Greetings, ladies and gents- firstly, I come from the XK8/XKR area on here for the past 10+ years. Recently sold my 2000 XKR (to my neighbor mechanic- motorcarman!), and now find myself in a 2005 Super V8 that I was able to pull off with some patience after looking at and originally planning on VDPs. Didn't really want to lose that supercharged feeling. But I'm celebrating a big birthday and work anniversary at once this year, so I decided I would take some time to track down a top-end example and not settle for anything less to celebrate. Super V8 or bust! Not into chrome wheels, but so be it- this one has them and as a party piece they look the part for this car. At least this year- would love to find some Sepangs (still, wanted them for my XKR) in a regular finish next year. Anyway, the car was listed online at a quite ambitious price late summer, didn't appear to have any interest as such, and vanished. I wasn't ready to buy yet (getting the XKR ready to sell) and remembered it weeks later once I was ready to pull the trigger on something. I E-mailed the seller, "was watching this awhile back but wasn't ready to buy until now- does it happen to still be available?" Hail Mary pass, didn't think anything of it after, and wasn't sure if he might flex on the asking price. An hour went by and I got a reply- "Yes, call me." Long story short, did a PPI later that week at a shop nearby where it was (shoutout to and recommendation for JP's European Auto in Costa Mesa, CA for all LA-area Jaguar service), and settled on a better market sales price. I then had it trucked out to my place in Texas, since dealing with airports, flying, germs, and the general public are all a lot more awful than they usually are right now. It was a long wait but a happy delivery day. First drive was to go get a celebratory bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue, which I then enjoyed later that night in the backseat on the folding tray table, with two handfuls of stolen Halloween candy once the kids went to bed, watching my favorite old DVD movie, 'Ronin'.

At any rate, this one was a 1-owner from San Francisco, Jag dealer serviced, clean title, and just one notch under mint condition (maybe a half-notch). I've fallen in love with the thing and am enjoying wafting about at high speed in the security of a big enclosed sedan again. I used to have a 2002 Audi S8 several years ago for many years. Aside from regularly living out 'Ronin', I miss the Quattro AWD, alcantara everywhere, and 7200rpm redline of its 4.2. But then I got more interested in modern Land Cruisers for the daily driver garage position for all the various virtues those things have. So I'm glad to have something again in the SV8 that I think is overall better than the S8 of its generation in that realm for the fun 'third car' spot in the bay. Though I've also come to realize that's what middle-aged people start saying, as the S8 was actually a hoot on the track at car club events years ago. While the intent is to only take the SV8 out on weekends and Fridays, that's all out the window at the moment. I'm still in full-on 'new toy mode' and have hardly driven anything else in the past 60 days, but have kept it sparing as my work is still in full-on 'WFH mode'. New year's resolution is to keep it in the garage more as I've planned to keep the relatively low 80k miles close to that mark...

So far I've hardwired in a few additional power and USB ports, routed under the trim around the shifter to the port behind the ashtray cover, with a device that resides somewhat hidden between the drivers' seat and center console by the belt buckle. I plugged in an FM modulator Bluetooth adapter there or now for streaming music (Apple Music, SiriusXM, podcasts), and installed a Garmin Dashcam Mini on the windshield behind the rearview mirror and tucked the wire in down the A pillar. Ah, and one of the air struts that were already rebuilt by Arnott (3 of the 4, for some reason), gave out along with the remaining factory air strut about a month ago. Rode great on delivery and for a few hundred miles, but knew this was a weak point and something to be addressed at some point. But much sooner than later! Lots of great threads on here about what to do with this, and I joined the 'not a dime' crowd here into remediating the existing system and went straight with the Arnott C2745 coilover conversion (the cheaper, less-sporty offering they have) from Rock Auto, and had my local indy install. I still need to put in the module (one of the questions below), but had them leave the lines, compressor, etc. in place in case the car ever goes back to air ride. Really happy with the sprung ride afterwards and am missing nothing from before. I live by some great twisty back roads and it still feels just as up for the task. Any difference I can tell is cast aside and traded for the known lack of worry I'll have coming out to a collapsed and basically un-driveable (not to mention awkward) car one day. Had no issues with it riding too high or settling really, and after at least a few hundred miles I've put on it since (was aligned as well), I can recommend the C2745 system. I also stuck a bag of Werther's Originals in the door pocket and a tweed flat cap into the corner of the dash because I heard that's what we were supposed to do.

Anyway, a handful of photos attached, and questions below from the past 60-days of ownership if you wouldn't mind assisting!

1. Bluetooth audio- seems there's still not a good solution out there from my searching lately, or has this changed? The last good one was a homebrew setup years ago I understand is no longer developed, made, or supported. I'm an iPhone guy and not interested in the Droid rebuild system and want to keep the center stack intact, though I can appreciate it as an IT guy and advancement that keeps X350s relevant for others longer. In the interim, I'm using an Anker ROAV FM modulator (which is great for what it is, but FM quality obviously with occasional static). Some module that bypasses the CD changer is what I'm used to installing on several prior vehicles of this era.

2. Slow analog clock- this is a strange one. The battery comes to mind, and is more than a few years old, but still holding a great starting and running charge with a couple testers I use. Do the clocks themselves just 'wear down'? Functions fine otherwise, and if I remember, I'll set the time when I start the car (and typically again within an hour to keep it up! it really drags).

3. What's the latest year factory navigation disc that a 2005 XJ will read? I'm not expecting 2015 even, but if 2009 was available that would add some value within a reasonable price. I think I saw that 2012 did?

4. The back window power sunshade is inop but sounds like the button may be trying to make it do things, though no budging. Any tips to prying the unit up and servicing?

5. I've found on here how to remove the back seat bottom with some great photos and video, but how do I remove the back seat, backs? With the power rear seats? I have the Arnott module I need to install to bypass the CATS system ('false positive' dash indicator error messages afterwards as was expected, driving me nuts as the car is otherwise now operating flawlessly).

6. Has anyone upgraded the factory stereo speakers, even the Alpine amp perhaps, and kept the factory head unit electronics and sound output parameters happy? Do these have a factory subwoofer in the back and what size is it if so? Tightening it up with something like a MB Quart component setup comes to mind one day, and maybe replacing any factory sub with the same size (no 12s in a bandpass box in this trunk)

7. Does anyone buy the cores for the factory air ride struts? I called both Arnott and Strutmasters and neither were interested, though a handful of other makes/models they will buy. Hoping I can ship the ones that were pulled out somewhere for something- would rather not just toss them. And/or wonder if there's any future rebuild value one day in keeping them in a corner of the garage, but for who knows how many years.

8. Is there a way to tune in over-the-air TV for the rear screens with a tuner or is that only possible on the Euro-spec models? (or dreaming a bit here, mirroring the navigation map if anyone's done that somehow)

9. Exhaust- how badly do the catalytic converters go out on these? No issues yet but I wonder from prior experience with other aging vehicles. And has anyone done the Mina Gallery or similar exhaust setup? I put Nameless Performance high-flow cats on my old XKR and that was a good thing. Future planning and getting ahead of myself now...
Apologies if I've missed any obvious threads on a few of these. Looking forward to shmoozing with you folks on here and helping were I can soon as well. Cheers!

 

P.s.: If you haven't checked out Doug DeMuro's excellent review of the Super V8 recently, it's a must watch. Those Sepangs!

 

Perfect spec, I totally agree on getting rid of the shrome wheels and replace them with some sepangs
With regards to the question about bluetooth, I would reccomend using jagdroid i uk, he can retrofit bluetooth in your original cd player. A solution that works very well. On my previous xj I had the original ACM with a iphone bluetooth adapter, but the jagdroid solution is much more stable and have better sound.

 

Get a second person to slightly pull on the shade as you push the button

 

Beautiful car ! You're a lucky man to find one like that.

 

Welcome to the Super V8 club! I have had mine for 3 years and 20,000 miles now and still love the car. We have definitely had our maintenance and repair challenges over the years but she is in better cosmetic and working condition than when I got her.

We have two options for a bluetooth setup. Get any lighter plug-in adapter that plays through the radio and it works ok. (I have a Nulaxy Wireless Transmitter from Amazon that works fine) If you want better fidelity, owners with rear seat entertainment have the option of hooking a bluetooth adapter directly into the audio system via the rear entertainment AUX inputs using one of these:
My clock recently started loosing time also. You can find them easily on ebay and I have a confirmed good unit waiting for the next time I feel like removing the center console to swap it out. Strangely, my original clock has started keeping time again so ... (its a Jag)

Yes, sometimes the sunshades get stuck and need a jiggle and tug to get them working again. I use mine regularly and it has been fine.

There are a pair of subwoofers mounted under the rear shelf. One of mine doesn't work so I need to get to that eventually. You should check all of the other speakers in the car for function. The wires to the speaker coils like to come loose and there are repair instructions on this forum. I've had to re-solder 2 of them so far. This may also be the problem with one of the subs.

I don't think there is any point in keeping your old air shocks. I have replaced all 4 of mine with OEM Bilstein B4s and the system has never missed a beat. I think the air suspension is one of the coolest features of these cars. Sometimes when I'm working in the garage the system will wake up and re-level itself. If you pile the whole family in the car you can hear the valves working and watch it slowly pump back up. If everyone piles out at a gas station it will lower while you wait and then pump back up when they return. It makes the car seem like a living thing.

Good Luck
Jeff

 

Very nice Super V8, I have the exact same model and year and color combo.

You seem to have some experience repairing / modding your cars and on this one you should do one preventive maintenance item immediately -

Make sure the drains for water to flow properly from the sunroof, rear doors, and especially the front dash are clear. Mine, as with many others, have had water ingress to the cabin from these points. This condition is often not acute and over time reeks havoc with the electronics as grounds are located at points in the floor under carpet, and the ECM is located under the cabin filter up front where there is a drain. If the front line gets clogged, the ECM stays damp, and eventually corrodes wires, starts to throw odd codes, and finally stops normal operation, etc.

In acute cases, members have taken their cars to a car wash, and after the bath find that the car does not operate, has codes not seen before etc. This is because the ECM can get drowned in this situation, as can also happen in hard rains, even while driving or shortly after.

I am still dealing with the aftermath of long term subtle and now, recently acute, water ingress and so just for your info and to prevent the same happening to you, I have attached TSB for your perusal. There may be other TSB dealing with this but these are the ones I have found. - I got them from a VERY useful thread where experienced members chime in on solutions for this. Sean W in that thread posted the TSB's.

And, since its a San Francisco car, I hear it rains there occasionally and stays damp, maybe even salty, so over time those wires to the ECM may get compromised. And even though you plan it to be a weekend car, they are so nice it is hard not to drive them everywhere all the time. Meaning it might get wet despite your best intentions.

Enjoy your car, - I love mine even though it is far from perfect (like me) - it's the best thing on the road period.

Mike D.

 

And to finish -

My son made me laugh today when I informed him that I needed to take his car (my old Nissan) to work today.

When he asked why I replied - because it's raining and the Jaguar gets water inside at the moment.

And he said - You mean the English have trouble keeping water out of their cars? That's weird. LOL

Indeed

 

No doubt the founder of Jaguar, Sir William Lyons would have said "young man, you should keep an umbrella in the car". He once said something similar when somebody had the temerity at the New York Show, sometime in the 50s, to complain about the poor heating. "Young man you should wear an overcoat". Jaguars always sold on style, and hang the rest. However, once, Lofty England, Service Manager, said to a customer on a complaint about something on the car, "Oh we just sell you an engine, and give you the car to take it away in! !

 

Beautiful car

 

I purchased my 2005 Super V8 in April. I was fortunate enough to purchase it from an older gentleman that spared little expense in maintaining it and was selling off some of his cars. He also had a Silver 2005 Super V8 and a 2012 and 2104 XJ. The car is very well sorted, but the control arm bushings will need to be addressed as well as tires. It's a wonderful road trip car and is a pleasure to drive.

 

Oooo, I remember seeing this car! I was really tempted, but their asking price was outside of my budget. Super nice Super V8!
I'm glad it went to a good home! Congrats!

 

As for speaker replacement, an exact fit is hard to do. I ended up cutting the cone an magnet out of the factory Alpine speakers and using the rim as a mount for replacement 6.5" speakers, and that was perfect. I replaced the tweeters, but that was a lot of work. I used the factory plate that the Alpine tweeters came in, removed the tweeter, used a Dremel tool to slightly enlarge the hole and remove the "cage" over the tweeter, epoxied my replacement tweeter onto the plate, and it mounts in the door just fine. My tweeters had an inline crossover capacitor so I ran that wire to the woofer connector rather than using the factory tweeter wire.

I've left the dash speakers as they are, they provide very good imaging, but I'm looking for something for the subwoofers, which are... inadequate. I've left the factory amp in place, as replacing it would mean replacing the head unit as well, and running all-new lines to the replacement amp to replace the car's fiber system, which has no aftermarket support. Someday, a head unit with Bluetooth, and a new amp, is probably in the works, but just replacing the speakers gave me a significant improvement, not to mention I had two of the factory woofers dead.

 

Thanks all for the warm welcome! Also forgot to mention I put new tires on the first week- Continental Sport Contacts. And the stock wheels remind me of the 5-star design the Bentley Continentals of this era had. I'll make do with these for awhile, but actively looking for Sepangs (just looked around again this AM).

If it doesn't change the head unit or screen or require an Android, I'll take a deeper look. Would love to have better sound.

Good stuff, and great tip on a solution using the RCA jacks in the back. Will look into this! Your air ride descriptions make me wish I had gone with the ideal B4 option, but will have to another year. The Jag is one of four vehicles I ended up replacing and sorting out this year for various reasons, so I'm now looking for a break where I can find one at least for a few months!

Thanks so much for the detailed heads up and TSBs! Both printed and will review. No concerns atm but that's an excellent proactive check. So far I haven't left it out in the rain or driven it in any- it will stay garaged unless I take it out on a fair weather day, and appears the prior owner did the same from what I can tell thus far. The odd day I actually go into Dallas to the office I'm fortunate to have a parking garage spot.

Stunner! Yours looks even cleaner than mine, and it was a toss-up between our interiors when I was looking around. I love the contrasting piping on the other-than-charcoal interiors (and Grey Poupon- natch). The bushings on mine checked out well and I had the sway bar links replaced prior to delivery. Let me know if you want to trade wheels... those are a pain to detail and susceptible to curb rash and pot holes!...

Thanks for sharing- that's a good reference point to start off with. I assumed I'd have to keep the amp and everything 'forward' of it intact to keep the headunit/screen/controls intact, so will likely just look at the drivers themselves. I've shoehorned a set of MB Quart components into the stock holes of an old Audi A4 many years ago in a similar manner you described, so could tackle it that way if necessary. But yeah, 'inadequate' on the woofers is about right. Not looking to go booming down the street, but it certainly lacks the lower end of the full range that modern factory systems offer pretty well these days. Will probably make this a project for next year.

 

Grey Poupon. HaHaHa Love it Jetset!!!
(Original advert)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoHSe-0hixs
(Hoovies Garage)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM_RddsAdz4

 

I figured that would get a few grins!

 

Hi there. My name is Van aka “Nautivan.” I suppose it’s my turn to step up to the mike. Im a new Super V8 club member too. Recently bought an 06 SV8 Portfolio, 56k miles, one owner beauty from So Cal. Still figuring it all out but I’m duly impressed. Here’s a safety tip: don’t watch movies in the garage with the engine running.

Anybody have a fav all season tire or even winter tire to recommend for 20” wheels? The new pirellis from So Cal wont cut it here in the northeast.
V

 

Welcome to the club!

 

Thank you JetSet. Did you purchase your car from Paul in Bethesda? If so I was set to travel to see it on Thursday of the week you bought it… got the call on Tuesday it was sold. It looked great, hope it’s working out for you.
V

 

Very nice car. Let me know if you find some Sepangs and want to sell off those chromes. My 5-star's have a good deal of curb rash from the previous owner.