Hi there new to the forum and wanted to firstly say hi but to also ask for advice...

The guys on the newcomer forum suggested a post here.

I am trawling the various websites looking for an XK which is leaving me in a quandary.

I have my eye on a 2003 XKR cabriolet which is stunning and in great condition.

I have one question is the spin when you put your foot down bad that seems to come up a lot. I already have a new XJ R Sport and experienced it once coming off a roundabout but hit the pedal a bit too quick but managed to get back to normal. When I say this I am not a speed merchant by any means and just want to be sure before I go ahead. I've driven a few on test drive and been ok.

One other question is I see a couple of XK8S coupe on line and they again are stunning and seemed to be a limited edition are they vastly different to the XKR.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

I think your trying to ask is it normal to spin the wheels on the car when accelerating? The answer is no. That is not normal. So its either you being heavy footed or something wrong with the throttle response. I have a 2003 XKR that has been modified to provide extra power. Even from a standstill in sport mode have I ever experienced wheel spin of any note. The cars also have CAT suspension to prevent the nose of the car raising and dipping when accelerating or braking. Its a very smooth ride.

Can I suggest you take someone who already owns an XKR or similar with you to look at these cars before buying. Would help too if you could tell us where you live.

 

Hi there thanks for this and your help.

I live in sunny Scotland and this will be a second car for me as have a daily use car.

Most of the cars I am looking at are down south in either the Bristol or London area.

I have been looking for quite a while and test driven quite a few and had a few disappointments on what people see as being the best on the I internet.

I would love someone to come along with me but o tend to have to try and tie these in with regular visits down south for work so would be a short notice thing.

Cheers

 

Might this be related to the trac off button? I couldn't even spin the wheels on sand with it on. But then, one would have to turn it off manually after each ignition cycle since it's a soft switch and it's always on by default after an ignition cycle.

It was hard to tell what vehicle is being tested, maybe this feature isn't on the car?

John

 

Well I have a base original 1999 XK8, with no significant mods, and with 290bhp I struggle to get wheel spin off the line. The Traction Control always cuts in. So when I'm up for a bit of fun, I do turn the TRAC off and I can put down some small rubber 11s off the line. There's no lifting of the front of the car in this case.

I would suspect that you're
1. Being an extreme hooligan on the throttle (nothing wrong with that..... as long as you're safe)
2. Tyres are bald and running in cold temperatures
3. Traction control not working.

 

David, good point about bald tires, sometimes it's the easy obvious answer! If his pirelli pzeros are more than 1.5 - 2yrs old, they'll spin pretty easy IME.

John

 

Cheers

The tyres on mine are pretty new and was on a bad corner my misses has experienced same on hers.

On the car I am looking at will check tread etc. When i go and see and have a good look. Dependant on age etc might be the first thing I do just to be sure..

S

 

On dry pavement bald tires, especially really bald tires, provide better traction than tires with good tread. That's why drag racers use "racing slicks." On wet or damp pavement, of course, it's a very different story. What was the condition of the pavement when the spin was/is experienced?

 

On my XJ was a nearly new car with a roundabout and steep camber and wasnt used to car but never happened again so far as once bitten and all that.

Pick up new XKR tomorrow and drove from London to home so will have plenty of time to get used.

I had just read a few comments on other forums about spin and wanted to check.

Cheers

 

I live in Malvern so any around me, say within 15 miles, I would gladly take a look for you or with you at them.

Your right about the false claims of sellers. I often see adverts saying things like 'No rust' it makes me cringe as I do not think there is a Jag out there without rust. I keep a real beady eye on mine Take a look but I still occasionally find the dreaded stuff on mine.

Your actually looking at the right time for yours too. At this time of year, especially around Christmas, where the sellers outnumber the buyers. People want to concentrate on gifts etc and sellers usually want to get rid of their cars before the new year. Commercial sellers want to get their sales numbers up before the end of the year too.

Good luck with your search. If I can help I will gladly do so.

 

Thanks for the offer but got it covered picking up today to take home and will be a good test.

Body work is really good engine is running smoothly with no obvious signs of leaks etc. Checked for rust in the usual spots but nothing has been stored in a dry garage when not in use and has full service and works history.

Think we have tickets all the boxes and looking forward to getting her home.

Will post some pictures when I get back but they wont show her in true colour as she is BRG.

Cheers

 

Excessive tire pressure will also contribute to wheel spin. Also, it may be possible that someone has wired the traction control to. be permanently OFF.