Had the throttle body replaced. The transmission has been replaced. The top latch hydraulics have failed. The water pump has been replaced. The starter has been replaced as has the fuel pump. Fortunately, all was done under warranty and extended warranty by the two previous owners. The air conditioning is under repair and I have a non-transmission shifting problem that I am trying to understand. Otherwise it is a beautiful car to own and drive.
Yeah, they can be expensive cars to own. The positive side is that with their repair history they have depreciated to the point that they are very attractive to purchase in the market place . . . if you choose to work on them your self. I bought mine cheap when the 100k warranty expired and everything had already been replaced.
Dig out the repair history of your car. As it is still under warranty any dealer can pull up the entire history or warranty repairs. If you can find the dealer that has done the maintainence/repair work they can probably provide copies of the actual service invoices. Hope that makes you feel better.
The best thing is that you now get to share your experiences with your new best friends on this forum.
tp
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/29/2008 6:43:39 PM
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FactoryJaguarTech
Posts: 2972
Joined: 1/6/2008
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Out of the many thousands of XK8s that were sold, there was common issues, but they were few and far between statistically. Many of the problems have been sorted on earlier cars by default. However, you can expect things to crop up from time to time.
They are not as bad as some people would report. You have to remember, the forums are a relativly small community vs the number of cars sold.
Be happy with the car and enjoy it. When problems arise, most are minor and we are here to help. Many things you can actually fix your self.
_____________________________
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/29/2008 7:40:46 PM
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luvmyk9
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/22/2008
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Donnylew - Don't stress, just enjoy. I worried like heck until the day I actually bought my latter model '05 XK8. Once I started driving it every care went out the window - I do have the warranty and hope I never need it. I'm considering a 1,800 mile road trip and that does have me thinking of driving my Honda Pilot (what fun that will be - LOL). If I have Jag trouble the good folks on here will guide me (and you too). I've had mine a month and tell people it is the first car I have ever purchased that is not causing buyers remorse. I think I was really meant to own this car - - if the car starts owning me I may reconsider...but somehow I doubt it. I'm solid middle age - my husband is sleeping and I got out of bed to come check the forum - the alternative is to go get in the car and drive. Just keep remembering why you bought the car and warranty.
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luvmyk9
"Lighten Up"
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/29/2008 7:42:14 PM
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luvmyk9
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/22/2008
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Donnylew - I forget to mention - I just turned over 28K miles.
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luvmyk9
"Lighten Up"
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/29/2008 7:54:37 PM
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h20boy
Posts: 1293
Joined: 3/29/2007
From: Ft Worth, TX
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I have over 65k on my 2003, and it hasn't had any of these problems that you fear, I know it is a later model, and substantial difference in engine & tranny, but still, the quality put into the model is similar. Of course the '99s may reveal more nuisance problems, but you also didn't spend as much as myself or lovemyk9 either. It really is a compromise. Just be ready for one or two of those items you mentioned, and one day...you may have to execute a repair plan. but until that day comes (if it does) enjoy the car. As for your tensioners, I think you have the right idea and the tell-tale sign is evident. Don't wait too long..i'm sure you won't.
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Matt 2003 XK8 CvTbl
My Jag Galleries
Go Texas Tech!
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/29/2008 10:08:46 PM
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Mr T
Posts: 45
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hi all,
in response to donny's post,
i bought my XK8 1999 on the spour of the moment a couple of months ago. it was on my wish list for a long time and i really should have waited until after my house move. however things were going a bit slow with finding the perfect house so along came this XK8 and i snapped it up because the price was just so good. i didnt know anything about XK8's apart from it being a gorgeous looker. i then began to search the internet and forums, and like yourself, my heart sank thinking that i had bought a right old money pit! however, within a month of me having it, i had to do the heater valve (not sure of its exact name, but its located above the gearbox!), coolant pipes, handbrake cable, door latch and indicator stalk. minor issues i know, compared to the major problems with the engine, but all to be known common faults with these cars.
having visited many forums, some that charge for membership and some that are just to confusing to use, i finally posted here and got an immediate and informative reply. FJT has been very helpful in his advice and i couldnt have solved some of these problems without his help, and certainly saved me some money by doing some of the work myself.
i've had many cars but this is my first jaguar and it really is a lovely car to drive. so dont worry too much, and as FJT says, major problems are, hopefully, few and far between. i also own a Saab 9-5 which i've had for 5 years and that too is very nice car. its more of a 'working' car for me and it has served me well in the 5 years that i've owned it. having said that, when i read the saab forums, i'd have thought saab's are terrible cars with but mine has been very good
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XK8's are lovely cars to drive and there to be enjoyed, so enjoy.
by the way, this is for the adminstrators, in addition to your regional membership count, i was wondering whether it would be a good idea to maybe list recommended parts suppliers that members may have used in their cities so as to help new or existing members?
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/30/2008 12:16:08 AM
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h20boy
Posts: 1293
Joined: 3/29/2007
From: Ft Worth, TX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mr T
by the way, this is for the adminstrators, in addition to your regional membership count, i was wondering whether it would be a good idea to maybe list recommended parts suppliers that members may have used in their cities so as to help new or existing members?
The newly added regional sections are open to whatever 'local' news/topics you so desire. That includes good repair shops, and dealer recommendations.
_____________________________
Matt 2003 XK8 CvTbl
My Jag Galleries
Go Texas Tech!
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RE: Is an early XK8 a china cabinet? - 3/30/2008 6:03:54 AM
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test point
Posts: 123
Joined: 3/23/2008
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Donnylew
Can any local Jag dealer get me the warranty history? This car was sold in Calif,,,And is now in Oregon.
The warranty repair report is available from any dealer. The only issue is that it describes only the part number that was replaced. You then have to obtain the description from the parts counter or elsewhere. You may also find unique service codes that you will have to obtain from the dealer that did the work. Usually a phone call will handle that. The servicing dealer is listed. Just ask for the code description, not a history on your car. They will shout "privacy" if you ask for service invoices.
As to the throttle body, Jaguar, as all manufacturers, have moved to component replacement. Computer identifies offending unit and it is replaced, no repairs. Early XK* had a number replaced, as your may have been. Problem may have been, all along, an external connector which was later covered by a Service Action.
As to my 108k miles: the engine (Nikasil) compression is 155+- on all cylinders, have a new transmission . . . gonna drive this puppy a long time.
PLEASE see about your tensioners. A 1 second rattle is about 1 second to long. A correct engine has no rattle on start. A history check Monday morning. If no record GET IT FIXED. Penality is too great to postpone.
< Message edited by test point -- 3/30/2008 6:18:35 AM >
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