23yo thinking of looking at XKRs (X100)
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm getting itchy feet again for changing cars, and i'm thinking i'd like something with a V8 engine and RWD this time.
I had looked at the Vauxhall monaro, but it seems to be all but uninsurable for me (i'm not paying over a £1000 for insurance out of principle!)
Anyway... since I work for JLR it would probably be quite fitting for me to drive on and i've always liked the look of the XK8/XKR. Having had a quick look at the classifieds it seems like I can in fact afford one, so what should I be looking out for? I generally use my cars for a 10 mile commute, and longer drives at the weekends..
Am I mad to be looking at an XKR for this? Some people have told me they're unreliable, but others have said they're fine as long as the engine has been changed on a pre-2001 model.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm getting itchy feet again for changing cars, and i'm thinking i'd like something with a V8 engine and RWD this time.
I had looked at the Vauxhall monaro, but it seems to be all but uninsurable for me (i'm not paying over a £1000 for insurance out of principle!)
Anyway... since I work for JLR it would probably be quite fitting for me to drive on and i've always liked the look of the XK8/XKR. Having had a quick look at the classifieds it seems like I can in fact afford one, so what should I be looking out for? I generally use my cars for a 10 mile commute, and longer drives at the weekends..
Am I mad to be looking at an XKR for this? Some people have told me they're unreliable, but others have said they're fine as long as the engine has been changed on a pre-2001 model.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I'm 23 and have an XJR.
I can't comment re the XK but in terms of the engine you don't need to have "a new one pre 2001". They just had problems with tensioners/pulleys and the nikasil linings.
The first 2 should now be replaced with any car you buy. Then failure is unlikely. Ask for proof of this or negotiate it later. It is fairly expensive to carry out.
In terms of Nikasil linings. They failed because of contaminated high-sulphur fuel that was circulating the time. In theory most of these have already failed. Contaminated fuel is no longer available so you're fine running Nikasil from now on. If you're paranoid ask for a "leak down test" at a jaguar dealer, although I personally just went for a simple compression test. Nikasil is apparently superior to the steel lined replacement but you'd have to ask someone more technically minded for reasons why.
Again XJR specific. MPG is circa 19. Hoon it or drive it carefully it makes bugger all difference. If you can afford to travel first class I'd recommend it.
ETA: Waterpump impellors are made from plastic in early models. This should also be replaced.
I'm sure a tamed jag tech will be along shortly for better advice but if you buy a good one they certainly aren't unreliable but it is all relative.
I can't comment re the XK but in terms of the engine you don't need to have "a new one pre 2001". They just had problems with tensioners/pulleys and the nikasil linings.
The first 2 should now be replaced with any car you buy. Then failure is unlikely. Ask for proof of this or negotiate it later. It is fairly expensive to carry out.
In terms of Nikasil linings. They failed because of contaminated high-sulphur fuel that was circulating the time. In theory most of these have already failed. Contaminated fuel is no longer available so you're fine running Nikasil from now on. If you're paranoid ask for a "leak down test" at a jaguar dealer, although I personally just went for a simple compression test. Nikasil is apparently superior to the steel lined replacement but you'd have to ask someone more technically minded for reasons why.
Again XJR specific. MPG is circa 19. Hoon it or drive it carefully it makes bugger all difference. If you can afford to travel first class I'd recommend it.
ETA: Waterpump impellors are made from plastic in early models. This should also be replaced.
I'm sure a tamed jag tech will be along shortly for better advice but if you buy a good one they certainly aren't unreliable but it is all relative.
Edited by G_T on Tuesday 2nd June 15:12
Others more knowledgeable than me but a pre-2001 engine (Nikasil lined) shouldn't worry you too much, especially if not ultra low mileage. You can always have it tested for compression anyway. The nikasil engine is probably overall stronger than the steel lined one. Of more concern is getting the tensioners updated to the latest design, which is a must, and a gearbox oil change (suppsoely sealed for life). I believe some A-frames corrode as well.
If you can get decen tinsurance and afford it, go for it.
If you can get decen tinsurance and afford it, go for it.
G_T said:
I'm 23 and have an XJR.
I can't comment re the XK but in terms of the engine you don't need to have "a new one pre 2001". They just had problems with tensioners/pulleys and the nikasil linings.
The first 2 should now be replaced with any car you buy. Then failure is unlikely. Ask for proof of this or negotiate it later. It is fairly expensive to carry out.
In terms of Nikasil linings. They failed because of contaminated high-sulphur fuel that was circulating the time. In theory most of these have already failed. Contaminated fuel is no longer available so you're fine running Nikasil from now on. If you're paranoid ask for a "leak down test" at a jaguar dealer, although I personally just went for a simple compression test. Nikasil is apparently superior to the steel lined replacement but you'd have to ask someone more technically minded for reasons why.
Again XJR specific. MPG is circa 19. Hoon it or drive it carefully it makes bugger all difference. If you can afford to travel first class I'd recommend it.
ETA: Waterpump impellors are made from plastic in early models. This should also be replaced.
I'm sure a tamed jag tech will be along shortly for better advice but if you buy a good one they certainly aren't unreliable but it is all relative.
Yeah i've heard about the Nikasil linings.I can't comment re the XK but in terms of the engine you don't need to have "a new one pre 2001". They just had problems with tensioners/pulleys and the nikasil linings.
The first 2 should now be replaced with any car you buy. Then failure is unlikely. Ask for proof of this or negotiate it later. It is fairly expensive to carry out.
In terms of Nikasil linings. They failed because of contaminated high-sulphur fuel that was circulating the time. In theory most of these have already failed. Contaminated fuel is no longer available so you're fine running Nikasil from now on. If you're paranoid ask for a "leak down test" at a jaguar dealer, although I personally just went for a simple compression test. Nikasil is apparently superior to the steel lined replacement but you'd have to ask someone more technically minded for reasons why.
Again XJR specific. MPG is circa 19. Hoon it or drive it carefully it makes bugger all difference. If you can afford to travel first class I'd recommend it.
ETA: Waterpump impellors are made from plastic in early models. This should also be replaced.
I'm sure a tamed jag tech will be along shortly for better advice but if you buy a good one they certainly aren't unreliable but it is all relative.
Edited by G_T on Tuesday 2nd June 15:12
Just for reference I get 19-22 mpg from my Focus RS so i'm not adverse to spending money on fuel.
Good man.
On the plus side you can run the V8's on 95RON with no negative effects (or so I hear) so if you were getting 19-22mpg you still might save a quid or two.
The only thing I would say is that these really are wafting mobiles. As a fellow young bloke you might miss the frantic drive of your RS. You'll never feel like it's slower though.
On the plus side you can run the V8's on 95RON with no negative effects (or so I hear) so if you were getting 19-22mpg you still might save a quid or two.
The only thing I would say is that these really are wafting mobiles. As a fellow young bloke you might miss the frantic drive of your RS. You'll never feel like it's slower though.
Almost certainly any Nicasil issues will have been sorted by now.
Either by the fitment of a replacement engine or the fact that higher Sulphur content fuel (up to 150 PPM which, under certain driving conditions caused erosion of the Nicasil coating) was withdrawn in early 2000 shortly before the introduction of the revised steel lined version. If you have any concerns with an earlier car - especially if it's just been a weekend toy - have a quick look inside the air intake trunking and throttle body for traces of oil deposits or have a blow by test at any dealer or independent to put your mind at rest.
Of much more relevence now is to make sure you buy a really good example - ideally owned by an enthusiast who has really taken care of the car and looked after it. Any evidence of patchy service history, accident repair, or general neglect is a reason to walk away.
Try jagads or the PH classisfieds and look at lots before you buy. If you get a feel for what's around and drive a few before you buy you'll know when the right car comes up.
It's essential on any V8 XJ/K Jaguar to make sure the secondary timing chain tensioners have been changed for the metal bodied type. These were introduced IIRC, at the same time as the revised 4.2 engine but can be reto fitted. Removing the right hand cam cover (the left hand one is a
to get off) and having a look is the only way to be sure. If you see an orange or cream plastic piston body and not a metal one then you're on borrowed time. Most indys will change these for around £3/400 but it's an easy DIY job if your confident and can get hold of the timing tools.
I don't know if the XKs are suffering fron the same corrosion problem as the XJs - the reinforcing plate where the front subframe V mount joins the body is corroding badly in some cases - worth a quick look behind both front shocks maybe?
The gearbox is supposedley sealed for life - which is a real triumph of Marketering over Engineering. They can and do fail - the oil and filter should be changed at less then 50k intervals to preserve the 'box, you'll pay an indy about £200 for this but they must use the correct Esso oil in the ZF box (the supercharged versions have a different and stronger MB box - but oil still need to be changed)
The water pump and thermostat should really be changed too on a pre 2000 car, just to be on the safe side.
Other than that bear in mind the the XJ and Ks are big heavy cars and are hard on tyres, brakes, shocks and suspension components if driven hard. Expect close to 30 MPG on a motorway cruise and a whole lot less than that if you boot it round town.
A V8 Jaguar can either be
or 
. All depends on if you buy a good one or not.
Either by the fitment of a replacement engine or the fact that higher Sulphur content fuel (up to 150 PPM which, under certain driving conditions caused erosion of the Nicasil coating) was withdrawn in early 2000 shortly before the introduction of the revised steel lined version. If you have any concerns with an earlier car - especially if it's just been a weekend toy - have a quick look inside the air intake trunking and throttle body for traces of oil deposits or have a blow by test at any dealer or independent to put your mind at rest.
Of much more relevence now is to make sure you buy a really good example - ideally owned by an enthusiast who has really taken care of the car and looked after it. Any evidence of patchy service history, accident repair, or general neglect is a reason to walk away.
Try jagads or the PH classisfieds and look at lots before you buy. If you get a feel for what's around and drive a few before you buy you'll know when the right car comes up.
It's essential on any V8 XJ/K Jaguar to make sure the secondary timing chain tensioners have been changed for the metal bodied type. These were introduced IIRC, at the same time as the revised 4.2 engine but can be reto fitted. Removing the right hand cam cover (the left hand one is a
to get off) and having a look is the only way to be sure. If you see an orange or cream plastic piston body and not a metal one then you're on borrowed time. Most indys will change these for around £3/400 but it's an easy DIY job if your confident and can get hold of the timing tools.I don't know if the XKs are suffering fron the same corrosion problem as the XJs - the reinforcing plate where the front subframe V mount joins the body is corroding badly in some cases - worth a quick look behind both front shocks maybe?
The gearbox is supposedley sealed for life - which is a real triumph of Marketering over Engineering. They can and do fail - the oil and filter should be changed at less then 50k intervals to preserve the 'box, you'll pay an indy about £200 for this but they must use the correct Esso oil in the ZF box (the supercharged versions have a different and stronger MB box - but oil still need to be changed)
The water pump and thermostat should really be changed too on a pre 2000 car, just to be on the safe side.
Other than that bear in mind the the XJ and Ks are big heavy cars and are hard on tyres, brakes, shocks and suspension components if driven hard. Expect close to 30 MPG on a motorway cruise and a whole lot less than that if you boot it round town.
A V8 Jaguar can either be
or . All depends on if you buy a good one or not.just to add my comments, As jaguar steve says, they are heavy cars, if the car doesn't feel tight in the suspension/steering department you will need to put some money away to renew bushes/wishbones etc.
check for knocking from the rear at low speeds, this will most likely to be the rear CATS damper.
check all the arches (at the top and bottom ) where mud /stones don't get washed away.
If the car has Brembo brakes, you will need deep pockets to replace pads/discs.
for a '99 car i would have expected the following to have been replaced :
water pump
serpentine belt
supercharger belt
gearbox oil
diff oil (most unlikely to have been replaced)
when viewing a car:
start car from cold you shouldn't expect to hear the following noises :
-squealing on startup (belts)
-knocking sounds.
-ticking sounds (unless it is a very cold day -unlikely now)
if you can get the car up on to a ramp,
check for oil leaks from engine/gearbox/diff (usually from the flange).
great cars, very robust and joy to own assuming its been looked after.
PS
we looked at a Monaro VXR 6.0 before we got the jag, the monaro sounded fantastic, drove very well.
HTH
cheers
NST
check for knocking from the rear at low speeds, this will most likely to be the rear CATS damper.
check all the arches (at the top and bottom ) where mud /stones don't get washed away.
If the car has Brembo brakes, you will need deep pockets to replace pads/discs.
for a '99 car i would have expected the following to have been replaced :
water pump
serpentine belt
supercharger belt
gearbox oil
diff oil (most unlikely to have been replaced)
when viewing a car:
start car from cold you shouldn't expect to hear the following noises :
-squealing on startup (belts)
-knocking sounds.
-ticking sounds (unless it is a very cold day -unlikely now)
if you can get the car up on to a ramp,
check for oil leaks from engine/gearbox/diff (usually from the flange).
great cars, very robust and joy to own assuming its been looked after.
PS
we looked at a Monaro VXR 6.0 before we got the jag, the monaro sounded fantastic, drove very well.
HTH
cheers
NST
ChapppeRS said:
G_T said:
I'm 23 and have an XJR.
I can't comment re the XK but in terms of the engine you don't need to have "a new one pre 2001". They just had problems with tensioners/pulleys and the nikasil linings.
The first 2 should now be replaced with any car you buy. Then failure is unlikely. Ask for proof of this or negotiate it later. It is fairly expensive to carry out.
In terms of Nikasil linings. They failed because of contaminated high-sulphur fuel that was circulating the time. In theory most of these have already failed. Contaminated fuel is no longer available so you're fine running Nikasil from now on. If you're paranoid ask for a "leak down test" at a jaguar dealer, although I personally just went for a simple compression test. Nikasil is apparently superior to the steel lined replacement but you'd have to ask someone more technically minded for reasons why.
Again XJR specific. MPG is circa 19. Hoon it or drive it carefully it makes bugger all difference. If you can afford to travel first class I'd recommend it.
ETA: Waterpump impellors are made from plastic in early models. This should also be replaced.
I'm sure a tamed jag tech will be along shortly for better advice but if you buy a good one they certainly aren't unreliable but it is all relative.
Yeah i've heard about the Nikasil linings.I can't comment re the XK but in terms of the engine you don't need to have "a new one pre 2001". They just had problems with tensioners/pulleys and the nikasil linings.
The first 2 should now be replaced with any car you buy. Then failure is unlikely. Ask for proof of this or negotiate it later. It is fairly expensive to carry out.
In terms of Nikasil linings. They failed because of contaminated high-sulphur fuel that was circulating the time. In theory most of these have already failed. Contaminated fuel is no longer available so you're fine running Nikasil from now on. If you're paranoid ask for a "leak down test" at a jaguar dealer, although I personally just went for a simple compression test. Nikasil is apparently superior to the steel lined replacement but you'd have to ask someone more technically minded for reasons why.
Again XJR specific. MPG is circa 19. Hoon it or drive it carefully it makes bugger all difference. If you can afford to travel first class I'd recommend it.
ETA: Waterpump impellors are made from plastic in early models. This should also be replaced.
I'm sure a tamed jag tech will be along shortly for better advice but if you buy a good one they certainly aren't unreliable but it is all relative.
Edited by G_T on Tuesday 2nd June 15:12
Just for reference I get 19-22 mpg from my Focus RS so i'm not adverse to spending money on fuel.
but you just cant beat a v8 at 6,500 rpm.
but that said its never gone wrong or broke down on me in nearley 2yrs and its pre 2001
Edited by black1 on Wednesday 3rd June 08:25
G_T said:
I meant ~19-22 combined. It costs me about a pound a mile to get into the city centre!
I've never had this "close to 30mpg" business on the motorway either. Quite frankly I don't believe it.
The best average I've ever seen in my 3.2 XJ (on the trip computer) is 32 MPG on a long overnight motorway trip. I more usually get about 28/29 at a steady 65/75 MPH cruise dropping to 24/26 cross county touring - and that's with reasonably brisk driving, with the gearbox in sport mode and overtaking when the chance arises, so yes - with the right driving techniques like anticipation, avoiding heavy or late braking, taking full advantage of the overrun fuel cut off and preserving momentum - close to 30MPG is easily and repeatedly possible from a V8.
I don't use the car for commuting and rarely go in heavy town or city trafic 'tho which will makes a huge difference.
They are cheap for a reason.
As a 23 yr old I'd be looking to buy something which may cost a bit in initial outlay, but won't cost you a fortune to run as any XK will do over your course of ownership.
Unless you have plenty of spare cash to pay some big bills my vote is avoid them as much as I loved mine.....
As a 23 yr old I'd be looking to buy something which may cost a bit in initial outlay, but won't cost you a fortune to run as any XK will do over your course of ownership.
Unless you have plenty of spare cash to pay some big bills my vote is avoid them as much as I loved mine.....
Triple7 said:
Unless you have plenty of spare cash to pay some big bills my vote is avoid them as much as I loved mine.....
that is some very good advice. I love mine as well.OP, have a look at my garage and see the current running costs (they are very rough).
compared to other high performance of the era (996, 3200GT, M3 etc) the running costs aren't to bad. compared to the monaro the XK is an expensive option!
Agree with the above. I think it's relative tbh. If you can show me a 370bhp luxury car that costs less to run I'll be impressed.
Whilst I am in the process of putting mine up for sale it's not due to the running costs and my earnings are modest at best. I certainly won't be selling if I can't get what I'm after.
Whilst I am in the process of putting mine up for sale it's not due to the running costs and my earnings are modest at best. I certainly won't be selling if I can't get what I'm after.
Lots of good advice above. I've been really pleased with mine. It's not really cost me much more than the yearly service and a new set of tyres in the two years I've owned it. Insurance isn't cheap and I'm 36, my previous TVR was significantly cheaper. I seem to get around 29mpg average (according to the trip computer) on the motorway and about 22mpg on my daily commute to work.
Everyone has nothing but nice comments to say about the car and I get let out of junctions alot... part of the Jaguar experience I guess.
Nice evo buying guide
here .
Cheers,
Graham
Everyone has nothing but nice comments to say about the car and I get let out of junctions alot... part of the Jaguar experience I guess.
Nice evo buying guide
here .Cheers,
Graham
Triple7 said:
They are cheap for a reason.
As a 23 yr old I'd be looking to buy something which may cost a bit in initial outlay, but won't cost you a fortune to run as any XK will do over your course of ownership.
Unless you have plenty of spare cash to pay some big bills my vote is avoid them as much as I loved mine.....
2yrs my xk8 has never gone wrongAs a 23 yr old I'd be looking to buy something which may cost a bit in initial outlay, but won't cost you a fortune to run as any XK will do over your course of ownership.
Unless you have plenty of spare cash to pay some big bills my vote is avoid them as much as I loved mine.....
yours must be a right ole nail
by the way just went through the mot again no prob
Edited by black1 on Friday 5th June 07:47
black1 said:
Triple7 said:
They are cheap for a reason.
As a 23 yr old I'd be looking to buy something which may cost a bit in initial outlay, but won't cost you a fortune to run as any XK will do over your course of ownership.
Unless you have plenty of spare cash to pay some big bills my vote is avoid them as much as I loved mine.....
2yrs my xk8 has never gone wrongAs a 23 yr old I'd be looking to buy something which may cost a bit in initial outlay, but won't cost you a fortune to run as any XK will do over your course of ownership.
Unless you have plenty of spare cash to pay some big bills my vote is avoid them as much as I loved mine.....
yours must be a right ole nail
by the way just went through the mot again no prob
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