on my 2002 XKR 100. It's still going strong. I recently learned that my engine has the newest cam tensioners so I'm not worried about that. I had to have my wife's tranny rebuilt on her 1998 XJ8 at 120K miles. I'm hoping the tranny's on these XKR's are better than that one was.

What is the average lifespan of these cars when they receive decent maintenance?

 

congrats! I can't say any documented literature is out there, but I would think public perception (coupled by mechanic experience and an engineer's perspective of mechanical wear and life cycle) puts the number a bit lower than 'the perfect machine'

We as engineer's try to design parts and systems for a life cycle of 10 years minimum, 20 years max. If you do some math, if you drive an average of 40 mph (my car currently says 34 for mix of highway and in town), that should equate to roughly 350,000 miles...but then there are statistics and probabilities that kick in, not to mention so many system inter-dependency, a single part could kill the entire car.

I expect to get 200,000 out of my car...and at 116k now can easily see that happening. After that, nobody will want it anyway.

 

The average lifespan of my previous 1999 XK8 coupe was 10 years, 135,000 miles before it got totaled in a crash (not my fault ).

I put 100,000 miles on that buggy in the 6 years I drove it: mostly freeway driving with very few mechanical problems. It still had the original cam chain tensioners, which were just starting to make noise. No other engine issues other than cleaning the throttle body occasionally (more frequently after the K&N filter add) and changing the oil.

The issues with that car were mainly electrical. I was facing having to replace or repair the ABS module due to the deteriorating solder issue, and one of the rear lights sometimes would quit working and then inexplicably be fine after tapping the tail light. I suspect it was a bad ground that I never could fully trace. Cosmetically, it needed a renewed paint finish (lots of rock chips on the front end), and aside from the wear on the drivers seat-back bolster, the interior also was in good shape. When it was totaled the insurance inspector rated the 10-year-old car very highly, even commenting on the condition of the interior and engine. It was hard to let that car go.

I'm now driving a 2000 XK8 convertible with 12,000 miles on it; it still looks, smells and feels new. I've installed the pressure relief valve for the convertible top hydraulic system and changed the fluids. Not much else to do at this point except to replace the Pirelli tires with Hankook tires before the Oregon rains start. I'm driving the new NCE KTY far less. Instead of a 100 mi. per day round trip to work and back, I have a 4 mi. round trip from my house to the train station. Just long enough to warm up the engine really well.

I expect to be driving this car for a good, long time. I'll replace the secondary cam chain tensioners, water pump and thermostat/housing before I do anything else. I very much like that NCE KTY is stock and that she draws admiring stares from people wherever I drive. It's a real classic and will be one no matter how many miles are on it.