Hi,
Just wanted to say hi. Yesterday picked up a '99 xk8. Looking forward to learning all about it from the forums as all the manuals are in French (imported from Switzerland).

I have to say it has been a dream of mine to get one. I think it is the best looking car out there and hope it is nice and reliable.

Mark

 

Hello Mark,

Where are you located? Sounds like you'd prefer your manual(s) in English, correct? They are available online, look through the "sticky threads", above.

How many miles on the car? I also have a '99 XK8, mine has 75k miles. I love it, but these ARE Jaguars, and will not be trouble-free without some serious TLC. Be pro-active, and don't just wait for something to fail. The biggest issue is probably the timing chain tensioners. Unless you know for certain that they've been changed to the newer (all-metal) style, that should be your first task. Other potential issues include the thermostat housing and the transmission. The tranny is not built to be easily serviced, but it CAN and MUST be be done, if you want it to last. The Nikasil cylinder coatings will be just fine (despite dire warnings) if you have NO sulfur in the gas (true in the USA). If the car is a convertible/cabriolet, the hydraulic top hoses won't last forever, and will leak or burst resulting is a big mess. Get a code reader, and learn how to use it. There will be warning messages, and a lot (most?) of them will be misleading/false. The more you learn about the car the better!

Boise Bob
Boise, Idaho USA
1970 e-type, 1999 XK8 and other old (non-Jag) Brit iron.

 

Welcome Mark,


I too would like to read all the details concerning your car.

But first things first, if you haven’t done so already, go around to your garage and plug in the XK to your battery tender of choice, CTEC, Delran Battery tender +, etc etc .


Having a topped off battery 100% of the time is the first step to having trouble free enjoyment of your car. For unknown reasons, these are the most electrical fussy cars ever made

My ‘02 XKR is connected to my Battery Tender + whenever the car is stationary overnight or longer. All electrical gremlins vanished like magic.

Z

 

Thank you for replying. I am in Varna, Bulgaria, but English manuals are perfect for me. I will check out the sticky thread.

The car is a '99 coupe in violet with cream leather (beautiful combination). It has 136,000km on the clock, but being that this is Bulgaria, who knows

Today I am going to a garage to get a quote for the timing belt and tensioners. I will do an full service on the engine and gearbox. Sealed for life is the biggest joke.

For the battery, I might just replace it now to be sure. Years ago I had an LR322 range rover and this was also very temperamental with voltage. Unfortunately I don't have access to an electrical socket where I park, so I need to find a solution.

The car only came with one key and one alarm fob, but doesn't seem to work well. When I open the car with the key the alarm always goes off. So I also need to get a new key cut and alarm fob/battery.

Final thing is to restore the leather inside. A local guy quoted me 300 euros to restore the leather to new condition and deep clean the interior.

At the moment I just over the moon with the way it looks and drives. Accelerator is like a trigger that brings the horizon rushing forwards. My other car is '21 lexus RX450hl, so this a completely different experience.

Thanks again for the replies and I will let you know how the work goes if you are interested to hear my jaguar journey :-)

 

I thought I would attach some pictures for you.

 

Beautiful car. You will enjoy the drive. Send fotos from driving in Bulgaria. Never been but heard it is beautiful there.

 

I have a 99 XK8 conv. 99,000 mi. Everything BoiseBob said is true. Do all those things. I have. Two things I would like to add. Check the battery. If it's not up to full output (12 plus volts when running) change it. I think the battery is the most important, since the computers need the correct amount voltage to work properly. Also change the differential fluid. I did mine at 80,000 and it was bad. Black as coal and stunk like hell. The trans then shifted much smoother. If I can be of further help let me know. Best of lock and safe driving.
Mitch
rsdmitch46@outlook.com

 

Thank you so much. I just found an invoice in the service records that showed the transmission oil and filters were done 3000km ago. So that should be fine.

Today I have booked the car in to have the leather professionally restored. If you are interested I can post before and after pictures.

What a car though. She just puts this huge grin on my face when I start driving.

 

Cheddarfish,

Congrats on your purchase and I look forward to hearing how your MY99 XK8 goes. I too have a MY99 naturally aspirated AJ27 engine model.

I got it as a fun project car to restore and it has delivered. Once I got it where I needed it, it’s been very reliable and fun to drive.

As with any car 20 years old, finding parts suppliers and helpful tips here on this forum has literally saved me thousands of dollars. Don’t be shy to ask here, as someone will have had a similar problem and can point you in the right direction. My one piece of advice is plan for preventative maintenance. Cheaper to service it first before it breaks.

Enjoy!

 

Hi! Cheddarfish!

I like your new Coupe! What's the Color Code on the door jam? I can almost read it in the Photo you sent but the angle is a little off....It will be 3 Letters like (PEC) of something like that....

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

Hi,

I will check tomorrow and let you know.

Hopefully this is not the point where I find out it was originally blue and has been resprayed after accident damage

 

Welcome to the forums!

 

Welcome to the forum Mark, and congrats on the new cat.

You're in good company here.

 

Many thanks for all the greetings.

 

Maybe I'm missing something but since purple is actually my favorite color I was hoping to see an exterior shot of the car but all I see is the interior with a small bit of the exterior color. Any photos of the complete exterior in the sun?

Doug

 

Here goes.......This is when we picked up 5he car. It was a gift for my wife, hence the bow.

 

Very nice. A gift for my wife would be me getting rid of the car

 

Cheddarfish:

That "Big" smile shows me that She is enjoying her gift , Congratulations! Take care of both of them!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

Just picked her up from the garage. They replaced all the lights behind the dashboard, so I can now see the speed I am travelling at. Lifted her up on the ramp. No oil leaks, suspension is all good. All rubber parts new. Brakes are also tip top.

The garage is trying to find some special tool to change the timing chain, but this car is very rare here in Bulgaria. If they can't find one, can someone here point me to a good place where I can order one?

Thanks
Mark

 

Front seats are out ready to be restored....also centre console storage and steering wheel.