Well, I finally let my 2002 XKR convertible meet her "new" sister, a 2010 XKR coupe. Although it's been in our office's garage for nearly a week, I just haven't had time to even drive it. Today, I washed, cleaner waxed and then carnuba waxed the 2010, and then let the two of them play in the sunshine for a little while. Next week, both of them go in for a little cosmetic surgery, the 2002 for the scrapes and bruises someone did to my front bumper while parked at Home Depot for 5 minutes last week, and the 2010 for some "plastic" surgery which will include installing Mina RS side and front sills, Mina exhaust, some respray of the front valance, and some touch ups elsewhere, two new rear tires, and refinishing of all 4 wheels (apparently the previous owners didn't know how to park, same as my 2002 when I got it), and a great looking rear bumper/diffuser (if it comes in time for this round).

I have mixed feelings about the 2010, some real likes, some major dislikes, but the real surprise was that I expected my 2002 XKR to feel old by comparison after driving the newer one. WRONG! While certainly the power, handling, and turn in of the 2010 are spectacular, the 2002 has less rattles (make that no rattles), has a more comfortable ride on its 18" wheels versus the 20s" of the 2010, has a more linear connection to the throttle than its more powerful younger sister... Rather than feel obsolete, I actually appreciate my 2002 even more. And you know what, I still like the looks of the first series as much or more than the newer ones. After I've spent some more behind the wheel time in the 2010, I'll do a more involved comparison.

 

Pictures disappeared from the first post so here they are:

 

Beautiful! I would love to hear more of the comparison between the two as you get to know the newest addition better. I keep thinking I might want to trade up someday....would love to hear the pros and cons of that...

 

Please keep us posted as you compare and contrast the two vehicles in the weeks and months ahead. And enjoy the process!

 

Gorgeous pair you have there.

Enjoy getting to know the new addition and we look forward to hearing how the older cat stands up.

 

I've toyed with 'upgrading' to a newer gen xk also, so I'd love to hear your comparison also. Subscribed, and thanks!

 

First impressions on the cabin are as follows:
1) Seats in the 2010 have much more side bolstering and an infinite amount of adjustments, but I haven't played with it enough to find a setting that is as comfortable for me as the 2002. I'm sure with some fidgeting, I'll get there.
2) Dash pad on the 2010 is more modern looking but has mismatched color panel on passenger side airbag cover, several air bubbles where leather has become detatched from frame.
3) Every function in the 2010 is controlled from Nav screen, including air conditioning, audio, seat heater/cooler...this means I have to put on my reading glasses everytime I want to do anything because I just can't see the writing on the screen clearly enough. This is a major pain in the ***.
4) Two cupholders in the console (2010) of different sizes. The driver side one's diameter is too small to fit most normal cups. Very strange.
5) The 5.0L supercharged engine should have a warning label like cigarettes, "Caution, smoking (the tires) may be hazardous to your health!" It is frighteningly fast. It may make me forget all the other things I don't like. Whew!
6) Turn in on curves is much more direct (2010) without feeling like the weight of the car is fighting you as it does to some extent in my 2002.

More as I drive it a little more this week.

 

Well done! Glad to hear the XK100 doesn't seem as aged as you anticipated. I still enjoy mine, though have also thought about upgrading to a XK150 one day- I'll bet we all have. I know you used to drive the convertible daily, I'd be curious what life is like with a coupe after awhile, as I'd probably do the same (especially if I could keep my 2000 which I likely would as well). The new engine sounds outstanding! I'm really leaning toward another XKR later in life over a 911- my 2000 has made me fall in love with proper GT cars.

 

Sentinelist,
I drive my 2002 XKR convertible with the top down virtually everyday of the year. We only get about 5 days of inhospitable weather a year in L.A., and I enjoy it. As I approach 150,000 miles, even though it runs and looks great, I just wanted to prolongue its life a bit by alternating a couple of days per week. Realistically, were I to sell my 2002, what could I get for it, maybe $10K, and what could I get for $10K from which I could derive so much enjoyment and so much beauty? So, selling it was never an option. I wasn't seriously looking for a 5.0L coupe, I would just glance at the ads sometimes. But I saw one locally that had high mileage but was priced about $8-10K less than most I had looked at. I still had not really considered it until it turned out after a visit to my mechanic that the engine had to be replaced with the previous owner's insurance policy paying for an engine replacement. That changed the equation, all of a sudden I had a chance to buy it at the low price with an almost new engine, and my personal mechanic was doing the transplant. In addition, once the old engine was out and we were able to see what the problem was, it appears that one pair of rod bearings failed without doing any further damage. I was able to secure those bearings from Jaguar for about $22, and I should have an extra, functioning 5.0L engine as a spare or to sell.

I go to the track two or three times a year with friends in the So Cal Audi club, and convertibles are not allowed, plus I liked the shape of the newer coupes, so I bought it last week once the repairs were done.

I will say this, those of us with first series XK/XKR's have nothing to be ashamed of, I think I actually like most aspects of my 2002 better. But, that supercharged 5.0L is somethin' else. Spectacularly quick!

 

Looking forward to the comparisons.

With apologies to those who prefer the later body style ... Beauty is of course subjective but I think it's still possible to compare two designs and say where sound design principles have been better followed.

Look at the nose of the '02. Your eye settles comfortably on the dominant design element: the grille. Look at the later car: your eye does not know where it's supposed to go. The oval grille? The competing rectangular grille? Do the vertical slots complement or fight with the other bits?

Just my $.02, and what I see here may just be because my tastes were imprinted for life by 1960s designs.

 

Congratulations. "I'll have one of each please" is always the best answer.

The newer style is growing on me, although it no longer resembles the E-type, which is why I was drawn to the XK8/R. I do like the rear and rear 3/4 view of the coupes, but still trying to find love for the front view. And I would miss having real gauges.

But as you noted, a supercharged 5.0L thrill might change my mind!

 

Congrats Ted! Now you'll have two to bring to next year's Queen's English

Doug

 

Dennis07,
I absolutely agree with your 1960's design element comments and your comments about the X100 vs. X150. For me I think it's quite revealing how Ford brought back the Mustang to resemble the Mach I of 1969, Chevrolet did the same with the Camaro, Ford brought the GT back from the GT 40, I think the late '60's represented the pinnacle of automotive design which is why automakers keep going back to them for inspiration. Think of the XKE, the Ferraris of the era, and my personal favorite car design of all time, the 1968 Pontiac GTO, they're stunning in any era. Compare the sensuous Lamborghini Miura to that pig of an automobile called the Aventador. No comparison!

 

...and I love love love those wheels on the coupe (kalimnos, i believe they're named) I would have to have those on any newer gen xk I would own.

 

The Kalimnos are going to be refinished as curb rash and discoloration have affected all four. I'm toying with doing some interesting things with color. We'll see, stay tuned.

 

Right on, that sounds like a deal that just couldn't be passed up- where are you putting the extra engine? :P

Your comment on the value of your 2002 is my exact thought with my 2000. How could I ever sell it for its current market value? What on earth compares for that price right now? It's also the exact same thought process with my 2002 Audi S8, similar value too (despite it being probably one of the top 3 best examples remaining on this continent). I'm stuck with both, and love it. For now.

I told my wife at some point I'll just need a warehouse... or go subterranean with one of your kits!

 

Different class of vehicle I know, but I'm in the same boat with my trusty 1999 Dodge Ram pickup. I've owned it since late December 2000, have taken great care of it, less than 67,000 miles on the odometer, and with its big 5.9-litre V8 that truck can do anything I ask of it....

I received my annual property tax bill for this truck in the mail earlier this week. The county values my truck at a whopping $2,450. No way could I even come close to replacing this truck with one as nicely cared-for at triple that amount....

 

I haven't decided what to do with the spare engine. One of the Forum members, So Cal Babe, sent me a couple of messages regarding purchasing it. She does her own work and wants to build a 1000hp engine for her late model XKR. My friend and I are toying with building a track car around it, and/or maybe just keeping it as a spare for parts as I keep cars forever.

 

Well, today was the first chance I've had to drive the 2010 XKR coupe since I brought it home about three weeks ago. I got the title transferred and the new plates and registration, yesterday afternoon knowing that this morning I needed to drive up to our property north of Bakersfield and back, two hours in each direction. I figured it would give me the opportunity over four hours to get to know her.

First the good:
1) What an engine, effortless, instant power, 80mph is the new 60mph without realizing it.
2) Turning is much sharper, less of a battle, much more direct.
3) Beautiful rear haunches (not necessarily better than our earlier models but beautiful in its own right)
4) Door pockets that you can actually put glasses or other items into instead of balancing on the console.
5) More powerful fan on the air condtioning, can really create some wind.
6) Bluetooth
7) A little more legroom

The not so good:
1) The Hankook tires on the rear are so loud on anything but the smoothest road surface that you need ear muffs.
2) Although it handles better than our older gen XK/XKR's, the ride is so isolated and insulated that the fun factor of the earlier generation is lost. It is not as fun to drive! Did I really just say that?
3) Everything is controlled by the Nav. screen which I need to put reading glasses on to see, a real pain in the ***.
4) Clinical, more modern (read: less classic) interior and wrinkling in the leather on the dash (extremely common problem with the new gen XK's)
5) Great supportive, infinitely adjustable seats, so why can't I find a position as comfortable as that in my 2002 XKR
6) Considerably worse highway gas mileage than the 2002. I haven't driven it in the city yet so can't compare.
7) 20" wheels translate into harsher ride over bumps and trigger lots of rattles that don't exist on the 2002.

These are my initial reactions after a longish drive today. I am happy, surprised, thrilled, that the 2002 XKR makes me smile everytime I look at it and drive it even compared to the 2010 even after 150,000 miles. I am a bit disappointed that the 2010 has some issues that make me feel this way. I will be doing some modifications to the 2010 starting next week, some body work including Mina RS side sills, front splitter, an absolutely wicked rear bumper/diffuser from F/X, Mina performance exhaust, new tires, refinishing of scarred Kalimnos. I've cleaned and waxed the exterior and I'll spend some time on the interior this week before it goes to the body shop, and I think it will grow on me. I am looking forward to the work being finished and taking it to the track sometime soon.

More comments and comparisons as well as pictures in the next couple of weeks.

 

Excellent! 2 XKs. Not to mention the rest of the stable.

I believe the phrase is, "an embarrassment of riches". Rock on.