I just bought a 2001 XK8 with 29,000 miles about 3 weeks ago.

It had a bad vibration in the steering wheel when I first bought it. The front tires were only 2 months old with only about 200 miles, the rear tires were very worn. The tire guy told me that the rear tires were causing the problem so I bought new ones. The problem did not go away. I got them to re-balance the front tires and they were out of balance and one of them had some pothole dings in it which showed up when they spun it. I got that wheel fixed when I was unable to find a new one anywhere. I just got it back yesterday. There is significant improvement, but still I feel some vibration at highway speeds.

Assuming that everything is perfect, how much vibration should I expect from this car at highway speeds? Should it be very smooth, or with the large wheels and low profile tires, should I expect a fair degree of vibration no matter what?

I'll do whatever it takes to make it right, but I don't want to be like a dog chasing his own tail. Thanks for any input.

 

My 2005 XK8 is smooth at all speeds. If your vibration is in the steering wheel I wouldn't think the rears would be the problem. You can swap the front to rear rims and tires for a test if the rears are new and undamaged. Don't leave them that way though as the rears are wider. If it fixes your problem then one of your fronts is out of balance or damaged if not I know wheel bearings are sometimes an issue with these cars.

 

Having just had the opportunity to drive a brand new stretch of asphalt yesterday all the way up to 125. I can say that these cars have the potential to be smooth as can be.

In the time I have owned my xk8 the couple of times I have had vibrations, the issue was resolved with a 4 wheel alignment, high speed balance, and the replacement of a broken motor mount.

My car sits on factory 19" with stock sized P-Zeros.

The car definitely has the potential to be perfect.

 

I had an '06 xk8 for two years prior to my '08 xkr............

have not had vibration problems with either.....

 

I had a '00 XK8 with new Michelin PS and a rebuilt front end and it was rock stable at any speed.

Currently have a 45k mile '02 XK8 with new Conti Sports on it with vibration at 70mph. Multiple balance jobs, including Hunter force balance (twice). Wheels are measured round. Dealer says front end is fine. Their recommendation is to put Michelin PS on it.

 

I guess that I will drive it a few days to see what's up. I don't get the sort of harmonic vibration that you get from out of balance wheels. What I get may just be the normal reaction to an imperfect road surface. I will wait until I can find a newly paved asphalt road to see what I feel on that sort of surface. I understand that a performance sort of vehicle needs to have more "road feel" than a normal every day driver.

 

I had a vibration in the steering wheel that came on at about 70 and went away around 77. I just had it in today for a wheel balance and alignment at a Tire Kingdom. I then took it out on I-95 and the vibration is gone. this is a 2001 XK with 42000 miles. BTW, Jaugar told me the vibration was from bad control arm bushings that would cost $$$$$$