Jaguar XF SV8 - Supercharged V8 - Brave Pill
Discussion
Back at the start of July 2020 as a long term lurker on the £1k to £5k barge thread someone pointed out a slightly above thread Jaguar XF SV8. It didn't seem to find much traction or love, but I expressed that I quite fancied it. A PM to a connected threadist gave reassuring details of the only real identified issue for these engines to have.
With a holiday coming up and not looking to mess the vendor about, I parked any plans to purchase it. Then some how last week I was reminded of the SV8 by this Pistonheads article Jaguar XF SV8 - The Brave Pill
With multi cylinder v8s and v12s going the way of the dodo, and a future big birthday coming up in a year, will a Supercharged V8 even be an option, it certainly wasn't an option when clicking up 20k miles a year.
With a bit of man maths involving: no commuting, reduced 280 mile visits to FIL and new car depreciation easily being the equal of a SV8 maintenance fund; an offer was made sight unseen, as is the way of the £1k to £5k barge thread.
To be continued (saving this before I lose it)
With a holiday coming up and not looking to mess the vendor about, I parked any plans to purchase it. Then some how last week I was reminded of the SV8 by this Pistonheads article Jaguar XF SV8 - The Brave Pill
With multi cylinder v8s and v12s going the way of the dodo, and a future big birthday coming up in a year, will a Supercharged V8 even be an option, it certainly wasn't an option when clicking up 20k miles a year.
With a bit of man maths involving: no commuting, reduced 280 mile visits to FIL and new car depreciation easily being the equal of a SV8 maintenance fund; an offer was made sight unseen, as is the way of the £1k to £5k barge thread.
To be continued (saving this before I lose it)
Having started this on the £1k to £5k Smoker Barge thread, I thought I'd lift it entirely with a few additions where appropriate:
Having lurked on the barge thread for many, many years I took a trip to collect a Jaguar XF SV8 ( sight unseen in the spirit of so many fellow threadists) from Harpenden.
Oh my goodness this car is comically fast, the owner give me a comprehensive 90 odd minute introduction into this Supercharged V8. The traction control was in heavy action on the rainy test drive. What a thoroughly nice chap and given the setup of his business I'm happy enough it has seen plenty of maintenance during its tenure with him. A genuine Jaguar enthusiast, with an XKR and plenty more, gave me good vibes. I've got a fair amount of service history, but none of the early history or handbook, which is a bit of a let down, but not the end of the world.
So here is the all important petrol station shot:
With a quick fillup to the brim:
While I know trip computers are a bit inaccurate I was reading 30.8 mpg average for a good while, each squeeze of the throttle reduced the average mpg by about 1 mpg, so, so throughly addictive.
27mpg on a cruise where a car is wearing 20" bin lids for wheels and is so comfortable is plenty good enough for me.
A couple of trips today to a plumbers merchants and to collect a chinese takeaway at 15mpg suggest I should stop looking at the mpg and accept it for what it is. I also had a low battery warning, which wasn't very reassuring, although it isn't that surprising given the lack of mileage in the last few months. It looks like charging it without disconnecting it, is discouraged and the nature of smart charging alternators may not see it get much input as it is driven. If I can find a 9v battery I'll get the multi-meter out to check the battery. I'm researching a solar powered trickle charger as I can't be doing with trying to fix parasitic loses having the battery in the boot might be a real positive.
My only difficulty now is going to collect the old car as I really wanted to take the XF there and then. If I give my wife a go in the XF going down I'm hoping she will drive the banger back home, although I suspect she will want to take her Alfa GT for a run and make me drive the banger home.
Having lurked on the barge thread for many, many years I took a trip to collect a Jaguar XF SV8 ( sight unseen in the spirit of so many fellow threadists) from Harpenden.
Oh my goodness this car is comically fast, the owner give me a comprehensive 90 odd minute introduction into this Supercharged V8. The traction control was in heavy action on the rainy test drive. What a thoroughly nice chap and given the setup of his business I'm happy enough it has seen plenty of maintenance during its tenure with him. A genuine Jaguar enthusiast, with an XKR and plenty more, gave me good vibes. I've got a fair amount of service history, but none of the early history or handbook, which is a bit of a let down, but not the end of the world.
So here is the all important petrol station shot:
With a quick fillup to the brim:
While I know trip computers are a bit inaccurate I was reading 30.8 mpg average for a good while, each squeeze of the throttle reduced the average mpg by about 1 mpg, so, so throughly addictive.
27mpg on a cruise where a car is wearing 20" bin lids for wheels and is so comfortable is plenty good enough for me.
A couple of trips today to a plumbers merchants and to collect a chinese takeaway at 15mpg suggest I should stop looking at the mpg and accept it for what it is. I also had a low battery warning, which wasn't very reassuring, although it isn't that surprising given the lack of mileage in the last few months. It looks like charging it without disconnecting it, is discouraged and the nature of smart charging alternators may not see it get much input as it is driven. If I can find a 9v battery I'll get the multi-meter out to check the battery. I'm researching a solar powered trickle charger as I can't be doing with trying to fix parasitic loses having the battery in the boot might be a real positive.
My only difficulty now is going to collect the old car as I really wanted to take the XF there and then. If I give my wife a go in the XF going down I'm hoping she will drive the banger back home, although I suspect she will want to take her Alfa GT for a run and make me drive the banger home.
Well nearly 800 miles from purchase and I'm really enjoying to the comfort of the XF SV8 and the ability to actually overtake safely. I really think I've got a good car, the only real worry I have is the lack of a recent gearbox service, even though it is working fine. So to allay my fears and to work on the principle of prevention being better than cure, I have been over to C.F.S. Motors in Corley, near Coventry, to have a chat about a gearbox service on the ZF 6HP26 gearbox.
I went over to get the lay of the land and there are nothing but Jaguars in for servicing which is a good sign. After a chinwag on my purchase, they went on to ask really relevant questions on whether the car has been chipped or not, or had gearbox altered in anyway, discussed the cost of the service, that addition of the latest software updates would happen and the use of many litres of gearbox oil, including wasting some getting the 5 litres of oil changed within the gearbox itself, the change of filter etc. I have arranged to drop the car over next week for the Gearbox service. I've read up extensively on the gearbox service and the fact they want it dropped over to them the night before to get the gearbox temperature below 40C before working on it, seems to bode well and confirm that the garage recommendation from a good friend is worth heeding.
It might just be paranoia on my part, but there might be slight rumble of a wheel bearing; that might just be the 20" wheels and because the car is so quiet, but I've asked them to give the car a once over for anything that might need attention, as I this is a long termer for me.
The only other issue that I can see to keep on top of is maintaining a good battery, as this seems to be the main cause of any electrical gremlins, I've a mind to get a CTEK battery conditioner wired in, but I'll discuss battery charging with those in the know.
The average long term fuel consumption on the trip computer is 20.2 mpg, school and college runs are the culprit or that's what I tell myself anyway :-)
I went over to get the lay of the land and there are nothing but Jaguars in for servicing which is a good sign. After a chinwag on my purchase, they went on to ask really relevant questions on whether the car has been chipped or not, or had gearbox altered in anyway, discussed the cost of the service, that addition of the latest software updates would happen and the use of many litres of gearbox oil, including wasting some getting the 5 litres of oil changed within the gearbox itself, the change of filter etc. I have arranged to drop the car over next week for the Gearbox service. I've read up extensively on the gearbox service and the fact they want it dropped over to them the night before to get the gearbox temperature below 40C before working on it, seems to bode well and confirm that the garage recommendation from a good friend is worth heeding.
It might just be paranoia on my part, but there might be slight rumble of a wheel bearing; that might just be the 20" wheels and because the car is so quiet, but I've asked them to give the car a once over for anything that might need attention, as I this is a long termer for me.
The only other issue that I can see to keep on top of is maintaining a good battery, as this seems to be the main cause of any electrical gremlins, I've a mind to get a CTEK battery conditioner wired in, but I'll discuss battery charging with those in the know.
The average long term fuel consumption on the trip computer is 20.2 mpg, school and college runs are the culprit or that's what I tell myself anyway :-)
There was mention of £300, a new pan filter on gearbox and lots of litres of expensive ATF of the correct grade and ensuring fluid within the transmission also gets changed, by effectively wasting the new AFT.
Being fairly local, not needing a lift or a courtesy car to waft around in, being a likely new long term customer, access to the correct ATF at a good price and being flexible with my timescales probably has some bearing on that price, I'd have thought. I'd be worried if it was much cheaper. I have seen mention of it being up to £500 on other Jaguar forums, which at that price would have been a heavy hit, but something I'd want to do to maintain reliability.
Being fairly local, not needing a lift or a courtesy car to waft around in, being a likely new long term customer, access to the correct ATF at a good price and being flexible with my timescales probably has some bearing on that price, I'd have thought. I'd be worried if it was much cheaper. I have seen mention of it being up to £500 on other Jaguar forums, which at that price would have been a heavy hit, but something I'd want to do to maintain reliability.
If the gearbox feels fine it's unlikely it needs a fluid change. If it feels lazy between changes or kicks from low speed when slowing and then going back on the power then it needs one. A good preventative measure but it's unlikely to cause any harm waiting for it to feel like it needs doing, if you don't want to spend the money just now. 300 is cheap, 500 is the going rate for a proper job. At 300 I would want to know precisely what fluid is being used. There are lots of alternatives, official Lifeguard 6 is eyewateringly expensive but there are cheaper ones of identical spec that will do, but others that very specifically will not!
Agree with the comment above re what exact fluid is being used. Also, are they replacing the mechatronic sleeve? The ZF kit is about £250, which is fluid, pan, mecha sleeve. I don't imagine they're using that if the price is £300.
I recently had my 650i's gearbox serviced and used an auto trans specialist. Same 6HP26 box I believe. Paid £420 all-in. Little bit pricey but genuine ZF stuff used.
I recently had my 650i's gearbox serviced and used an auto trans specialist. Same 6HP26 box I believe. Paid £420 all-in. Little bit pricey but genuine ZF stuff used.
r44flyer said:
If the gearbox feels fine it's unlikely it needs a fluid change. If it feels lazy between changes or kicks from low speed when slowing and then going back on the power then it needs one. A good preventative measure but it's unlikely to cause any harm waiting for it to feel like it needs doing, if you don't want to spend the money just now. 300 is cheap, 500 is the going rate for a proper job. At 300 I would want to know precisely what fluid is being used. There are lots of alternatives, official Lifeguard 6 is eyewateringly expensive but there are cheaper ones of identical spec that will do, but others that very specifically will not!
These guys only work on Jaguar's and knew exactly what I wanted, given their setup in the middle of nowhere I'm happy to use them, but I'll jen up on the ATF for this and ask them.On a different note, after a days annual leave to take advantage of the weather, I took a 7ft wardrobe to the tip using the very useful fold down back seats and this evening did a bit of a T-Cut and Polish.
Not too shabby, but it could do with a machine polish, which I wouldn't be comfortable doing myself. I could do with my brother's 34 years of experience in this field, not that he is allowed with Covid restrictions in our area.
Congratulations on the purchase!
I am biased, but they represent such good value for money given the spec and performance.
Purchased mine back in June 2019 - Lunar Grey with the original Volan alloys. Needs some tlc currently, alloy refurb and a parking sensor on the blink.
Paid just over barge budget and cannot think how I would ever improve upon it!
Very much enjoy the sleeper nature too, plenty of dissapointed modern metal thinking it just a diesel jag...
Keen on some minor exhaust mods to release some more growl but don't fancy 1k on a spires system!
Edited with Pics
I am biased, but they represent such good value for money given the spec and performance.
Purchased mine back in June 2019 - Lunar Grey with the original Volan alloys. Needs some tlc currently, alloy refurb and a parking sensor on the blink.
Paid just over barge budget and cannot think how I would ever improve upon it!
Very much enjoy the sleeper nature too, plenty of dissapointed modern metal thinking it just a diesel jag...
Keen on some minor exhaust mods to release some more growl but don't fancy 1k on a spires system!
Edited with Pics
Edited by Rory1984 on Thursday 17th September 14:09
thepeoplespal said:
These guys only work on Jaguar's and knew exactly what I wanted, given their setup in the middle of nowhere I'm happy to use them, but I'll jen up on the ATF for this and ask them.
I've been to CFS with my S-Type R, and it's obvious they know their stuff. It just seemed cheap for what the job should cost. Not sure exactly where you are but Northfield Garage are also good (Jag specialist), and a bit cheaper in my experience. Their place is also littered with Jags when you drive in.
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