I saw a 2006 XKR window sticker that showed a "handling Package" option with an astronomical price. What more can they do to make it handle that costs that much?

 

Paul,

My understanding, at the end of the model range, the Jaguar Handling package came with better brakes, upgraded shocks, tighter springs & bigger anti roll bar. The power steering was tuned to stiffened at speed as well. Not sure if the wheels were upgraded as 18" was standard, with "19"and 20" as another separate option. I think the adaptive shocks were standard on the XKR.

 

I think the package was first made available in 2000MY for coupe only and included reworked CATS damper module and damper settings, changes to steering rack and road spring and roll bar ratings and ride height about 15mm lower than standard.

 

The wheel package is separate - 20" Seppangs were $6K and red-painted calipers were another $300 for a final sticker of $92,600! That was not a Portfolio, Victory Edition or other special interior trims either. Wow!

 

Just an FYI, I've had a couple STRs and currently a BMW Coupe and Mini Countryman as daily drivers. I've owned a Porsche 928 for 19 years that has been fully upgraded and restored but I miss the supercharger whine of my STR. So I'm selling the Porsche and on the hunt for an '05 or '06 XKR Coupe with reasonable miles and NOT a beige interior. Having had 6 Jags over the years (including a '64 and '71 E-Type) I understand the pain that also comes with the pleasure. If someone has one available, I'll look!

 

It probably has Brembos and Recaros, which would be nearly $3,000 today if you wanted to add them to an XKR without them.

 

Paul...

This "Quick Reply" is probably way to late! Sorry but I just saw your request for information on a Good XKR Coupe!
If you would still be interested in a 2003 Silver with Black Interior Coupe, I have an English Friend who would like to sell his.....He is now in his 80's and hasn't driven the Coupe for a couple years....It's an XKR Coupe with the "R" Package and BBS Detroit 20" Wheels and of course Brembo's...Several years ago he had 2 - 3" Dark Green Stripes painted down the Center of the Car from front to Rear Bumpers....They look pretty good and you might like them! The Car is in great shape with about 65,000 miles on the clock! The only thing that I know is wrong is the Adaptive Cruise Control stopped working several years ago....That made the old Englishman mad and hasn't driven it much since then...If you are interested, please let me know and I will put you in contact with Bob....

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

2005 / 2006 XKR-
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO TELL IF AN XKR HAS THE FACTORY HANDLING PACKAGE?

I realize Recaros & Brembos are a good clue- but does one know with certainty???

 

The 2006 XK8 / XKR brochure states that the $3,000 Handling Package was available only on the XKR coupe. It supposedly included: cross-drilled Brembo brakes with silver calipers, revised CATS damper settings, re-tuned power steering, revised rate coil springs and rollbars, and it required 20-inch wheels. Call the service manager of several Jaguar dealerships in your general area, provide them with your VIN, and ask if they can confirm whether or not it has this package....

 

Any Jaguar Dealer can lookup the vehicle Build Sheet from the VIN which has this level of detail.

Jaguar TOPIx will give the Vehicle Summary but this is not as detailed as the Build Sheet. You would also have to buy TOPIx time (minimum 1 hour) to download the Vehicle Summary. It used to be free to download but JLR started charging a couple of years ago.

Graham

 

This is way late for Paul's use. But the quickest way to tell if it's an "R" is to look on the Front Fender under the "Blinker Light" if there's an "R" there...It's an "R"!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

He is not asking about being an R. He is asking about the handling package. There is not much of a way to identify. It will have a quicker steering rack, a thicker sway bar, stiffer cats dampers and springs, recaros, and will be slightly lowered. Other than looking at the build sheet, I imagine measuring the diameter of the anti-roll bars and comparing with a non handling package car would be the easiest way to know.

 

Doctor Glandaniel,

Yes, this is true! You can do all the checking you want but, in most cases, you will find that if it has the "R" on the Fender...It is an "R" and has all of those things that Jaguar has determined make it an "R"....I'm sure there might be a few fakes out there, but not too likely with an XKR purchaser! Especially, you and me!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

My XKR does not have the handling package but it does have the R. What having the R means is that it has a Eaton M112 Roots Style supercharger strapped to the engine. Nothing else.

 

Dr. Glandaniel:

I know that is not correct, Doctor...If your Coupe has an "R" on it from the Factory ..., It is an "R"...and has nothing to do with the Eaton S/C! Either it is or someone has bought an "R" and stuck it on your Coupe's Fender!!!!!......This has occurred from time to time...in the past.....
BC

 

Being an XKR ≠ it having the handling package. It just means it has the more powerful engine, and in the 4.0 cars, a Mercedes 722.6 gearbox. In other words, having an R has EVERYTHING to do with it having a supercharger. No R car is naturally aspirated. Without the supercharger, it is not an XKR, but an XK8.

The handling package was an OPTION for the XKR. Please re-read the thread before you refute me.

 

Probably the easiest way to check is turn steering lock to lock.
Just shy of three turns (2.8) does not have package. Just over two turns (2.2) it does.

 

That much quicker? Now you’re making me want to fit the handling package steering rack on my car. Does anyone know the
part number? Is it MJC3901AC?

I am a sucker for quick ratio steering racks. That’s something I enjoy the most of my Mini.

 

R performance rack will be MXD prefix Gian.

 

Thank you!


Huh, searching for the MXD rack reveals it was superseded by the MJC rack. Does that mean it’s impossible to buy a new handling package rack?