Thinking of buying an XK8

[TVR-Boy]

I am really tempted to buy an XK8, can you guys give me some pointers & advice, pro's & cons.

Thanks!

[NormanD]

First, join the www.xkec.co.uk

Very good Forum for all your questions

[Scottman]

Go for it, you won't be dissappointed!

Although if you are coming from a TVR, better go for the supercharged 'R'.

Quick, fun to drive, reliable, comfortable and even practical as an every day car!

Plus you have a great choice of specialists that can do everything with the car from basic servicing to performance modifications. Call Paul at Paramount Performance (01753 533633) for a huge choice of mods at a sensible price!

I've had a variety of performance cars and so far the XXR (sadly now sold - but have an absolutely mental S-Type R in its place) was up there with the best of them!

Scott.

Edited by Scottman on Sunday 7th September 22:42

[eldudereno]

You can also check out,

www.jaguarforum.co.uk

Was going to get one myself but I do like a manual box.

Make sure that you research the 'timing chain tensioners' issue.

[NormanD]

eldudereno said:

Was going to get one myself but I do like a manual box.

So do I but I've a mod on the stearing wheel for me to change gear.


Still looking for a Manual convertion, looks as if it is getting closer.

[eldudereno]

NormanD said:

eldudereno said:

Was going to get one myself but I do like a manual box.

So do I but I've a mod on the stearing wheel for me to change gear.


Still looking for a Manual convertion, looks as if it is getting closer.

They're taking their time, how much are they now talking about for the conversion?

[TVR-Boy]

Well, I am torn between a XK8 or XKR, obviously price is a difference.

What do I need to look out for as regards the timing tensioners etc?

[Triple7]

Well it goes without question, buy an XKR! Go for a 4.2ltr engine XKR and not only will you get the best XK but will mean you won't have to worry about nikasill nor timing chain tensioners.

Get a fully loaded car, in the colour you want, with full JSH and less than 60k miles if you can.

G

[Myobb]

I have just acquired an XK8. I deceided to purchase the XK8 in preference to an XKR partly because of cost but primarily after test driving a friends 2006 XKR & being throughly put off by the whine from the Supercharger. I think driving at speed with the Supercharger going full blast over a period of 3 or 4 hours would be just to painful!

[Triple7]

Myobb said:

I have just acquired an XK8. I deceided to purchase the XK8 in preference to an XKR partly because of cost but primarily after test driving a friends 2006 XKR & being throughly put off by the whine from the Supercharger. I think driving at speed with the Supercharger going full blast over a period of 3 or 4 hours would be just to painful!

You are joking aren't you??!!!

You only hear the supercharger under hard acceleration. The cost of ownership between the '8 and 'R is minimal. The 'R is what the XK is really about however.

G

[NormanD]

Triple7 said:

Myobb said:

I have just acquired an XK8. I deceided to purchase the XK8 in preference to an XKR partly because of cost but primarily after test driving a friends 2006 XKR & being throughly put off by the whine from the Supercharger. I think driving at speed with the Supercharger going full blast over a period of 3 or 4 hours would be just to painful!

You are joking aren't you??!!!

You only hear the supercharger under hard acceleration. The cost of ownership between the '8 and 'R is minimal. The 'R is what the XK is really about however.

I agree

Infact I have an even larger supercharger on mine and the noise is not a problem.

Infact music to the ears.

[pr100]

Triple7 said:

You only hear the supercharger under hard acceleration.

Not disputing this but when I was a-huntin' an XK recently, I looked at a lot of XK8s and Rs in independent/specialist showrooms and the Rs were all much noisier than the XK8s under tickover. I would ritually ask for each car to be started up and then raise the hood. I was looking only at cars which had done less than 50000 miles and had a full JSH. I rejected 7 XKRs on the grounds that they were too noisy before deciding to limit my search to the normally aspirated model.

It's perfectly possible that I was just unlucky, or that by their nature, XKRs are driven harder than XK8s leading to more engine wear even if mileage was similar. I am also an old codger who wants a quiet cruiser 95% of the time and a noisy beast on rare occasions -- so the engine noise at idle which I found objectionable would probably have been music to other ears.

Simon

[P700DEE]

They do tend to be noisier when you lift the hood. Never tried driving with it up though It has to be R , twin screwed is even better

[cardigankid]

Buy the guide by Nigel Thorley, which I think is called Essential Jaguar XK8.
Mkae sure that you get one that hasn't had a significant accident if you can.

Edited by cardigankid on Tuesday 16th September 18:05

[markgregory1]

This is probably the book mentioned above;

You and Your Jaguar XK8 (Nigel Thorley)
ISBN 1 84425 224 8
Published by Haynes (2006)
Hardback Cover

We sell them if interested at www.xkec.co.uk

[Davel]

I had an XK8 convertible for a while, a couple of years back.

Great car, lovely drive and very comfortable but there just seemed to be no feedback when driving it quite hard. Even my son's old 928 handled better.

You either had grip or you didn't and you wouldn't know until you lost traction.

It may well have improved in more recent years though.

[JimexPL]

The R can be very noisy if it doesn't have the later modified belts and pulleys. If this has been done there isn't much difference in the sound from under the bonnet at idle.

[Shar2]

There are a number of companies that will give an XK8 more oomph, should you need it. Paramount Performance did their magic on my 4.0ltr XK8 and you get almost as much power without the need for a supercharger.

[Johnniem]

Myobb said:

I have just acquired an XK8. I deceided to purchase the XK8 in preference to an XKR partly because of cost but primarily after test driving a friends 2006 XKR & being throughly put off by the whine from the Supercharger. I think driving at speed with the Supercharger going full blast over a period of 3 or 4 hours would be just to painful!

The OP is coming from TVR to Jag. I don't think the noise will be an issue. It;ll probably be a bit quiet in the XK!

[Johnniem]

eldudereno said:

You can also check out,

www.jaguarforum.co.uk

Was going to get one myself but I do like a manual box.

Make sure that you research the 'timing chain tensioners' issue.

There are still a few X300R's with manual boxes. They are bombproof and stunning cars to drive as a manual. Happy hunting!