I've owned my XK for about a month now....and I love it. That said, bought used there are a few imperfections or things I'd like to deal with. Just looking for some advice or guidance.

1) The worst thing about the car is the passenger door panel (just the arm rest portion). The driver's side is alright, but could be nicer too. Other than the arm rest, it looks great. Do I have to replace the entire panel? Any other options?

2) My seats are in decent shape - no rips, but show a little wear. I was thinking I might put covers on to protect them. Any suggestions as to ones that fit well and look nice?

3) I really like the look of the chrome side vents - and think they'd be striking on my Botanical Green XK. What do I need to do to change them? There are relatively inexpensive covers out there...but I'm not sure about those.

4) Any recommended resources for "bits". I have three things to replace - the little cover for the manual convertible top key, the plastic vent cover in the trunk on the driver's side, and the plastic cup holder insert. Spoke to Jag - they wanted nearly $500 for the parts (not happening). Ideas? These aren't critical components - inexpensive aftermarket replacements or alternate pieces would be fine. I'd just rather have those openings covered and a place to put my coffee cup. Someone with a 3D printer could probably do the XK community a service here! LOL

5) I have a decent looking Steering Wheel Cover on it (as the wheel shows some discoloration/wear). It's fine - but if there is a really nice product out there, I'd like a recommendation.

Thanks - little stuff for the most part, but not necessarily little priced solutions. I get a 10 year old car won't look new, but you can't blame me for wanting to make it as nice as I can.

 

Some dealers offer "wholesale" prices to forum members. Suggest you look at the vendor list under market place. You can check them out there. Also under member market place you can list what you are looking for there and you might find some or all of what you want. Finally, there are some breakers that sell parts off of wrecked XKs. Check out Pacific Motors in the Detroit area. There are also a couple of them here in CA, unfortunately I can't recall their names right now, but try a google search. Good hunting.

 

Post pics of your complaints. The 'leather' stuff is all painted and can be touched up. No mangy cover, never for the seats or wheel. Maybe replace or deal with it but no cover.

Honestly I tossed my cup holder thingy because it didn't do a very good job and the space was better used for sun glasses and my wallet.

I would try to vent covers or just chrome vinyl wrap to see if you like it. Fraction of the cost for 99.9% of the effect.

Per the wreckers, there's no guarantee you'll get quality parts.

 

I second painting/touching up the leather seats. I had an XJS with seats that looked nice for a 25 year old car, but still tired. For about $200 one of the local leather seat restorers made them look almost new. The color match was PERFECT on both the seats and contrasting piping. Well worth the $200. Most of them do decent work and spend most of their time sprucing up resale cars at the dealerships.

Jaguar Heaven in Stockton CA is one junkyard that specializes on Jags. Other than that, look on ebay. I know people complain about ebay. Any time I have had problems with items from ebay either the seller or ebay made it right. If the item does not match the description the seller eats the return shipping.

 

When I sold my XK8 I had a seat repair place touch up the driver seat, it was a tad worn on the bolster. $60 later and the thing looked perfect, even better than the unworn PAX seat, so another $60 and he did the other one also.

 

I did a repair myself on the seat and centre armrest of my XK8 before I sold it - a sort of vinyl paint that I got off eBay. I applied it with the sponge they provided, in 2 or 3 thin coats, and the result was very impressive. I suggest you give that a try before considering other options.

 

I do my seats around once a year. This time I had to do them because I had the infamous 'Green Shower'. Take a look Click Me

 

Here's the fitting instructions from Jaguar TOPIx.

Graham

 

For DIY leather care and perfect match leather dye, see my Post #12 in this 2016 thread: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...repair-173932/

 

The steering wheel is simple either get it retrimmed or get one off eBay I currently have a new xf wheel on mine

With the seats I think it's either jahummer or cee Jay had the middle portion retrimmed in a diamond stitch looks stunning

Another thing you can do is swap out your black dials for white xf ones

 

I used stick on velcro pads to fix a padded demister pad to the hard section of arm rest where I rest my elbow, works a treat.

 

Must have been Jahummer

 

Found it

Your correct it's Jahummer,

 

I notice that he has switched out the steering wheel to a flat bottom as well... Jahummer always setting the bar...