Discussion
Hi I'm debating moving from TVR ownership to an XKR (coupe, up to 25k GBP) and have a couple of questions, what are the desirable options I should look for ? eg is there a sports suspension/brake option, all the examples I've seen have had dodgy cream or pale grey interiors was black of dark grey ever an option.
Many thanks, Mark
Many thanks, Mark
Hi Mark,
There are quite a few others who have come from TVR's to XKR's on this forum.
£25k will get you a lovely, well spec'd XKR. There are quite few things to consider.
Firstly on your budget you can get either the 370BHP 4.0ltr V8 with a 5 speed auto, or the newer 400BHP 4.2ltr V8 with a ZF 6 Speed auto. Your choice really. I had both and liked the extra power and economy of the 4.2ltr, but the gearbox of the 5 speed 4.0ltr.
If you look for a 4.0ltr, I would go for a 2001MY or newer ('51 Reg), as there was a facelift at this time which sharpened up the cars looks a great deal from the style at launch. New bumpers, larger bore exhaust pipes, new alloys and better kit inside. The best 4.0ltr XKR you can buy is the limited edition XKR100. It only came in Anthracite Black, with warm charcoal leather interior and black maple veneer. A real must are the new Recaro sport seats which were introduced with the XKR100. So yes, you can get charcoal interior, but the leather is not as durable (i.e. older cars will show the age over the ivory leather), nor quite as popular as the cream and burr walnut. The XK100 also came with a 'handling pack', comprising of revised CATS settings, lowered suspension, sharper steering feel etc.
Just as important, the face lifted XKR's came with 'Brembo Brakes' , firstly with silver painted calipers with 'Jaguar' on them, or later in red with an 'R logo. Combined with these are the must have 20 inch alloys. There are many styles so choose your favourite.
The later 4.2 models also have all the spec of the XK100 available, but most are optional extras at time of ordering. The best choice are the 'special editions' which include most of the good spec as standard. These SE's, include the 'Carbon Fibre', 'XK400', or the final run of XKR-S editions. The XKR-S introduced the final and my favourite, face lift of the out going XKR i.e new bumpers/bodykit, different alloys and interior trim.
So as you can see, there are many options, so find out exactly what you want, then go find the car. In a nutshell I would recommend:
1) New Style Recaro seats
2) Brembo brakes
3) 20 inch Alloy wheels
4) 2001 or newer
5) 4.2 litre
6) Handling Pack (Coupe only)
7) Satnav in lieu of Temp/Press guages
8) Electric everything!
All the best, take your time, most searches for a good XKR can take 3 months or more.
To help you:
XKR100
XKR-S
G
There are quite a few others who have come from TVR's to XKR's on this forum.
£25k will get you a lovely, well spec'd XKR. There are quite few things to consider.
Firstly on your budget you can get either the 370BHP 4.0ltr V8 with a 5 speed auto, or the newer 400BHP 4.2ltr V8 with a ZF 6 Speed auto. Your choice really. I had both and liked the extra power and economy of the 4.2ltr, but the gearbox of the 5 speed 4.0ltr.
If you look for a 4.0ltr, I would go for a 2001MY or newer ('51 Reg), as there was a facelift at this time which sharpened up the cars looks a great deal from the style at launch. New bumpers, larger bore exhaust pipes, new alloys and better kit inside. The best 4.0ltr XKR you can buy is the limited edition XKR100. It only came in Anthracite Black, with warm charcoal leather interior and black maple veneer. A real must are the new Recaro sport seats which were introduced with the XKR100. So yes, you can get charcoal interior, but the leather is not as durable (i.e. older cars will show the age over the ivory leather), nor quite as popular as the cream and burr walnut. The XK100 also came with a 'handling pack', comprising of revised CATS settings, lowered suspension, sharper steering feel etc.
Just as important, the face lifted XKR's came with 'Brembo Brakes' , firstly with silver painted calipers with 'Jaguar' on them, or later in red with an 'R logo. Combined with these are the must have 20 inch alloys. There are many styles so choose your favourite.
The later 4.2 models also have all the spec of the XK100 available, but most are optional extras at time of ordering. The best choice are the 'special editions' which include most of the good spec as standard. These SE's, include the 'Carbon Fibre', 'XK400', or the final run of XKR-S editions. The XKR-S introduced the final and my favourite, face lift of the out going XKR i.e new bumpers/bodykit, different alloys and interior trim.
So as you can see, there are many options, so find out exactly what you want, then go find the car. In a nutshell I would recommend:
1) New Style Recaro seats
2) Brembo brakes
3) 20 inch Alloy wheels
4) 2001 or newer
5) 4.2 litre
6) Handling Pack (Coupe only)
7) Satnav in lieu of Temp/Press guages
8) Electric everything!
All the best, take your time, most searches for a good XKR can take 3 months or more.
To help you:
XKR100
XKR-S
G
Edited by Triple7 on Thursday 14th February 22:09
Mark, like you I came from TVR to XKR. I spent a while searching (according to my other half every night for 6 months on Autotrader & Pistonheads!), eventually found the car I've got now. Bought back in May from a main dealer and at the time cost around the price you are looking to pay. Its a 4.2 XKR with the 6 speed box.
As Triple7 says you need to ensure you get as many of the options as possible. The only thing I would have wanted on mine that I failed on was the Recaro Interior, managed to tick every other box.
Again, like yourself I wanted a slightly more 'sporty' rather than 'gentlemans' interior. Mine has Cranberry/Warm charcoal interior and the grey wood.
Here's mine,
Quartz 4.2 XKR
Cranberry/Warm Charcoal sport interior
Cheers,
Graham
As Triple7 says you need to ensure you get as many of the options as possible. The only thing I would have wanted on mine that I failed on was the Recaro Interior, managed to tick every other box.
Again, like yourself I wanted a slightly more 'sporty' rather than 'gentlemans' interior. Mine has Cranberry/Warm charcoal interior and the grey wood.
Here's mine,
Quartz 4.2 XKR
Cranberry/Warm Charcoal sport interior
Cheers,
Graham
currently running a XKR 4.0 2001, it has the R pack, supersports suspension, 20in alloys and cross drilled brembos. the big expense is the discs, full all round replacement is £1600-1700 and the 6th service (coolant change + plugs). don't have recaros or sat nav. i wasn't to fussed about the nav as my tomtom is probably going to be more up to date! imho i actually like the extra 3 dials on the dash. try and get radar cruise control if you can.
the aux (FEAD) belt + tensioner can make some squealing noise on a cold morning, i had this replaced also the thermostat. it can also can eat through front bushes so try and hear for knocking sounds from the front suspension or uneven tyre wear (outer edges).
alot of people change the bushes with poly bushes, but these can make the rid quite firm. also hear for a rattling sound from the rear, these are the CATS dampers making the noise, to remove the noise would require new dampers, they aren't cheap! but to be honest most people don't bother replacing them as it does no harm (apparently).
stone chips are quite common on the bumper and bonnet, have a good look at the paint work.
imho the handling isn't great, but it makes up for it on the motorway, it is a great GT, covering huge miles at speed and still feeling relaxed
our car gets driven everyday come what ever the weather, the wife drives it more often then me due to the miles i drive everyday. since july we have done 9000miles, it hasn't missed a beat, its been more reliable than our Ford Focus!
the aux (FEAD) belt + tensioner can make some squealing noise on a cold morning, i had this replaced also the thermostat. it can also can eat through front bushes so try and hear for knocking sounds from the front suspension or uneven tyre wear (outer edges).
alot of people change the bushes with poly bushes, but these can make the rid quite firm. also hear for a rattling sound from the rear, these are the CATS dampers making the noise, to remove the noise would require new dampers, they aren't cheap! but to be honest most people don't bother replacing them as it does no harm (apparently).
stone chips are quite common on the bumper and bonnet, have a good look at the paint work.
imho the handling isn't great, but it makes up for it on the motorway, it is a great GT, covering huge miles at speed and still feeling relaxed
our car gets driven everyday come what ever the weather, the wife drives it more often then me due to the miles i drive everyday. since july we have done 9000miles, it hasn't missed a beat, its been more reliable than our Ford Focus!
I am afraid I am going to buck the trend, Had a 1998 4.5 TVR Chimaera, purchased a 4.2 XKR Convertible last November, sold it yesterday, luckily kept the TVR in storage so back with my old faithfull, complete with stone chips, squeaks, rattles and all.(but never let me down)
To be honest the Jag was an awsomely powerful beautiful car which I could not really fault but I just found for the sort of evenings and weekend driving that I tend to do that the TVR is just more fun. I also took a view that the Jag could potentially cost a lot of money if any repairs were needed, whereas with the TVR I have enough knowledge and tools, ramp etc to do all the servicing and repairs myself. not for everyone I know but I just feel more comfortable with the TVR.
Another deciding factor was I found myself worrying whenever it was left parked anywhere that it would get damaged in some way, not so much with the TVR.
However,I should note that I have done exactly the same thing with other cars I have bought over the last few years, Boxster, S2000, and now the XKR. I just seem to revert back to my old TVR, I guess it just feels like that old comfortable pair of shoes that you just cannot seem to get rid of!!!
To be honest the Jag was an awsomely powerful beautiful car which I could not really fault but I just found for the sort of evenings and weekend driving that I tend to do that the TVR is just more fun. I also took a view that the Jag could potentially cost a lot of money if any repairs were needed, whereas with the TVR I have enough knowledge and tools, ramp etc to do all the servicing and repairs myself. not for everyone I know but I just feel more comfortable with the TVR.
Another deciding factor was I found myself worrying whenever it was left parked anywhere that it would get damaged in some way, not so much with the TVR.
However,I should note that I have done exactly the same thing with other cars I have bought over the last few years, Boxster, S2000, and now the XKR. I just seem to revert back to my old TVR, I guess it just feels like that old comfortable pair of shoes that you just cannot seem to get rid of!!!
I am another convert from TVR (Chim 450) after 6 happy years changed to XKR Convertible.You cannot compare cars really as totally different but XKR gets more use for some reason perhaps it is just that bit easier too live with and certainly is ideal long distance car that eats miles. It seems logical car to follow TVR if you still want to enjoy power but bit more grace.Having passed big 60 it certainly suits me.
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