Aloooha!
I have an 09 XKR Portfolio with plain old BORING black seat adjustment buttons. I've seen some beautiful machined seat adjustment buttons on a newer Jag XK. Has anyone done this update or know where I can get a deal on these?
Thanks!



THIS IS WHAT MINE LOOK LIKE




I WANT SOMETHING LIKE THESE.

 

Yeg, I didn't know Jaguar even did that without the boring solid blackish. I'd check all the salvage/breaker lot websites, since I'm sure you don't have many where you are.

 

I have made this change - child's play, really. The newer button unit just plugs in in place of the existing unit - a perfect fit and perfect operation - and it looks so much more "upscale" - you can also make other upgrades as Jaguar did: replace the 2006/7 window switch panels with the later two-piece wood trimmed units - but you must also replace the switch pack because the older window switches do not clear the later panel cut-outs, so this becomes and expensive change (but again, it is a "plug and play" upgrade). You can also install the chrome-trimmed tweeter covers, and the chromed-trimmed column switches - all of these satisfying changes can be seen in the photos of my 2007 car (compared to these beautiful Jaguars, the Maserati competitor looks like an XK designed by a committee that could not agree on anything except that it should cost too much and preferably but not necessarily last until the warranty period expires).

 

↑ Can you write up the procedure for changing out the seat switches in the door panel. Your car looks fabulous! Just curious is this Dr. Gregory from the Jag-Lovers site?

 

I also have replaced the door panel window switches with the newer version type and made them fit the existing gaps in my 2007 XK, just a bit of filing of the plastic that the switch pack sits on and they then fit flush and I've also changed the indicator stalks to the chrome ring type, looks loads better.

I've also replaced the chrome ring tweeters £35 for the pair off eBay after I used my nectar £15 off voucher.

The door card requires to be removed to fit the seat switches, once off it's just a case of unscrewing the switchpack, unplug the connector and then replace with newer version. 2010MY when they changed to the upmarket switches and were green LED so match nicely with the 2007 interior.

 

SOV211
Do you mind sharing where you got your parts?

 

Drat - discovered. Hi Michael...all the parts I used for my interior upgrades were bought through my Jaguar dealer, but there must be some available from wreckers - I just wanted to keep my XK pristine.
The door panel removal is not difficult. It is in section 76.34.01 of the repair manual and essentially goes like this: remove the tweeter housing (3 clips) and disconnect the speaker. Remove the door panel: there are two torx screws under the armrest and there is one hidden at the latch side of the door, at the top, covered by the black plastic piece which is gently pried off. The door panel itself is held to the door by the normal series of plastic clips around the edge and the top. Begin by releasing those at the top (window down for easier access). Now you might release the interior door handle cable (removal obvious) but I did not. I simply sat on the sill, and supported the panel on my knee.
The seat control panel is held to the door panel by 4 torx screws; remove and disconnect the electrical connector. Replace it with the NEW and beautiful seat control panel. The rest is a reverse of the dismantling - just make sure that the door handle cable is properly fitted if you have removed it. There you have it! While in there you might see if anything need lubrication.

 

Dr.A,
It is a pleasure to see you on this forum, you made my day for sure. Thank you for the info on how to replace the window switches as well. Just curious, do you still have the Series III V12?

 

No, I no longer have a Series III V12 VDP - the car you are thinking of (#92 of the last 100 made) is now in Beijing (!). Although that car was pristine in every possible way and I had owned it for 13 years - and loved it - I found that driving the XK was just so much more interesting (that exhaust sound, the speed, the paddle shifters...) and the VDP got very little use. So I made a difficult decision.

 

I love the 'half-wood' trimmed steering wheel in the pictures sov211 posted. I have a 2009 XK with a full leather steering wheel. Was the 'half-wood' trim wheel an option, an aftermarket add-on, or was it only on available in certain years or on models? If I got one, would the install be DIY or better left to a pro? Thanks.

 

From my readings the wood trim steering wheel was only available in 2007. But I am not 100% sure.

 

That's exactly the car I was thinking of. Thirteen years is a long run indeed, but change is good and it's true the XK is very addictive. My other toy now is a Porsche 924S - a very underappreciated car in the world of Porsche. I personally think it is one of their best cars ever.

 

The wood-trimmed steering wheel was part of the "Luxury package" on the Canadian-market XK for 2007 (and probably for other markets as well). The other items in this package: 16-way all-leather seats (leather everywhere with a different upholstery design compared to the standard seats which had only leather seat facings), 19 inch Carelia wheels, adjustable seat bolsters, the full leather interior including the leather instrument panel - and that wood/leather steering wheel which was also heated - very nice in cold weather. The Canadian cars also had the heated windscreen and the engine block heater and headlight power wash as standard equipment.
The wheel is a direct replacement for the standard all-leather wheel but the airbag module needs to be de-energised. While it can be a DIY job, I would leave this to a dealer.

 

Michael - Do you mean the VW/Audi 924? An Audi 124hp engine during the time when Audi was at its worst...
Porsche 924

Can't understand why Porsche enthusiasts would turn a cold shoulder/under appreciated hmmmm... Porsche made a few mistakes, that's probably in the top 2 not sure if that is #1 or the dreaded ISB in the Boxsters/911's from 1999 - 2006?

Many years ago was offered one "cheap" for consideration on a real estate deal - told my friend/business partner "you could offer a 924 for free and I wouldn't take it"...

 

Hi Sov221, Thanks for the response and your pix are great! Where did you get the switches and how much does it cost? Thanks for responding!
Thomas

 

Mine is a 1988 924S with a true Porsche engine that puts out 160hp. It shares the powertrain with the 944 and it was a hair faster than the 944 of its day due to the aerodynamic body style. It was the last year of the 924 production run. It gets around 28-30mpg, and has Miata like handling. The entire sunroof is removable, so you feel like you are in a convertible but without the wind buffering. It has a huge hatchback and the rear seats fold down too. The a/c is ice cold and it really is a great car to take on a road with lot's of twists and turns. Very fun car to own and extremely inexpensive to maintain. Lately they have been slowly creeping up in value, the low mileage ones on eBay are asking for around $15K. I took it to a Porsche show last Fall and even the 911 crowd had to take notice. It is low slung with extremely clean bodylines and a very distinctive rear fender shape. Oh' it is also the car that saved Porsche from bankruptcy.

 

The later-style chrome trimmed switch packs for the seats were, as I wrote earlier, new and from my Jaguar dealer; the part numbers for the 16-way seat switches are C2P17341 and 17343. The dealer charged me $150 Canadian each - which was a discounted price. But the visual difference is well worth the cost!

 

Thank you for the part numbers. I love the newer look, but every single time I've removed a door panel, it never went back on right. Some little plastic clip always breaks.

 

Thanks Sov221.
Gaudin lists those parts as "seat switch". I probably misunderstood, but thought you were able to replace just the buttons and cover plate. I am now guessing that the only way to upgrade is to replace the whole switch, which would explain the cost.

 

Yes, the switchpack, buttons and plate are one unit which simply fits into place with the 4 torx screws. The parts are not available separately. But honestly it makes a huge visual upgrade.