Buying XK8 - What should I look out for?
Discussion
Car tax on imports goes up in Ireland in July so I'm tempted to bring in an old (97-02ish) XK8 before then. Ideally a convertible, but I don't think I'll find one within my budget. Apart from the usual (service history, HPI) what's specific to the XK8? Should I run away from high mileage examples? Any areas that are known problems?
Edited by windandwave on Monday 5th May 18:45
Find Broadbean747s post on here - sorry, I don't know how to give you a link to it. It's mainly concerned with the XJ8, but has a lot of relevance to the XK as well.
Service history is a must. You might, just might still run into Nikasil problems - especially if the car is a very early one and has done a low annual mileage, perhaps as a second summer use only car.
Having a blowby check done at a Jaguar dealer on a pre 2001 car, with a figure of under 25l/min should set your mind at rest.
It's absolutely essential to have the 3rd generation metal bodied secondary timing chain tensioners fitted ASAP - you may be unlucky and need all the chains and tensioners changed too, and a gearbox and diff oil change will prolong the life of the "sealed for life" components. Ignoring the 10k service intervals and have the engine oil changed every 5/6k will add years to the engines life as well
As with any car - buy a good example from a caring owner and take care of it and the XKs a great car. Buy a rough one and neglect it and it will cost you a fortune and be a endless diaapointment.
Service history is a must. You might, just might still run into Nikasil problems - especially if the car is a very early one and has done a low annual mileage, perhaps as a second summer use only car.
Having a blowby check done at a Jaguar dealer on a pre 2001 car, with a figure of under 25l/min should set your mind at rest.
It's absolutely essential to have the 3rd generation metal bodied secondary timing chain tensioners fitted ASAP - you may be unlucky and need all the chains and tensioners changed too, and a gearbox and diff oil change will prolong the life of the "sealed for life" components. Ignoring the 10k service intervals and have the engine oil changed every 5/6k will add years to the engines life as well
As with any car - buy a good example from a caring owner and take care of it and the XKs a great car. Buy a rough one and neglect it and it will cost you a fortune and be a endless diaapointment.
I wouldn't worry too much about Nikasil these days, as if the engine has lasted this long then it really isn't going to be a problem, in fact if should outlast a steel lined engine. Make sure the tensioners have been upgraded to the latest aluminium bodied spec, the water pump and thermostat have been changed and the VVT's are ok. Don't buy the fisrt one you see, try a few out, there are quite a few out there for sale at them moment.
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff