I recently attended a car show in Moab,Utah. It was open to all types of cars and to my delight I got to see a 2003 XK8 with 30K on it. The owner had just bought it and did not have a lot of knowledge about it yet. I suggested he check into this forum and get comfortable.
His engine has a cover on it that mine does not have. The cover I am talking about is the one that strattles the center of the engine and appears to be held with 4 screws. Is this a 2003 thing, or am I missing something on my car? (my car is a 2002)

 

The one piece cover started with the new 4.2 L engine in 2003 in the US (2002 in the UK).

 

Moab. What a spot. There is a hotel there called the Gonzo Inn. You happen to know of this one? Whether it was named in honor of Hunter S. Thompson or not I don't know, but it's a great place to stay in any case.

Best local road, IMO: Route 128(?) North through the canyon.

Wish we could go this year ...