Hello all:

I just picked up:
- 2012
- XK
- SN 7180
- 93K Mileage

About me:
- Live in Mid West of USA (Chicago)
- Enjoy quiet evenings with NPR and my car(s)
- Will throw a wrench further when I am told to read the manual
- Kidding aside, I want to track this car at some point if I can get comfortable with the car's nuances; other cars (were an NSX) and a BMW E38 sport and the family hauler
- Am able to do my own work, but tend to get in over my head (mechanics will love to hear this)
- Belong to too many car clubs and want to thin the mix
- Have a daughter learning to drive and this might be the right fit for her aspirations ("Dad, is this how you drift?" She is going to send me to an early grave.)

So much work to do! Obvious issues:
- Bluetooth
- Potential exhaust leak into car (got a little dizzy on my 5 hour ride home and I don't think it was all the speed!)
- Unplugged connectors and an RJ4(?) jack? [could be related to first bullet, who knows]
- Tons of loose panels in engine bay and trunk
- Upper a-arm rubber needs replacing

Aspirational thoughts:
- Am I able to fit a supercharger to this now?
- How about different wheel setup?
- I just need enough horsepower to beat my buddy's Alfa Giulia Quadrofoglio around a track

How is that for an intro? Thanks in advance for all the questions I will ask before I do proper research.

 

Best way to add a supercharger is to sell your XK and pickup an XKR.

 

There is such a lack of solid cars out there when I was looking last few weeks. I went with what was closest and easiest.

Now that we have the supercharger answer...you going to advice me on where to find my bluetooth module so I can yank it and try to clean the contacts? Thanks in advance, if you can help.

 

You're going to have some trouble beating your friend's Alfa Guilia quadrafoglio around a track, and that might even have been true with an XKR. I have had my 2010 XKR on the track many, many times, and you can have some fun, for sure. But remember, it's a pretty big and very heavy vehicle for a track car but certainly enjoyable. As for putting a supercharger on now, a previous poster had it right, trade the XK for an XKR...simpler, and most likely cheaper.

 

The Bluetooth module is on the shelf between the back seat and trunk along with the battery and other stuff. Access is from the rear.
More info about replacement here....https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...riment-152498/

 

Hello Speedmaster and welcome onboard !

Not sure a 385 hp RWD big coupe is quite the best car to learn how to drive, though...

 

This is the first I’ve ever heard of an exhaust leak. Leaves me wondering how its getting in?? Through the engine compartment and passenger air conduit? A bad seal around the lift gate?
I’ve met a few who think the passenger compartment air filter is a waste of time. I on the other hand use the activated charcoal filters.
But still leaves the question on the source of the exhaust leak...

With loose panels, clearly someone has been mucking about.
As for your racing aspirations... a common misconception. XK is not a race car. It is a GT. And an exceptional grand touring car at that.
Welcome to the club.

@George Abitbol , actually, this is the car my son learned to drive on. An exceptionally well handling car. Intuitive and consistent.
And like me, he always backs into a parking spot. Then explains to his friends, he does it because he can, lol.
My only disappointment was I couldn’t provide a manual gearbox. We had to make do with the paddles... and imagine the effects of the clutch.

 

Well that's still a fairly exceptional situation...most people learn to drive on cheap, weak, FWD cars. Back in the day in my driving school they had a 1.5L Opel Corsa Diesel and I made my first experience on my folks' Ford Fiesta Diesel...not a race horse by any stretch either.
Both stick transmissions, still. If you want to learn to drive and, above all, learn to be confident about it, I think cheap lame FWD cars are the way to go. These won't scare you. Too slow for that.

 

Only other advise I can give is to download the repair manual

As for your possible exhaust leak, I just dealt with that and fixed it. It was due to poor quality aftermarket catalytic converters.

If the leak is forward of the O2 sensors, when you're idling, you should be able to smell it from under the hood, and from the AC vents when they are blowing.

You should also hear the leak when you give it gas. A leak upstream of the muffler would make a distinguishable sound.

You should NOT smell a leak while the car is moving. Maybe you were getting dizzy from something else?

 

Couldn't disagree more. I learned to drive a 5 speed volvo (actually 4, plus OD) 240 turbo.. I maintain RWD teaches how to delicately (or not) properly handle a vehicle. Of course most my friends had mustangs, novas and camaros. All RWD.
FWD just doesn't work for me...

 

A wild monkey could drive FWD. A trained chimp could drive AWD. Add snow or slippery-wet, and you need someone higher than 'moron' to drive it.

 

@Cee Jay that's who they are! I was wondering 'who' was behind the wheel with what seems to be many more idiots on the road.

 

xkrs gt will not help too much...

 

Quick funny update: was in the trunk earlier looking around. I was staring at the bluetooth module and it was the "F" model; meaning it was/is the latest model. So, that got me to thinking...maybe the battery is just low or maybe I can pull the connectors and hit them all with electronics cleaner. I put it on the 2amp trickle and cleaned up the leads. You already know the punchline...the bluetooth works now and my phone has paired.
That got me rooting around and I pulled the cabin air filter (looks clean) and cleaned out areas under the hood. Now I need to get some new clips for all the panels I pulled. The main engine cover is toast. Need a new one.
Now, as to teaching my girls to drive stick shift...I'll get another 5 or 6 speed soon enough. They will learn to change a tire and drive a manual transmission. They might even learn how to check the oil...but I won't push them too much.

 

or…. why bother with the cover??

Glad its all working out. Lucky girls.

 

If they know those things; they'll have a leg up on a lot of guys their age too. I like cars and work on them as a way to own fun stuff cheap, but my sister doesn't do stick or change a tire (shes 32 and im almost 34). You're giving them a nice set of life skills.