I am talking XK8 1996 to 2000 and XKR 1998 to 2000 here.

These were our S1 cars whether coupe or cabrio.

Every classic car specialist will tell you that the S1 model is the one that will be worth the most in future.

They are all over 22 years old now and a one in good condition and reasonable originality with the original AJ V8 4.0 Nikasi engine and ZF gearbox will be worth a lot of money in 10 years time.

Not that I would ever sell... but...

Look at how the values of S1 E-Types have gone up in the last 20 years.

Just my humble opinion.

Anyone agree?

 

Disagree in this case. The styling differences between S1 and S2 are not enough to overcome the mechanical flaws of the S1. I think S2 and 2.5 might be worth more. S3 cars are also beautiful but they deviate the most from the original and may take a penalty for that.

 

Very good point.....
But... for all their faults a S1 is always more sort after than a better S2 in the classic car world, for better or worse.
E.G S2 E-type better than a S1, S2 M3 better than a S1 M3.

Just my humble opinion 😀👍

 

I don't think that there were that many mechanical flaws in the S1. Geoff Lawsons design was beautiful, the AJ V8 was a brilliant engine and the Nikasil ceramic cylinder linings were a great idea from racing cars, only ruined by the high sulphur content in cheap supermarket petrol at the time. Jaguar recommended Super Unleaded. Anybody who had enough money to pay 60k for a car and then put rubbish petrol in it had no idea. You would not feed Usain Bolt on greasy burgers and fizzy pop? AMG'S and BMW M had the same issue at the time, it was not only Jaguar.
The problem I believe was Ford accountancy department. Cheap nasty interior plastics, the hideous cheap centre console from a 95 Ford Mondeo and the sub standard suspension bushes, timing chains and tensioner. These were all peripheral items. The basic design I believe was very good. Hey ... its great to talk to a "car guy' 😀

Thanks for your message and take care bud..

Smitty 😀 👍

 

And the original exhaust system, totally abysmal. First thing I did when I bought my 99 XKR Coupe in 2009 was to get a full stainless 3 box system with 2.5 inch pipes throughout.

 

My opinion ? All the surviving 4.0 & 4.2 XK8’s / XKR’s will lumped together, for better or worse. They will sink or swim in the classic car market as one.


Z

 

Thanks for you opinion Z... I respectfully disagree 😅.. I truly believe that the surviving Nikasil 4.0 S1 models will be the ones sought after in future.

Of course only time will tell.... 😀👍👍

 

I am with Zray to a significant degree. Mostly because these are from a different era of car history. I had an S1 E-Type. There was something both about its time and little aspects of its trim, controls and functionality that distinguish it from an S2. It also did things that a street legal and intended car never did, and is as relevant today in terms of performance on modern roads as it was then. It was a first for a lot of things at the time. Still kicking myself that i did not purchase an S2 as a replacement in the early 2000s when could be had California excellent samples around 14K USD.

The XK8/XKR feel very much the same in terms of details and control and functionality over the entire model run. My good friend who is online a bit has a very early car which would pass the test of collectible status with even common unexpected plastic pieces having different inlay and coloring patterns which were eliminated once production really got rolling. My 2 cents is that the S2 represented styling refinements, and IMO i think that they got it just right. The engine really reached a pinnacle in the AJ27 for the 4.0, however goes no further in the square config as they advanced to the 4.2 for a lot of good reasons. Some would say that the higher bit-rate ECU and S2 styling with the 4.2 might be the one to have. I am assuming this is what people mean by S2.5. The S3 is noteworthy in that it prepared the way in terms of styling cues for the replacement car.

This is all evidence of an evolutionary car, not defined steps like the E-Type with the first symbolizing as well as actually being an automotive revolution. In 100 years the first E-Type series could be in a book on automotive history, examples preserved in some form, the XK8 probably forgotten.

 

Warning, possibly unpopular opinion:
I don't think there will be much difference in appreciation, if any; moreover I dont think these cars will appreciate like an XKE at all. The main reason(s) the etype s1 has appreciated so much

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Its the lightest/true sports car, not a GT, and thus has the most uncompromised design.

The e-type evoked its entire era. It is intrinsically associated with 60s britain, post-austerity, optimism, pop and rock n roll and celebrities of that era. It was incredibly cool, it made you cool. It was fast, relatively affordable, British. And it made Ferrari a bit jealous, which is delicious.
The XK does not evoke/epitomise its entire era; it evokes the e-type. It is trying to be cool by association, not intrinsically cool. With due respect (I mean I do OWN an XKR, albeit an S2) the things that made the XKE appreciate and collectible are exactly the things which are making certain JDM cars appreciate like crazy now.

Just go google e type celebrity owners from the 60s and see who was photographed driving (or being driven in) the etype back then. Now look up the XK. The XKE was owned by very cool, wealthy young boomers in the 60s. The XK8 was bought by boomers who wished they had been that cool or wealthy in the 60s.

Now add to that the impending death (or at least, slow death) of the internal combustion engine and the inevitable scarcity of petrol in future, will limit appreciation further. And that is precisely why I bought one now; I figure now is the time to enjoy these ICE cars, so I got a low mileage one and I am absolutely going to drive the wheels off it (doing proper maintenance and care at all times of course, but I am going to USE this car to do CAR things like going fancy places with people I love in style and filling the boot with lots of wine and loot).

 

Let’s wipe the stardust from our bloodshot eyes,

….and thus clear-eyed, we can soberly recognize that the XK’s are derivative in styling and engineering. The e- types on the other hand were innovative in nearly every aspect..

I owned ‘66 and a ‘70 e-types. I bought both of them when they were about 10 years old. Already the prices had bottomed out and they cost more as 10 year old used cars than they did brand new.

I’m not sorry I sold them, I got my moneys worth, and then some. I drove the e’s cross country numerous times, and never had a bad
day behind the wheel. Despite the fancy engineering, I could change the head gasket one day in the driveway and drive non-stop from Oklahoma to California the next day, and average 90+ mph stops included.

After the e-types I bought a series of Shelby Mustangs. Completely different car, same fun, and same substantial financial appreciation.

Z

 

The XKE remains an icon for many of the reasons stated in the above posts. Alas, the XK8 / XKR will never come close to that status. Too much plastic and too many electronics is just one of many reasons why....

 

To paraphrase my "Dear Old Dad", "Opinions are like 'Belly Buttons', everyone has one". Only time will tell which models will out sell the other.
For me, anything before 2004 was not considered due to mechanical problems I had read about here on the forum. Seems to be a common theme, but if you like the 4.0 with all the inherent problems, go for it.
After owning a '74 Vega(Fun car, bad engine), I did not want anything with cylinder liners. I did replace the Vega 4 cylinder with a Buick V6. Then it was a real fun car, until my ex wife left it on the side of the road after it ran out of gas.

 

Hey! They are basically the same Car! All you need to do is change out the front Nose Piece & Grill and remove the Side-Protectors....Then install the lower side moldings! Your 1995-2003 XKR automatically becomes a 2004!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

I share this view. These cars are stupidly complicated. They become garage queens because in the back of your mind you are afraid to drive them because you may not make it back home. New parts in the future will be expensive and many will be unavailable. Manufacturers will not see a profit to continuing servicing this niche market.

 

A lot of very good and knowledgeable comments and opinions here. Thanks...

But respectfully .... you are all are all soo wrong! 😅

Geoff Lawson's design was a classic for the S1 XK8 and R. Yes I agree it gave a nod to the E-Type but it is a beautiful car in it's own right. Wasn't the E-Type a derivative of the C and D Type Le Mans Jags anyway if you think about it. Sir Bill did not like the back end, he should know. And as far as build quality, E-Types were not the best. They were made as quickly as possible because they were relatively inexpensive and were in such high demand.

So let us not get misty eyed about the 1960's here.

The AJ26 4.0 Nikasil was a brilliant engine and the 26/27 VVT variant used in the first S1 XKR was a big step forward. The Mercedes ZF 5 speed auto box is great, kicks down very well and so smoothly. The Eaton Supercharger is a monster giving maximum torque at 3600 RPM.

The rest of the car is crap .... I agree... thanks Ford😆

Just my humble opinion, and again ... only time will tell..

Thanks guys..

Smitty

 

Yes Sam, very good comment, everyone has a belly button and an opinion but as long as we exchange them respectfully without getting too heated then it is all good banter and adds to our love and shared knowledge of our Jags xxx take care bud 😀 😉 👍

 

I agree with you to a certain extent... I think the original XK8 should have had a manual gearbox and a Limited Slip Differential but Ford were skint so they used an auto box for the "GT" market and their accountants decreed that the basic electronic traction control would suffice with a standard open diff.

 

It may be popular to make Ford the scapegoat for the shortcomings of the XK series. But in retrospect, I think Ford made the right decisions with the XK’s . If a person wanted all the aforementioned features, they could pony up for the Aston’s.


the e-types may have owned some DNA to the D type, etc. but c’mon now, no one in the USA ever saw a D type. Some 70 years later, I’ve never seen one in person. The e-type’s on the other hand were everywhere. Even in my little hometown of population 30,000 there were two of them. They may have been owned by a couple of oil pipeline executives, but they were here to see every day, and brother did I get an eyeful daily on my way home from Jr. High. Compared to the other cars on my streets the e-types were from outer space. That’s why they have a special place in history.

Our XK’s are not in the same league. On another topic here I described the XK’s as a prom nite date. Whereas the e-types are movie stars. That is still true.

Z

 

The 2003 era car is the nicest looking in my opinion, it's the cleanest looking anyway. Before they added the silly sill covers and after they removed the side runners. The fog lamps have also improved. The 4.0 engines are OK but why bother when the 4.2 lump is just a better more powerful more reliable engine.

 

[QUOTE=zray;2554938]It may be popular to make Ford the scapegoat for the shortcomings of the XK series. But in retrospect, I think Ford made the right decisions with the XK’s . If a person wanted all the aforementioned features, they could pony up for the Aston’s.


the e-types may have owned some DNA to the D type, etc. but c’mon now, no one in the USA ever saw a D type. Some 70 years later, I’ve never seen one in person. The e-type’s on the other hand were everywhere. Even in my little hometown of population 30,000 there were two of them. They may have been owned by a couple of oil pipeline executives, but they were here to see every day, and brother did I get an eyeful daily on my way home from Jr. High. Compared to the other cars on my streets the e-types were from outer space. That’s why they have a special place in history.

Our XK’s are not in the same league. On another topic here I described the XK’s as a prom nite date. Whereas the e-types are movie stars. That is still true.

Well I have said my piece Z and I guess you are probably right. The E-Type was an icon and as such the XK8/R will never be as revered. But I love my 99 XKR Coupe and to be honest I would not swap her for an XKE. I think the S1 XKR Coupe is prettier than the E-Type coupe. Just my VHO.

That's me done on the subject..

Thanks and take care 🙂

Smitty 😀👍