Hey everybody, wanted to introduce myself and my new to me 1998 XK8. I’m a former mechanic and engineer who is a hardcore DIY mechanic, I love European cars and have owned a bunch including a 2002 XJR. I work in aerospace and “commute” between DFW and Wichita, so I picked up this nice little XK8 as a fun highway car.

Background on the XK, it’s a 1998 with about 118k, silver over black and bone stock except for freshly refinished XKR wheels. San Francisco owned by one family from new until one year ago, when a “collector” from OK purchased it and only drove it a few hundred miles. Probably a 5” stack of receipts from either the dealer or a Euro indie including timing chain guides/tensioners and a transmission rebuild, both at about 100k. Runs and drives great, everything works, the only issue I’ve found so far are the front strut mounts which I plan to remedy soon with a suspension upgrade. The exterior has a few scratches and dings, I’d call it a 10/10 car at the moment. Interior is nearly perfect, with some detailing and a good Leatherique treatment it will be immaculate.

My plan is to give it a really good maintenance baseline in conjunction with the service records, does anybody have a comprehensive list of what normally breaks? I’ve done some reading through the FAQs and apologize if I’ve missed it. I also plan to stiffen up the suspension with H&R springs and Bilstein B6 shocks, add a CarPlay capable single DIN radio, and do the Mina rear muffler bypass for a little more bark. Then drive the hell out of it!

Pictures coming shortly….

 

 

She's gorgeous.
1st thought, add a front strut bar when to do the suspension and use Wayne's upper mounts.
WJ

 

Thanks! If I’m being honest the exterior is better in pictures, I’d probably rate it 6/10. Interior will clean up nice though.

Interesting thought on the strut bar, and do
you have a link to the Wayne’s mount?

 

Send a PM to forum member cjd777 (that is Wayne's screen name) and get on his list for a pair of the front upper shock mounts. They are custom-designed and the best in the world right now. I believe you need at least ten posts here on the forum to be able to send PMs so go comment on some other threads to get your post count up....

Also, Wayne had hip replacement surgery last week so it may be a few weeks before he has any more sets available (he will need to get your current bell cores). Wayne is a very committed forum member and you can bet that he will get through his physical recovery / therapy quickly and be good as new well ahead of schedule....

 

Thanks!