I am considering changing my factory 2000 XK8 look to an XKR 3 piece mesh grill look. Was wondering if anyone else had purchased or installed one from Mina. They quoted me a really good price compared to the listed site price.
Here is their link: http://www.minagallery.com/Merchant2...t_Code=NW12690

Thx,

Kevin

 

I love the grill but not the price!

 

If you like it go for it. If price is an issue Mina's 1 piece mesh grille is half the price. It's the one I went with and it looks great. Pics in the gallery. I have since removed the 4 mounting bolts. Install was easy.

 

Thx for the reply, Mike. I checked out your pics and I really enjoyed viewing your mods. Seems like you have logged some time on it. Although Jags, in general have beautiful lines and are a work of art on their own, I do enjoy seeing tasteful mods.
I think I am going to stick with the classic 3 piece XKR grill as they quoted me a pretty good price at $350 instead of the much higher listed price on the Mina site.

Your write ups are helpful to those of us that are considering different changes and mods, thx for sharing the info.

Kevin

 

I went with the one-piece grill from mina as well...simple install and got rid of the front verticle bumper's...should you do the one-piece...be sure to paint the supports behind the verticle bumpers...use flat black...i've seen these grill's done without that extra step and it doesn't look as good at all...either way...one or three piece...your car will look awesome...good luck.....eroc

 

hogleg, how did the final grille install come out? Pics and any tips?

 

Matt,

I got one off e-bay but have not installed it yet.

 

3-piece gus?

 

Yes and it was a great price with shipping from England..

 

If I ever get my convertible top working, this is my next purchase...a grill for my XK8.
I have an expert helping me, so should be sometime this year....bahaha Gus for president.

 

Has anyone considered the fact that the mesh grill reduces airflow to the cooling system? I for one would consider that if one lives in a hot summer area of the world.

 

There is so little metal in the mesh that I doubt it changes the temperature by even a degree. I would guess those running with a front plate see more of a change and I haven't heard of anyone concerned by the plate blocking air (just people, like myself, who think the car is vastly improved without it and take our chances with the authorities)

 

I know it would seem that way. It is not the size of the wire. But the Hole size. Small holes don't pass air like you would think. The smaller the holes proportionally less air passes through. Especially square holes. With an engine as sensitive as ours this is not a good idea. In England no problem. But in hot parts of the US it is not a good idea.

 

The factory fitted a 3 piece mesh grill on the XKR, correct? I don't think there's any concern.

 

I have the 3 PC XKR grill on my 03 XK8. Just hooked up a ScanGauge e that displays water temp thru the OBD port. Car runs 188F most of the time, up hill at low speed will raise to 206F but so far no higher than that. It's amazing how fast the temp goes up or down depending on load and conditions.

 

Hi, James.
I just got my scangauge e in the mail today, but installation in the Jag will have to wait for warmer weather (was minus 21 C here last night). Maybe I will play with it in my Honda Civic for a while to become familiar with it.
David

 

Interesting. You want to go to a "XKR 3 piece mesh grill look" all the ones I have seen want to go from that look to a one piece grill. Seen a few debates about it.

Personally I have a 2003 XKR with the 3 piece grill and have considered going to the one piece.

All a question of personal preference.

 

Just put one on mine, should be finished in a week or so.

 

Frank, you XK is starting to look like a cat again. Are they going to re-spray the entire car or try to color match from the windshield forward?

 

Hey Bob, I got lucky with the donor car!!! It's the exact exterior color code as mine: anthracite black, so...no paintwork necessary. One of the hood louvers has 2 small chips in the paint but for now it will have to stay that way....my money is real short!


And yes, it's starting to shape up! The ac condenser from the xkr wouldn't work and had to order one, will be here Monday. They did crank it up and said it ran rough, BUT, they didn't have the air filter inside the airbox, with everything hooked up. I'm assuming that pulling air over that MAFS without the air filter caused the sensor to change the computer settings...im hoping that was it.