XK8?

[DanL]

Hello Jaguar section!

Thinking (as always) about changing the car, and it seems that XK8's have fallen into the 12-13k bracket. I've slight "old man" concerns about the image, but setting them to one side for the moment, is there anything I should know about XK8s, in terms of common weak points? Are the early ones cheap for a reason? Would I be better off in a TT?

Cheers for any thoughts or advice,

Dan

[p700dee]

From the reports on Watchdog you would be far worse off in a TT in every respect. Early XK8s are now around £10k ! They are not bulletproof but take the miles fine. You can hit problems with nikasil liners, difs and gearbox problems so have the car checked out. 100K plus is now common in 96 XKs so make sure it has had chains, tensioners and gearbox oil. These issues are suposed to be lifetime issues but should be done to avoid big bills. XKs have their own enthusiasts group on www.xkec.co.uk for the most complete advice

[NormanD]

I to recomend you join the club www.xkec.co.uk
As a member you can get into our full forum where there is a lot of advice on all thing about the XK8 & R.
There are a lot of members in the South East like yourself.

[aeroresh]

Dont worry, we're not all old gits!

[A5 XKC]

Hi, if considering buying an XK8 ensure it has either had a replacement engine or is non Nikasil lined bores, these will fail eventually due to the linings breaking down. If however you buy from a Jag dealer they will generally cover a replacement engine if full service history up to 100k. I learn't to my cost £4500K later (Jag price £6500K), but car is now brilliant.

[Banny]

The Nikasil problem was due to the high sulphur content in the fuel at the time (late 90's) There is a test you can have done by the dealer to check the linings. The Blow by test should be done on any early xk to see if the lining is damaged. The misperseption that they will eventually fail is wrong. If the car was run on cheap supermarket fuel then yes damage is likely but if fed on the higher end shell for instance then they were low sulphur back then and the engine will be fine. Modern fuel is all low sulphur so wont damage the nikasil anymore and infact it is a better lining that the later models (more hard wearing) but for the sulphur issue. My blowby test showed 13 a new engine is 10-20. 20-30 shows signs of an issue but not terminal 30-40 means it will fail at some point. There is truth in the fact once the wear has started that it will progress but you can say that of any engine part.

My opinion.



>> Edited by Banny on Monday 13th March 21:18

[robocop]

Get yourself copy of this months www.jaguar-world.com

Big article and buyers guide on the XK plus a special article on the AJ-V8 engine and Nikasil. Very informative

[DanL]

Thanks for the info guys - most informative.

Dan

[Lord Elpus]

I have had an XK8 now for 2.5 years and it has been nothing but trouble. I will concede that it’s probably not a typical story, probably a Monday morning car and apart from an anti-roll bar bushing failure there have been no major mechanical glitches. There are a lot of annoying smaller problems however such as rattles from everywhere (the drivers’ seat sounds like a second hand rocking chair), the navigation system is permanently lost the electric steering wheel adjustment gets stuck and the trim around the rear windows is falling off. By far the biggest problem is the servicing. I bought the car brand new from Guy Salmon in Oxford and have had is “Maintained” there ever since. The service department there has caused more problems than it has solved.

My advice would be to take a very close look at the car before buying (of course) and then never let Guy Salmon Jaguar Oxford touch the thing.

Good luck,

Elpus out…..

[triple7]

Lord Elpus said:

There are a lot of annoying smaller problems however such as rattles from everywhere (the drivers’ seat sounds like a second hand rocking chair), the navigation system is permanently lost the electric steering wheel adjustment gets stuck and the trim around the rear windows is falling off.

Yup standard jag ownership thangs!

G

[Lord Elpus]

and you still own one - why?

I bought one to replace an Alfa which was, well, it was an Alfa but was also buggered up by the garage. I was expecting better of Jaguar.

[triple7]

Lord Elpus said:

and you still own one - why?

Not anymore. Out the frying pan and into the fire with me, bought a Range Rover instead!

G

>> Edited by triple7 on Wednesday 22 March 12:46

[alderley]

I bought my XJ8 when it was 4 years old. In the last two years it has been the best car I have ever owned. It has toured Switzerland twice. Only problems have been a split air con pipe, and a noisey aeriel motor (Drive unit in boot needed greasing- a ten minute job).

[ajmac]

I've had my XK8 since Jan 2004 and it has been fine, yes there are some little issues but I can live with them ( sticking electric aerial, broken auto steering wheel retracting and the crap seats!).
I have had to change the 2ndry timing chain tensioners at 68,000 ish miles as they were totally shot (I changed them myself). The front wheel bearings also threw in their hand in January, but I changed them myself and learned a lot about the car at the same time - old fashioned engineering :-)

Great car, I am still amazed how people react to it, at work, petrol stations, etc. People can't help but comment on it being a pretty car. I was looking at a DB7 but the misses insisted that she like the XK8 more.

Alastair

[Philhopkins]

DanL said:

Hello Jaguar section! Thinking (as always) about changing the car, and it seems that XK8's have fallen into the 12-13k bracket. I've slight "old man" concerns about the image, but setting them to one side for the moment, is there anything I should know about XK8s, in terms of common weak points? Are the early ones cheap for a reason? Would I be better off in a TT? Cheers for any thoughts or advice, Dan

I wouldn't worry so much about the image, the XK is such a lovely shape that ages extremely well. At 12-13k it's an awful lot of flash for your cash too, stick a private plate on it and those without the know would be hard pushed to tell the difference between a 96 and an 04 model!

In terms of common weak points, a lot have already been mentioned, the AJ-V8 4.0 engine is however renowned for quality and refinement. If possible though, go for one with big wheels - not only do they look better but they're more desirable too!