XK8 convertible - long term keeper - whats best to buy?

[buzzer]

If you were going to purchase an XK8 convertible that you wanted to keep as a third car for quite a few years, what would you buy in terms of year, specification?

I would prefer to buy the right car, rather than the newest one I can. Reliability is a key consideration.

[jodypress]

parksie said:

Just read through this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Thanks.

[buzzer]

jodypress said:

parksie said:

Just read through this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Thanks.

Thanks for that, interesting. any Idea what year the 4.2 started?

[jodypress]

Either end of '02 or begining of '03 I guess. Basically it was last run of the XK power train and all previous issues had been sorted.

[P700DEE]

Buy an R, they will hold value better and always be slightly more desirable. Early 1998 cars in unmoddified form will be the first to show an upward trend in value as they have pretty much hit rock bottom in terms of price. The last 2005 cars had all the toys and bling, still have a way to go on depreciation.
Early cars had better pipes for the roof, provided they have the latest tensioners they will as reliable mechanically. Whilst 20" wheel appeal to many this comes with a cost in terms of tyres,and suspension with lower rear shock bushes a problem.

BTW I have a 98 R convertible in good health which I have had for almost 10 years. It is not for sale

[Dave Gambling]

I went through this conundrum, about 9 monthe ago...After much research, I decide that the 2005 XK8(x100) "S" or the 2006 XK (x150) both convertibles were the way to go....SO, I drove both..... back to back, and prefer the slightly more modern aura of the XK....I have now owned my XK for 8 months and absolutely LOVE IT...!!!!

[jdw100]

I totally recommend buying one!

[andyt1320]

I went for a coupe in the end as I kept coming back to the styling over the soft top, I bought one of the first 1996 cars and have since done the timing chain tensioners and waxoyled it to death underneath, finally going for the Adamesh mid and tailpies and it now sounds great. As was pointed out, these hit rock bottom price wise so the only way is up if I look after it. I hope to keep it for a long while. I've had it a year now and love it, i would have bought an XKR if i could have found a good one but to find a decent one meant spending more than I could afford so after looking at several xkr's at the cheap end of the market, I bought the best early XK8 with a good history that I could afford. It still feels like a special occasion to take it out for a drive!

[suneernoronha]

Wonderful members here, SOS. Please help me with this one. I am about to buy this car in the next few days and have put a deposit down. I took it for a test ride today, the roads were not all that great, so at times the car didn't feel all that smooth. I like the way it drives. However, a bit surprised that the steering was fairly loose, the dealer said this is usually the case in these cars. The car is:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

My questions:

1. Is a final price of 9K ok or excessive? It has covered 86K, good service history, good nick.
2. I intend to cover 3K a year and really do not want to have any major surprises in terms of expenses. What should I look for in the service log/details. Any advice on anything I should be over cautious about?
3. Engine sounded quiet and effortless. Do the 4.2 2005 models also have tensioners/cambelt issues?
4. Do the 4.2 2005 models have suspension, bush issues?
5. Any recommendation for a reliable and economic garage in/around London for this car?

Thank you eversomuch.

[andyps]

Looks nice, my answers to your questions based on research I did when buying mine and in the 2 1/2 years ownership:
1. Is a final price of 9K ok or excessive? It has covered 86K, good service history, good nick. - No idea as I haven't looked at values since I got mine
2. I intend to cover 3K a year and really do not want to have any major surprises in terms of expenses. What should I look for in the service log/details. Any advice on anything I should be over cautious about? - ideally it will have had the gearbox oil changed, if not you should get it done as despite being sealed for life it will have a longer life if changed and by 85k it should have been done or needs doing now
3. Engine sounded quiet and effortless. Do the 4.2 2005 models also have tensioners/cambelt issues? - No issues with the 4.2 as they have the metal tensioners as OE fitment
4. Do the 4.2 2005 models have suspension, bush issues? - the same as any others as far as I know - wishbone bushes (polyurethane replacements last longer) and shock absorber mounts but you get a clonking when they need doing.
5. Any recommendation for a reliable and economic garage in/around London for this car? - I live in Yorkshire so not sure but have bought a few bits from Berkshire Jaguar who have been really helpful.

Enjoy it!

Edited by andyps on Monday 30th June 11:29

[suneernoronha]

andyt1320 said:

I went for a coupe in the end as I kept coming back to the styling over the soft top, I bought one of the first 1996 cars and have since done the timing chain tensioners and waxoyled it to death underneath, finally going for the Adamesh mid and tailpies and it now sounds great. As was pointed out, these hit rock bottom price wise so the only way is up if I look after it. I hope to keep it for a long while. I've had it a year now and love it, i would have bought an XKR if i could have found a good one but to find a decent one meant spending more than I could afford so after looking at several xkr's at the cheap end of the market, I bought the best early XK8 with a good history that I could afford. It still feels like a special occasion to take it out for a drive!

Can you explain what you mean by "waxoyled it to death underneath"? Is this very simple to do?

Also, should I worry too much on tensioners on a year 2005 4.2 engine?

[jdw100]

suneernoronha said:

Can you explain what you mean by "waxoyled it to death underneath"? Is this very simple to do?

Also, should I worry too much on tensioners on a year 2005 4.2 engine?

Tensioners on this model will be fine.

As poster AndyPS above said though do think about changing the gearbox oil; especially if you can hear a 'whoop' noise when changing down hard.

[The Leaper]

I recently disposed of my S-Type that has the same 4.2 engine. I did 128,000 miles in it over 10 years. No tensioners problem at all. Around 100,000 miles I did raise the matter of the tensioners with my JMD and they said they had never seen any tensioners issues with the 4.2 engine. This doesn't mean they are 100% reliable, of course.

R.

[P700DEE]

Plenty of independents in London but I have no experience of those in the north. Can recomment Penge Jaguars and TL out at Wokingham. £9K for an 8 is not cheap but it is a dealer car. Yes they all have issues with rear lower shock bushes especially on 20" wheels. It's a big heavy car so expect suspension wear. Gearbox oil essential if not done, chains and tensioners are all metal , they can still fail but it is unusual.

[jdw100]

P700DEE said:

Plenty of independents in London but I have no experience of those in the north. Can recomment Penge Jaguars and TL out at Wokingham. £9K for an 8 is not cheap but it is a dealer car. Yes they all have issues with rear lower shock bushes especially on 20" wheels. It's a big heavy car so expect suspension wear. Gearbox oil essential if not done, chains and tensioners are all metal , they can still fail but it is unusual.

I very much recomend Chilterns of Bovingdon.

Details here plus a car they have for sale that is very tempting!

http://www.chilternjag.co.uk/used-cars/jaguar-xkr-...