Calling all experts.. Old Jag XK8 .. What's the risk factor?

[Goldmember1]

Hi,

An old friend of mine is getting rid of his lovely XK8.
It's a Y 2000 reg , 4.0ltr in Dark Blue Metallic with ... wait for it .. 38000 genuine miles , bodywork immaculate , with full history etc.
My main concern is what goes wrong on these and how much wallet rapeage can occur?
Remember reading about the 4.0ltr engine problems in the S-type when I was considering them with the 4.2 being a safer option.
I'm thinking it'd be silly to turn down this car with such low mileage

Appreciate all advice,

Steve

[Turbocharger]

Early-type timing chain tensioners can fail without warning, nut and bolt job to replace them but quite involved so check the history, quote £1000 or break out your spanners.
Gearboxes are a weak spot, so check the oil has been changed (supposedly sealed for life).

Otherwise, do it!

[ARH]

timing chains will need changing to latest type, thermostat housing. and then it should be fine or no worse than any 10 year old car. remeber though they cost a lot to run new and this doesn't change just because they are cheap to buy now.

[kamilb1998]

Gearboxes usually fail at around 100,000 miles. That's all I know.

[Goldmember1]

Thanks everyone so far..

My only concern is this friend of mine is in his late 80s , and couldn't even remember what year the car is! So the chances of him knowing the history or what's been done are slim .

ARH said:

timing chains will need changing to latest type, thermostat housing.

I'm not mechanically minded.. are they in the thermostat housing or is that the type?

Thanks,

Steve

[300bhp/ton]

I'm reliable informed by a healthy number of non Jag owning Internet warriors that these cars are horrendiously expensive to run an maintain. I've even had figures quoted such as a min of £5000-6000 a year in maintenance. So if you plan to keep for 5 years make sure you tuck away £30,000 just encase. Many Internet reviews will also claim "high running costs" which are often used as a source of reference for these people.

Oddly though, not a single online review or Internet warrior when asked, has been able provide a single example or price demonstrating this.

Gearboxes like an oil change...
And 4.0 suffered tensiner issues.

Go into it eyes open and I don't see why you should have any real issues unless very unlucky. Between my Dad and me we've had 6 Jags. None V8's I admit, but a couple of V12's and the rest S6's. None where any real problem
Accept for the self levelling rear suspension on one of the V12's.

[BLUETHUNDER]

I had one new when they were launched back in 96 and have had a few over the years.Like has been said.Make sure its had the up-dated tensioners fitted.Also earlier cars suffered with the niksil problem.A lot of cars had replacement engines.

Overall they are very,very good cars and the XK8/X300 were leagues ahead of the XJ40/XJS in terms of of reliabilty and maintainance.Never heard of anyone spending 5-6 grand a year in maintainance costs,unless they suffered with engine or gearbox failure,and in all my time of owning these i suffered neither.

[BLUETHUNDER]

I had one new when they were launched back in 96 and have had a few over the years.Like has been said.Make sure its had the up-dated tensioners fitted.Also earlier cars suffered with the niksil problem.A lot of cars had replacement engines.

Overall they are very,very good cars and the XK8/X300 were leagues ahead of the XJ40/XJS in terms of of reliabilty and maintainance.Never heard of anyone spending 5-6 grand a year in maintainance costs,unless they suffered with engine or gearbox failure,and in all my time of owning these i suffered neither.