About to buy a second hand XKR, but it's registered as XK8?

[jacklenox]

Hi all,

I've been looking at and testing a second hand XKR today that I'm on the verge of buying but I'm slightly put off as the log book shows it was registered as an XK8. Now, before anyone jumps to any conclusions that it's obviously dodgy, read the reasons below.

The car is a '97 model and was apparently an XKR launch car that was owned by Jaguar for the first two years of its life. Apparently it was used at the various motor shows all over Europe. It has had a few owners since then and has a full service history.

From its first service, it is referred to as an XKR by Jaguar. If you use its numberplate to look it up for insurance on something like Confused.com, it says it's an XKR. Most importantly, it looks and sounds like an XKR! It has all the usual differences, all of the extras, grills in the bonnet, spoiler/lip thing on the boot, what appears to be a supercharged engine, etc.

So, according to the guy selling it, it's registered as an XK8 because the XKR wasn't officially released until 1998 and therefore Jaguar registered it as an XK8 to launch it.

Does this sound like rubbish? Or do you guys think it's believable?

I much appreciate any views or advice.

Thanks,

Jack

Edited by jacklenox on Sunday 10th February 23:23

[NormanD]

Yes I can beleive it

It wouldn't put me off buying it



If you do purchase it join the XK8/R Club www.xkec.co.uk and tell them what you have on their forum

[xkrsupercharged]

If you are buying the car to keep and run in to the ground (which by the age of the car seems like it) then go for it! If you intend to sell sometime soon then a prospective buyer will be asking these questions again!

Best bet is to call Jaguar Customer Services who are great - explain the situation and see what they think. Alternatively visit a dealer and speak to someone knowledgable and they should also be able to tell you if this is true.

IMHO it sounds weird as Ferrari wouldn't register a 458 as a 430 because it was a launch car

[dbdb]

Does the XKR have a different VIN code identifier to the XK8? - I suspect each will be allocated a specific number or letter in the VIN which identifies the model.

As an example, the XJ40 Sovereign's VIN starts SAJJH, whereas the XJ40 XJR starts SAJJP.

If this is still the case, then surely only the VIN matters? If it has an XKR VIN number, it is an XKR.

[NormanD]

dbdb said:

Does the XKR have a different VIN code identifier to the XK8? - I suspect each will be allocated a specific number or letter in the VIN which identifies the model.

As an example, the XJ40 Sovereign's VIN starts SAJJH, whereas the XJ40 XJR starts SAJJP.

If this is still the case, then surely only the VIN matters? If it has an XKR VIN number, it is an XKR.

They run consecutive VIN numbers, basically they are all X100 so an XK8

[dbdb]

NormanD said:

dbdb said:

Does the XKR have a different VIN code identifier to the XK8? - I suspect each will be allocated a specific number or letter in the VIN which identifies the model.

As an example, the XJ40 Sovereign's VIN starts SAJJH, whereas the XJ40 XJR starts SAJJP.

If this is still the case, then surely only the VIN matters? If it has an XKR VIN number, it is an XKR.

They run consecutive VIN numbers, basically they are all X100 so an XK8

Wow! I'm surprised to discover that - it's completely different. Is there also no unique letter within the VIN to identify the engine size and whether or not it is supercharged?

[pikeyboy]

Jaguar are very tough when it comes to development vehicle's etc all are crushed under super vision of the site security so I 'm sceptical as to what it is.

[designXKR]

I wouldn't worry about the V5. We have seen many where the car is listed as an XK8 R. Make sure that the VIN on the car matches the VIN on the V5. You can also ask a Jaguar dealer to give you the original build spec for the car by giving them the VIN number (they just need the last 6 characters).

As for Jaguar crushing all Development cars, that is not strictly true. We bought an XKR that had been a development car ( it had at one point been used for a crash test ).

[dbdb]

There are several XJ40 development cars that I know of, and an X300. Jaguar development cars are very uncommon, but not unknown.

[pikeyboy]

designXKR said:

I wouldn't worry about the V5. We have seen many where the car is listed as an XK8 R. Make sure that the VIN on the car matches the VIN on the V5. You can also ask a Jaguar dealer to give you the original build spec for the car by giving them the VIN number (they just need the last 6 characters).

As for Jaguar crushing all Development cars, that is not strictly true. We bought an XKR that had been a development car ( it had at one point been used for a crash test ).

Well I''ve seen one taken from the production line run on the rollers/test rig and then had to drive it to a secure compound for crushing security watched on as every panel glass and interior was mashed. I''ve also had security chasing me when I removed a tow bar from one early one saturday morning as they were like hens teeth and used to secure the car on the rig. Based on that I seriously doubt any crash test vehicles are sold on.

[Elvis16]

Could be legit, you would be surprised how many pre-production / customer evaluation cars are on the road. You could get a dealer to check the spec on the warranty system, that should be as-built

[NormanD]

boy said:

Jaguar are very tough when it comes to development vehicle's etc all are crushed under super vision of the site security so I 'm sceptical as to what it is.

Development cars yes so they can claim the VAT back

But pre production cars are different and would still stay on the road

[jackuar]

Thanks so much for all the comments guys. I'm going to get it!

Just to chime in on the conversation above, this is a launch car as opposed to a development car. I think it's what they would call in software development a golden release candidate. It's one of the first ones off the production line, but released before production begins in earnest.

Thanks,

Jack

[Gibo993]

I have heard of some of the first XK (2006 onwards Press cars) so pre release date being down on the V5 as Prototype. Sounds Plausible to me and could make it a little more interesting. Check the engine number as his would prove its a Supercharged unit.

[NormanD]

Gibo993 said:

Check the engine number as his would prove its a Supercharged unit.

I think you would see the supercharger on top

The engine number is in fact the date and time built

[Gibo993]

LOL! I did think that but he did say in his description "what appears to be a supercharged Engine"

[NormanD]

Gibo993 said:

LOL! I did think that but he did say in his description "what appears to be a supercharged Engine"

Maybe the seller thought the MAF unit after the air filter was a little fan as advertised on eBay

[sax player]

Buy It. The xk8/R are a sure fire future classic, if it is not already. Like all sort after classics a pre production model with providence are worth buying.

[robertxkr]

Well if it is a launch car I think I would put her on ice and make immaculate ,would think that would be a future money maker, just a wkend drive for now ,would not drive into ground as suggested by previous post. Future classic for sure.

[designXKR]

boy said:

Well I''ve seen one taken from the production line run on the rollers/test rig and then had to drive it to a secure compound for crushing security watched on as every panel glass and interior was mashed. I''ve also had security chasing me when I removed a tow bar from one early one saturday morning as they were like hens teeth and used to secure the car on the rig. Based on that I seriously doubt any crash test vehicles are sold on.

In that case it seems that the one we had must have been the one that got away (confirmed by Jaguar plant security who came to view it at our premises with the MD of a local Jag dealership)