Opinions wanted on 2000-2005 XK8/XKR
 

Greetings- I am looking for a nice, well kept XK. I'm looking at years 2000-2005. I'm new to the XK's. I owned a 2004 XJ8 and loved it. I'm wondering if anyone could share their opinion on what year Jag would be better in terms of mechanical problems. It's been said that the old jags were problematic but I believe those were the old ones (prior to 2000)? I'm just trying to gather if one year is better than another.

Thank you so much!

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I'm sure someone will come along and request that you introduce yourself in the new members section.. But, in the meantime, to address your question..

There were several significant changes made to the X100 (designation given to 1997-2006 XK8/XKR) from 2000-2005, most notably of which is the changeover to the 4.2L from the 4.0L in 2003. In 2005, the ZF 6-speed was also introduced. Additionally, the 2005 and 2006 cars (the last 2 years of the X100 body style in the US) received a moderate facelift.

If you choose to go with a 4.0L car, the most important things to note are the high failure rate of the cam chain tensioners as well as cooling issues.

Generally speaking, the last run of a model will have the most bugs worked out, so I would look for at least a 4.2L car, if not a 2005-2006.

When you have some time, I encourage you to search through the forum as both of these issues have been discussed at length.

Best of luck in hunting for your new kitty!

The latest, lowest mileage, most well maintained 4.2L XKR you can find and afford. You really, really won't regret it when you put your foot down... :-)

aafattore,
In the U.S. the 4.0L engine was included until end of model year 2002. The secondary tensioners were plastic and a ticking time bomb unless replaced. The XK8 through the end of 2002 had a ZF 5 speed and the XKR had a Mercedes sourced 5 speed. In 2003 with the new 4.2L engine came a ZF 6 speed. IMHO, the Mercedes 5 speed was the hardiest of the bunch. 2001 saw the fog lights pushed forward and more flush and the rear tail lights were improved and got a chrome surround. Finally, the rockers were squared off in 2005-6 and the little "bumperettes" in the front grill of the earlier years were lost to a larger one piece grill.

There is nothing wrong with getting a 2002 or older if the tensioner issues are addressed. I have 150,000 miles + on my 2002 and it runs great. Of course, I had to do all those infamous repairs. The later cars will save you the step of doing the tensioners (or making sure that they were done). They're all good.

Good luck!

The information I have from mulitple sources is that the plastic cam chain tensioners were phased out after 1998 model year in favor or more reliable metal ones, thus eliminating that particular flaw (and it played a significant part in my own search). My 2001 with 4.0 is by no means fast, but it is respectable and gets 25+mpg highway. I would like to have the 6 speed, but the 5 speed is certainly not a determining factor (for me). Good luck on your search... I suggest you do some research on your own regarding various reported maladies such as the tensioners and the 1500-1800 rpm "Growl", "green shower" etc. then make your best decision.

That's not true about the tensioners. Your 01, if it still has the original tensioners does NOT have the generation 3 units.

If it's not a 4.2, and does not have proof they've been replaced, pull the covers and check!

Beautiful kitty you have there BTW!

So my 2003 4.2 XKR should be ok with regard to having the better tensioners?

Yes, since you have the 4.2, by default, you have the third generation metal tensioners that are not prone to failure.

There is a trade off between a late 2002 and a 2003 XKR. The 2003 XKR has the 4.2L engine but has the ZF transmission. If the 2002 was manufactured after August of 2001, then it has the 3rd generation tensioners but still has the Mercedes transmission, which IMO is the best transmission ever offered in the XKR. Also, the Mercedes transmission makes it possible to change the rear axel ratio, something that is not possible with the ZF transmission. I have a 2002 XKR manufactured in February of 2002 and have changed the rear axel ratio from the stock 3.06 to a 3.27 and upgraded the lower s/c pulley and am very happy with the results.


Mark

Now I just have to find one!!! I live in Arizona, the Valley of the Sun- this really should not be this difficult. I can't find one single XK, $20K or less, for 390 miles! They all seem to be in California or Florida.

Try Craiglist, there are half a dozen in Phoenix and even this XKR in Las Vegas... but it's a little... something:
XKR 2002 supercharge jag

Make sure you heed what 80srule said. Anything prior to 2003 had plastic tensioners, so you either have to add the cost of doing it to your budget or have concrete proof that the previous owner had them replaced. It is not a pretty sight once they break.

Oh dear.... And it's a salvage title, for the cherry on top!

Actually, this is not true. The 3rd generation tensioners were introduced in August of 2001. Therefore any engine manufactured after this date had the 3rd generation tensioners. This includes 2002 models manufactured after this date. However, you need to verify the date the engine was manufactured.


Mark

I think I would pass on that one. :icon_rolleyes:

It's worth having a permanent reminder of this beauty before the Ad disappears:

Attachment 99038

Attachment 99039

The weirdest panel gap I've seen in a long time.

Graham

Oh dear. He should have bought a Ford. Why get a beautiful car then ruin it? Still beauty is in the eyes of the beholder (I think he needs glasses myself)

Oh. What a shame... :'(

I agree... The gap is probably a result of the salvage title.. And the front bumper is off of an earlier car, since the fog lights are recessed.