Jaguar XKR (150) advice
Discussion
Hi
Although I’ve read many threads on buying advice and watched you tube videos I would be very grateful for any advice on buying a XKR , most likely the 5 litre supercharged version.
They seem fairly robust and my budget is up to £25000. Preference is coupe rather than convertible. Not sure what options are desirable above standard spec.
Only other temptations would be F Type, Mustang V8 or even Boxster 981s but think XKR is great value!
Any recommendations about any enthusiast clubs to join and whether an inspection is essential irrespective of private vs dealer. If so is there anyone around Market Harborough or Leicester who offers such a service.
Kind regards
Nick
Although I’ve read many threads on buying advice and watched you tube videos I would be very grateful for any advice on buying a XKR , most likely the 5 litre supercharged version.
They seem fairly robust and my budget is up to £25000. Preference is coupe rather than convertible. Not sure what options are desirable above standard spec.
Only other temptations would be F Type, Mustang V8 or even Boxster 981s but think XKR is great value!
Any recommendations about any enthusiast clubs to join and whether an inspection is essential irrespective of private vs dealer. If so is there anyone around Market Harborough or Leicester who offers such a service.
Kind regards
Nick
I'm not a member but have seen them at car shows: https://www.thexkec.co.uk/
That budget will get you into a good condition/mileage late XKR. I bought mine last year but spent several months looking for the right spec, condition and colour to crop up as it is my dream mid life crisis car 
The desirable packs are the Speed Pack (with most of the goodies off the XKRS) and Black pack and the last off the line 2013-14 cars all seem to have these included in the XK Dynamic R version which I have. The engines are strong but the electrics and subframe corrosion are the bits to check specifically. Loads of documented service history is important to get the feel it's been looked after and issues kept on top of. I love mine
The desirable packs are the Speed Pack (with most of the goodies off the XKRS) and Black pack and the last off the line 2013-14 cars all seem to have these included in the XK Dynamic R version which I have. The engines are strong but the electrics and subframe corrosion are the bits to check specifically. Loads of documented service history is important to get the feel it's been looked after and issues kept on top of. I love mine Just do it.
You will get a really good example for your budget if it's the coupe, the convertibles do seem to be 5K more. You'll love it. Great GT but put it into Dynamic and it's a bit of an animal. I came from a TVR and it replaced that perfectly with the added comfort when needed.
You will get a really good example for your budget if it's the coupe, the convertibles do seem to be 5K more. You'll love it. Great GT but put it into Dynamic and it's a bit of an animal. I came from a TVR and it replaced that perfectly with the added comfort when needed.
Club wise, the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club (JEC) are probably your best bet, I'm not a member myself, but the other half is. They have regular meet ups around the country, and even group trips. They also have discounts negotiated with various companies, with everything from insurance companies to package driving holidays.
Options to look for are the upgraded sound system (Bowers & Wilkin i think on your target year) and maybe one of the special edition models like the XKR75.
I opted for a 4.2 XK rather than the 5.0, mostly because I didn't want the niggling stress of the valley hoses of the XKR, and the 4.2 has slightly more robust timing chains.
Don't give the sat nav any thought, it's outdated in all of them and you'll just use your phone anyway. Just do your usual due diligence regarding service history, especially look to see if the car has had its gearbox oil service done as a worrying amount of people skip that. (Should be done every 60k at least). On the R, the other thing to check is the differential oil, they have what Jaguar called an E-Diff. This was an electronic LSD, very clever but also frequently neglected by shoestring maintenance owners.
Oh and put proper tyres on it. If it's still wearing Dunlop Sport Maxx, get rid of them ASAP for either Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's or Continental Sport Contact 5's. Those Dunslips are lethal even on the lower 300bhp car like mine, let alone the 550bhp weapon you're looking at.
Options to look for are the upgraded sound system (Bowers & Wilkin i think on your target year) and maybe one of the special edition models like the XKR75.
I opted for a 4.2 XK rather than the 5.0, mostly because I didn't want the niggling stress of the valley hoses of the XKR, and the 4.2 has slightly more robust timing chains.
Don't give the sat nav any thought, it's outdated in all of them and you'll just use your phone anyway. Just do your usual due diligence regarding service history, especially look to see if the car has had its gearbox oil service done as a worrying amount of people skip that. (Should be done every 60k at least). On the R, the other thing to check is the differential oil, they have what Jaguar called an E-Diff. This was an electronic LSD, very clever but also frequently neglected by shoestring maintenance owners.
Oh and put proper tyres on it. If it's still wearing Dunlop Sport Maxx, get rid of them ASAP for either Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's or Continental Sport Contact 5's. Those Dunslips are lethal even on the lower 300bhp car like mine, let alone the 550bhp weapon you're looking at.
Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Friday 17th January 15:21
Get an XKR!
I was in the exact same predicament as yourself in 2023. I scoured forums, adverts, (private and trade) and emailed my local reputable Jaguar independent in Nottingham for a full estimation of regular service items to get an idea of running costs. This whole process lasted 8 months, (and if it weren't for my other half, I would still be dithering about getting into one)!
I found the exact model I wanted, and the exact car. Private seller, enthusiast owned, full Jag service history, Stratus Grey Metallic XK Dynamic R Coupe, 2015, (last of its run) with the gorgeous quilted Ivory leather bucket seats and all the usual upgraded trinkets. With the added bonus of having 4 brand new P Zero's all round too... Never under estimate the requirement for top quality rubber on this 5.0L V8 Supercharged monster!
Took the plunge in April 2024, and have daily driven the vehicle ever since, 50 miles a day. WHAT A CAR! It never goes without positive attention, puts a smile on my face every day and often has me looking out the window staring at it's beauty.
Just had brake pads and discs replaced all round - based in Nottingham myself but work in Leicestershire. More than welcome to come and take a look in person and discuss the things to look out for.
If interested, you may even be able to twist my arm into reluctantly selling!
Either way, have a blast and enjoy the process! Do not listen to the nay-sayers. Treat this car right, and she'll look after you just as well.
I was in the exact same predicament as yourself in 2023. I scoured forums, adverts, (private and trade) and emailed my local reputable Jaguar independent in Nottingham for a full estimation of regular service items to get an idea of running costs. This whole process lasted 8 months, (and if it weren't for my other half, I would still be dithering about getting into one)!
I found the exact model I wanted, and the exact car. Private seller, enthusiast owned, full Jag service history, Stratus Grey Metallic XK Dynamic R Coupe, 2015, (last of its run) with the gorgeous quilted Ivory leather bucket seats and all the usual upgraded trinkets. With the added bonus of having 4 brand new P Zero's all round too... Never under estimate the requirement for top quality rubber on this 5.0L V8 Supercharged monster!
Took the plunge in April 2024, and have daily driven the vehicle ever since, 50 miles a day. WHAT A CAR! It never goes without positive attention, puts a smile on my face every day and often has me looking out the window staring at it's beauty.
Just had brake pads and discs replaced all round - based in Nottingham myself but work in Leicestershire. More than welcome to come and take a look in person and discuss the things to look out for.
If interested, you may even be able to twist my arm into reluctantly selling!
Either way, have a blast and enjoy the process! Do not listen to the nay-sayers. Treat this car right, and she'll look after you just as well.
Edited by PH4NT0M on Friday 17th January 15:52
Vsix and Vtec said:
Don't give the sat nav any thought, it's outdated in all of them and you'll just use your phone anyway.
you can get an adaptation from decent car audio places these days that retains the original screen but runs apple carplay or android auto if you plug in a phone should stuff like sat nav and access to spotify etc be a desire. Its a few hundred quidcraigjm said:
you can get an adaptation from decent car audio places these days that retains the original screen but runs apple carplay or android auto if you plug in a phone should stuff like sat nav and access to spotify etc be a desire. Its a few hundred quid
Yes you can, but my understanding is this solves one problem, but creates another. Insofar as you loose functionality of the HVAC, heated seat, and audio system controls whilst your screen is in "android mode" and that if you want to (for example) turn the heated seat off because it's getting a bit warm, you have to flick the switch they install to go back to "OEM" screen before you can use the screen based controls again. I found it less messy and cheaper to buy an Invery dongle for the IPod socket in my armrest (which mimics the output of an IPod to the Audio system, but is in fact a Bluetooth audio streamer connecting to my phone) and a vent mounted phone holder for the sat nav duties. Mounting it just to the left of my steering wheel means it's within my eyeline, it's close to the 12v outlet (so no cable draped across the column) and in the summer when its hot and in sunlight, it has A/C blasting the back of it to keep it cool in the "screen brightness at 100% for 7 hours on the way down into France " torture test.
I do like the neatness of the built-in solution though, can't fault the installation at all in that regard.
I had apple carplay installed into my 2007 XKR convertible by Oxford Car Audio. You don't lose the HVAC controls, heated seats or any other functions. The system I had utilised the existing touch screen, and I can switch between carplay mode and the standard mode. It worked brilliantly and brought the infotainment system bang up-to-date.
https://youtu.be/KpYxgAJOTDo
https://youtu.be/KpYxgAJOTDo
tomsugden said:
I had apple carplay installed into my 2007 XKR convertible by Oxford Car Audio. You don't lose the HVAC controls, heated seats or any other functions. The system I had utilised the existing touch screen, and I can switch between carplay mode and the standard mode. It worked brilliantly and brought the infotainment system bang up-to-date.
https://youtu.be/KpYxgAJOTDo
This is what I was referring to above https://youtu.be/KpYxgAJOTDo
Vsix and Vtec said:
Club wise, the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club (JEC) are probably your best bet, I'm not a member myself, but the other half is. They have regular meet ups around the country, and even group trips. They also have discounts negotiated with various companies, with everything from insurance companies to package driving holidays.
Options to look for are the upgraded sound system (Bowers & Wilkin i think on your target year) and maybe one of the special edition models like the XKR75.
I opted for a 4.2 XK rather than the 5.0, mostly because I didn't want the niggling stress of the valley hoses of the XKR, and the 4.2 has slightly more robust timing chains.
Don't give the sat nav any thought, it's outdated in all of them and you'll just use your phone anyway. Just do your usual due diligence regarding service history, especially look to see if the car has had its gearbox oil service done as a worrying amount of people skip that. (Should be done every 60k at least). On the R, the other thing to check is the differential oil, they have what Jaguar called an E-Diff. This was an electronic LSD, very clever but also frequently neglected by shoestring maintenance owners.
Oh and put proper tyres on it. If it's still wearing Dunlop Sport Maxx, get rid of them ASAP for either Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's or Continental Sport Contact 5's. Those Dunslips are lethal even on the lower 300bhp car like mine, let alone the 550bhp weapon you're looking at.
Just so you know the 4.2 does have valley hoses. I am looking at replacing mine at present. You have to remove a fair bit to get in there. Looks like a lovely job. Options to look for are the upgraded sound system (Bowers & Wilkin i think on your target year) and maybe one of the special edition models like the XKR75.
I opted for a 4.2 XK rather than the 5.0, mostly because I didn't want the niggling stress of the valley hoses of the XKR, and the 4.2 has slightly more robust timing chains.
Don't give the sat nav any thought, it's outdated in all of them and you'll just use your phone anyway. Just do your usual due diligence regarding service history, especially look to see if the car has had its gearbox oil service done as a worrying amount of people skip that. (Should be done every 60k at least). On the R, the other thing to check is the differential oil, they have what Jaguar called an E-Diff. This was an electronic LSD, very clever but also frequently neglected by shoestring maintenance owners.
Oh and put proper tyres on it. If it's still wearing Dunlop Sport Maxx, get rid of them ASAP for either Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's or Continental Sport Contact 5's. Those Dunslips are lethal even on the lower 300bhp car like mine, let alone the 550bhp weapon you're looking at.
Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Friday 17th January 15:21
cliffords said:
Just so you know the 4.2 does have valley hoses. I am looking at replacing mine at present. You have to remove a fair bit to get in there. Looks like a lovely job.
Oh I know, it's just the little bit easier if there isn't a twin flow Eaton Supercharger sat over the top of them as well as everything else. Vsix and Vtec said:
craigjm said:
you can get an adaptation from decent car audio places these days that retains the original screen but runs apple carplay or android auto if you plug in a phone should stuff like sat nav and access to spotify etc be a desire. Its a few hundred quid
Yes you can, but my understanding is this solves one problem, but creates another. Insofar as you loose functionality of the HVAC, heated seat, and audio system controls whilst your screen is in "android mode" and that if you want to (for example) turn the heated seat off because it's getting a bit warm, you have to flick the switch they install to go back to "OEM" screen before you can use the screen based controls again. I found it less messy and cheaper to buy an Invery dongle for the IPod socket in my armrest (which mimics the output of an IPod to the Audio system, but is in fact a Bluetooth audio streamer connecting to my phone) and a vent mounted phone holder for the sat nav duties. Mounting it just to the left of my steering wheel means it's within my eyeline, it's close to the 12v outlet (so no cable draped across the column) and in the summer when its hot and in sunlight, it has A/C blasting the back of it to keep it cool in the "screen brightness at 100% for 7 hours on the way down into France " torture test.
I do like the neatness of the built-in solution though, can't fault the installation at all in that regard.
Vsix and Vtec said:
I hadn't heard of this system, but then the last time I was looking was when I first bought the car, it looks very good. Does it still let you use the other steering wheel functionality?(eg skip track and volume)
Yes it all steering wheel buttons work as they should and they also work with Carplay etc to skip tracks, volume. 
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