XK8 or XKR? - advice please

[Mart-1]

I'd appreciate some advice please

I'm looking to buy an XK8 or XKR coupe as a daily drive, and would look for a late model (2004/2005)

Whilst I like the XKR for the added power and the more aggressive stance with the mesh grille and bonnet vents, I wondered whether there are any issues that would make an XK8 a sensible choice. I was particularly concerned that an XKR might be significantly more expensive to maintain and wondered if the supercharger would be a liability

Does anyone have experience of both cars and can enlighten me as to the pros and cons?

Many thanks in advance

Martin

[NormanD]

Other than the supercharger they are the same

My advice would be to change the supercarger oil every 60,000 miles, the same with the gearbox and diff oil

There is a dedicated XK8/R Club, got a good forum www.xkec.co.uk

[Triple7]

No, buy the XKR every time.

[XKRacer]

XKR every time...... I have had both, still got both to a certain degree.... If you buy an 8 you will wish you had bought the R


I would

[Mart-1]

Thanks for the replies

In my heart I thought i'd regret not getting an XKR - the grille and bonnet vents alone are enough to make the knees wobble, let alone the extra power

I'm seeing one tomorrow hopefully, so will see how things work out

[stuartmmcfc]

Martin,
I hate to say it out loud, but the 8's for the retired and girls.

[MrMoonyMan]

The R every single time.

[xkrGiles]

stuartmmcfc said:

Martin,
I hate to say it out loud, but the 8's for the retired and girls.

HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAA

Brave man indeed

[Mart-1]

stuartmmcfc said:

Martin,
I hate to say it out loud, but the 8's for the retired and girls.

Very good - it did feel mad not to get the supercharged 400 BHP version, even if only for those bonnet vents

I've bought a nice 2004 XKR and am collecting it this week

My brother has an XJR and I must admit i've mentioned cravats / blazers / golf bats to him in the past, so I will have to turn over a new leaf now

[stuartmmcfc]

I'm pretty sure you wont regret it!

[cardigankid]

Remember to put up some pictures!

[Mart-1]

Well, I picked up the XKR today, and am grinning from ear to ear

Thanks to all who confirmed that the XKR was the one to go for

First impressions:

Effortless and surprising acceleration and speed
Beautiful interior cabin to be in, though quite snug given the size of the car
Cosseted from wind and road noise, and a very smooth ride over most surfaces
Well built
Graceful when pootling along, but can transform into a bit of a beast
Feels a heavy car, and I won't attempt high speed corners until I get the feel for it
Timeless lines and curves, and a huge presence

Here's a couple of snaps taken at the dealership with a camera phone









I think I will swap the orange side indicators and reflectors for clear lenses and coloured bulbs - anyone done this? and can recommend a supplier?

Martin

[NormanD]

Mart-1 said:

I think I will swap the orange side indicators and reflectors for clear lenses and coloured bulbs - anyone done this? and can recommend a supplier?

Martin

I changed mine to clear lenses before now taking them out compleatly

I have seen the lenses on eBay

Can I sugest joining the XK8/R owners club www.xkec.co.uk

[XKRacer]

Adamesh and XKZahran do the lenses, just depends on what style you like.....
If you are interested in a few modification I would join the XKEC as norman has suggested, almost everything you can do to an XK has been done by someone and if you go to the meets you can take a look at other peoples cars before you commit to anything...


Nice colour

Edited by XKRacer on Saturday 7th January 09:27

[Mart-1]

XKRacer said:

Adamesh and XKZahran do the lenses, just depends on what style you like.....
If you are interested in a few modification I would join the XKEC as norman has suggested, almost everything you can do to an XK has been done by someone and if you go to the meets you can take a look at other peoples cars before you commit to anything...


Nice colour

Edited by XKRacer on Saturday 7th January 09:27

That's great - thanks to all for suggestions

The colour is really nice in the flesh, after initially not being 100% sure whether I liked it or not

[AceOfHearts]

Wow beautiful car, out of interest how many miles are you going to be doing in it as a daily?

My resolution for this year is to get a Jag, and would love an XKR if i can stretch to it, but i would be using it as a daily as well. Are there many other considerations for the XK8 / XKR? Is buying a high mileage car a big problem?

[Mart-1]

AceOfHearts said:

Wow beautiful car, out of interest how many miles are you going to be doing in it as a daily?

My resolution for this year is to get a Jag, and would love an XKR if i can stretch to it, but i would be using it as a daily as well. Are there many other considerations for the XK8 / XKR? Is buying a high mileage car a big problem?

Thanks. I don't have a clear idea what annual mileage i'll do, though I imagine it will be more than 5,000 miles but less than 8,000-10,000

No idea about high mileage car issues - i'm new to Jaguar ownership

[NormanD]

Mart-1 said:

Thanks. I don't have a clear idea what annual mileage i'll do, though I imagine it will be more than 5,000 miles but less than 8,000-10,000

No idea about high mileage car issues - i'm new to Jaguar ownership

Other than as said about Oil Changes they are good for high miles
One thing they do go through though is susspention bushes being just under two ton

Do keep the services up to date by a good independant