After all the maintenance, air cond work, and leak fixes wanted to post some results...

Driving 1500 miles from Calgary to Victoria worked! The XK survived a logging road (and forest fire), ferries, road-hogs, construction delays and running flat-out on mountain highways.

Here’s a picture write up for those of you might be thinking about touring through the Rockies out to Vancouver Island.

Starting off – new stereo, oil changes, S/C oilchange, and realgauge conversion kit added in. 2002 XKR with 20” wheels and relatively new Pirelli's.



A quick health-check after warm-up: good temp and oil pressure.



Stopping for breakfast in Canmore, love the mountain ranges and that hoodline!



The dash has an oddly calming effect while driving...









Steep down hill grades - no brake fade or rotor shuddering...



The XK has a really excellent ability to soak up miles. After 7 hours driving there's not a lot of fatigue.



Nice highway here, these 2 cars were the only traffic we saw for an hour. XK was smooth with a bit of wind noise and supercharger whine while cruising along at 120kph speed limit. Never ran up to 220 at all. Certainly didnt cruise there for a bit.



the supercharger really does help in passing. Left it in sport mode the whole trip and it helped when logging trucks decide to swerve into the fast lane.

The real temperature readout was very helpful!



If you head to Vancouver Island try to book the ferry ahead of time. the XK gets warm while waiting in line but never overheated.




...fit into a tight spot on the ferry. we had large SUV's on either side.



Took a scenic run called the Pacific Marine Loop. Great driving tour, but famously hard on suspension.






This logging road is known for sending drivers into the ditch and/or breaking axles. On our particular day it also had an unexpected forest fire!



...overall the Jag really handled well despite the range of roads. From narrow, rough twisties to long high speed straights to quick swerves around traffic plus handling in an unfamiliar city the XK makes a great grand touring machine. Interior served very well for the road trip - rear seats are good shelves. The upgraded stereo was a necessity. Incidentally playing 'ride of the valkyries' while driving a logging road is entertaining.

...hope that helps you pick out a road trip!

 

Awesome trip. Really love those wheels.

 

Great post, great car and great scenery.

Graham

 

Nothing but beauty all around you.....and the scenery also....LOL.......They are wonderful road cars. I have taken my 99 convertible to Tampa, and Anderson South Carolina twice. The car was much more comfortable than the hotel beds, but then of course I only stay in seedy old mom and pop establishments(I'm, for a better word...CHEAP)....The last hotel I stayed at, had curtains that were 6" shy of closing, and red neon sign across the way, flashing LIVE NUDE GIRLS.....Like they could get a crowd in to see dead girls.......Great pictures.....Mike

 

Thanks for the inspiration! Have not had a significant trip since getting first Jag (2002 XK8) one year ago. About 1000 trouble-free miles in that time to around 42000. State inspection in two days then time to hit the road before winter.

 

great pics

 

Great pictures and story, I sure would have been nervous about door dings on the ferry ride. A mountain drive in an XKR should be on everyones bucket list. Next time you need to bea able to put the top down. 2 weeks for me and I am through the smokey mountains to Myrtle Beach and hopefully top down weather.

 

Well, funny timing about that comment... the XKR got rear ended today. Not a bad hit, just cracked up the rear bumper. Not a scratch from the ferry, forest fire, logging roads, or 2400kms of road...one bad Calgary driver however New bumper for the XKR.



...so the XKR can survive a road trip without leaving you stranded AND take a hit back home. Gotta love `em!

 

The most common failures on road trips are flat tires,blown hoses,failed waterpumps,failed radiator,clogged fuel filters and belts snapping. If any of those parts are over 7years old, replace them before a trip.

 

Great road trip report. I live in Northern BC and use it almost as a daily driver in the summer times. Never had any problems just smiles.