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Michelin Pilot.... the absolute worst tire I've ever owned. They literally tried to kill me, they threw off large chunks of tread down to the cord in less than 3,000 miles. Never in my life would I take any Michelin tire even if I was paid to do so.
Now see, I never read this comment... bought new tires about 6 months ago.
Went with Continentals. I'm in the south and she never sees rain or snow so went with all season extreme contacts.
Hope they are better than the Michelins.
Now see, I never read this comment... bought new tires about 6 months ago.
Went with Continentals. I'm in the south and she never sees rain or snow so went with all season extreme contacts.
Hope they are better than the Michelins.
Continentals are my next tire purchase, I've heard good stuff about the Conti extreme contact DW tires.
Continentals are my next tire purchase, I've heard good stuff about the Conti extreme contact DW tires.
Great price point, Think all in including balance and alignment, was around $1350. They made sure (and of course I checked) the dates were fresh.
Night and day difference. All vibration gone, zero sway or pull. Of course the alignment was part of that, but very smooth ride.
Today I replaced the left pedestrian sensor which was starting to cause errors. Unlike on earlier cars the only way to access these on the 5.0 XKR is to take off the bumper. Fortunately that isn't a very difficult task and all up took me about 2h to do with some breaks and cleaning in the middle of it.
They hide behind this crash beam which you cannot get to from either the top scuttle panel or the radiator splash tray.
No new parts, upgrades or modifications, but yesterday with the weather sunny and in the 70's I took the Jag out for its first drive since storing it away for the winter last Oct. Didn't put a lot of miles on it as I was also doing the same with the other cars. Started immediately and rode/drove beautifully. Such a great car.
Had the front shock insulators replaced today. Got the actual parts on Amazon for a very reasonable $25 each and then paid to have them installed. Seems to have cured a minor low speed vibration in the steering wheel. Will need more driving to determine any ride dynamics changes.
A weird thing today while leaving an appointment;
I got in, started up, then put the front windows down and tried to lower the rear windows... absolutely nothing. Well, huh. I tried to lower the roof, absolutely nothing. Weird. So I decided to not mess with anything further until I got safely home, just in case. Started pulling out the exit, car died. Tried to start, several seconds of cranking, then some almost-start noises and a fail. Tried again with more seconds of cranking, then nothing. ONE MORE TIME!!! A begrudging start that I didn't like, so I backed into a parking stall and let it idle for awhile before I shut it down and walked away for ten minutes.
Came back, started fine, drove home great (didn't try to operate anything, not even stereo) and parked. Went back later and checked the applicable three fuses, all good. I even flipped the rear window switch on Steve's controller to OFF and again to ON. Put all the stuff away and tried the roof again..... Worked perfect.
Battery is excellent, no codes, everything else is great.
You won’t regret that mod. Some have the Supercharger lettering stenciled. Don’t forget the two covers near the windscreen!
This looks fantastic. I’m about to do mine, but can you tell me what container you used to dip the engine cover in? I’ve got a concrete mixing tub on order, but concerned it’s not good as it tapers inwards as it deepens and I’m concernred it won’t allow me to dip deep enough. Your advice appreciated.
This looks fantastic. I’m about to do mine, but can you tell me what container you used to dip the engine cover in? I’ve got a concrete mixing tub on order, but concerned it’s not good as it tapers inwards as it deepens and I’m concernred it won’t allow me to dip deep enough. Your advice appreciated.
It was done by the previous owner. He paid someone to do it, so unfortunately I don't have that info.
This looks fantastic. I’m about to do mine, but can you tell me what container you used to dip the engine cover in? I’ve got a concrete mixing tub on order, but concerned it’s not good as it tapers inwards as it deepens and I’m concerned it won’t allow me to dip deep enough. Your advice appreciated.
Originally Posted by Circumnavigator
It was done by the previous owner. He paid someone to do it, so unfortunately I don't have that info.
I had mine done in 2014 and it still looks great. Click this link for details. Note that photos are missing until you get to Post #14.
To keep it like new, I always open the hood when I get home and park in my garage. After the cover is cool, I wipe it off with a damp microfiber towel and close the hood.
Stuart
Last edited by Stuart S; Mar 22, 2026 at 09:28 AM.
My right rear quarter window (what do we call it?) made unhappy grinding noises and refused to arise while raising the cloth top. It is now held up with color matching (glossy black) gaffer's tape. So, I guess that is an Aero mod?
Meanwhile, I ordered up a metal pulley to replace the plastic one that is the cause of all this mischief and have been eying the calendar for a window of time - and good weather - to pull and rebuild the regulator....and then do the other side before it asks me to.
So, in theory, opening the valve a bit more will allow the exhaust gas to escape faster? Will you be able to measure any effects of the change?
Got the figures in with these cams 14.5 1/4 mile @95mph
232g/s maf reading in terms of sound think of a h-pipe exhaust sound and very doughy throttle response (240/9mm MOP 115)
The original cams 13.64 @101mph 242g/s maf reading, in terms of sound x-pipe , very smooth & responsive .
Reinstalled my old cams and maf reading back up immediately 244g/s with aircon & 245g/s no air con and once again engine is responsive.
So potentially there could be some HP gains for the 4.0 guys( in regards to using our cams) but definitely not the other way around
Last edited by steve_k_xk; Mar 29, 2026 at 04:19 PM.
So potentially there could be some HP gains for the 4.0 guys( in regards to using our cams) but definitely not the other way around
My 2005 4.2 xk8's engine feels a bit more restrained than my 08 XK, I wonder if those two share the same cam specs.
My friend has an 06 xk8 4.2 and feels the same, the xk seems more lively...just talking @ the engine not the driving experience.
wj
My 2005 4.2 xk8's engine feels a bit more restrained than my 08 XK, I wonder if those two share the same cam specs.
My friend has an 06 xk8 4.2 and feels the same, the xk seems more lively...just talking @ the engine not the driving experience.
wj
Aj33 being the earlier versions of the 4.2 found in the xk8 unsure on the cam specs but I do know they have slightly smaller cc injectors than the later 4.2s aj34 , perhaps your right there could be something in the cam profiles .
Left is 4.0, right is 4.2 (AJ34 , 4.4 AJ41). The sharper ramp profile made more power, suggesting faster valve acceleration can outweigh longer duration in this case.
Last edited by steve_k_xk; Apr 4, 2026 at 05:19 PM.
My 2005 4.2 xk8's engine feels a bit more restrained than my 08 XK, I wonder if those two share the same cam specs.
My friend has an 06 xk8 4.2 and feels the same, the xk seems more lively...just talking @ the engine not the driving experience.
wj
Maybe the weight difference of over 300 lbs is what your noticing?
