Hello to all, I am starting a search for my XK8. I am new to Jaguars, I am capable of doing my own wrenching. I just finished a 4 year run with a Porsche 928, a lot of work and fun, but am looking for a little more driving fun and hopefully reliability. I am looking for, I think, a 2001thru 2005 XK8 and looking for any info about these cars I can get. Mainly reliability any quirks or stay aways. Thanks for any info. Jack

 

Get a 2003 or newer with low miles. I bought a 2004 3 years ago and have really had a lot of fun with it. had 29000 on it when I got it. Now has 38700. It's been a great car!

 

The 2003 has the updated cam tensioners and cylinders I assume, are there any transmission problems? Thanks

 

The ZF6hp26 in the 03-06 models is pretty reliable, its also used in similar year audi's and BMWs also. Yes, there was a squawk issue, but related to fluid only. Otherwise, pretty good.

My 03 has 148,000 miles and recently developed a 5th gear 'incorrect' ratio problem, progressively got worse, and I had a rebuild done on the entire tranny, only to find out the problem was somewhere in the valve body. Refitting my VB with replacement sonnax parts and re-tooling the main hydraulic valve didn't fix it. Only a swap with another valve body using my TCM on it, did the error get resolved. My clutches were worn, but not dangerously thin...but a rebuild now gives her more life than the rest of the car, I hope.

Oh, there is 'the lurch' too, a sudden jolt that happens at rolling and complete stops. This is usually just bad transmission education, and a clearing of the adaptations, with a software reflash, and that 95% of the time remedies that little annoyance. (yes, I had a lurch, albeit small, for the first 5 years of ownership before I did the adaptations and realized I don't have to worry when approaching an intersection about whether or not I get hit from behind (because that is what it feels like...a fender bender of the psych)

 

Hey, thanks for the information so far. I was thinking about the 2001 - 2005 based on some the changes to the motor but I noticed alot of people have 1999 - 2000 models, how are these for reliability. Thanks for any help, Jack

 

Jacal, there is a ton of info in this forum that will answer all of your questions, and probably many you never thought to ask!! The cars have top issues, electrical issues, tensioner issues, tire wear issues, transmission issues, cooling system issues... you name it!! But, most all are relatively easy to repair for the DYI'er as you will see while rambling through this sea of information. All in all, these cars are very reliable when maintained correctly. Parts can be pricey, so try to find one that has already been updated as much as can be expected. Or, use that to your advantage when dickering on a purchase. And, you will have a really "exclusive" car rather than the hoards of "normal" cars out there! Which, by the way, also break down!

 

I recently bought a pristine year 2000 XK8. The previous owner did most of the important upgrades, and the VIN indicates it's post Nikasil liners. There's nothing that doesn't work that I can find, and it looks brand new, which I can't say of any of my other (newer) cars. So although theoretically I might have preferred a 03+ car, I bought the car that was in the best overall condition I could find.

About 10 years ago I had a '97 that suffered catastrophic engine failure. I hope I have enough sense to not go back to a poisoned well.