No work has been done to this car except regular service at the DEALER. My question is...AT WHAT MILEAGE WILL IT START TO FALL APART!!!
1) chain tensioners
2)water pump
3)throttle body
4)wheel bearings
5)head gaskets

All the GOOD stuff. I know it's best to buy a car w/ low miles. But it would seem like a better idea to buy an XK8 after someone else has fixed the problems. Thanks...I'm gonna get me one!!!!!!!!

 

At 54000 miles, my tensioners were just starting to show cracks in the body. The fins on the water pump were pretty well worn off. I had all the tensioners replaced, and the entire cooling system upgraded. The throttle body was changed thru the recall. A few friends with XK8's are waiting for the tell-tale rattle before they change the tensioners - they're braver than I am.

 

At this point I don't think its mileage that will get you your are still buying a 12 year old car. You just need to decide if you want a 12 year old car.

I know on my 99 coupe the nikasil engine went out at around 30 to 35K. I now have a sleeved block in mine. You can look at the passenger side of the engine to see if you have a reman tag on the head. Mine is located on the lower portion of the head just above the exhaust.

Good Luck!

 

1. Replace top chain tensioners NOW
2. Replace water pump if there is any hint of overheating
3. Check out wheel bearings but it is likely they are OK, and anyway, they first get a bit noisy to warn you.
4. Throttle body worth a clean-out and check
5. There is nothing you can do about the head gasket until it fails, which is unlikely at 35K miles

There you are, panic and reassurance in a single post !!

 

So a 98 or 99 w/ say 60,000 miles should have developed these problems and been fixed?

 

Not necessarily.