The mid life car crisis is rearing its ugly head again and I just can't get the idea of an XK out of my system. There are some lovely examples for less than £5k. Leather, autos, and that amazing 4l v8. Tell me the downsides!

 

Welcome to the forum steven10101989,

Check the FAQ's at the top of the threads for regular issues:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ts-data-29800/

Look out in particular for three topics - plastic tensioners, cooling system and transmission fluid changes.

Graham

 

Get the later 4.2 engine with the ZF 6HP26 transmission. You will be much happier in the long run from a maintenance and repair cost perspective....

 

I bought my 1999 4.0L XK8 4 years ago orphaned at a car lot with 96,000 on the odometer. I'm now passing 123,000 and have had only the following:
1) Dreaded green shower/convertible top hose failure - $26.00 to fix/capped & now manual latch method
2) Failed crossover pipe / original micarta(?) -$37.00 replacement
3) Restricted Performance/my fault-caused by broken tab for the temp sensor while replacing the cross over pipe -Cost $0.00 - used tie wire to secure the plug.
4) Bore wash/my fault-I started it up, moved it five feet for Christmas lights and shut it off (don't do that) - Cost $0.00/fixed it myself.


I do all my own work so in 4 years I've had $63.00 in repairs, and yes, I drive it like it's a Jaguar.


Make sure you get as much history as possible.

 

Got to agree with Jon89, having had both the older -1997 XK8 and at present- 2003 xk8, the new model is better if affordable?
also had XJ 2004 which had the ZF6 auto as well a vast improvement on the old ZF5.
If you are handy with spanners they are fairly cheap to keep running, although not sure about spares availability in Vietnam?

 

If you get a coupe....you not only get a beautiful car but you also avoid all the possible problems associated with a convertible.

 

The 4.0 XKR has the Mercedes gearbox - so not only is it faster than the XK8, it is more reliable.

But if you really want to avoid all possible problems, buy a Honda.

 

are you a) deep pocketed or b) willing to work on it yourself?

if you can answer yes to one of the above, go for it. Plenty of us have learnt various skills to be able to sort their car out. I listened to someone describing the work they had done a couple of years ago; identical to what I had just done myself. It cost them £4k in a garage. It cost me some time and a few new tools.

If you are in the UK as your post suggests then it is very likely you will run into rust at some point. spend some time on here and look at some of the threads on suspension rebuilds and rust repairs as well as the buyers guides.

You should know by now, if you have spent any time reading, that it goes without saying that a 4.0L car requires the chain tensioners to be updated. This is a ~£1k job in a garage and a couple of hundred in parts if you DIY. Many have been done already but if you haven't got a receipt you must visually check yourself.

As a 4.0L R owner I would urge you to go for a supercharged engine, they R well worth it.

 

Nothing wrong with the 4.0 if you change the tensioners and the trans fluid. I've had mine 5 years and have spend less than $2000 on repairs and upgrades. Buy the way that's 1/2 what we spend on my wife's Honda CRV in the same amount of time.

 

Get the XKR. My last word on it .

 

Call me stupid, but I just bought XK8 convertible with 74K miles. It has wire wheels and it is beautiful!!!

 

Nobody who buys an XK8/XKR is in any way stupid they are one of the most eye-catching cars in the world.

 

Yep. Wonderful, beautiful cars. I echo the sentiment - 2003 or younger 4.2 litre supercharged XKR, in the X100 series. Excellent, robust engine, the smoothest transmission ever, massive Brembo brakes. This is a poweful, elegant, competent car, tractable when driving in town, dramatic and powerful when overtaking, relaxing and untroubled by long journeys, safe and secure on turns and stops. Go for it!

 

Some of us have to consider the price. A competent mechanic can buy a 4.0 XK8, do the upgrades and rebuilds, and have an excellent car for half the cost of a 4.2 XKR. If you can afford it, by all means the newer car.

 

I take your point entirely about watching the pennies, though perhaps the difference in price might be a trifle overstated! Taking this point further, though, running and maintenance costs must be borne in mind, as tyres are costly, as well as some components alone, even when purchased second-hand. As we all know, high quality maintenance is essential for the marque.

Let me stress here that I don't fully subscribe to the view that the X100 is problem-prone, and will absolutely support anyone's wish to own one. But the likely ongoing costs must form part of the original calculation.

 

I've had my 2000 XK8 since 2009 and gone from 37000 miles up to 113000 miles. I've done the rear pinion seal, oil & filter changes, tires (too many, lol), transmission flush, thermostat housing (preventive), upper/lower/valley coolant houses, MAF cleaning, air filter, fuel filter, rear window regulators (mine fell in the range that had bad ones) and I believe that is it. I'd consider this EXTREMELY cheap for running a high-end car regularly for that mileage and time. I believe that if you take care of these cars, they will take care of you. Everybody laughs at the "unreliable" Jaguar I have...except is has essentially been the most reliable and close to the least costly vehicle we have had in the fleet (my old '87 Jeep Cherokee that was half chiseled from rock was cheaper to run, but that's about it). That said, if you let them go, or can't do anything on your own....then all bets are off.

 

Good for you Tex!

I spent a year looking for my car. Originally the intention was to pick up a 2003-2006 XKR but the picking were slim and the ones I looked at were all ridden hard and put away wet. I expanded my search to the XK8 and found many more to choose from in much better condition. By chance I found a '98 XK8 that suited all my needs and was in excellent condition inside and out. It also had a long dealer maintenance record!

I read this forum front to back and knew exactly what I was getting into. I have not regretted my decision to get the 4.0. The money I saved not getting the 4.2 has more than paid for any preventive maintenance. (tensioners, etc.)

 

I wasn't looking for an XK8 but saw this 1997 on Craigslist for $3000. Had less than 35K miles. I put another $4500 into paint, wheels, tires, shocks, bushings, water pump, top pump, power steering pump, doing all the mechanical stuff myself. I love driving around Hawaii with the top down! I get complimented frequently on the car and have never pulled up to another at the light! Go for it!

 

Funny. I just recently bought my Jag off of Craigslist too 70k miles for $5400 Cdn. No major problems, except for the typical minor stuff that adds up, 50 here, 200 there. Zero rust anywhere, even underneath. Interior is immaculate. Rag replaced last year. Only serious work is the finish, but I used to work in body shops when I was a kid, and will do all that myself, $200 in misc supplies. Will be showroom when I'm done. Wheels are arriving and cost $780.

 

That is a beautiful color blue and it looks just great!!

No mention but how about those timing tensioners?
Good job on all your work too.
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