Ok voluntary sales consultants... continuing on the saga from the post where I first found it: ( https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-limit-290648/ )

Vehicle: 2010 XKR conv, 134k miles, one owner since 44k miles (Car Fax confirms). VIN: B38370

I spoke to the mom-and-pop dealer guy. He is north of Charlotte, NC and only sells midlife crisis sports cars.
Seems it was a jag enthusiast trade-in, an older lady, for an F-Type R. Same lady that had it since 44k miles.
She said she has used the same euro mechanic for 30 years, but the guy forgot to ask the name of the shop, so no-go on maint history.
But I would think a lifelong jag owner would have been meticulous....who knows?
I expressed the known concerns at this mileage including supercharger, trans, hoses, cooling system, tensioners... not to mention the gremlins in the electrical/sensor systems.
He said he could do $12k. This changes things...ok well, maybe just gives me more wiggle room.

So I am going to see it Friday and if my inspection/test drive goes well I have an early afternoon appt nearby for a PPI.
Spoke with the guy who will do the PPI and said I want more than the basic once-over.
Compression, remove engine cover and inspect all visible hoses.

So, my retarded thinking is this: (Yes I overthink the **** out of things)
I had considered $15k and knew I'd have to put some investment in it.
At $12k I now have even more wiggle room.
I assume I will have to do:
- Supercharger oil change and clutch inspection
- Transmission fluid change
- Tensioner replacement
- Probably a water pump and some hoses.
- Possibly coils and plugs?
I've posted some pics from the dealer of the engine (cover on) and a couple others for those eyeball experts out there.
When I zoom in, the visible hoses look almost new.

So, I have 2.5 days to plan.

My ask is:

1. What should I look and listen for when starting and driving? Any tips on when and where to punch the accelerator and what to feel for?
(I'm already asking for a cold start)

2. What should I ask the PPI shop to do or look for that obviously doesn't requires hours of labor?

As always, I so appreciate this forum. Read it daily. And look forward to posting pics soon of my first XKR!

In her full glory!

What brakes are these?


Anything look awry?


How about here?

 

As has been mentioned on this forum many times.....Try to get the lowest mileage, well maintained car with records, you can afford. There is a reason for this. Regardless of price for a high mileage car, our cars can be so expensive to bring up to healthy standards, it just doesn't pay to put all the time, labor, and parts into an older Jaguar. That's why luxury cars depreciate as much as they do....the maintenance to keep them going is so extreme.

 

I diy 99% of my Jaguars' needs.
At that milage and a 5.0 I would be thinking:
complete suspension replacement, upper lower,fr rear, convertible top soon (rear window), cat converters, hoses, sc service plus those items mentioned plus unexpected things. If you are paying for the servicing...it is a BIG PASS.
wj

 

Thank you for the list of items, tis what I was looking for.
I'm mechanically inclined but don't have the tools nor the space to do my own stuff that can't be done with basic tools and jack stands. I've watching a few dozen self repair videos on here and youtube. Things like the water pump and hoses I could do, things that require torque wrenches (don't have) like tensioners, or a pull thing, I'll be using a shop.

I'm hoping the PPI guy can look at things like cats, suspension and be able to tell they've been replaced recently.
Supercharger and trans fluid change would be hard to determine without some disassembly.

I'd like to think an older lady jag enthusiast would maintain it well.
The top looks new, so I'm guessing she replaced it.

I'm ok putting 5k into it up front and understand the annual maint is 1500-4000.
Not ok getting hit with 10+k in a year or two, all at once. Or of course a bricked engine. (Saw that recent post. ouch)

Been looking for a year and a half.
A lower mileage (<60k) 2010+ XK vert is $20k and up, the XKR $28k and up and while lower, any used vehicle is a risk.

Starting to think it just isn't gonna happen.

 

This is kind of it, lol. Trying to stay under $20k and just pay cash.

 

Rubber parts deteriorate over time, and eventually all the suspension bushings will need to be replaced. Most people believe that parts are expensive, which is true if you buy genuine Jaguar factory parts. But aftermarket parts can be a bargain. I recently had my indie ASE Certified Master Technician replace all my front and rear suspension bushings at a cost of $1,200 plus labor. I had this done because my XKR is a keeper. See: 2009 XKR Portfolio Convertible suspension replacement.


A helluva deal for under $1,200.

 

Thanks Stuart! I had seen that posted on a recent thread when searching for posts about tensioners!

 

Do these aftermarket parts and bushings have any affect on the original factory ride and handling of the XK?

 

a deal it is, the labor cost was how much?
it all adds up.
I would also ask for an oil analysis
to rule out chain wear and associated engine issues

WJ

 

So my desperate request for advice to not waste 5-figures was hijacked by a replacement kit?

Nifty.

 

The before and after were very different. I'm sure that I'm not alone in not noticing any difference in the ride quality or lack of suspension noises over the years as changes occurred slowly. But an inspection while on a lift was a different matter, with very obviously worn and split bushings. It's obvious that time takes its toll on the OEM bushings. That's why I decided to change all of them.

If you have to ask about the cost of labor, it's time to sell your Jaguar and buy a Prius. The road of life is short, which is why I enjoy the ride!

 

After 9 months of lurking around the classified and other sources I bought a convertible 4.2 cheaply at a trade auction. No service history 130k miles.
A post purchase find of a windshield “next service at” sticker tracked down the owner. He had meticulously serviced the car at the same independent each year for the previous 12 years.
As a high profile non executive Director in changing times he had felt compelled to trade it in for an electric car for the sake of appearances.
As a diyer I am doing jobs and details that labour costs and service schedules would have missed.
Flawless ? No. Did it work out for me as an already lovely car I can improve with time. Hell yes!
Reading your post, the price reduction, the length of your search and the lady owner I would personally pull the trigger.

 

I asked @ labor because I thought we were trying to determine the Total cost of getting into this 130k mile xkr in the short term.
Personaly I'd be most concerned about the timing chains.
wj

 

Dealer didn't request service records???

Hmmm

What does carfax say?

Keep looking....

 

FWIW I picked up a relatively clean 2010 XKR with 93k miles for 15k earlier this year (and found out I overpaid by ~$3-4k by someone who worked there).

For a convert with 135k miles, I would want to be at ~$8k.

 

Thanks Cobateer for sharing your experience.
I know it’s a risk. When I see it Friday, I am going to push for them contacting the prev owner and getting the mechanic’s name.
i mean if she has done the maint/replace on the SC, trans, cooling system, suspension, cats and all that in the last 20k miles (she owned it from 44k to now at 134k), I think it’s a great deal.

 

Carfax confirms her long time ownership. Has regular maint like oil changes and no accidents.
nothing outside of that.
The mom and pop dealer has been around a long time, has flawless reviews and a great local reputation selling only high performance cars.
When I go see it, I am going to insist in getting the name of the mechanic she used for the 90k miles she owned it,

 

Quick Update:

I am going to insist they call the previous owner and get the shop name that she claims did the maint from 44k to 134k miles.
No shop make, no bueno.

However as backup, I did find a 2008 XKR Portfolio vert which I think is quite rare?
Miles again are quite high, 84k but he did a ton of the major maintenance in the four years he owned it.
asking seems high though. 21,500…

 

Closing out.
Went and looked at and test drove it today.
Good learning experience even though I should have just listened to you guys.
The "mechanic" who worked on it the whole time she owned it did not want his info given out or to talk to anyone. Red Flag.
The passenger side dash leather shrank horribly.
Lots of the exterior rubber, like the seal at the bottom of the windshield was deteriorating.
Interior overall was subpar.
Then came the cold start I requested.
Nothing crazy, but took 3 tries.
Then the drive. Man that 510hp has some getup and go. But lots of moments of hesitating, inconsistent shifting.
After it was at temp, there was a really bad knock in at least two of the cylinders and the timing chain was making some kind of noise.

Thanked him for his time. Looked at an '09 Benz SL550 vert he had, which was nice. Then walked away.

Thanks again all for the input!

 

Prefer to buy from a private owner!!