Help! - XKR or S-Type R???

[blueroom]

Hi All,

After I terminally stacked my beloved XJS last month, the insurance company have finally coughed up. I've decided that I definitely want another Jaguar. Having owned my XJS for seven years I don't really want to stray away from the marque. However, I can't decide what model to go for. My budget is £8,500. I tried a 1999 XK8 the other day and was very impressed, but I really fancy an XKR. However, I'm a bit nervous about the reliability issues of the early 4.0 engine. Therefore I'm also considering an S-type R. I prefer the look of the XK, but the sorted 4.2 of the S-Type is equally attractive.
I've spoken to my local Jaguar dealer about it and they advised me to avoid the early XK and go for the S-Type. Ideally I'd like a 4.2 XK, but that is going to be out of my price range I think. I just wondered what anyone else’s opinion was, as I'm really struggling to make a decision! Any thoughts or tales of personal experiences would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Chris

[Lord Warwick]

Go for the XKR 4.2 No comparison to the S Type R. I had an STR from 2007 - 2010 paid 21k and
sold it for 12k with 28k on clock. The XKR low milage will hold its value a lot longer than the STR
they only made approximately 3000 of the STR from 2002. The XKR is an outright sports car drives
and sounds like one the 4.2 V8 sounds great in the XKR.

[P700DEE]

Nothing wrong with a 4.0 R as long as it has had the tensioners and water pump changed

[NormanD]

P700DEE said:

Nothing wrong with a 4.0 R as long as it has had the tensioners and water pump changed

I agree there

Also if you had a XJS the XKR is the obviouse progression

[XKRacer]

Depends what you want....a 4 door grandad saloon (oooh thats going to upset some people lol) or a 2 door sexy coupe......No contest

Edited by XKRacer on Thursday 6th May 07:48

[Lord Warwick]

XKRacer said:

Depends what you want....a 4 door grandad saloon (oooh thats going to upset some people lol) or a 2 door sexy coupe......No contest

Edited by XKRacer on Thursday 6th May 07:48

Agreed!!!!! Now have Volvo T5 but ware my flat hat and slippers. LOL

[Simpo Two]

XKRacer said:

Depends what you want....a 4 door grandad saloon (oooh thats going to upset some people lol) or a 2 door sexy coupe......No contest

I think an S-Type convertible would have been interesting...

[diesel piston]

Lord Warwick said:

Now have Volvo T5 but ware my flat hat and slippers. LOL

Still think you should`ve got yourself a XKR Al, you obviously still got the hots for one.
Its now or never, your a long time dead !

[a8hex]

diesel piston said:

Lord Warwick said:

Now have Volvo T5 but ware my flat hat and slippers. LOL

Still think you should`ve got yourself a XKR Al, you obviously still got the hots for one.
Its now or never, your a long time dead !

I think it is possible to sell a Volvo, you don't have to have them for ever :-)

[deeen]

I'd rather have an XJR than any S-type.

[pr100]

£11k is as cheap as it gets for a 4.2 XKR worth considering (FSH, 20in Montreals, Brembos, Paramount s/s exhaust, 2003, 87k) - but if he would take £10.5k, you're only £2k over budget!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[blueroom]

Hi Folks,
Thanks for all the imput so far. I went to look at another XK yesterday. The condition wasn't great and the service history was patchy so I walked away, but it was parked next to an S-Type. Seeing the the two together made me realise its got to be an XK. I agree with deeen, I think I would prefer an XJR to an STR actually. But the more I look at the XKs the more I want one. That 4.2 XKR on autotrader is good value, but I just can't stretch that far. Much as I want an XKR, I think I'd also consider a standard XK8, if it was a real good one. However, I'm still concerned about the Nikasil issue. I keep reading and hearing various different opinions and I'm just getting more confused. Some say that any Nikasil car is a risk and even this far down the line they could still fail. Others say that as the High Sulphur fuel problem was eradicated in 2000, if a Nikasil engine is still going now then it will be fine. I've seen some really nice 98/99 cars with the Nikasil liners, but I'm really nervous about buying one. Should I just take the plunge or should I hang out for a Steel liner car? I know this issue has been covered many times, but I'm still struggling to find a definitive answer to this question. Help!!!
Cheers.

[Speedracer329]

Firstly, I had the same issue as yourself re the nikasil problem when I was looking for a XJR, & in the end I took the view that as long as I could find a car with FJSH & the tensioners/timing chain/water pump
had been changed, I was prepared to accept the small (in my view), risk.

Secondly, if you loved your XJS so much, why not get another one?
This company www.panoramabay.co.uk have 2 in just now, in fantastic condition & in your budget. They are a well respected business & always have very nice cars. They also have an XK, or if you are feeling flush, a very nice E Type!!

[pete5570]

I think it makes people more nervous about buying a car when they look on forums and read about the issues people have with their cars. I was looking for an XJ8, i came on to the jag forums and it put me off buying one, i bought a n XJ6 instead. A friend of the family has the XJ8 on an X plate with over 100k on the clock, he has had it most of it's life and has had no issues at all, ok it will be the steel lined engine, but he hasn't had anything done, just the usual service. No gearbox issues, no tensioners or overheating. He thinks it's down to keeping to the service. I would look at the XK8 or XKR at this age so you know the engine should be fine, if you are worried about the tensioners and water pump, look for adverts stating these have been sorted, owner would have kept receipts for these jobs as proof. There are loads about for sale, so you can be very choosy.

[Lord Warwick]

pete5570 said:

I think it makes people more nervous about buying a car when they look on forums and read about the issues people have with their cars. I was looking for an XJ8, i came on to the jag forums and it put me off buying one, i bought a n XJ6 instead. A friend of the family has the XJ8 on an X plate with over 100k on the clock, he has had it most of it's life and has had no issues at all, ok it will be the steel lined engine, but he hasn't had anything done, just the usual service. No gearbox issues, no tensioners or overheating. He thinks it's down to keeping to the service. I would look at the XK8 or XKR at this age so you know the engine should be fine, if you are worried about the tensioners and water pump, look for adverts stating these have been sorted, owner would have kept receipts for these jobs as proof. There are loads about for sale, so you can be very choosy.

If you go onto the Jaguar UK Forum only go to the XK section for XK advice some of the forum members talk a load of bks. All positive details on the XK section. The best Jaguar forum is the Jaguar World Forum. I was a member but got banned for the other Jaguar forum. I will have an XKR before I kick the bucket and because I only do a small milage. I have been to see a number of XKR's some very good and some crap. A lot more good ones than bad ones they seem to be looked after by their owners. I would not own another Jag unless I had a Warranty say like Warranty Direct. Not a Jaguar one stupid cost for 12 months. The XKR holds its value more than any other Jaguar.

[400+bhp]

pr100 said:

£11k is as cheap as it gets for a 4.2 XKR worth considering (FSH, 20in Montreals, Brembos, Paramount s/s exhaust, 2003, 87k) - but if he would take £10.5k, you're only £2k over budget!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

e bay item no 220602452710 worth a look for sure

[Lord Warwick]

Worth a look but take a Jag expert with you. Set of Discs and pads £1000.00 set tyres £1000.00. Jag service costs are now very good but you need a full inspection, full service book, 12 month full warranty, mileage check, previous owners check. Just be very carefull and don't get suckered after the first drive.

[pete5570]

A grand for a set of discs and pads!! jesus!! If i was on a budget and looking to spend around 8k on a car, there's no way i'd buy one with those running costs. I'd get one without brembos for sure!

[Lord Warwick]

pr100 said:

£11k is as cheap as it gets for a 4.2 XKR worth considering (FSH, 20in Montreals, Brembos, Paramount s/s exhaust, 2003, 87k) - but if he would take £10.5k, you're only £2k over budget!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Had a good read of the advert, as you can see there is a lot of interest as it would appear on first viewing it looks good. Deffinately worth a visit to view but you still need to take an expert who knows Jaguars with you. Good Luck.

[400+bhp]

pete5570 said:

A grand for a set of discs and pads!! jesus!! If i was on a budget and looking to spend around 8k on a car, there's no way i'd buy one with those running costs. I'd get one without brembos for sure!

can get this for a lot cheaper!! thats silly main dealership costs,,, an indi or good garage would be fraction of that ..