Have the 5.0L engines in the XJ and XK's proved to be reliable. The 4.2's have been longlived and very reliable (I have 2 cars with these engines). I've been thinking about getting a newer one with a 5.0L engine, but a friend suggested I think twice given how reliable the 4.2's have been, particularly in comparison with the 5.0Ls.

I saw that the 5.0's have water pump problems. I've also read about the hose problem on the NA 5.0's. Are there other issues? Have the issues been addressed and fixed in the years after release (2011's less reliable than the 2012 or 2013 or 4?

What say ye?

 

We haven't had any problems with ours, but it's a supercharged one, 2013 and has only done 52,000 miles. They all have a good reputation in England, the only thing to watch for, that I am aware of, is the coolant hose in the valley under the supercharger, which is a pain to access; not an issue with the naturally aspirated engine.
The 5.0 doesn't have a mechanical dipstick, so when checking a prospective purchase, take a syringe and short length of 6mm (quarter inch) hose, to draw off a little oil from the extraction tube under the oil filler, to check its freshness, and then check oil level via OBC to ensure that is neither low, nor overfilled; I once had to remove 7 litres (14.8 US pints) from an engine to bring level down to "Oil level Ok", owing to some idiot overfilling it at oil change. The engine amazingly suffered no damage, even though it had been driven over one thousand miles like this, but no surprise that prior to correcting the level it was a bit smokey on cold start.

 

Thank you for the insight. I'm being seduced by the 500+ HP in the newer XKR's....but want to be sure. I have an XK with the normally aspirated 4.2, but keep thinking of all that extra power.

 

The 5.0 SC is in a few jags so heed the warnings in each of the forums. Those engines are NOT I would say anything like as solid as the 4.2 but read and decide.