Hi guys,
Thought I would post a thread showing off my pride and Joy.

It all started late last year, when my dad, who has always bought and sold cars, came home with a 1996 XK8 4.0 on Lithuanian Plates

I was running around in an MX-5 at the time, and struck a deal with my dad that if I could sell the Mazda before he sold the Jag it was mine. A week later I handed over the money and joined the proud list of XK8 owners.

So what had I got for my Money? It's obviously a 4.0 V8 with 117 000km on the clock, it has the original engine, and gearbox, and runs really well. it has been fitted with a Post 03' Bumper and side skirts, plus black headlights (does anyone know where these a from?) It Has Oatmeal and antelope interior, with an aftermarket 2Din GPS Cd player with Bluetooth etc. The previous owner has moved the fog light switch panel to the top of the dash, wich is very nicely done I have to say...

However, the car was in need of some serious TLC when I got it: Endless screws and bolts were missing from the interior after the last owner had the stereo done, and the seats had been embossed with "69 Guy" (needs sorting out fast!), the engine undertray was hanging off, the ASR light was on, the speaker covers and parcel shelf had been covered in an ugly grey cloth and the stereo has got terrable backround noise when switched on, the rocker covers are leaking oil and the spark plug covers are broken...

So I cracked on sorting it all out, and i'm not done yet: The first step I took was the interior, removing it all and recovering the dodgy grey cloth. Had some issues with the door electrics wich turned out to be a faulty loom, but still have radio buzz (will a noise suppressor fix it?). Bolted everything back in properly (what is it with Jag cup holders breaking?) and sorted the ASR light.

Next I decided to buy some upgrades: 20" Alloy wheels with adamesh adapters, sports exhaust with 90mm tips, front grill etc. Will be ordering front number plate plinth and chrome boot plinth soon (money allowing!), and an induction kit (Please can someone tell me where I can get one?!).

The car is really coming along, she looks fantastic on the new alloys, but i'm wondering what color the calipers should be to go with the colour? Anyway more pressing jobs for know... Tell me what you guys think, and please offer suggestions, my ears are always open to tips on enhancing looks and performance!

I'v attached photos of the car as it is with bits done so far.

 

Black headlights were the norm on later models.

 

Welcome to the forum. Looking very nice and sounds like your car has found a good home.

 

Here is th parcel Shelf back in, i'm not very happy with the sub cover, might take it back out and find an alternative solution...

 

It looks very good.

Interesting upgrade to the centre console but I have the agree about the sub cover. Following the layout of the Premium Sound System install would be unobtrusive:



The cutout in the metal below the shelf is probably already there.

Graham

 

Yes the sub cutout is already there, I wasn't sur what was in the parcel shelf before they installed the sub, but if an OEM cover is available it will be the way to go I think, especially as they havn't changed the parcel shelf itself, so putting it back to original would be easy. What colour do they come in? Black?

 

Nice car and the updates really help. Truly brilliant job on moving the switches below the gauges.

I hope that you have addressed the leaking cam and spark plug covers? This would be my next set of fixes before any further cosmetic corrections.

 

Timing chain tensioners ?
Big bang, no engine.
I can't see a reference to their having been done.

 

For the early cars, the Parcel Shelf is listed in:

1. Sable
2. Warm Charcoal
3. Coffee
4. Antelope
5. Teal

Graham

 

Jag#4: Thankyou, yes the rocker covers, gaskets and spark plug covers are next on the list, will post updates as I go along.
Steveinfrance: No paperwork indicating that they have been done, but evidence in the engine bay, along with absolutly no noise on startup, or bits in oil etc... at the end of the day, if you take the parts cost + the french labor cost for changing the tensioners, it comes to more that a replacement engine in the uk with them already done. Any if it goes bang i can then get a 4.2 conversion. My brother had one done on his 1999 xk8 and its money well spent.
GGG: i'm going to source an oem cover and match up the colour, it should look much better.

 

At least CHECK the tensioners... 30 minutes tops. Don't want to be left stranded..

 

+1
Should be easy enough when tackling the leaky gasket.

 

I hadn't thought of that, yes you are right I will spend the extra time and check them, thanks guys.

 

So spent yesterday working on the Jag, things are really coming along: I fixed the passenger door electrics wich had failed, and changed the bass speaker in the rear parcel shelf, I think you will agree this looks much better!
I still have an issue with buzzing through the speakers, but will take it to an auto electricien so he can find the problem.
I have got the seats out, because the recliner function doesn't work, it clicks but doesn't move... any ideas? I've also got a flickering front light, but this has occured since the battery has been dying, will stick in a new one and see if that cures some of the demons i'v got here and there.
The rocker covers are next, I'm removing the plastic strip down the side, and then she will need a good cut and polish and an extensive clean on the interior.
Will keep updating!

PS: Attached a picture of the dash yesterday afternoon, bit scary when it looks like that! But it's back together now....

 

Agreed - the bass speaker is a big improvement.

If the buzz through the speakers changes with engine speed, check the Alternator Suppressor Module is present and connected.



That dash pic is scary - the steering wheel is on the wrong side.

Graham

 

Thanks Graham, will check that when I do the rocker covers... can you tell me roughly where in the front of the engine I will find it?

 

Right, looking for some answers to the last couple of issues on the Jag:

1. The seat recliners on the seats don't work, they click but don't move, are the motors knackered or do they need TLC?

2. When I press the lock button on the remote nothing happens, yet the "light" button does, the central locking works manually... what is causing this?

3. flickering front right light: I take it that if swapping bulbs doesn't work it's a ballast?

Cheers guys!

 

Your car is looking great, keep up the good work.

 

Great looking car!!
Wondering if you did the front bumper swap. I ordered the Arden style kit from Mina gallery but I'm not loving the front bit. I came across a front 06 bumper and would rather use it and keep the side skirts and rear bumper from the kit. What would it take to swap out the new bumper cover for the older 02 style? Is there a diy thread?

 

Hi there, thanks for your comment.

I didn't do the bumper converson, it was done when I bought the car, but I Know the front wheel arches liners have to be Changed, and that the front undertray does too. I found this thread wich explaines the procedure: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...8-65461/page1/

Hope this helps! For me the later nose is much nicer than the earlier one, swapping them over is a must in my book!