I'd like to fit a brand new set of quad tips, but they cost a fortune from Jag dealers. I have been looking on eBay for over a year, but they never seem to come up.

Does anyone know of a good (i.e. cheap and reliable) source for original parts? TIA

 

I would assume that yours are damaged in some way? They are stainless so providing they aren't destroyed entirely, you should be able to refinish and polish them.

Metal working is a bit of an art, and may require an artisan, but polishing is easy enough.

And if you do find cost effective replacements, I might take the old ones off your hands and try my hand at a repair.

 

I suppose I should also ask what you consider a reasonable price for the OEM tips. They can be had for $125 USD on this side of the pond.

 

Mine aren't really damaged, just a bit dirty. I have tried polishing them up, but the previous owner obviously let the get a bit dirty around the edges and now I can't get them as clean as I would like. They are definitely good enough to sell on eBay, if I can get hold of some brand new replacements.

 

In that case, have you tried taking them off the car and giving them a good going over with a buffing wheel and some compound?

I do steel wool mine from time to time when washing the car, but you're right, it doesn't really get them back to a shine.

I haven't actually tried polishing the exhaust tips, but have recovered many a stainless trim piece from British cars of yesteryear, so can't imagine why it wouldn't work on these.

 

I bought a set from XKRacer (Tony) and while I can't remember the price I paid, I don't remember it being anything I considered excessive. I'd try there first.

Mark

 

Hmm, steel wool, I hadn't thought of that. Might give it a try.

 

+1 on the steel wool. That will get the majority off but will leave scratches. I then used 2000 wet and dry with a good compound until smooth and then finished off with a buffing wheel and metal polish.

All depends on the finish you want as to how long you spend on the wet and dry.

Good thing is, it doesn't cost an arm and leg except for time.

 

Great, thanks

 

Are you considering the outsides or the insides of the tips?

Graham

 

This stuff is good too. I use it on my tips:
Bar Keepers Friend | Cleaning Products | Household Cleaning Supplies

 

Now that I think about it, Brasso would probably work quite well for this purpose.
Brasso - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I haven't specifically used it on the exhaust tips, but have on plenty of other metal surfaces. I think I'll try it this weekend.

One advantage is that it should be a fairly easy one to find in Europe.

 

This is one area where Brasso doesn't shine (no pun intended) it's great for removing oxidation or corrosion.

You need steel wool, followed by 2000 wet, followed by flitz polish preferably by machine.

That should get them back to a mirror finish.

Take care,

George

 

Just got OEM xkr tips from Duckworth parts in the UK - reasonable price look great, but around 400$ delivered all the way to Australia. Would be around 230GBP plus shipping. Fitted well, 5 minute job, and look fabulous - wider longer, shinier and more potent

 

I bought mine from a UK Jaguar dealer in January for about the same as what you paid. Yes, they are expensive, but they do look superb. Enjoy.

 

I like to use Nevr-Dull to clean metal. I've used it to polish aluminum to a chrome like finish costs around $8 dollars and you won't leave any scratches unless they are already there. It will do what you want to do

 

Has anyone who have removed your OEM exhaust tips have any problems with that? I have an 04 XKR (OEM oval tips), and would like to replace those tips with OEM quads (as on the 05 / 06 US model XKR's). I recall they are attached with a single reverse hex or torx bolt; but can't help but think they are the equivalent of welded between being almost 10 years old and on a highly heated exhaust system.
While the OEM stainless steel system looks in great shape, I'd be shocked if they come off easy (no, I have not tried to take them off yet).
FYI, new from dealer / Gaudin $135 each, so $270 total plus shipping / tax.

 

My oval tips came right off my 03 without any problem.

I actually sourced the quad tips thinking they would be a bolt on replacement but it is not quite so simple.

The quad tips are a 2.25" connector, expecting a 2" pipe to mount to, but the pipe coming from the rear muffler is 2.25", so they don't fit. The length is also an issue, as the quads are overall longer.

I think they can be made to fit, but it isn't as easy as I had hoped.