Obviously, all other things being equal, newer cars offer fewer problems. But... I like the wheels on the 2002-03 more than the last versions. And the XK8 is the one and only car on the road I prefer without navigation simply because those three gauges look so cool. But only with the chrome rings which seem to be 2004 and after although I think I've seen them on a 2003 at some point. The late-model XKs nearly all have nav in my experience.

So my questions: Presuming I can find a low-mileage 2002 or 2003, can I retrofit the chrome trim rings on all of the gauges? Can anyone point me to a source for retrofitting them? Otherwise I may stick to 2004.

And when was the threshold year for the metal timing chain guides? That's an issue right? Is it a year model or an engine number? TIA.

 

Jaguar XKR XK8 instrument ring kit for Jaguar XK8 XKR

As for what year to buy, all the years have specific problems. I really wouldn't worry as much about what year the car is but how well it's been maintained and what fixes have already been done.

 

You might as well get an '05 with the updated grill.

 

Engine and tranny were updated in '03, so I'd stick with that or later. But like mentioned mileage and maintenance history can be as big or bigger factor than year.

 

If you are going with XKR, 03+ is preferred, however all XKR's have great and bullet proof transmissions, when early, pre-03 XK8 had troublemaker ZF gearbox. That is why if you go under 03, stick with XKR, with 03+ both are good, XK8 and XKR. Obviously 03 was the year of major motor update, so 4.2 with 6 speed is definitely preferred.

 

JAGUAR XK8 POLISHED ALLOY INSTRUMENT 7 RING SET ( NEW) on eBay (end time 23-May-11 19:22:15 BST)

ANOTHER CHEAPER OPTION FROM EBAY UK.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=380342616013

ANOTHER OPTION FROM EBAY UK.

 

Wow thanks for the links and the advice guys. I think I'll stick with 2003 onward then. I don't want or need the supercharger, although if I lived in Montana or some such place I might rethink that

These trim rings don't include lenses do they? I wouldn't have thought so but the first ones especially (Mina) look like they do, esp the main speedo etc. I know the existing lenses are well recessed and these seem to be throwing off some weird reflections nearer the surface of the instrument panel.

Anyway thanks again for your help. I drove one of these cars awhile back and fell in love even though I am a bit tall for them. I also had an X350 which I assume has the same engine and it's smooth as silk and amply powerful, for me anyway

 

I bought my 97 XK8 with 140k miles. The only downtime I had was a coil went bad and that was on the way to get my oil changed. It has more minor issues than my 05 which had 30k miles, but within 300 miles of buying it, the convertible top latch hose burst... otherwise it's been flawless. So be prepared for something to go wrong. lol

 

ANY year of these has it's issues. You are not totally safe with any year I think. The key word here as already written is that you would serve your self well to buy one that has maint history. I would not buy one with out it.

 

[quote=Marsden;356950]I don't want or need the supercharger, although if I lived in Montana or some such place I might rethink that

Drive one first! You will be surprised! DaleD

 

This might sound like its coming from someone who hasn't driven without the s/c (beacause I havn't, maybe a little bias) but I dont know if I could live without it!!!

Its kind of like the saying, "a dog thats all bark and no bite" the s/c gives the kitty the mean roar to back up its looks

Cleary just my opinion, and it has a-lot to do with the fact the I am still in the honeymoon phase having owned my 03 XKR for less than a week.

Either way will turn just as many heads!!!

 

SC= feels like a sports car
NA= feels more like an old school muscle car

Throttle response on the SC is practically instant. Throttle response on the NA car is a little laggy, but they're still fast cars.

 

When I started my quest - two years ago - I hadn't done all this "research" to know which model and what year I wanted. I just wanted one! (sexy/car/design)

I searched nationally online, and locally with dealers I knew. I found one "8" in my town, and another 20 miles away at a dealer - drove them both, and even tho there there no negatives, for some reason i didn't pull the trigger.

Then this "R" came on the scene - from the national search - just 25 miles away. I had never even considered one, but - One drive, and i knew it would be mine.

Can't really say why - except that during the search every "8" owner told me if he/she had it to do over again it would be an "R".

Choose wisely. DaleD

 

Lol, nobody needs the supercharger

 

You might want to keep in mind that it's not just the supercharger that you get with the XKR. The 'R' also offers you an enhanced braking system which costs alot more to maintain (~$1k for new pads/rotors if you do it yourself and shop around for cheap parts, much more if you have it serviced elsewhere), as well as some sort of computerized suspension system which is very pricey to repair, and who knows how long you'll be able to buy replacement parts for it. From what I've read, you can't simply replace the electronic suspension components with standard shocks either or else the ECU throws a fault code, so if you buy it you're stuck with it.

If you're not planning on having the car for many years, or if you have a budget which allows for those type of expenses, that might not be a significant concern. If that isn't the case, you might prefer the more simple XK8 rather than the XKR. I've had a very fast, very powerful, and much lighter car before this, and speaking from experience - or maybe I just got bored with it - trading off repair concerns and expenses for a bit of extra accelleration that you experience less than 0.1% of the time you're behind the wheel, just wasn't worth it to me.

 

I have an XJ8 and an XKR and I actually prefer to drive the XJ! The higher compression engine in the XJ has more low end grunt off the line with less hysterics under heavy throttle and the larger car feels quicker around town to me than the XKR (it's actually a little lighter!). It is nice when you put your foot in the XKR and it starts winding up, the rush is nice, but you will run out of room so fast and have to let off that it is a fleeting sensation. I find that in passing and around other traffic, the XKR just needs too much room to breathe, so it always feels like I'm in a box with it.

 

I meant to add that if you want a true rush, get something like the Concours 14, it has such incredible accleration that it makes me dizzy under full throttle! Never had any car that could do that. A motorcycle like this can accelerate and decelerate so fast that you can go 100 anywhere and no one notices! Then you can get the XK8 and be happy with the better gas mileage, lower maintenance costs and lower taxes.