Advise on taking the XK8 plunge?
Discussion
Hi,
Being a current TVR wedge and Audi TT owner, I am getting tired of idiots wanting to race me everywhere I drive. I am currently in the process of selling the TT and looking for an XK8 to replace it. Any advise would be very much appreciated.
Ideally, I am wanting to spend between £13-14k on an R plate XK8 which has had an engine replacement (and in the process rid my head of fears of the Nikasil bore wear and plastic timing chain tensioner problems) with about 80k on the clock. Then to spend a further £1700 on an LPG conversion.
Has anyone done this? what size lpg tank can you shoe-horn into the spare wheel well and what sort of mileage range will that give? Are there any problems in converting an XK8 to lpg? What else, other than bore wear and timing chain tensioners should I be looking out for?
Lastly, is spending this sort of money enough to get a reliable XK8 which is not going to be an endless money pit of colossal bills?
Many thanks in advance
L33.
>> Edited by l33 on Friday 25th November 20:58
Being a current TVR wedge and Audi TT owner, I am getting tired of idiots wanting to race me everywhere I drive. I am currently in the process of selling the TT and looking for an XK8 to replace it. Any advise would be very much appreciated.
Ideally, I am wanting to spend between £13-14k on an R plate XK8 which has had an engine replacement (and in the process rid my head of fears of the Nikasil bore wear and plastic timing chain tensioner problems) with about 80k on the clock. Then to spend a further £1700 on an LPG conversion.
Has anyone done this? what size lpg tank can you shoe-horn into the spare wheel well and what sort of mileage range will that give? Are there any problems in converting an XK8 to lpg? What else, other than bore wear and timing chain tensioners should I be looking out for?
Lastly, is spending this sort of money enough to get a reliable XK8 which is not going to be an endless money pit of colossal bills?
Many thanks in advance
L33.
>> Edited by l33 on Friday 25th November 20:58
l33 said:
Hi,
Ideally, I am wanting to spend between £13-14k on an R plate XK8 which has had an engine replacement (and in the process rid my head of fears of the Nikasil bore wear and plastic timing chain tensioner problems) with about 80k on the clock. Then to spend a further £1700 on an LPG conversion.
Make sure the replacement engine is a "pukka" post-nikasil one - they aren't always, especially on older cars like the age you mention...
I recently changed from a 4 litre Chimaera which I loved but was not using enough and now have an XK8 which I love in a different way.
My wife uses it every day and it returns about 24mpg on a run and 15mpg in town.
From what I gather LPG being half price then double the mpg in comparison.
Did look into LPG but in the end the mpg is not too bad.
Buy one and enjoy but make sure as with a TVR that there is a full service history and watch out for rust underneath on the early ones, just under the passenger / drivers foot wells.
It is repairable as mine had to be done.
Prof Beard and Chris 43, Many thanks for your comments.
I was not aware all engine replacements would not be non-nikasil lined.
As for rust on a 7 year old jag, should I forget the idea of a jag and go for something else newer (not Jag) that is less prone to rust - i.e. is rust on a Jag a big problem?
Many thanks,
L33.
I was not aware all engine replacements would not be non-nikasil lined.
As for rust on a 7 year old jag, should I forget the idea of a jag and go for something else newer (not Jag) that is less prone to rust - i.e. is rust on a Jag a big problem?
Many thanks,
L33.
Rust is NOT a big problem but the area I mentioned was prone on the earlier ones so I am led to believe.Mine is nearly 10 years old with 90K+ miles on the clock & that was the only bit of rust on it.
Have it serviced regularly by an indy rather than a main agent unless of course you are very very rich.
Buy an XK8 and enjoy.
They still turn heads, not quite as much as a TVR, and are fantastic fun to drive without the worry of break downs as with TVR's altho' I was lucky with my Chimaera.
A few mods such as a 'sporty' exhaust may make an XK8 even more fun.
Do not be put off they are great cars and fantastic value.
>> Edited by chris43 on Sunday 27th November 12:35
Join the XK8/R Enthusiasts Club, they have a very active Forum, as a member you can get into the main Forum.
www.xkec.co.uk
Thay also have a lot of activities over the contry for a quite a new club, been going 2 1/2 years now
www.xkec.co.uk
Thay also have a lot of activities over the contry for a quite a new club, been going 2 1/2 years now
I currently have a 1997 XK8 with 89K FSH and the timing chains and tensioners renewed. The car is on the original engine and goes like a dream. I researched the engine problem and all nikasil engines should now be fine as the petrol in the UK is now all low sulphur (the cause of the problem was high sulphur content)so don't be put off. In any case your local jag dealer can do a test to confirm the state of the engine.
The car is a joy to drive and has never missed a beat. Find the right car and you should have no problems.
PS mine is for sale if you are interested.
The car is a joy to drive and has never missed a beat. Find the right car and you should have no problems.
PS mine is for sale if you are interested.
L33
It can be done. Shop wisely my young padawan and you will end up with a lovely all-weather coupe, with style and pace to match
Basic things to look for are:
You don't need a replacement engine if you find one that has been looked after properly. As someone said, the poor fuels of late 90's have gone and if the engine had quality petrol (no supermarket rubbish!
)regular oil changes and no stop/start driving (particularly moving out of garage to wash it then starting it to put it back in again afterwards 
). A blow-by test can be done for about £40 and ask for the reading... less than 40 is a pass, but I would not bother with anything over 28-30ish.
When the engine is cold, get someone to start it while you are listening to the top of the engine(front). Listen for clackerty-clack(tech speak) noise for first few seconds means the dreaded timing chain tensioners are on the way out. If the noise continues after starting, they have already gone and that is metal on metal you are listening too
Run vehicle until it is really hot, check temp. Water pump vanes can corrode and break off causing overheating.
Make sure the 60k service has been done thoroughly .. its a biggy. Other than that, the other services (even at dealers) are not too bad.
Check for even wear on tyres. The XK likes to have its geometry set up correctly, if not it will chew through those big tyres.
Test all the electric functions ... the XK was pretty reliable, but its a Jag!
All usual 2nd hand rules apply, but those are the most important items for an XK. Others may post if I have forgotten any!
BTW I have a '96 XK8 (one of the first)on 77k mls with its original engine (Blow-by reading of 15
) and original tensioners too(additional oil change done between services). Its got a RGC Grand Prix (1/2) exhaust, which is a must to make it sound like a proper V8
...as I said, It can be done!
Good hunting...
Rgds
>> Edited by robocop on Monday 5th December 22:50
It can be done. Shop wisely my young padawan and you will end up with a lovely all-weather coupe, with style and pace to match
Basic things to look for are:
You don't need a replacement engine if you find one that has been looked after properly. As someone said, the poor fuels of late 90's have gone and if the engine had quality petrol (no supermarket rubbish!
)regular oil changes and no stop/start driving (particularly moving out of garage to wash it then starting it to put it back in again afterwards ). A blow-by test can be done for about £40 and ask for the reading... less than 40 is a pass, but I would not bother with anything over 28-30ish. When the engine is cold, get someone to start it while you are listening to the top of the engine(front). Listen for clackerty-clack(tech speak) noise for first few seconds means the dreaded timing chain tensioners are on the way out. If the noise continues after starting, they have already gone and that is metal on metal you are listening too
Run vehicle until it is really hot, check temp. Water pump vanes can corrode and break off causing overheating.
Make sure the 60k service has been done thoroughly .. its a biggy. Other than that, the other services (even at dealers) are not too bad.
Check for even wear on tyres. The XK likes to have its geometry set up correctly, if not it will chew through those big tyres.
Test all the electric functions ... the XK was pretty reliable, but its a Jag!
All usual 2nd hand rules apply, but those are the most important items for an XK. Others may post if I have forgotten any!
BTW I have a '96 XK8 (one of the first)on 77k mls with its original engine (Blow-by reading of 15
) and original tensioners too(additional oil change done between services). Its got a RGC Grand Prix (1/2) exhaust, which is a must to make it sound like a proper V8 ...as I said, It can be done!
Good hunting...
Rgds
>> Edited by robocop on Monday 5th December 22:50
chris43 said:
RGC Grand Prix exhaust?
Where, who & how much please.
Is this a fit it yourself jobbie?
Chris,
It's one of Chas' ("jagman"
Racing Green Cars' exhaust systems specially built for the XK(they do three levels). I think I may have breached the trade descriptions act 
as I have actually got the 'Supersport' system which is the mid level of the three, which I found just right for my needs. The Grand Prix system is the loudest, with the 'Sport' being the quietest level exhaust. RGC fitted it within the price and did a very efficient job too If you e-mail me through my profile I will send you some details on return.
If you do one mod to your XK...make it this one!
Rgds
robocop said:
These cars are in general very reliable for such a capable high speed, comfortable and technically sophisticated machine.
It is better not to mod them, IMHO
Nice one Steve ... are there any original parts on yours!
I had been wondering if it was a different Steve to the one I know!!!
Thanks for the advise everyone - much appreciated.
All I gotta do now is sell my TT. mint 02 plate 225bhp model. Might wait until feb when the market picks up and sell privately.
CRUSTY - what the spec on yours and what sort of money you looking for? Private message me if you don't want your details on the public forum.
Cheers,
L33.
P.S. Anyone gone down the LPG route yet and any pitfalls I should be aware of? (I have researched LPG extensivly but wondered if any specific concearns to converting and XK8?)
>> Edited by l33 on Saturday 10th December 14:47
>> Edited by l33 on Friday 13th January 21:10
All I gotta do now is sell my TT. mint 02 plate 225bhp model. Might wait until feb when the market picks up and sell privately.
CRUSTY - what the spec on yours and what sort of money you looking for? Private message me if you don't want your details on the public forum.
Cheers,
L33.
P.S. Anyone gone down the LPG route yet and any pitfalls I should be aware of? (I have researched LPG extensivly but wondered if any specific concearns to converting and XK8?)
>> Edited by l33 on Saturday 10th December 14:47
>> Edited by l33 on Friday 13th January 21:10
l33 said:
P.S. Anyone gone down the LPG route yet and any pitfalls I should be aware of? (I have researched LPG extensivly but wondered if any specific concearns to converting and XK8?)
>> Edited by l33 on Saturday 10th December 14:47
Sounds like it may not be a great idea
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=209522&f=85&h=0
L33
My XK8 is Antigua Metallic Blue, with the dark wood sports interior (that I specially wanted and is quite rare) it is 1997 with private plate (J8 XKX) it has the upgraded stereo option and also CATS suspension option. Full service history and also had new chains and the very latest tensioners fitted. Also has the 18" alloys (a must) and also the front number plate and grille conversion.
I am looking for £12,500 and maybe could do some sort of a deal on your Audi as I need to free up some money but still need a car.
My XK8 is Antigua Metallic Blue, with the dark wood sports interior (that I specially wanted and is quite rare) it is 1997 with private plate (J8 XKX) it has the upgraded stereo option and also CATS suspension option. Full service history and also had new chains and the very latest tensioners fitted. Also has the 18" alloys (a must) and also the front number plate and grille conversion.
I am looking for £12,500 and maybe could do some sort of a deal on your Audi as I need to free up some money but still need a car.
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