Hi Guys

I just wrote a long introductry post and when I tried attaching a pic, I done something wrong and lost my complete post. So here I am at the beginning again!

After months of searching, I have just bought a 2004.5 XKR Convertible with 53000km on the clock. She is Zircon Blue with a cream interior and in absolut pristine condition. Yes, I know, you all want to see pics of her, but not on this post in case it all bombs out again. Further on in this thread, I will try and post the pics.

About me, I live in a small coastal village in the Eastern cape in South Africa. I am an expat working internationally for many years now doing Project management EPCM projects from oil and gas to mining and metals. I am a widower for just on 8 years now and don't have any kids. Hence my international career.
My hobbies are wildlife photography, albeit just a novice compared to others. I also love bass and trout fishing in my spare time and have even tried my hand at fly tying on a few occasions.

I think I can say my biggest passion is My Land Rover Defender 110 Kalahari Edition. I have kitted her out for solo overlanding trips and she is my pride and joy. Just wish I had longer periods at home to go on some more trips, unfortunately, like most of us, work dictates our free time. Associated with this 4X4 passion I have, I am also an active member of a similar forum to this, called 4X4 community.co.za This is also a very strictly moderated forum for 4X4 enthusiasts and has basically the same rules as this forum with a similar format. It covers most vehicle makes in the different sections as well as having a hobby, general chat section and many others.

For those in the know, what differences are there between the 2004.5 and the 2005 XKR Convertible models? I have checked my VIN number and I see it falls into the 2004.5 catagory. I can confirm mine does not have the navigation unit above the centre consol, it just has the three guages. Was this an optional extra or something that did not feature in the 2004.5 model? I see that most info on the 2005 model refer to the nav system, this is why I am asking.

I will post some pics futher on in this thread and hopefully somebody can enlighten me about the 2004.5 model.

Barry

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Welcome to the forum Barry,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums. Thanks for the interesting Intro.

The last XK8 rolled off the production line on Friday 27th May 2005. It was an XKR 4.2-S Coupe and is in the JDHT museum. The runout model was the '4.2-S' known as the 'Victory' model in the US but the only difference between these and the standard 2004.5MY is the 'S' had all the previous options fitted.

Navigation was not standard and buyers could specify three dials if they wished. My 2005 XK8 4.2-S Coupe had the three dials fitted from new. The navigation is so out-of-date now that many members have switched theirs for three dials!

Follow this link XK8 / XKR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the XK8/XKR forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

You can also visit the 'other Areas' Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/other-areas-43/ to find other members in your part of the World.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

welcome to the forum - you will find plenty of info and support here simply follow the links Graham has provided - enjoy!!

 

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. I look forward to the wealth of information here and hopefully I will be able to contribute in the future.

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Barry,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

I don't have pics of my own yet. These are from the dealership advertisement. The XKR is getting delivered next week to a storage unit in my village and I will only see her for the first time at the beginning of July when I return home for a short break from South America where I currently work.
This is going to be the longest 8 weeks of my life, can't wait to see her in real life and take her for the first drive. I'm like an excited kid on Christmas morning where you see your present, but have to wait your turn to open it

 

Graham

Thanks for the welcoming and the links to the relevant sections. Been reading about the green shower on the soft top and the pressure relief valve fix. This is going to be top of the mods list as I just can't imagine that white interior being covered in hydraulic fluid.

By the way, just love the selection of smiley icons you have on this forum...brilliant!!

 

Welcome to the forum Barry,your Jaag is stunning.
Enjoy :}

 

Hi and welcome aboard, its good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums

If you need any further help with the site moving forward, please just ask any moderator, veteran member and we'll be glad to assist.

In the meantime, any useful site information you may need such as how to post pictures, edit signatures, add videos, using the
search facility etc, can be found here within the following link Helpful_information

There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts ForumNeed a Manual, a TSB, or General Info' about your Jag? Check out our >> DOWNLOAD AREA <<

I've manually upgraded you to Full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features.
Please Jump on in and enjoy the site........

 

Thanks Jim!

Thanks to you giving me access,I have already downloaded the owners manual to give me an insight of whats she's all about prior to seeing her for the first time.
In the meantime, I will be doing a lot of reading here on the forum, just absorbing all the info (good and bad) about these fantastic cars.

 

Barry,

Looks a beauty - you won't be disappointed. I see SA spec is like Australia with RHD and Km's.

My last 2005 XK8 was a coupe in a similar shade of blue with the same Ivory interior. A superb car which we took from the North of England down to Gibraltar on one trip and then to central France on another. You really can drive them all day and still want to keep going!

Graham

 

Hi Graham
Yes, I have to smile when I read your post. We are normal, just like you guys and the Aussies, we drive on the correct side of the road and are modern and metricated, that is we talk kilometers not miles (where is the little devil smiley now?). No offence to our American and European friends, this is actually an old standing joke as to who is right and wrong and who drives on the correct side of the road. That debate will never be resolved!


Like many countries that were British colonies, South Africa is one of them and therefore from day one, we have had the RHS vehicles and drive on the correct side of the road(can't get the smileys to attach. Just now, somebody takes me seriously!)


Fortunately, I am dealing with a very reputable top class dealer and can confidently buy the vehicle based on his word and reputation without seeing it first. All the vehicles on his floor are hand picked and if they do not make his grade, he won't buy to re-sell. It sounds arrogant, but from a buyers perspective, it gives me the reassurance of buying a flawless vehicle.


Yes, she is sweet! The exact model I was looking for. I would of preferred black, but hell, in my country when the right model of a rare care comes up for sale and in showroom condition, the last thing you worry about is the colour. I must admit, that Zircon Blue is also very nice and I am very proud of my new investment. She's a looker!