2001 Jaguar XK8

Highlights

• Post-facelift example
• Smooth and punchy 290hp AJ-V8
• Slick and responsive five-speed ZF auto ‘box
• Extensive service history with invoices detailing lots of work
• Relatively low mileage at 67,000 miles
• Long MOT until March ’25
• Good-looking example that just needs some TLC to bring it fully up to scratch

Overview

Everyone made a big song and dance about Ian Callum's DB7 design that appeared at around the same time as the Jaguar XK8 was launched. The DB7 was, and is, a pretty car. But compared with the XK8, technically it wasn’t in the same league. As we know, the DB7 is basically a re-bodied XJS, while the XK8 – or X100 as it was known internally – was a technical tour de force by Jaguar standards.

Yes, there is some XJS DNA in the XK8’s floor pan, but this was a heavily upgraded design. The rear subframe was from the X300, but up front there was an all-new, lightweight and much stiffer aluminium subframe. Not only that, it had a brand-new, all-alloy 4.0-litre AJ-V8 engine sitting on top of it. This had 32 valves and variable cam phasing.

It was also the first Jaguar to use CAN bus serial networking. That was flippin' high-tech stuff at the time. It meant that the XK8's many modules could all chat to each other in a series of zeros and ones, delivering their messages far quicker and through far fewer wires. The upshot was, for example, quick-witted electronic stability control and a five-speed ZF gearbox that worked in near-perfect harmony with the engine’s torque.

And all that was wrapped up in a body designed under the stewardship of the late Geoff Lawson. His remit was to produce something slippery that harked back to the spirit of the E-Type. After 21 years of the XJS, with its '70s style and flying buttresses, it was time to bring back the curvaceousness of Jaguar's '60s icon. People couldn't wait. They were understandably begging Jaguar dealers to take their cash in advance of the car's launch in 1996.

This particular XK8 is a post-facelift model with the prettier, chrome-rimmed rear lights and later-style 18-inch alloys. And with 67k-odd miles showing to date, you could consider it a low-mileage example. It’s not perfect, sure, as you can see from the pictures, but it’s in sensible fettle – the kind of condition that would suit the enthusiast who fancies a project to fiddle with rather than a get bogged down by. And with so much documented mechanical work over the years, it’s a potentially good daily driver, too. One that you can enjoy swanning around in and savouring the classic Jaguar attributes of a supple ride, pacey engine and all the while ensconced in burr walnut and leather opulence.

Documents

• Date of registration 23.03.01
• At the time this car was photographed it had 67,499 miles showing
• Five owners from new
• HPI clear
• Current MOT until March 2025
• Original book pack, manuals and x1 key and remote fob
• Extensive receipts detailing servicing, maintenance and repairs including the following invoiced work:
• Engine and body electrical work and MOT 28.03.24 at 67,489 miles
• Full service, new front shock absorber and new screen washer pump 10.10.22 at 64,464 miles
• Service and replacement battery at 56,064 miles (no date shown)
• New headlining fitted 12.09.17
• Replace rear shock absorbers and rectify engine warning light on 12.01.17 at 52,083 miles
• Coolant repairs including new water pump 27.07.17 at 53,255 miles
• Minor service on 24.04.17 at 52,654 miles
• Full service on 19.07.16 at 51,097 miles
• Yearly service 01.10.15 at 49,358 miles
• New front and rear pads and discs and new nearside-rear wheel bearing 28.04.15 at 48,420 miles
• Service on 01.10.14 at 47,115 miles
• Exchange power-steering pump fitted 04.11.13 at 45,437 miles
• New ignition coils 20.09.13 at 45,290 miles
• Service on 12.12.12 at 44,104 miles
• Full service on 09.11.11 at 42,576 miles
• Service on 26.10.10 at 40,986 miles
• Service 25.08.09 at 39,235 miles
• Service 08.08.08 at 38,239 miles
• Service 20.07.07 at 37,347 miles

Interior

Great specification that includes cruise control, rear parking sensors, headlamp washers, climate control, traction control, ESP, five-speed auto ‘box, six-disc CD autochanger, leather seats, burr walnut fascia, half-wood steering wheel, electric front seats, electrochromic rear-view mirror, automatic lights and wipers, heated front seats and heated windscreen

The only items that’s described as defective is the passenger electric seat and faulty door mirror glass. Otherwise, there are no reported issues with any of the equipment on board

The interior is in decent overall condition. XK8s often suffer from wear in the leather. And yes, there are a few light cracks in the Oatmeal hide, including on the driver's seat bolster and centre armrest, but it’s really not bad for an XK8 of this age

The door cards and carpets appear to be in good condition for the age and mileage

There’s some corrosion on the chrome headrest supports

The headlining was replaced in 2017. It still looks clean but with some depressions in the foam backing evident

The burr walnut woodwork seems to be in surprisingly good nick – still rich and classy, with only light bleaching from sunlight

The luggage compartment looks clean and tidy, although there are some unattached wires hanging down – likely to be for the boot lights

Under the boot floor there’s no obvious rust and the space-saver spare wheel looks unused

Exterior

• Facelift model featuring revised front fog lights, clear rear indicator lenses and extra chrome detailing
• Sapphire Blue metallic paint looks smart from a distance and the car is described by the vendor as in ‘good condition outside’
• The 18-inch alloy wheels are an attractive feature and came as part of the mid-life facelift for the XK8 range. These have a few light marks from kerbs and some mild bubbling/ faded paint on some of the spokes
• There are some general light marks around the bodywork consummate with the car’s age and mileage. These include evidence of light blistering in the paint on the nearside-front wing and part of the bonnet, stone chips around the front of the car, light cracks in the paint on the nosecone, a cracked plastic cover for the front overrider, some of the dark aluminium trim on the window surrounds and door mirror housings have blistered, light scuffs and marks on the rear bumper
• The driver’s door mirror glass needs replacing – from the pictures you can see that the electrochromic glass has failed
• Underneath there is some corrosion on the rear subframe and around the sills. These were noted during its recent MOT as advisories and not serious defects

Mechanical

• AJ-V8 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with variable valve timing – rated at a healthy 290hp
• Five-speed ZF automatic gearbox with electronic control and sports mode. Manual selection via the ‘J-gate’ selector
• Looking at the under-bonnet pics, the engine bay seems clean and tidy. The only sign of oil is a slight film around the camshaft positioning sensor on the nearside bank
• The tyres look to have plenty of tread on them and are described as ‘pretty much new’
• There are no known mechanical issues according to the current owner who also told us that the car starts and runs very well

Summary

The original Jaguar XK8 was a classy, elegant and practical grand tourer right from the off in 1996. And it was consistently improved both mechanically and looks-wise over its lifetime – this face-lifted model from 2001 is an example of that effort. The smartened-up rear-end treatment with added chrome really lifted the car’s looks from behind and only add to its desirability in our view.

The 4.0-litre XJ-V8 engine is also a gem. Smooth, torquey and punchy, with 290hp available all channelled through a slick and responsive five-speed ZF ‘box. It was the perfect accompaniment for the touring suspension set-up that make these XK8s so quiet and effortless to drive.

This one is a tidy-looking and relatively low-mileage car that just needs a little TLC to smarten up its appearance and bring it up to best. And, thanks to its extensive and well-documented service history, mechanically it should be a good daily driver in the meantime.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Caterham, Surrey.