I was hoping you'd share your thoughts on the best aftermarket mesh XKR-like grills for XK8s.

I recently had my first accident ever in my black on black 2001 XK8 hardtop. You can see the before and after accident photos below, along with a stock photo of an aftermarket mesh grill.

My insurance company (progressive- I don't recommend them after this) wanted to total the car and just give me a check, despite the minor damage just being a headlight, the plastic fake chrome grill bits and some bumper rash.

Well, I wasn't going to let that happen to my other-wise mint XK with only 60k miles on her

so now I am left with the prospect of repairing her myself, and I thought that instead of replacing all the small fake chrome bits of the stock bumper, I would just use an aftermarket XKR-like grill.

I see that the mina gallery products have some mixed reviews here, so I thought I would ask those who have experienced this situation what their thoughts are, pro and con. I am def. going with an XKR-like grill now- just wondering which are good fits and which to avoid.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

I went with the stainless version from Adamesh. It fits well and was easy to mount. There are a few picks of it in my albums.

 

That looks great!

 

99XK8guy,

I looked at Adamesh and they have a couple of Mesh Grills of which the best looking one is the Convex one.....If it will fit the 99 opening.....The Convex one was made for the 2005-2006 Nose Piece which has the (2) Openings.....Before ordering it, I would call as their write-up is a little mis-leading....Sounds like it will fit and then they start talking about a 2003 1/2.....and up.....Best to Call......

Glad you decided to save the XK...Progressive would love to pay you a little bit to total it and then turn around and sell it to some Company that they have a contract with and get back at least half of what they paid you..........Then raise your rates as Front-end Collison's are usually your fault.

I vote Convex!! If it'll fit!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

It's all down to personal preferences, but I quite like what the previous owner did with mine :

 

I went with the black mesh, but made my own mounting brackets. The kit for the 05/06 will not fit earlier cars, but the 03 version should fit.

 

Sorry to hear of the damage. I can't speak to the grill but go with what you like. On the insurance the name of the company would have been enough to insure(pun intended) I wouldn't use them. Haggarty covered my '04 convertible for full amount, no deductible, for $600/yr and change.

 

I did the black mesh also from Mina
I got a "R" off ebay from china for about 10 bux.. mind you it took about 2 months to get to Canada




Cheers
Andy

 

You should ask Progressive to total it and you should buy it back and use the money to fix it yourself. Still going to count against you if you were at fault....but it likely will anyways since you reported it. Check your states salvage title laws. In my state there would be no issue with a car that old. Document all the damage so a future buyer won't be put off.

 

That looks good! Do you know what was used for the trim pieces where it was cut?

 

I think the mesh part probably came from Adamesh :

https://www.adamesh.co.uk/jaguar-xk8...sign-348-p.asp

The horizontal bar and badge are, I think, from an XK like this one :

https://www.cargurus.co.uk/Cars/l-Us...ting=126475950

The horizontal bar has to be cut to be able to slide it into the slot cut in the plastic "overriders" and mine needs a bit of attention - if you look carefully, it doesn't quite line up. A bit of epoxy glue should sort that out !!

 

I'd never seen a three piece insert before, I might have to look in to that. Thanks!

 

UPDATE

I just ordered the stainless, convex grille from Chris at Mina. Aside from getting the tracking # and receipt emailed to me, that went smooth. Installation looks to be easier than anticipated.

I pulled the car from progressive and am going to handle doing the repairs myself. They wanted to total the car, with me having the option to buy it back from them with a salvage title.

I asked for a supervisor and was able to negotiate a smaller settlement for not having to get the car totalled. I keep the clean title and get a lesser amount and I release them from liability. It took 30 days of arguing that some bumper rash and a broken headlight (and some small bits) should not force a future collectable into the salvage yard, when it has just 60k miles and is otherwise in mint condition. I think I will take her off being my daily driver and just get collector's insurance for her in the future.

Either way, I will be saving her... the only stock part I need is the driver's side headlight now... and the mina grill will replace those mediocre plastic grill pieces. Everything else is usable. In the end, she will be better than she was before and I will post some photos when it is done. Thank you for the feedback everyone. Much Appreciated as always.

 

Way to go! 99XK8Guy! I'm proud of you...another XK8 saved from the wrecking-Ball! Now go to eBay and find a new or used Driver's side Headlight....Then, send us some before and after Photos.....

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

RJ237,

That's a good looking Black XK Convertible! I notice you mentioned CF on your XK....is it a Victory Edition? With the White Front Bumper Emblem and all?

Billy Clyde

 

Thanks for saving her!

 

Hi Billy, there's a lot of confusion on the special models. This car may be a Carbon Fiber edition, but not Victory. It does have the white border badge and special pedals, XKR steering wheel and shift knob, and Alcantara seat inserts. But apparently some owners ordered these items to be installed by the dealer and are not official. I would have to get the build sheet to know for sure. It doesn't have chrome wheels so it's probably a wanna be.

 

RJ237,

Look, they made several different Versions back in 2004, there's a chance that it is a "XKR Portfolio" Edition! They were all Convertibles, had a C/F Dash, the Emblem with the White Background up front and the Seats had matching Alcantara inserts. What about that? Does any of that sound familiar!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Yes, that's possible. But the only way to confirm is get the build sheet. Meanwhile, I have highjacked the original thread, so I'm not going to continue this discussion.

 

OK guys, Here she is... saved from the salvage yard and looking better than she did before...