Discussion
I have now hit the point where I am driving ~8,000 miles a year instead of 22,000. I can now pretty much afford to run an (older) XK in terms of petrol and servicing.
Budget is 4-6k. This is less than ideal, but is what I have to work within based on having bought a house last year and what I can get by selling my existing commuter Toyota Avensis. It also puts me in the position where I risk buying a basket case so more care and attention needed.
Budget means an X100 4.0 XK8 or XKR, and I think I need to look for the following:
Ideally 2001 or later, as Nikasil had been largely sorted by then.
Full service history with as many bills as possible, not just stamped book.
Timing chains and tensioners replaced with metal type
Gearbox oil changed at least once, or a new gearbox fitted.
Floor pan looks as solid as possible without taking the car to pieces.
Front suspension/wishbones done.
Anything else?
I'm also in the position that this has to be something that runs whenever/whatever the weather, has anyone got any experience of what an older XK is like in snow if you put some winter tyres on it?
Budget is 4-6k. This is less than ideal, but is what I have to work within based on having bought a house last year and what I can get by selling my existing commuter Toyota Avensis. It also puts me in the position where I risk buying a basket case so more care and attention needed.
Budget means an X100 4.0 XK8 or XKR, and I think I need to look for the following:
Ideally 2001 or later, as Nikasil had been largely sorted by then.
Full service history with as many bills as possible, not just stamped book.
Timing chains and tensioners replaced with metal type
Gearbox oil changed at least once, or a new gearbox fitted.
Floor pan looks as solid as possible without taking the car to pieces.
Front suspension/wishbones done.
Anything else?
I'm also in the position that this has to be something that runs whenever/whatever the weather, has anyone got any experience of what an older XK is like in snow if you put some winter tyres on it?
I am sure with winter tyres they will be great fun in the snow. You do become very aware of how big the car is and the potential damage a slight brush with the curb could do.
I drive a 04 XKR as a daily drive all year round, mine is on the 20" rims with the brembo brakes so no option for winter tyres unless I fancy paying a small fortune for just the rubber. To be honest on summer tyres approx 50% worn they aren't great in the snow but with the exception of a couple of days working from home I managed fine this last year and this is in Sheffield with hills and the like! If you can keep moving then they aren't too bad but get stuck in some traffic on some packed snow and life becomes difficult.
I drive a 04 XKR as a daily drive all year round, mine is on the 20" rims with the brembo brakes so no option for winter tyres unless I fancy paying a small fortune for just the rubber. To be honest on summer tyres approx 50% worn they aren't great in the snow but with the exception of a couple of days working from home I managed fine this last year and this is in Sheffield with hills and the like! If you can keep moving then they aren't too bad but get stuck in some traffic on some packed snow and life becomes difficult.
Hi, please take a look at my Reader's cars entry:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I bought a 2001 XK8 4.0 in December after losing my porsche.
There will always be work to do with a car of this kind at this price point, the independants and parts seem on a par if not a little pricier than for the Porsches, but plenty of OEM parts available and the mechanical bits seem fairly simple to work on if you fancy a little tinkering
I drove mine in the snow on standard tyres, the watch word is to calibrate your right foot and to use engine braking (and the J gate) to keep the rear wheels behind you.
Mine needs a few little jobs doing, but all the usual XK8 foibles at 100k miles. I have done the cooling system this week and now need to do some of the front suspension bushes, the subframe bushes will be on the horizon too which i will probably get a specialist to do.
having said that I have done around 15,000 miles in it so far so as long as nothing goes pop for a while it is within my parameters of under £350/month for maint & depreciation
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I bought a 2001 XK8 4.0 in December after losing my porsche.
There will always be work to do with a car of this kind at this price point, the independants and parts seem on a par if not a little pricier than for the Porsches, but plenty of OEM parts available and the mechanical bits seem fairly simple to work on if you fancy a little tinkering
I drove mine in the snow on standard tyres, the watch word is to calibrate your right foot and to use engine braking (and the J gate) to keep the rear wheels behind you.
Mine needs a few little jobs doing, but all the usual XK8 foibles at 100k miles. I have done the cooling system this week and now need to do some of the front suspension bushes, the subframe bushes will be on the horizon too which i will probably get a specialist to do.
having said that I have done around 15,000 miles in it so far so as long as nothing goes pop for a while it is within my parameters of under £350/month for maint & depreciation
£4-6K is entry level and you need to look carefully at cars. For my money I would be more than happy with Nikasil you will not see any issues here now. Make sure the tensioners have been done (about £1k if not. I would be most wary of 8s with the ZF box and would ask about oil changes and box changes. There are not that many Rs in your price range as they still sell at a good premium to 8s. Go for mechanically good cars and check for rust, compromise on colour and trim. 20" wheels look nice , don't rate a huge premium on car but do cost loads to add later and much more on running costs in tyres.
If you can find a post 2001 XKR in your budget look very carefully they are not that cheap !!!
If you can find a post 2001 XKR in your budget look very carefully they are not that cheap !!!
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