Hello everyone, just bought my first Jag after admiring them all my life. Was brought up in Scotland and my mate had an E Type when I was a teenager. Now in NZ 27 years and kids nearly all grown up so decided I needed to do it. Last week I bought a 1997 XK8, 90K km so I'm in love. It's blue, has Silverstone Mags and beutiful but has a couple things needing attention which is how I stumbled upon this site. My first of many posts.

 

Hi There
Just bought my first Jag this week :-), also in NZ !

 

Welcome to this friendly and helpful forum. There's an absolute mine of information here.
There are a number of guys from NZ on the forum - you can find them by searching the members list.
Let's see a photo of your 'darling'.

 

Welcome to the forum Stan,

That's been a long wait!

You probably already know about the items on the early XK8's that need careful checking. All this info and plenty more is in XK8/XKR 1996-2006 section.

Coupe or convertible?

Graham

 

Hi Kiwi, drove her up to Auckland from Wellington on Wednesday.

Hi Steve, I'll need to take a pic of her. Post soon. It certainly is a helpful forum.

Hi Graham, yes, a long wait but my last 3 cars were 4WD's for kids stuff, so this is for ME! It's a coupe, I thought about a convertable but it rains quite a bit down here! I had heard about some issues but not alot of details. I guess I'm just starting that journey but I'm already loving this forum. I have a feeling I'll be on here alot.

 

It rains quite a bit? You go all that way and still can't get away from it.

Auckland to Wellington looks to be the equivalent of Aberdeen to London. Bet the NZ route is a more scenic drive.

Graham

 

Haw haw Graham, that is true, but not quite as cold. We just came back this xmas after 15 years in Aust. The 8hr drive is alot more scenic, no motorways, all single lane. Good fun for overtaking and cornering!

 

Graham, re your comments "You probably already know about the items on the early XK8's that need careful checking"

What would be your list?

 

Stan,

The big three are:

1. tensioners and timing chains
2. thermostat
3. transmission

Early pattern tensioners can break causing timing chain to jump with catastrophic results. Overheating can cause cylinder head issues. The transmission is supposedly 'sealed for life' but this life can be greatly extended with fluid changes at 60k mile intervals.

There's plenty of threads on all these topics in the XK8/XKR 1996-2006 section.

Preventative maintenance is the key to troublefree Jaguar ownership.

Graham

 

Thanks very much Graham

 

Welcome to the forum Stan,

Good to have you with us.
Congratulations on the new car! At least you won't have the hydraulic leaks to worry about!

If you haven't already done so you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

 

Thanks Norri. Love the flag. Appears to be a few of us Scots on the forum.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Good to see you.

Check out the XK8 FAQ section, you will find lots of useful information.