If I look at my XK's service history, it seems I had more electrical problems with my Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Impala, and my Nissans in short years of ownership than the Jag had in 15 years. I sold both the Ford and Chevrolet due to those ongoing issues.


I believe the reason European cars (BMW, Mercedes) have more electrical issues is due to the complexity of the design of new features which extends beyond the dealer's service capabilities. The Japanese and now Korean cars have typically only adopted technology that the Europeans have tried and tested. Toyota was the best example going back a few years.

I do not regard the Consumer Reviews and JS Power surveys as factual reference, but merely as biased opinions.

 

JSC, I extend to you the courtesy of expressing your opinion, even if I disagree with it.

 

These XK8s indeed do suffer from several major design/engineering flaws that must be addressed at some point. Plastic tensioners in the pre-4.2 engines. The Rube Goldberg ragtop hydraulic issues. The ****-poor wheel speed sensor/harness troubles that are seemingly omnipresent. The weak plastic coolant expansion tanks that tend to permeate all Jaguars. I would agree that on the whole, the Japanese vehicles I have owned have been better engineered and more durable than the European vehicles I have owned. That dates back to 1974, a nearly 40-year span....

 

Thanks for the interesting reading Steve. (Here is a shout-out for RealGauge - great product!). My vehicles all have required an equal amount of work and expense to maintain, all with their own weak areas. From all-pla$tic cooling and EGR $ystem$ on the BMW to turbos, ABS, CV joints, timing belts, etc. on the Volvo to the usual on the Jaguar. A discussion that is best left for another thread.