This is my 2nd XK8. I've never driven an XKR. Does the extra 80 hp really make that much of a difference? Enough to justify the extra expense, complexity and maintenance of a supercharger?

 

I have driven both and find the XK8 more than adequate. Driven aggressively the NA is very capable of being dangerous.

 

They tend to be very different cars. The XK8 is just a really nice cruiser and with a little work it can be decent in corners (if they aren't too sharp). I tried to chase a couple Lotus club cars and my trans coded out (the transmission fluid was evidently sloshing around too much) and my brakes faded out.


However if you want to drive fast it lacks both brakes and power. The R has better brakes and power but it really isn't a true performance car either and I've put a lot of money into trying to make mine into one.


If you want power the XK150 (2006+) XKR is far better and pretty much nothing else Jaguar has will touch the new F-Type (have the V8S).


I started with an XK8 and sold it to get an XKR because I wanted something that would keep up with the other club cars. (Plus I just love the sound of a blower). In terms of comfort the XK8 better, but if you like the look and want to kick a little *** from time to time get an R, do the pulley upgrade, and put on a chiller killer and you'll surprise some folks.


My 6 cents.

 

Here are some shots of my Jag family (I don't have the 8 anymore). By the way the wheels on the 8 and the R are the same wheels, I just had them powder coated black because every time I hit a curb it was $450.

 

Sweeeeeeet!

 

As Rob stated, if it's significant performance upgrades you want then the 2007+ XKR or XK is what you should be looking at (or the F-type). Horsepower is one thing, but the ability to handle that horsepower without hurting yourself is quite another. The newer models' suspension/chassis is so much tighter and more sophisticated, as well as confidence inspiring that there's simply no comparison.

However, the first generation XK8/XKR is in my opinion, better looking, a better cruiser with 18" wheels, and more distinctive in its own right. I have both and love them for the qualities listed above.

If you've already got a nice XK8 I'm not sure of the value of swapping for the extra hp of the first generation XKR (although I do enjoy having it). The newer models offer significant improvements that make them more enjoyable as performance cars.

Truth be told, I have an emotional attachment to my 2002 XKR that isn't quite there with my 2010 XKR, but performance wise there is simply no contest, the 2010 is so far superior.

 

When I bought my 03 xk8 I had no clue of an R. I took it for a ride and fell in love. Style,comfort,power and decent handling. I knew it wasn't a sports car but it was what I was looking for. A performance convertable. If I knew there was and R I might have looked for one.
That being said I think my 8 is one of the best examples of the car. British racing green,cashmere,19" apollos. Beautful. I'll get on it every time I drive it but mostly I cruise around enjoying the scenery both inside and out. Sometimes when I get home from work I'll go for a ride just to go for a ride. Similar to getting on my motorcycle.

 

Yes.

 

Too tell the truth, I too didn't see the need for the extra ponies. I fell into my R because the seller dropped the price to an irresistible amount. Yes, it is certainly more complex and if you do your own work that would be a viable consideration. However, with patience, you can still maintain it. The effortless power is a sweet treat, and I have to admit, with the Brembos she stops FAST. I do love this car. If you're not seeking handling performance, then watch which wheels you choose. The 18s have proven to be a wonderful choice for high speed GT cruising. I doubt I'd enjoy the 20s as much.

 

It's not the horsepower, although that's a nice bonus, it's the tremendous increase in torque.


Assuming for the sake of this example that you're talking about the 4.2 V8 the horsepower goes from a listed 300BHP in the non-SC car to 400BHP for the "R" version at roughly 6000 RPM's for both. The real power is in the amount of torque and the range over which it's applied. Understand that it is torque that gives you the acceleration as HP is a function of RPM's and generally max RPM's occur pretty close to the redline of the motor. HP builds from zero to it's max as the RPM's rise so there isn't much to get you moving from a dead stop.

On the other hand torque, especially in an SC'd motor occurs much lower in the RPM range and grows stronger earlier and if tuned correctly can have a long duration or flat appearance before tailing off as the RPM's climb. In the Non-SC cars the maximum torque (at least in America) is listed as being 310 foot pounds at 4100 RPM's while in the "R" models it's listed at 413 foot pounds at just 3500 RPM's. That's a 30% increase in available launch power coming in at a pretty low 3500 RPM's !~!~


To put that in some perspective consider this quote from www.allpar.com the Mopar connection.

"The original 5.7 liter “new Hemi” produced up to 345 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 375 lb-ft of torque (4,400 rpm) — one horsepower per cubic inch.
The second generation produced up to 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque (in the Dodge Ram) — 375 horsepower in the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T with manual transmission.


The SRT Hemi engines started with the 6.1 Hemi, with 425 horsepower at 6,000 rpm (matching the 426 Hemi), and torque of 420 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm."


Chrysler takes 6.1 liters to produce only a tad more than Jaguar does with just 4.2 liters and I'll bet the XKR is a lighter car to boot !! In fact Jaguar manages to produce over 1.6 horsepower per cubic inch!

 

+1.

Not counting the fact that it's got the Mercedes vs ZF box, the aluminum t stat housing and no VVT.

The character is much more enjoyable. The XK8 has to wind up more into it's power than the R. I came from a Corvette which they really do have good low end grunt, and the character of the XKR is more like that (not the same, but more aggressive than the 8).

I drove an XK8 and honestly, having driven the XKR, it felt like power was coming, yet never came. If you drive the R, it's hard to settle for the 8.

 

Seems to me when there are issues with the motor the SC is always in the way, diff parts on it that need to be replaced, etc. Not worth the hassle.

 

Can't argue with BrgJag's points. Guilty as charged. I do love my R though. Had I have fallen into an 8 instead, I bet I'd love it too, but just a little less maybe. So far I've been able to handle the differences. The SC is going to come out sometime soon though for some preventative maintenance, and of course I'll have to deal with all that "additional" stuff then (again). I guess it's "what we do". :-)

 

I test drove a XK8 prior to buying my XKR, decidedly more acceleration with the XKR. At about 100k miles I rebuilt the supercharger snout due to a cracked coupler. The coupler has 2 springs loaded internally which quiets noise but is weaker than a solid coupler. There's no doubt the larger Brembo brakes (14" rotor vs 12" rotor) provide assurance. The CATS system is standard on the XKR, stiffening the ride during acceleration stopping and turns.

 

For me it was the louvers

Honestly though when I started my looking back in 2007 I was especially avoiding looking at the R since (1) I equated supercharger with turbo in terms of potential future problems and (2) the R was a notch higher than my budget--for a given year XK8 I would have to either go up a few thousand for the R or back down to an earlier year R at the same price.

But the more I looked the more the R appealed to me given the extra "exclusivity" of the R. From asking around I also discovered that superchargers were much less problematic than turbos so that made me feel better. So as my searching went on I focused more and more on the R and luckily stumbled on the one I eventually bought and haven't been sorry.

Doug

 

Simple answer is drive both before you buy. There are quite a few XK8 buyers who "upgrade" to an R, very few who buy an R and then choose to go for an 8. The extra costs are minimal for an R and here in the UK they are easier to sell and command a better price than 8s.

 

For me the XKR has that fantastic rush of torque plus the sound of the SC, so it had to be an R. Nothing wrong with the XK8 imho but the R is just a bit more special.

 

Didn't give much consideration to an R when I bought my 8.
Now after I've added a 07 XJR to the garage I really wish I had gone after the XKR.

Not inclined to upgrade though. My XK8 is a 2006, (40,000) like new condition and has been almost trouble free. Also, I've yet to see a 4.2 XKR without the nav system and I much prefer the look of the triple gauge panel.
2X

 

Correct about the NAV. My 2000 XKR didn't have NAV and has the gauges and I much prefer it.

 

Nav became standard on the XKR 2003+ along with the 4.2L. Yay technology.

You can repurpose the screen though, or replace it with something more useful.