UPDATE:

Yes other door is OK but....
Car HAS a reported rear end collision. Consignee (a dealer who is selling for the owner) said specifically it was a bumper crash only and that there was no damage not fixed.

Obviously I'm beginning to doubt this. I have only given $400 so far and I am willing to withdraw if this is not resolved. Dealer said door would be fixed before I pick up but he does not have a mechanic or shop and maybe he thinks he can fix it when he can't, so.....??

As much input as you can give me this holiday weekend would be great before I return.

Thanks

 

Honestly,
I'd walk away from this car.
So many question marks, right down to a cracked dash (which IMO, was caused by that little rear end bump)

For what you're willing to spend, seek out a private transaction from someone with a history on the car.
There are 3 of them in my immediate area with all the dealer required servicing and low mileage for your price range.

 

+1

The door sagging over an inch is a lot, although it could be that it's been removed and re-hung sloppily.

I'd want to see the car on an alignment jig, but I doubt the dealer will have the means or the inclination to do that.

If you're still considering it, at the very least you need to take a trusted bodywork expert along with you. Be careful.

Mike

 

I've never seen one of these cars with cracked wood. Bring it in to a body shop tomorrow. Unless I'm mistaken, every body panel has a label showing the VIN number, so you can see which ones don't match.

 

I had to jump back on here because nobody is talking about the hinge itself. My door drooped about the same and the problem was entirely in the top hinge. It simply had worn out. There was about 1/16 inch of play in it that translates out to about an inch and a half at the end of the door. It is an inexpensive fix to install a new one.

 

Rag the hinges on "my" XJ8 look perfect. Tight and both covered with the paint with no paint cracks around and there is no movement in the hinge against the door or the body.

 

The three cracks seem they may be more in the glaze more than the wood. Could sun do this? I though maybe air bag deployment might be reason but dealer says if air bag blown all facia would be replaced and panel would be smashed. Is this true?

 

The laquar is known to crack on these cars, usually older models.

 

Tomorrow I'm going to tell dealer that the dropped door is a frame problem I was told did not exist and insist on repair or return. Am I being unreasonable as some here say adjustment is possible while some say frame issue only reason.

 

You mentioned they were going to fix the door, see what they have done. Personally there are just to many XK8's available to take a chance on an issue as important as a sagging door to take a chance. Could be minor or could be a very expensive issue, only you can make that decision.

 

Michael,

Everyone here is giving you the best advice they can based on what they've encountered, experienced or what they believe to be true; however, it's impossible to say at a distance what issues the car really has. None of us would want to scare you away from what could be a great car, but we'd be more gutted if you ended up with a POS.

I wouldn't have put a 1" drop on a door down to a worn hinge, but I'm not an expert and I've learnt something new today (thanks, RJag).

You need to let a Jaguar expert inspect this car, or any other you may be interested in. Only then can you make an informed decision on what to do next.

Mike

 

Dealer says I can return, but he is taking it to a bodyshop to check. Dealer says door just "needs realignment" but I don't see how and you guys here are saying that's not possible. Clarification would be good else I'll just return and start looking again.