What to look at when viewing a XK8?
Discussion
Hello all,
My mother is buying my stepdad his dream car: a Jaaaag and he's always fancied the old XK.
They'll be using it for leisure and holidays, most of the year he'll drive his regular diesel. As such I have already added an Optimate to the shopping list but I'll also reommend he drives it as often as possible.
Main question is what to look at, I will be looking at the cars on her behalf. Those that are within her budget are anywhere between 1997 to 2000 with mileage (well, kilometrage as they live in France) going from 60 to 100.000 km (35 to 60k miles). I'll assume the cars have been dealer maintained until I see the service booklets.
What are the tell tales of good / bad maintenance?
What's likely to be knackered - if anything - at these mileage?
What can I look at easily with a torch looking under the car / in the wheels.
What do I need to listen to and look at when starting the car from cold? (oil pressure light, smoke...)
Finally, what are the common issues that are easily fixable, again, if any?
Thanks for your help.
JB
PS: here are a few examples of what we're looking at
http://www.lacentrale.fr/auto-occasion-annonce-168...
http://www.lacentrale.fr/auto-occasion-annonce-179...
My mother is buying my stepdad his dream car: a Jaaaag and he's always fancied the old XK.
They'll be using it for leisure and holidays, most of the year he'll drive his regular diesel. As such I have already added an Optimate to the shopping list but I'll also reommend he drives it as often as possible.
Main question is what to look at, I will be looking at the cars on her behalf. Those that are within her budget are anywhere between 1997 to 2000 with mileage (well, kilometrage as they live in France) going from 60 to 100.000 km (35 to 60k miles). I'll assume the cars have been dealer maintained until I see the service booklets.
What are the tell tales of good / bad maintenance?
What's likely to be knackered - if anything - at these mileage?
What can I look at easily with a torch looking under the car / in the wheels.
What do I need to listen to and look at when starting the car from cold? (oil pressure light, smoke...)
Finally, what are the common issues that are easily fixable, again, if any?
Thanks for your help.
JB
PS: here are a few examples of what we're looking at
http://www.lacentrale.fr/auto-occasion-annonce-168...
http://www.lacentrale.fr/auto-occasion-annonce-179...
At that mileage (kilometerage)there shouldn't be many problems
The early engines had very week timing chain tensioners, bet to change them to the later (Mark3) metal type in the UK can get that done for arround £1,000 mark
There are a few areas that are prone to rust though, could be said for many cars of that age
Tend to be hard on susspention bushes so have a look for even tyre wear
I would recomend joining the XK8/R Club www.xkec.co.uk there members only forum has a lot of information and memebers who will answer your questions how ever silly you think they may be
We also have some very knowlageable independant Jaguar specialists in the south east, maybe worht when you have purchased to bring the car over to have it looked over and brought up to scratch.
From my experiance of specialists in France you could save well over the ferry charges
The early engines had very week timing chain tensioners, bet to change them to the later (Mark3) metal type in the UK can get that done for arround £1,000 mark
There are a few areas that are prone to rust though, could be said for many cars of that age
Tend to be hard on susspention bushes so have a look for even tyre wear
I would recomend joining the XK8/R Club www.xkec.co.uk there members only forum has a lot of information and memebers who will answer your questions how ever silly you think they may be
We also have some very knowlageable independant Jaguar specialists in the south east, maybe worht when you have purchased to bring the car over to have it looked over and brought up to scratch.
From my experiance of specialists in France you could save well over the ferry charges
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