I am looking on eBay for a center dash replacement for my Nav equipped 2006 XK8. One ad shows a '96-2000 dash as being un-compatible with my car, while another shows a '97 center dash as being compatible with my '06. The center section seems to be the primary difference. Can anyone tell me if there is a variation, and if the center section is the variation, or if there is another section that I need to check. Also, can any problem area be modified? I am trying to move from the Nav display to the 3 gauge display, obviously.

 

Yes, all years will fit as long as you get the correct variation, triple gauge or Nav screen

 

The main difference, other than wood grain and Nav vs 3 gauge, is that from 2003 to 2006, they added chrome trim rings around the gauge orifices on the wood. Your 2006 has the chrome trim rings, so, if converting from Nav to 3-gauge, you may want one with the trim rings from the later years for consistency.

Also, if you don’t buy an entire dash (all three pieces) there will be inconsistencies in the wood pattern because, even if buying the same wood (walnut, elm, etc) no two cars have the same wood pattern. Look at your dash and notice that the pattern that starts in the passenger airbag area continues through the center Nav section and towards the middle. Replacing only the middle will pop out as not belonging there.

 

I see that the grain has a continuity. I would think that there would not be a large number of patterns, but I guess there are. I prefer to get a full set, just notice that there seem to be a split between 96-2000 and 2001-2006 or so. As long as the openings and sizes of the panels are the same, I can work with that.

 

Trim rings are also available from number of sources aftermarket, so the pre-2003 panels can be upgraded if necessary.

 

The reason that there is a large amount of patterns is that Jaguar used real wood, it's not plastic.

 

That looks like the way I will go. The trim rings are not that important, but if they are available, I will likely go with them for the continuity. Looks like my next major project.

 

Avoid the 2001 dash panels. Whatever finish they used that year turns milky.

 

Thanks for the heads up.