xK8 - what MPG should I expect in the real world?

[buzzer]

I am considering an XK8... It will ba weekend car used for day out type trips. What MPG should I expect?

[NormanD]

buzzer said:

I am considering an XK8... It will ba weekend car used for day out type trips. What MPG should I expect?

A lot depends how you use it over the weekend, A to B or motorways

Average I would say will be low 20's

Some owners do get high 20's but then why would they have an XK,
others have been known to get down to under the 20's

[buzzer]

NormanD said:

A lot depends how you use it over the weekend, A to B or motorways

Average I would say will be low 20's

Some owners do get high 20's but then why would they have an XK,
others have been known to get down to under the 20's

Mainly A to B type stuff... We often go around north Wales, that type of driving. Will we be in the low or high 20's doing that? I tend to be a gentle driver in an auto.

[NormanD]

buzzer said:

NormanD said:

A lot depends how you use it over the weekend, A to B or motorways

Average I would say will be low 20's

Some owners do get high 20's but then why would they have an XK,
others have been known to get down to under the 20's

Mainly A to B type stuff... We often go around north Wales, that type of driving. Will we be in the low or high 20's doing that? I tend to be a gentle driver in an auto.

One of my sons is in North Wales so would say Low 20's

[buzzer]

The more I look at these... The more I am put off... Loads of examples seem to have engine problems, on eBay there are many that say they have had replacement engines and gearboxes, and also many that say they have rust patches...

Mechanicals I can live with... But rust...

Do they have a rust problem?

[NormanD]

buzzer said:

The more I look at these... The more I am put off... Loads of examples seem to have engine problems, on eBay there are many that say they have had replacement engines and gearboxes, and also many that say they have rust patches...

Mechanicals I can live with... But rust...

Do they have a rust problem?

The engine problem isn't a problem now

Jaguar like other manufactures in the mid / late 90's had nickorsil liners to their ally blocks
The high sulfer petrol at the time would damage the liners, now the level of sulfer is low enough not to be an issue

Seeing that some examples use a MB gearbox that must also me true of MB's
I wouldn't say it is a common fault, remember you are putting 400 horses through it

I've put well over 400 through mine for 178,000 hard miles without problems

One point though, Jaguar stated 'Seeled for life'
This is not true, change the oil and filter every 60,000 miles

Yes there are places that get rust, but that is true of any 10+ year old car

Edited by NormanD on Wednesday 20th April 03:42

[buzzer]

Thanks Norman,

I guess I will just have to go and look at a couple... The prices are very low, I guess due to the petrol prices. Seems people put them on EBay, they don't sell, and then they put them back on as an auction and they go for silly money!

NormanD said:

The engine problem isn't a problem now

Jaguar like other manufactures in the mid / late 90's had nickorsil liners to their ally blocks
The high sulfer petrol at the time would damage the liners, now the level of sulfer is low enough not to be an issue

Seeing that some examples use a MB gearbox that must also me true of MB's
I wouldn't say it is a common fault, remember you are putting 400 horses through it

I've put well over 400 through mine for 178,000 hard miles without problems

One point though, Jaguar stated 'Seeled for life'
This is not true, change the oil and filter every 60,000 miles

Yes there are places that get rust, but that is true of any 10+ year old car

Edited by NormanD on Wednesday 20th April 03:42

[NormanD]

buzzer said:

Thanks Norman,

I guess I will just have to go and look at a couple... The prices are very low, I guess due to the petrol prices. Seems people put them on EBay, they don't sell, and then they put them back on as an auction and they go for silly money!

You could be lucky with eBay but I often get the impression that many on there aren't looked after so could have your hand in the pockets, although if cheep enough

Do check they have a good service history etc

I have sent an eMail, forgot when I set it you had said the area you lived

[Geoff Stilwell]

I have an XFR100 ....round town is 15 to 17 and on a long run taking it careful is 23 to 25...can be as low as 10 if your lead foot happy. But if fuel consumption is your worry don't buy it as simple as that.

[edward1]

I have had an XKR (4.2) for 3 months now and the mpg on a long m/way run at a steady 70-80 gives around 29mpg, on my commute in stop start traffic on shefield ring road I am seeing around 18mpg, mix in some more A road peak district driving and around 20mpg seems the norm. I would assume on a non supercharged 8 you'd see a few more mpg than this.

My experience so far is that they are great cars to drive and be in. Mine is on an 04 plate and I have had a good look over and under it and the only sign of any rust is a tiny bubble at the bottom front of one of the rear wheel arches, cused by a chip. Easily treatable. Once this is done I plan on getting the underside treated with dinitrol for longer term peace of mind.

Don't be put off do your home work and go for it. I did end up travelling the length of the country to find the right car though.

[macar]

I use my XK8 for touring with 'her indoors', always get a average of 25mpg. This includes motoways@ 80+mph and A roads.The mpg is considerably better than the diesel Discovery 3/4 tht is the everyday car.

[xkrGiles]

In general AVOID EBAY - its not the best place to buy a car (although I have done this before with OK results)particularly a car like the XK.
Many dealers see it as a last resort before sending it to the ring (auction).

If its a weekend car, buy it from Pistonheads classifieds. They will be nice cherished cars and although slightly more expensive......you get what you pay for

If you buy a ratty £5000 example, then expect it to be just that

[NST]

mpg really depends on the driving style. I can definitely say the trip our XK is way off.. generally reads 18-19mpg, but filling up and calculating by hand shows 21-22mpg, at this is 70% town work -55l and 260-270miles. motorway work on average returns generally 330-340mile from 55l trip indicates 24mpg with the misses driving (she drives faster then me..!)

in very heavy stop start traffic expect less than 200miles from 55l!

I have a one time best of 401 miles from 60l.

[buzzer]

Ok, decision made! I want a dark colour XK8 convertible, not silver or gold... I already have an advert in the classifieds, but if anyone knows of one, or sees one while you are browsing, let me know!

[NormanD]

buzzer said:

Ok, decision made! I want a dark colour XK8 convertible, not silver or gold...
I already have an advert in the classifieds, but if anyone knows of one, or sees one while you are browsing, let me know!

I would suggest joining the XK8/R Enthusiasts Club www.xkec.co.uk
They have a verry active members only forum

Also they have a list of members cars for sale
Not sure if this link will work for none members but give it a try
http://www.xkec.co.uk/home/classified/classfied.ph...

[buzzer]

NormanD said:

I would suggest joining the XK8/R Enthusiasts Club www.xkec.co.uk
They have a verry active members only forum

Also they have a list of members cars for sale
Not sure if this link will work for none members but give it a try
http://www.xkec.co.uk/home/classified/classfied.ph...

Thanks Norman, the link works... I will give a few a call on my return to the UK in a few days time