XK8 as a daily driver for £5000. Mental?
Discussion
Just wondering really....I've owned quite a few cars and seeing as my daily is now a 1.0 micra due to it being my son's training car, which I'm giving him when he passes his test means that I can once again get my backside in something daft. The micra has been absolutely phenomenal. Pennies to run, whizzes around town and I've managed 90 out of the poor thing.
However, I like larger engines and now deserve something daily with a bit of poke. I'm also considering a C32 AMG Estate. I know they are poles apart but have always really like the XK8
Am I mental to consider it? I know it's a 4.0 V8 so will love the petrol however just HOW bad are they for mixed driving? I love sofa esque auto's and I've earned it after shaking the teeth out of my head for six months, probably a year by the time mini silverback has it from me.
Or do I just do the sensible thing and buy a Mercedes Diesel estate?
However, I like larger engines and now deserve something daily with a bit of poke. I'm also considering a C32 AMG Estate. I know they are poles apart but have always really like the XK8
Am I mental to consider it? I know it's a 4.0 V8 so will love the petrol however just HOW bad are they for mixed driving? I love sofa esque auto's and I've earned it after shaking the teeth out of my head for six months, probably a year by the time mini silverback has it from me.
Or do I just do the sensible thing and buy a Mercedes Diesel estate?
The XK8 is a pretty solid car. They're prone to rusty footwells and rear arches. There are a lot of rubber bushes to check.
One thing to look for in particular is whether the 4.0 V8 has had its timing chain tensioners replaced. These are the weak spot of the 4.0 litre engine. Don't worry about all this Nikasil stuff you'll read - if that was going to be a problem on a particular engine it would have surfaced a decade ago. Chain tensioners is what to look for receipts for.
The XK8 and XKR used different gearboxes. The XK8 used a 5 speed ZF gearbox. The XKR used a Mercedes gearbox. These can occassionally give issues so read up on tinternet first but I mentioned them so you can be sure you're reading about the correct gearbox
Great cars though, and lovely cruisers
One thing to look for in particular is whether the 4.0 V8 has had its timing chain tensioners replaced. These are the weak spot of the 4.0 litre engine. Don't worry about all this Nikasil stuff you'll read - if that was going to be a problem on a particular engine it would have surfaced a decade ago. Chain tensioners is what to look for receipts for.
The XK8 and XKR used different gearboxes. The XK8 used a 5 speed ZF gearbox. The XKR used a Mercedes gearbox. These can occassionally give issues so read up on tinternet first but I mentioned them so you can be sure you're reading about the correct gearbox
Great cars though, and lovely cruisers
I have an XJR 4.2 SV8. With 2 adults and 2 kids, and driven like a hooligan (sometimes) it still returns a perfectly respectable 20mpg. People have been brainwashed into thinking anything other than a new diesel hatch is a road to financial ruin, meaning large petrol engined cars are effectively worthless to the wider market. Good news for people like us! Do it!
Just to throw another option out there, along the same lines as an XK8 there's the BMW 645. I've had one for a few months now and I'll see around 23 mpg around town and mid 30's on a decent m'way run. Personally I think it's aged better and the interior is nicer (less wood) than the XK8. I believe it should hold it's value slightly better too, although you'd have to push the £5k budget to get a decent one.
Either way, cruising round in a big V8 is pretty cool. I would get better mpg if the noise wasn't so addictive.
Either way, cruising round in a big V8 is pretty cool. I would get better mpg if the noise wasn't so addictive.
5k gets you into an STR , supercharged fun with the much more reliable 4.2 engine and the later six speed ZF box. Me , I run a 4.2 S type as a daily with a 4.0 XKR convertible for fun. The Rs are much more exciting but 5K only just gets you into an XKR, the Mercedes box is however much better than the five speed ZF in the 8. The 4.2 S averages 28mpg, the 4.0 XKR 21mpg, expect the 4.2R to give you something in between. By all means look at a 645, they are certainly not better than the Jag on fuel a mate of mine runs a convertible and struggles to get 20mpg. If you up your budget a 4.2XKR is the way to go
It's very subjective but I think the 6 series is hideous inside and out. I tried very hard to see something good about them for a while because I love the V10 engine in the M6, but I couldn't do it. It's repulsive outside and the inside is all nasty plastic, and I absolutely hate those cup holders.
Shame, because like I said it would be a great engine. The 645 has no redeeming features. V8s are plentiful in many far, far nicer cars so there is no compelling reason to buy a non-V10 engined 6 series.
Shame, because like I said it would be a great engine. The 645 has no redeeming features. V8s are plentiful in many far, far nicer cars so there is no compelling reason to buy a non-V10 engined 6 series.
Wow I'm clearly outnumbered on this thread. I admit the 6 series was marmite when it came out but I think they've aged really well and I've only ever had positive comments, but maybe people are just being polite. To me the 04 XK8 looks dated since the newer shape xkr came out. I was also put off but the vast amount of wood accross the dash. Another poster summed it up as "someone put a rev counter into a drinks cabinet".
I know it's totally subjective but I thought someone might agree haha
I know it's totally subjective but I thought someone might agree haha
Jayyylo said:
Wow I'm clearly outnumbered on this thread. I admit the 6 series was marmite when it came out but I think they've aged really well and I've only ever had positive comments, but maybe people are just being polite. To me the 04 XK8 looks dated since the newer shape xkr came out. I was also put off but the vast amount of wood accross the dash. Another poster summed it up as "someone put a rev counter into a drinks cabinet".
I know it's totally subjective but I thought someone might agree haha
I was looking at a 6 series earlier on today parked in the car park...I really think they are 'growers' Initially I thought they were incredibly ugly, the rear lip especially. However...upon closer inspection they seem to work. They certainly aren't as pretty as the Jaguar but certainly have presence and as all bangle creations, they seem to have aged well. (In my opinion)I know it's totally subjective but I thought someone might agree haha
Certainly not out of the equation that's for sure.
My own experience - go for the XK8, I have one, fabulous car and now you can pick them up for peanuts (not so good when you want to sell yours though!). Mine is over 10 years old and in great condition, mechanically sound, and fortunately has not had any of the known problems with it(e.g. footwell rust or engine).
The XK8 is especially good on the motorway, very solid, goes well, and a real dream to drive.
The XK8 is especially good on the motorway, very solid, goes well, and a real dream to drive.
Circa 4 years ago when I was looking at the Xk and 650, with the cars being 5 years old at the time. The BMW was about 75% of the price of the Xk. I have run my 6 series from 48k miles to 124k and still going with no issues. The interior has dated quickly. The exterior has grown on me. The build quality of the BMW is superb. No squeaks or rattles and still feels nice and tight. MPG: On a long run @ steady 85, it gets about 30. My driving is 90% motorway and 10 % town, tends to average about 27. The BMW is all aluminum (roof, doors, rear panels, bonnet) with the front wings and boot being composite (OK, plastic), so rust should not be an issue. However, the Jag looks superb and hopefully one will replace the BMW in about 4 years.
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