Considering XK8 2006 - Newbiew to Jag

[Simply Mono]

Currently drive a 996 911 CS, but after seeing a few XK8's now I must admit I find them to be a gorgeous looking car, especially in dark metallic silver.

Having never had a Jag & hearing a few horror stories re reliability of the previous shape XK8 I'm looking for re-assurance the newer model is OK. Will be doing approx 15K miles a year & need the car to be ultra reliable. Anything I should look out for on 3 year old cars with approx 30K miles ?

Thanks in advance

Dave

[Evoluzione R]

If Your doubt is about reliability, don't worry, modern Jaguar are good cars and here You can read about many XK (also the past ones like mine) with a lot of miles gone, but the conception of Jag cars is different from Porsche: I had a 928 and I drived it in a different way from my XJ or my XKR. I dont' know if my words are correct, but if You'll drive few days a Jag You'll understand what I mean.

[NormanD]

Jaguar are hitting the top of the reliablity charts now

[Jaguar steve]

Pristine condition & FSH obviously.

If it's a keeper then make sure you have the gearbox and 'diff oil changed every 40/50k or so - this is not a normal service item as Jaguar still like to pretend they are sealed for life components - the alternative is premature wear and very exensive failure.

All the horror stories you may have head about timing chain tensioners and premature bore erosion leading to engine failure, as well as faulty water pumps and thermostats on the Jaguar V8 are history now. Apart from occasional patchy availability of tyres - hardly Jaguar's fault - the later 4.2 cars are seriously well sorted.

[Triple7]

The new XK's are fabulous. They will be a pleasure to spend 15k miles a year in. My only advice is if you can don't go for one of the very 1st cars out in March 2006, but go for one later in the year. As with any brand new design, there were a few minor trim issues which should have been rectified by warranty anyway. Get one with the lux sport leather interior it is must as are the 20inch wheels.

[Simply Mono]

Thanks for advice guys. Popped down the local Jag garage this afternoon where they had a few s/h XK8's in my price bracket. Loved the interior of the cars , especially the ivory white (did I get that right ?). Was surprised how large the car actually is & vs a 911, the visibility out the back was quite limited...... but who cares . Saying that , sat in the convertible & with the hood up it felt a bit too dark for my liking, plus I love the lines of the coupe to much . Both lovely cars mind you

What's people thoughts on depreciation though ? Seeing previous shape XK's at very low prices, I suppose I'm a little concerned how much a £35K 06 plate XK is going to drop over the next 3 years. Wondered how it will compare % wise vs say a Merc SL or BMW M6

Anyway at the mo, it's on my short list

[Triple7]

An XK with Ivory lux leather (you can tell by the perforated 16 way seats) is the biz. Like you the lines on the coupe make it the obvious choice over the convertible. As for depreciation. 45-50% retained value after 3 yrs is what you can really expect for Jags and any marque today. As for M cars from BMW, those things plummet in value so you may well get one of these cars for less money. Same with AMGs. In the end it's your choice, but don't think any of these cars will be investments. They are for pure indulgence and that comes with a cost. If you are looking at M cars and AMGs you gotta look at XKRs!!

[Simply Mono]

Good advice. XKR ... hmmm, not sure I can get one in my budget of £35K

[Triple7]

Simply Mono said:

Good advice. XKR ... hmmm, not sure I can get one in my budget of £35K

I think you can. Unlike my advice with the very first XKs, the very 1st XKRs are the ones to get. This is what I owned and the thing with these are that the 1st cars produced by Jaguar came fully loaded with all the best options. These will be on a '56 plate registered in Oct/Nov. There are some XKRs out there on '06 plates, but avoid these, although they maybe cheap, they early cars used for the press. Some are registered as pre-production with DVLA.

Go do some hard bargaining and I'm pretty sure you can walk out with an XKR. I think the XKR is a far better product than the M6 and far more modern than the aged SLs.

G

[Paracetamol]

I moved from a 996 to an XKR. You definately want an XKR as even this feels a bit slow and wallowy after a Porsche

[NST]

Paracetamol said:

I moved from a 996 to an XKR. You definately want an XKR as even this feels a bit slow and wallowy after a Porsche

really? wallowy yes, but slow against a 996 c2/4 tip?

[Diderot]

NST said:

Paracetamol said:

I moved from a 996 to an XKR. You definately want an XKR as even this feels a bit slow and wallowy after a Porsche

really? wallowy yes, but slow against a 996 c2/4 tip?

Exactly my thoughts. XKR 30-70 would annihilate a 996.

[NST]

yep, my friend (996 C4 tip) was surpised the jag was able to pull away from him from 60+mph .

[Diderot]

NST said:

yep, my friend (996 C4 tip) was surpised the jag was able to pull away from him from 60+mph .

No real surprise: 420bhp, 416lb/ft torque, supercharger and similar weight

[NST]

Diderot said:

NST said:

yep, my friend (996 C4 tip) was surpised the jag was able to pull away from him from 60+mph .

No real surprise: 420bhp, 416lb/ft torque, supercharger and similar weight

i only have the lowly 370 bhp 390lb/ft! i had no probs creating from space from the german sports car! i can only imagine the extra power would create alittle more space!

[Diderot]

NST said:

Diderot said:

NST said:

yep, my friend (996 C4 tip) was surpised the jag was able to pull away from him from 60+mph .

No real surprise: 420bhp, 416lb/ft torque, supercharger and similar weight

i only have the lowly 370 bhp 390lb/ft! i had no probs creating from space from the german sports car! i can only imagine the extra power would create alittle more space!

Absolutely!