Pre planning advice

[Big Giant Head]

Hi all,
I'm after a bit of "pre planning" advice.

Last June I bought a '98 XK8 coupe with not quite 12k on the clock. The car was (and is) absolutely pristine and I want to keep it that way.

So can anyone offer any advice on what to look out for / plan for / insure against in the short to medium term now that the car is doing about 15k a year ?

I'm concerned about the timing chain issue I keep reading about for models of this vintage as well as the fact that everyone seems to say an aftermarket exhaust is essential. I had it serviced at 20k (two weeks ago) and they confirmed the mileage was genuine and that apart from the standard service the car needed nothing but wiping with a damp cloth.

All and any advice much appreciated.

Best wishes
Tony

[bigdavy]

Hi, you are right to keep an eye on the tensioners, most would reccommend getting them changed to the later metal type. Other thing to watch out for is the water pump, again upgrading to newer version is highly reccommended due to early models failing without warning, result-cooked engine.
If you plan to keep the car long term it's sensible precautions.

Another thing to bear in mind was the xk8 was based on the xjs and as such could rust so it's worth ensuring the underside is well sealed against the elements.
Hope this is usefull.

[triple7]

Good advice prevention is better than cure, BUT this bit is not so:

bigdavy said:

Another thing to bear in mind was the xk8 was based on the xjs and as such could rust so it's worth ensuring the underside is well sealed against the elements.
Hope this is usefull.

DB7 and XJS are same genre, never ever seen nor heard of a rust problem with these cars.

G

[Big Giant Head]

Thanks chaps,

any ideas about costs for the tensioners and water pumps ?

[triple7]

Call around, but primary and secondary tensioners you are looking at £1500 quid, the water pump £700. Well worth the investment as an engine is £7000!

[bigdavy]

Hi again,
I have recently read a couple of reports in Jag magazines where people have said their early xk8 were showing some signs of rust around certain seams and as such have undertaken precautionary repaint or sealant.

I can't say anything about DB7's but have seen many many rusty / rotten XJS models.

Cheers,

D.

[a8hex]

bigdavy said:

Hi again,
I have recently read a couple of reports in Jag magazines where people have said their early xk8 were showing some signs of rust around certain seams and as such have undertaken precautionary repaint or sealant.

I can't say anything about DB7's but have seen many many rusty / rotten XJS models.

Cheers,

D.

I think the X300s (94 XJ6) were galvanised so I would assume that the XK8 are too. So as long as they haven't been damaged they shouldn't rust. At least that's my understanding.

You're right of course about XJS' hence you can pick them up for the cost of a tank of fuel on eBay. Does any here know whether the late ones were suitably treated? I know Ford improved the quality a lot. The rumour at the time was that Ford bought Jaguar because Mrs. Ford wanted a convertible XJS and buying Jaguar was cheaper than getting a divorce :-)