I'm considering buying a 2011 XK convertible. I had a 2007 and miss it so decided to get a newer one. Are there any particular issues with the 2011 year? I believe it was the first year of the 5 liter engine. Also, was the duck bill issue resolved by 2011?

 

Duckbills were finally resolved mid-2010, so that's fine.
GDI engines are a thing, so there's a possibility of an injector issue. However, that's more common with the /R models.
Also timing chains concern people. My /R has 70k+ miles and was checked with zero problems.
However, I personally would forego the 2007-2011 models and go full facelift 2012 or newer. They just look better.

 

I’ll take the opposite view. The (2009) 4,2 liter s/c models are probably among the most robust Jags ever built. Personally, I think they’ve got enough power and, perhaps more importantly, torque, and I have to admit that I am one of those who like the gearstick - even if the traditional J gate shrunk to an L. But “de gustibus non est disputandum”…

 

4.2s were built really tough to withstand SC applications, along with Ford support. So a 4.2SC is good to go. 5.0 engines are TATA transitional and have way too many issues that I prefer the 4.2L cars.

 

My son's 4.2 blew up. Now he has an unusable car, a $12,000 bank loan and an estimate of $25,000 to fix it.

 

that happens when you dont maintain it. Both the 4.2 and 5.0 will grenade themselves in their own unique way. But 330k out of a 4.2SC with proper maintenance says the boy wouldve done it in whatever car you tried to live vicariously through. All it takes is one hose to leak or tensioner to give out, all along while a millennial behind the wheel decides between pulling over or powering through for that glorious BeeJay and boom!

 

Yeah, it blew up right after he bought it. He's a too-conservative driver in my opinion. He also had it serviced twice in three months, just to make sure. Then BANG.

 

What exactly failed?

 

As per 'experts', the catalytic converters exploded and somehow got back into the EGR and fouled the blower, which destroyed the teflon inserts which fouled and possibly bent some valves.
I have not personally looked at it yet, since the car is a thousand miles from me.