Hi all,

This is my first post on the forum but I've been reading threads for a little over 3 weeks now. I'm currently living in Italy but I will be returning to my home in the UK within a few weeks and will be looking to buy a Jag XKR when I return. I have already lined up a few viewings as I travel back there on Thursday for a long weekend.

I have read many threads on the tensioner / waterpump / thermostat problems and it seems a lot of these faults have been fixed with the 4.2 engine. However, I have read in some threads that there have still been (one or two) problems with the 4.2s and tensioners, which still concerns me. Is it still a case to get these should ideally be changed at 60k miles? Also, are the waterpump and thermostat still issues for later cars after it was changed from a 4 litre?

Any other mechanical things to look out for? I've read about the gearbox and giving it an oil swap from a specialist will do it a world of good. I will check the suspension is in good health as I have read about shock absorbers being one of the weaker components on these cars. Brakes and tyres as with any car are wear and tear as far as I'm concerned.

I like the idea of the built in Nav (although the dials look good too) but it seems it is difficult to get hold of recent map discs. Is it still the case that the latest discs are for 2002 or have navteq produced any since then that are compatible (for UK)? I have seen some neat installs on a 4.0 litre XJR which replaces the headunit with a widescreen nav / multimedia screen and allows iPod integration so this may be the way to go in a couple of years.

I intend adding a decent exhaust soon after purchase anyway - perhaps I'll forget about wanting iPod integration and just listen to the V8!

Anyway, I wanted to say hello - this is a great forum and I've already picked up a few tips and extras for my search checklist from reading on here - wish me luck in finding a good one!

Cheers, Cluffstarr

 

Hello Cluffstarr and Welcome to the Forum.

The 4.2L engine or 2003 and forward XK8/XKR are excellent cars and the weak points having the potential to cause engine "sudden death" were designed/engineered out, particularly the plastic tensioner issue. Overall the 4.2L is very sturdy and dependable. The transmission is the ZF six speed (also used in many other vehicles) and is generally not a problem if the car is not abused and/or if the transmission is not pushed repeatedly to overheating, but then that would be the same for most transmissions. Yes, there is a general consensus that changing the transmission fluid every 30-60k is a good idea. The OEM spec and other acceptable transmission fluids are now readily available and so is the "disposable" plastic transmission pan and integral filter. I might also add that the price for both have declined significantly in the past couple years. The upper suspension bushings and upper strut mount bushings wear a little faster then on some other cars but that also depends on the driver and predominant road conditions. Whether you like to do your own repair work or will depend on an independent shop this site contains a wealth of knowledge and the help of some really fine Jag owners. For what it is worth there are several XK8/XKR owners on the Forum who have driven their cars well past 100k miles. The key is routine PM and thoughtful driving habits.

Check around and when you have found an XK8/XKR you might buy, just check back with the Forum regarding specifics and someone will have answers for your questions.

Regards

Tim V.
2005 XKR Coupe

 

The OE satnav is awful. I would much have preferred the 3 gauges. Compatible DVDs seem to stop at 2002, so updates are nigh on impossible. But it's not just the lack of up-to-date maps; the satnav itself is woefully slow and draws the maps almost pixel by pixel like a Sinclair Spectrum

I became so fed up with it that I literally stuck a nice new TomTom Via on top of it yesterday, while I figure out how best to install the 3 gauges (Link).

 

Thanks for the tips guys, looks like the Nav is off the cards then and I'll look for the gauges! Will probably buy a modern Tom Tom or Garmin and try and neatly fit it permanently in the corner between dash and windscreen as I have done with previous cars. Apart from covering the OEM Sat Nav display has anyone put a permanent fit Sat Nav any where else on/around the dash?

I'm going to see two 2003 cars on Saturday. I'm looking forward to it greatly!

 

The nav. is standard on the XKRs, so if you want an 'R' you have to accept the nav.

Click on the link in my signature for an integrated navigation upgrade apporach using a Garmin GVN-53.

 

Cluffstar: I absolutely love my '05 4.2 XKR. The previous owner had replaced the Alpine nav system with a Garmin, and it is spot on. However, I would have prefered the guages.

 

Hmmm, it looks like a fair bit of work but worth it to keep the dash looking OEM... Perhaps I should also consider spending the same on a newer 4.2 XK8 with gauges! The aesthetics count a lot with these cars.
I'm used to driving about here in Alfa MiTos and Citroes DS3s, which whilst nice small cars are not in the same league of long distance performance that I will be looking for when back in the UK and traveling further to visit family and friends... Doubt I'd be disappointed with an N/A motor...

 

I know my 00 XKR has the gauges, but I think the later models the nav came standard as WhiteXKR says.

 

True, U.S. XKRs, 2001 and newer have SatNav standard.

However I have seen Canadian XKRs, 2001 and newer that did NOT have Satnav.

I agree that the 3 Gauges look much nicer than the Nav Screen (even with their weird calibrations).

 

+1 The nav screen already looks somewhat dated IMHO.

The dash with the 3 gauges looks like a timeless design. With the exception of the modern style vents, it looks as though it could've been in a car from the 1920's. Decades from now it will still have that classic appearance and appeal.