Found what I think might be a good buy on a 97 xk8 with a little over 100,000 on it. Question ? what services should have been done at this point and what should I be looking for on this car so as not to be burnt,any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Bill

 

hi there.

i have bought an xk8 1997 model, convertible too from an auction. Every one said is too cheap to be true , but i bought it, and ive changed the engine and gear box oils , plus filters, including the air filter, new plugs too, and checked the brakes, etc etc, new fuel pump, new coolant, bits and bobs, and it runs fantastic. excellent.
i hope that my little confesion will help u out.

regards
crazy_jaguar

 

nice reply cr4zy
Have we seen any pics of this motor yet? If not, why not?.....lol

Deerebill....try posting your questions into the specific forum for more responses from XK8 owners!

 

thx Jim. well yes, if you would like to see my CR4ZY_JAGUAR ive some pics in my album. they arent the best shots......but hey is my cr4zy_jag and i luv it...
ps.

and in my garage u can see my 635 csi bimmer :P

 

deere, we've got an excellent resource of frequently asked questions in the xk8/r area, including in it a couple links specifically answering your question. Take a looksee.

 

I guess the punctuation would make an important difference here. At quick read it could be interpreted that you changed the engine and you also changed the gear box oil. I think what you are actually saying is that you changed the engine oil and the gear box oil--no?

Doug

 

Find out any mech history that you can. VERY IMPORTANT is to find out if the timing chain tensioners have been replaced. WEAK WEAK point on this model year. I have a 97and had to replace them also. Reading through this site also I have found that the trans in these models are good for about 100k miles then they are real prone to call it a day. I think water pumps are issues also.

 

The single greatest factor is whether or not you can perform normal mechanical and electrical repairs yourself. If you have to go to a mechanic every time your 100K mile Jag has a hiccup, you are going to be an unhappy owner. A Honda or Toyota might be trouble free at the century mark, but this car will find very unique ways to keep you occupied with an assortment of glitches.

 

Might want to take out the Toyota comment. Ha ha ha ha

 

I agree with brgjag. The transmissions like to quit around 100k ($6 for a replacement) and the timing chain tensioners need to be upgraded ($3k repair where I live). I would not pay more than $6k for a 97 with 100k+ miles. Provided that the seats are not ripped ($1.5k to have both front seats redone) and the body is decent. There are still plenty of 97 xk8s with less miles on them.

 

Thanks all
Great help, now onward and upward! Sure going to have a lot of questions soon.
Bill

 

Plan on having that thing start leaking black fluid unless it was already sent in for a repair. There is a thread on this subject; I'm going through this process right now. Only costs $75 bucks, but need to send your mirror in for repair - not sure what the turn around time is, but they do not have the parts to send you a replacement and wait for you to return the core. This, according to the person I've been dealing with over at Sybesma (sp?) electronics.

 

After I provided the vendor with the necessary part/model data, they sent me a new unit, and charged a core fee. There was no down time on the car. Have they changed their procedures on this fix?

I did a tech write up on the R&R here: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ight=chromatic

Gordo

 

yes Doug SEISMIC GUY that what i ment , i have changed the engine oil and engine oil filter, ive also changed the gearbox fluid and filter.etc etc. Sorry i know my grammar is pretty bad . thanks for pointing that out, next time i will try and write it properly.
ps. Actually is good to know that someone really cares about all this posts ! respect Doug

Felix alias CR4ZY_JAGUAR

 

Apparently they do not have any spare parts on hand to make the fix, so they use your core and rebuilt it. Sybesma warns that occasionally the plastic bits break beyond repair during disassembly, but this is currently the only option. I have not sent mine in yet. Trying to time it for a conference in a week, when I will be out of town. No idea what the turn around time is; will update.

 

Got the Sybesma-repaired mirror in the mail a few days ago and installed it with no problems. The mirror I got was actually my original core mirror, rebuilt by Sybesma for $75 plus shipping (total about $92). They have no parts to make new mirrors so a rebuild of the original is all they can do for the time being.

Their turnaround time was very impressive (less than a week) and the mirror was easily re-installed and now works just as it should. It turns kind of a funky blue color when it goes to night mode. The updated versions apparently have a gel pack inside instead of a liquid, so hopefully no more leaks down the road.

If I look very closely at the seams, it is apparent where the two halves of the mirror were separated. But other than that there is no visible damage. Beats paying $300+ for a new OEM mirror at the dealer, anyway.