Hi Lads,

Active member on the forum with a 1996 Jaguar XJ6 that I brought back from the dead. Car has been great and even with the higher mileage (176K) it has been mostly solid and when it hasn't been, we have worked it out.

So now I am pining for an XK8.
Been thinking about what car I would like to get next after I do away with the piece of crap I own called a BMW X5. It's a great truck when it works but as soon as I fix one issue on it, another one crops up. Just fixed the waterpump on it in time for the CV joints to go bad. Certainly, the window regulators or door handles will need to be replaced soon as they are almost a year old.....lol

So I like the older Mercedes CLK's and I also like the XK8 and XK cars. The XK's are out of my budget mostly but an XK8 would fit nicely even though most I see in my range are 130k plus cars.

So very simply, what years were the best bang for the buck? I have seen reference to the green shower and thoughts on nikisil lined cylinders. When did the car stabilize and what are some of the more common issues on these cars to ask or look out for when considering a used purchase?

Here is the pretty long thread on the rebuild of my XJ6
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ay-jag-104159/

Cheers
Bernie

 

there have been a few of these exact threads started by others over the last week or so in this forum. Try reading up on those.

 

Bernie - as Tim mentioned there have been a few requests of late that weill help. Also take a look at the How To section as there are links in the very first post on what to look for as well as an XK8 Primer for the new owner:


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


Nakasil is only in the pre-2000 MY cars and green shower - it is what it is. If the hoses have never been replaced - expect $600 for a complete set of hoses from Cabriolet Hydraulics or Top Hydraulics - then add labor unless doing yourself - plenty of videos on this subject


As for CLK's - just got rid of the other half's 2002 CLK430 convertible (110K miles) - more problems with the top seams coming apart and leaks around the top seals than worth the cost/effort to replace. I was also not impressed with the quality of the interior - door and rear side panels - leather separating from the door card, wood faded coming apart, among other issues - Car was purchased in excellent condition with 72K miles and traded with 110K but not holding up as well as my 2000 XK8 with 148K

 

read up on the timing chain tensioners 97-02. BIG issue.

 

I just bought a 2001 MY and repaired the Green shower and tensioners. The total bill at my Inde was $2400.00. Just a benchmark so you know how much it will cost if they haven't been done.

 

sorry, ha ha but what is "MY" and "INDE" again????

 

MY model year Indie independent mechanic

 

thanks, ha ha

 

Don't know your budget but 2003-2006 had both the 4.2 engine and 6 speed trans which were much more reliable than earlier years. There is a 2003 in Dallas with 130K for $7K that I passed on. Most of the ones I see have no documentation and they all will need both tensioners and transmission work at some point. If it's not documents, it's a crap shoot.

 

+1 on documentation.

History is crucial with used Jaguars. A careless owner can ruin one in a few months but a careful owner can keep even the earliest XK8/XKR like new.

As already mentioned, the FAQ's will tell you all the weaknesses.

I've had both a 2001 4.0 litre and a 2005 4.2 litre and would happily have either again. On balance, the later model is more developed and refined and the 'keeper' has to be the Victory Edition as it came with all the options.

Graham

 

This is great info guys and thanks.

I will refer to these suggestions as I hunt down the right car for me. Although I am good with working on the car myself, it would be nice to know that some of the common and / or expensive issues these cars face.

I will lean more towards an 03 or newer unless I find a low mileage earlier car for a better price and with some of these issues already addressed.

 

Hi Lads,

So I am faced with a choice right now or maybe pass on both.

There are two cars I am looking at:
The one I like the best is a 2003 with 120K on the clock.
The other is a 1997 with only 55K on the clock.

The 2003 is the nicer color with some nice upgrades. The downside is that it is an auction car but has a clean carfax and I think I can get it for about 6K

The 1997 is even cheaper at 5K but is a original family owned car and has mileage very low.

So given the issues with the earlier models, is it safer to look at a higher mileage 2003?

Bernie

 

If you have the records on the 97 check to see if the tensioners have been replaced. If not that's a $2k expense you are looking at if you don't do it yourself. You also have the risk of the a drum on the transmission. The 2003 will likely be a lower maintenance car.

 

Thanks Ken,

Did the 2003 MY have any specific issues that still need to be addressed? Just wondering how many of the original issues with these cars were fixed by 2003 but was wondering if the 2003 had specific issues of its own?

 

I just bought a 2003 myself although with only 45K miles. The engine and transmissions issues were resolved. It has the normal english electrical glitches that are normal on a 20+ car. Check all the controls, windows, seat, mirror, top, etc. Get a OBD dongle and check for codes. It's not going to be perfect but you need to know what the issues are. There is a pressure issue with the top operation that allow you to share the green shower with other XK8 owners. However, there is a pressure limiting kit which reduces that risk.

 

Thanks for all of your help Ken.

Going to head there this weekend and maybe be driving it home. I am pretty excited about and I hope that it turns out.

Here she is

 

Hey Bernie--you sound like me about 9 years ago except you have a Jaguar already and I didn't. I would also suggest 2003 or later and take your time. The one in the picture you provided has pluses and minuses. As far as the wheels and tail lights--not quite my tempo. But on the other hand you have to figure that someone who spent that kind of money on mods must also have taken good care of the car.

Good luck with your hunting.

Doug

 

Well I like the wheels and tail lights. Wish I had those wheels instead of the ones I have. Also looks like someone put in a mesh grill like an an R. Also like that. OTOH, all XK8s are lookers. The pain is in the details you don't see right away. Good luck.

 

Given the issues with the early water pumps, thermostat housings, timing chain tensioners, nikasil liners (I have two with; I am fine with them since they're in great shape, but there are plenty of opinions on the subject) and the ZF 5HP24 gearbox; I would avoid an early XK8 unless you are DIY and get a good price.

A later XK8, specifically the 03+ range will have none of those issues I just listed. If I was buying a pre-03, I would only consider R models. The R models have a Mercedes 722.6 transmission that is rugged, cheap to service, and leagues above the 5 speed ZF unit. They also don't have the T-stat housing issue, theirs are metal not plastic. So then you just have the nikasil liners, have to swap timing chain componenets (pay a shop can run $800-2500 depending on what you want done and shop rates; DIY can run $250-500 on what you want done), and a water pump (under $100 DIY or $300ish shop).

Don't be scared of R models. They aren't much more complicated. The Eaton supercharger is a very good unit for durability. The power is so much more too; it's an XK8 + 30%. You also tend to get much more options standard. I daily drive my XJR in winter and when I want 4 doors, and daily drive my XKR in spring summer and fall (rain or shine). I can depend on these cars.

 

So you apparently haven't bought it yet.