Buying used XK8 / XKR (1998 - 2003) - Help please.......
Discussion
Hi
Having got a job nearer home am considering buying an XK8 / XKR.
Have already some idea of regular XK pitfalls (nikasil engine liners on pre 2001 cars, timing chain tensioners, gearboxes) but can't find a specific "buying XK used" thread on here ?
Budget circa £14k
Would welcome any comments but specifically, at this stage, am interested in :
1. is there a good, detailed, "buying used" XK article for these in a Jag magazine or similar ? Would also like something that also defines the specs (comfort, sport etc ?) and maybe the options too and which to look out for (wheels, sat nav etc).
2. is the performance difference between the XK8 and XKR really so huge ? Is the XKR potentially more problematic ? What are the pro's and con's of deciding ?
3. should I go for an early 4.2 XK8 rather than a late 4.0 XKR (assuming 4.2 XKR way out of budget)? Are the 4.2's significantly more "sorted".
4. insurance - what would the likely % cost differential be between XK8 and XKR of same age (am 45 with clean licence living in relatively low risk area and low risk job).
5. are the pre 2004 (4.0 and 4.2) all £200 Road Tax ? (Mondeo is £405 - madness !)
Any guidance on these or any other points gratefull received !
Finally, if someone out there needs to swap (+ cash to you ) a nice XK for a more practical Mondeo please let me know !
Many thanks
OC
Having got a job nearer home am considering buying an XK8 / XKR.
Have already some idea of regular XK pitfalls (nikasil engine liners on pre 2001 cars, timing chain tensioners, gearboxes) but can't find a specific "buying XK used" thread on here ?
Budget circa £14k
Would welcome any comments but specifically, at this stage, am interested in :
1. is there a good, detailed, "buying used" XK article for these in a Jag magazine or similar ? Would also like something that also defines the specs (comfort, sport etc ?) and maybe the options too and which to look out for (wheels, sat nav etc).
2. is the performance difference between the XK8 and XKR really so huge ? Is the XKR potentially more problematic ? What are the pro's and con's of deciding ?
3. should I go for an early 4.2 XK8 rather than a late 4.0 XKR (assuming 4.2 XKR way out of budget)? Are the 4.2's significantly more "sorted".
4. insurance - what would the likely % cost differential be between XK8 and XKR of same age (am 45 with clean licence living in relatively low risk area and low risk job).
5. are the pre 2004 (4.0 and 4.2) all £200 Road Tax ? (Mondeo is £405 - madness !)
Any guidance on these or any other points gratefull received !
Finally, if someone out there needs to swap (+ cash to you ) a nice XK for a more practical Mondeo please let me know !
Many thanks
OC
Edited by OddCat on Thursday 21st January 15:48
OddCat said:
Hi
Having got a job nearer home am considering buying an XK8 / XKR. Have owned TVR, Audi Quattro Turbo etc in past but it's been a while now since I had a car I could love so with the lower mileage requirement it's time for something a bit tasty again !
Have already some idea of regular XK pitfalls (nikasil engine liners on pre 2001 cars, timing chain tensioners, gearboxes) but can't find a specific "buying XK used" thread on here ?
Budget circa £14k (well, a mint 2006 Mondeo ST220 + £7,000 to be precise)
Would welcome any comments but specifically, at this stage, am interested in :
1. is there a good, detailed, "buying used" XK article for these in a Jag magazine or similar ? Would also like something that also defines the specs (comfort, sport etc ?) and maybe the options too and which to look out for (wheels, sat nav etc).
2. is the performance difference between the XK8 and XKR really so huge ? Is the XKR potentially more problematic ? What are the pro's and con's of deciding ?
3. should I go for an early 4.2 XK8 rather than a late 4.0 XKR (assuming 4.2 XKR way out of budget)? Are the 4.2's significantly more "sorted".
4. insurance - what would the likely % cost differential be between XK8 and XKR of same age (am 45 with clean licence living in relatively low risk area and low risk job).
5. are the pre 2004 (4.0 and 4.2) all £200 Road Tax ? (Mondeo is £405 - madness !)
Any guidance on these or any other points gratefull received !
Finally, if someone out there needs to swap (+ cash to you ) a nice XK for a more practical Mondeo please let me know !
Many thanks
OC
Jaguar Word have had Buying a used XK8R articlesHaving got a job nearer home am considering buying an XK8 / XKR. Have owned TVR, Audi Quattro Turbo etc in past but it's been a while now since I had a car I could love so with the lower mileage requirement it's time for something a bit tasty again !
Have already some idea of regular XK pitfalls (nikasil engine liners on pre 2001 cars, timing chain tensioners, gearboxes) but can't find a specific "buying XK used" thread on here ?
Budget circa £14k (well, a mint 2006 Mondeo ST220 + £7,000 to be precise)
Would welcome any comments but specifically, at this stage, am interested in :
1. is there a good, detailed, "buying used" XK article for these in a Jag magazine or similar ? Would also like something that also defines the specs (comfort, sport etc ?) and maybe the options too and which to look out for (wheels, sat nav etc).
2. is the performance difference between the XK8 and XKR really so huge ? Is the XKR potentially more problematic ? What are the pro's and con's of deciding ?
3. should I go for an early 4.2 XK8 rather than a late 4.0 XKR (assuming 4.2 XKR way out of budget)? Are the 4.2's significantly more "sorted".
4. insurance - what would the likely % cost differential be between XK8 and XKR of same age (am 45 with clean licence living in relatively low risk area and low risk job).
5. are the pre 2004 (4.0 and 4.2) all £200 Road Tax ? (Mondeo is £405 - madness !)
Any guidance on these or any other points gratefull received !
Finally, if someone out there needs to swap (+ cash to you ) a nice XK for a more practical Mondeo please let me know !
Many thanks
OC
Yes the extra 100BHP does make a differance if you are going to use it
I would go for the 4.2 XKR there were a lot of modifications to the engine from the 4Lt
I use LV Insurance they seem to overall give the best quotes, my XKR is in the region of £220
Not sure when the TAX break was but thought your age bracket came before the hike
A good Forum for XK8R's is www.xkec.co.uk you have to be a member to get into it though
What area of the UK is Home?
Edited by NormanD on Saturday 2nd January 19:12
Hi Norman
Thanks for the response. I'll have a look at the web site you mentioned.
Am in West Midlands (Nr Stourbridge).
Had a look yesterday at a tidy 59k mile, 53 plate 4.2 XK8 at Barclay Garage near Redditch (saw on autotrader). £15k. Looked tidy but have a feeling that I'd always wonder whether I should have bought an XKR. You could be right - perhaps extra investment in a 4.2 XKR would be the way to go. I did see one advertised locally @ £15k (2002 & 83k miles) but could have been rough I guess.
Regarding prices they seem to be all over the place. Perhaps it comes down to condition & history rather than age or mileage.
I'm surprised you only pay £220 for insurance. I pay more than that for my Mondeo (with full NCB etc). Maybe group 20 isn't going to be so bad after all !
Thanks again
OC
Thanks for the response. I'll have a look at the web site you mentioned.
Am in West Midlands (Nr Stourbridge).
Had a look yesterday at a tidy 59k mile, 53 plate 4.2 XK8 at Barclay Garage near Redditch (saw on autotrader). £15k. Looked tidy but have a feeling that I'd always wonder whether I should have bought an XKR. You could be right - perhaps extra investment in a 4.2 XKR would be the way to go. I did see one advertised locally @ £15k (2002 & 83k miles) but could have been rough I guess.
Regarding prices they seem to be all over the place. Perhaps it comes down to condition & history rather than age or mileage.
I'm surprised you only pay £220 for insurance. I pay more than that for my Mondeo (with full NCB etc). Maybe group 20 isn't going to be so bad after all !
Thanks again
OC
I've gleaned a lot of info from this site in the past
You may have to register and answer a few survey type questions but it's free and they don't send spam afterwards. You can get the low-down on 10 cars before you have to join fully , i.e pay a subscription.
Good luck
http://www.usedcarexpert.co.uk/cars.aspx?numModel=...
You may have to register and answer a few survey type questions but it's free and they don't send spam afterwards. You can get the low-down on 10 cars before you have to join fully , i.e pay a subscription.
Good luck
http://www.usedcarexpert.co.uk/cars.aspx?numModel=...
I would have originally said go for a last of the 4ltrs, but my vote now would be, go for as new as you can. The 4.2 is more sorted with the 6 speed gearbox to boot. Don't even think of buying an XK, make sure you go for the 'R, try both and you'll see why. Buying a coupe will be cheaper than a convertible, but the saving towards a newer car. After 60k miles expect to have to start spending money on these things. If you think an extra £200/yr on road tax is expensive, that is small change to petrol/insurance & running costs. You really need to have a couple of grand in reserve as a just in case. We don't approve if warranties on here ;-)
Nothing really to look for, well not that you'll beable to spot yourself. As with any car, make sure it looks loved, everything works, no juddering of the brakes, FSH etc.
Nothing really to look for, well not that you'll beable to spot yourself. As with any car, make sure it looks loved, everything works, no juddering of the brakes, FSH etc.
Hi Oddcat,
I agree with the advice of going for an ''R'' i bought a 53 plate XKR convertible 18 months back and having test driven both models the supercharged has to be experienced.
On the issue of running costs be prepared,in my first year of ownership the vehicle had the following:-
New Gearbox
New air-con condensor
New front suspension arms
New rear diff seal
Various electrical issues
Basically approx £9,000 worth of work
Thankfully when i purchased it Stratstones gave me a full years official Jaguar Warranty so i did not have to bear any cost.
I chose not to re-new the warranty when it expired as the cost would of been £1,800 and after having so many things replaced i figured there is not much more to break!
Happy hunting and i hope you find a good'un
I agree with the advice of going for an ''R'' i bought a 53 plate XKR convertible 18 months back and having test driven both models the supercharged has to be experienced.
On the issue of running costs be prepared,in my first year of ownership the vehicle had the following:-
New Gearbox
New air-con condensor
New front suspension arms
New rear diff seal
Various electrical issues
Basically approx £9,000 worth of work
Thankfully when i purchased it Stratstones gave me a full years official Jaguar Warranty so i did not have to bear any cost.
I chose not to re-new the warranty when it expired as the cost would of been £1,800 and after having so many things replaced i figured there is not much more to break!
Happy hunting and i hope you find a good'un
You can find standard equipment list and options at http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/equipment/Summary.as...
My choice between a 4.0 XKR and a 4.2 XK would be the latter. But I'm not a racer and the normally aspirated engine is quick enough, and cheaper to run, and likely to be more trouble-free.
When I switched my insurance from a 4.2 XK convertible to a 4.2 XKR convertible, it only went up by around £50 pa.
My choice between a 4.0 XKR and a 4.2 XK would be the latter. But I'm not a racer and the normally aspirated engine is quick enough, and cheaper to run, and likely to be more trouble-free.
When I switched my insurance from a 4.2 XK convertible to a 4.2 XKR convertible, it only went up by around £50 pa.
Get an R 
Get the newest you can is good advice but you do see the same swap on Car tax so later ones will be £405.
Running costs , can be serious however advice to members on the xkec can save you thousands , main dealers are often best avoided.
Bought mine from e-bay 6 years ago and only spent out on suspension, valley pipes and servicing. I would not rate them expensive to run compared to other cars in their class.
Get the newest you can is good advice but you do see the same swap on Car tax so later ones will be £405.
Running costs , can be serious however advice to members on the xkec can save you thousands , main dealers are often best avoided.
Bought mine from e-bay 6 years ago and only spent out on suspension, valley pipes and servicing. I would not rate them expensive to run compared to other cars in their class.
I've had my 98 xk8 for 7 years and only had one little problem with a bad connection to the transmission selector. Amazingly reliable considerihg it gets only occasional use. People knock the early models which is un warranted...
for not much over 5 grand you have a car that looks amazing. It might cost a few quid to get it properley sorted and then you're away feeling pretty smug.
Only two issues to worry are... tensioners an compression.
Tensioners should be replaced as soon as you get the keys..£300
If it's a Nikasil engine, running and starting well, with a clean throttle and intake tract, it will run for +200k.
Sounds easy so far.... well,expect tyre wear if the wheel bearings and bushes haven't been done for £30k miles £500... what are we up to.... £7k
If the transmission fails it's 1'200 installed...
Nothing else to worry about. Oh sorry get a new water pump just to be safe.
I'm not selling mine ever, but if you want to get into the most amazing experience in the range of a mint ST, it's easy.. go for it
for not much over 5 grand you have a car that looks amazing. It might cost a few quid to get it properley sorted and then you're away feeling pretty smug.
Only two issues to worry are... tensioners an compression.
Tensioners should be replaced as soon as you get the keys..£300
If it's a Nikasil engine, running and starting well, with a clean throttle and intake tract, it will run for +200k.
Sounds easy so far.... well,expect tyre wear if the wheel bearings and bushes haven't been done for £30k miles £500... what are we up to.... £7k
If the transmission fails it's 1'200 installed...
Nothing else to worry about. Oh sorry get a new water pump just to be safe.
I'm not selling mine ever, but if you want to get into the most amazing experience in the range of a mint ST, it's easy.. go for it
Edited by X100 on Tuesday 5th January 22:24
i own a XKR 4.0 (currently done 83k), check out my profile for some of the running costs. though take the figures with a pinch of salt, as these are main dealer prices. alot can be saved by using a indie.
i'm very happy with the XKR 4.0. it has been very reliable until 2 days ago when the battery died, though jag assist was out to help in 30mins and got the car going again. Though i did have a hint the battery was on its last legs and already had planned to change it on the weekend!
it is one of the most reliable cars i've owned considering it has a hard life ferrying the baby around. from short town journeys to long trips on the motorway to sitting around weeks on end doing nothing then starting up with out a fuss (with the exception of 2 days ago!) in -6c temperatures. thats the wife driving it. then when i get a chance to drive it i drive it hard, and usually try to take it on a air field and let the jag do its thing using the j-gate/sport mode to full effect. as with any high performance car servicing is key.
for a car of that age i would expect to see the following replaced/serviced
bushes..
wishbones
maybe rear diff seals
supercharger belt
aux belt + tensioner
depending on age, a full major service stamp.
even tyre wear.
and of course a full service history with the correct spec oil/coolant etc being used.
happy hunting!
i'm very happy with the XKR 4.0. it has been very reliable until 2 days ago when the battery died, though jag assist was out to help in 30mins and got the car going again. Though i did have a hint the battery was on its last legs and already had planned to change it on the weekend!
it is one of the most reliable cars i've owned considering it has a hard life ferrying the baby around. from short town journeys to long trips on the motorway to sitting around weeks on end doing nothing then starting up with out a fuss (with the exception of 2 days ago!) in -6c temperatures. thats the wife driving it. then when i get a chance to drive it i drive it hard, and usually try to take it on a air field and let the jag do its thing using the j-gate/sport mode to full effect. as with any high performance car servicing is key.
for a car of that age i would expect to see the following replaced/serviced
bushes..
wishbones
maybe rear diff seals
supercharger belt
aux belt + tensioner
depending on age, a full major service stamp.
even tyre wear.
and of course a full service history with the correct spec oil/coolant etc being used.
happy hunting!
Thanks to all for the responses. Very useful indeed.
Budget is likely to be £3k - £4k + Mondeo so circa £12k. Would like an XKR really and given the limited budget it'll have to be a 4.0 either way I think. I appreciate that restricting to XKR may make the task harder (not sure what the ratio XK8 to XKR was in the 1999 - 2000 period).
Keslakes multi problem car sounds a bit scary. Lets hope I can avoid one of those !
I notice that there was a facelift circa 2000 when chrome was added and fog lights changed etc. This was 18 months or so before the swap to 4.2 litre ? Are these changes significant and do they have a name (mark 1.5 or whatever ?) . I actually like the pre chrome thing like this one :
http://www.smautos.com/specification.php?vehicleID...
I also notice that the wheel options are quite varied. I'm not a huge fan of the skinny 20" split rim (Detroit ?) wheels and prefer the ones on the car pictured above (probably 18"). 20" wheels a bit more like these would be good. Is there a definitive guide to wheels anywhere (with pictures) ? Black looks great though (and I'm not a great fan of black cars). Seems to make the car look smaller (a good thing I think - they are longer than the Mondeo which is barmy given the space inside !)
I haven't actually driven one yet (either version) but sense that when I do the deal will be sealed. Need to resist the urge to buy the first I try (cardinal sin I know but I've done it before - largely successfully touch wood). Would be happy to buy privately but for the need to part ex mine. Can't face selling it privately and the malarkey (and cashflow issues) that involves plus the need to synchronise timings etc. Likely I'll find the right car 250 miles away too !
Ahh well - you only live once I guess. Thanks again to all.
Budget is likely to be £3k - £4k + Mondeo so circa £12k. Would like an XKR really and given the limited budget it'll have to be a 4.0 either way I think. I appreciate that restricting to XKR may make the task harder (not sure what the ratio XK8 to XKR was in the 1999 - 2000 period).
Keslakes multi problem car sounds a bit scary. Lets hope I can avoid one of those !
I notice that there was a facelift circa 2000 when chrome was added and fog lights changed etc. This was 18 months or so before the swap to 4.2 litre ? Are these changes significant and do they have a name (mark 1.5 or whatever ?) . I actually like the pre chrome thing like this one :
http://www.smautos.com/specification.php?vehicleID...
I also notice that the wheel options are quite varied. I'm not a huge fan of the skinny 20" split rim (Detroit ?) wheels and prefer the ones on the car pictured above (probably 18"). 20" wheels a bit more like these would be good. Is there a definitive guide to wheels anywhere (with pictures) ? Black looks great though (and I'm not a great fan of black cars). Seems to make the car look smaller (a good thing I think - they are longer than the Mondeo which is barmy given the space inside !)
I haven't actually driven one yet (either version) but sense that when I do the deal will be sealed. Need to resist the urge to buy the first I try (cardinal sin I know but I've done it before - largely successfully touch wood). Would be happy to buy privately but for the need to part ex mine. Can't face selling it privately and the malarkey (and cashflow issues) that involves plus the need to synchronise timings etc. Likely I'll find the right car 250 miles away too !
Ahh well - you only live once I guess. Thanks again to all.
Edited by OddCat on Wednesday 6th January 09:47
I would stay away from the dealer adverts and look in Jaguar World or the JEC magazine. There are two distinct camps for the XK. The high miler's that have been used as every day cars and the cherished second car that comes out at weekends. These ones tend to appear as private sales rather than in the trade although there are some out there
Join the xkec 
Plenty of pictures of all the wheels, combinations etc. Regular meets so a chance to meet existing owners near you to find out about what is on offer. Inspection service (free) so you can have that car 250 miles away from you inspected to make it worth while making the journey. Un rivalled resouce
Plenty of pictures of all the wheels, combinations etc. Regular meets so a chance to meet existing owners near you to find out about what is on offer. Inspection service (free) so you can have that car 250 miles away from you inspected to make it worth while making the journey. Un rivalled resouce
Oddcat,
I have a facelift 2001 model with the chrome tip exhausts, jewel effect lights etc if want to keep the ride quality avoid the silverstone edition or any XKR with the supersport pack also known as the R pack ie 20in alloys, brembos, retuned cats, steering etc etc the ride is firm -not 911 firm but still not what you would expect from a jaguar
there is a difference in the ride quality between a normal XKR and one with the full R pack. so it might be worth driving a few to get a taste for the ride quality. I have the R pack and don't mind the ride though buts because my saab has a very firm (crashy) ride.
I have a facelift 2001 model with the chrome tip exhausts, jewel effect lights etc if want to keep the ride quality avoid the silverstone edition or any XKR with the supersport pack also known as the R pack ie 20in alloys, brembos, retuned cats, steering etc etc the ride is firm -not 911 firm but still not what you would expect from a jaguar
there is a difference in the ride quality between a normal XKR and one with the full R pack. so it might be worth driving a few to get a taste for the ride quality. I have the R pack and don't mind the ride though buts because my saab has a very firm (crashy) ride.
OddCat said:
I also notice that the wheel options are quite varied.
I'm not a huge fan of the skinny 20" split rim (Detroit ?) wheels and prefer the ones on the car pictured above (probably 18").
20" wheels a bit more like these would be good.
20" wheels, split rim or not are going to have the same low profile tyresI'm not a huge fan of the skinny 20" split rim (Detroit ?) wheels and prefer the ones on the car pictured above (probably 18").
20" wheels a bit more like these would be good.
The wheels in the picture are the original 18" wheels when the XKR came out, they are called "Double 5's"
I pefere them myself and still have them on my XKR even with all the mods I've done to my car
Ordered the Nigel Thornley XK8 book on-line and received yesterday.
It's brilliant. Also fully covers XKR (he should really change the book name to reflect that !).
Lots about history, spec changes, upgrades, options (inc pictures of all wheel options), colours, interiors etc etc
More importantly, very scary section on "what can go wrong" though with excellent detail on problems with bore liners, transmissions (various issues), tensioners and belts, water pump impellers, suspension bushes, wishbones, wheel bearings, rust prone sections etc etc. Some of the problems seem to be down to poor design / quality of materials used (esp plastic tensioners, plastic impellers etc). I appreciate that not all cars would be affected by all issues but it did make me wince.
Book was written in 2006 - so too early for faults with the 4.2 cars to start revealing themselves in ernest. Not sure if some of the numpty design issues (especially around wishbones / suspension / bushes / wheel bearings / rust proofing) were resolved with the 4.2
It's clear to me that if I go for a 4.0 car I need to find a steel lined engine car with lots and lots of money spent (tensioners, belts, water pump all done plus gearbox oil and seals renewed with evidence and a full "quality" history).
Or wait till 4.2 car values fall a bit (assuming they are better sorted across the board although Keslakes experience above would suggest not).
I think this is going to be a long job after all.........!!!
Dex
It's brilliant. Also fully covers XKR (he should really change the book name to reflect that !).
Lots about history, spec changes, upgrades, options (inc pictures of all wheel options), colours, interiors etc etc
More importantly, very scary section on "what can go wrong" though with excellent detail on problems with bore liners, transmissions (various issues), tensioners and belts, water pump impellers, suspension bushes, wishbones, wheel bearings, rust prone sections etc etc. Some of the problems seem to be down to poor design / quality of materials used (esp plastic tensioners, plastic impellers etc). I appreciate that not all cars would be affected by all issues but it did make me wince.
Book was written in 2006 - so too early for faults with the 4.2 cars to start revealing themselves in ernest. Not sure if some of the numpty design issues (especially around wishbones / suspension / bushes / wheel bearings / rust proofing) were resolved with the 4.2
It's clear to me that if I go for a 4.0 car I need to find a steel lined engine car with lots and lots of money spent (tensioners, belts, water pump all done plus gearbox oil and seals renewed with evidence and a full "quality" history).
Or wait till 4.2 car values fall a bit (assuming they are better sorted across the board although Keslakes experience above would suggest not).
I think this is going to be a long job after all.........!!!
Dex
Edited by OddCat on Friday 8th January 11:30
Taking your time over this is never a bad thing, and well done on getting the Nigel Thorley book. Bear in mind that not everything that is described in there will necessarily go wrong with your car.
I used to have an '05 4.2 XKR, and parted with it very reluctantly. If I was going back into that market, and they are lovely cars, I would be less concerned about buying a supercharged car than a nice well cared for example with a full service history and no evidence of damage or filler. From my perspective, the 'R's are a little 'full on' or 'off'. The naturally aspirated V8 can go, and sound as if it's going, but the delivery is a little more linear. I'm not sure it isn't more pleasant across the piece.
There are a few 4.0 litre cars about with engines replaced by Jaguar due to the Nikasil issue. They have to be good value if you get a good one, and of course for cars of that age the price is commensurately lower - anything from £4-9k in my experience. Bodywork and corrosion can be an issue particularly if the car has had accident damage.
I totally agree that as time went on the cars got better, and the problems were resolved, the engine was more powerful, the gearbox was better, but it would be nuts to be disappointed if you don't buy an 06 reg 4.2-S XKR. The earlier cars are not THAT much different, arguably look better depending on your taste, and if they have been cared for most of the 'issues' will have been sorted through warranty or servicing.
If I were you I would also do a bit of research into the options. Later 4.2 models had the option of Recaro seats which are very worthwhile. It's personal taste, but I prefer cars without SatNav, because a tomtom is better, and more importantly you get the three gauges across the dash, which looks so good. You are more likely to find that on an 8 as most R's came with the Satnav, which is now getting a bit dated and was never that great in the first place.
Most importantly, get out and see a few, so when Miss Right comes along you know what to do. The oldest advice is the best.
I used to have an '05 4.2 XKR, and parted with it very reluctantly. If I was going back into that market, and they are lovely cars, I would be less concerned about buying a supercharged car than a nice well cared for example with a full service history and no evidence of damage or filler. From my perspective, the 'R's are a little 'full on' or 'off'. The naturally aspirated V8 can go, and sound as if it's going, but the delivery is a little more linear. I'm not sure it isn't more pleasant across the piece.
There are a few 4.0 litre cars about with engines replaced by Jaguar due to the Nikasil issue. They have to be good value if you get a good one, and of course for cars of that age the price is commensurately lower - anything from £4-9k in my experience. Bodywork and corrosion can be an issue particularly if the car has had accident damage.
I totally agree that as time went on the cars got better, and the problems were resolved, the engine was more powerful, the gearbox was better, but it would be nuts to be disappointed if you don't buy an 06 reg 4.2-S XKR. The earlier cars are not THAT much different, arguably look better depending on your taste, and if they have been cared for most of the 'issues' will have been sorted through warranty or servicing.
If I were you I would also do a bit of research into the options. Later 4.2 models had the option of Recaro seats which are very worthwhile. It's personal taste, but I prefer cars without SatNav, because a tomtom is better, and more importantly you get the three gauges across the dash, which looks so good. You are more likely to find that on an 8 as most R's came with the Satnav, which is now getting a bit dated and was never that great in the first place.
Most importantly, get out and see a few, so when Miss Right comes along you know what to do. The oldest advice is the best.
Edited by cardigankid on Friday 8th January 14:22
By the way,
That one above from SM Autos illustrates the point - how good does that look with the walnut dash and the three dials? You won't get that on a late 4.2 XKR, you will get carbon, or stained maple, or a Satnav you don't want, or if you do get three dials in walnut or elm, they will have gimcrack aluminium dials round them. That is classic, but what kind of nick it's in is anybody's guess.
The later ones had optional 20" composite Montreal, Detroit or Sepang Alloys produced by BBS. I think that started with the 4.0 XKR100 which had Montreals. The wheels on that car are not Sepangs, but they are 20", original to the car I think, and in the flesh they look fantastic. If I found a car like that I wouldn't change them because A. Later wheels on an earlier car can look odd B. Why fix something that obviously isn't broken?
I think you are right about the pre-chrome issue - the car looks rawer.
Good Luck anyway.
That one above from SM Autos illustrates the point - how good does that look with the walnut dash and the three dials? You won't get that on a late 4.2 XKR, you will get carbon, or stained maple, or a Satnav you don't want, or if you do get three dials in walnut or elm, they will have gimcrack aluminium dials round them. That is classic, but what kind of nick it's in is anybody's guess.
The later ones had optional 20" composite Montreal, Detroit or Sepang Alloys produced by BBS. I think that started with the 4.0 XKR100 which had Montreals. The wheels on that car are not Sepangs, but they are 20", original to the car I think, and in the flesh they look fantastic. If I found a car like that I wouldn't change them because A. Later wheels on an earlier car can look odd B. Why fix something that obviously isn't broken?
I think you are right about the pre-chrome issue - the car looks rawer.
Good Luck anyway.
Edited by cardigankid on Friday 8th January 14:41
I went for the cheaper end of the XKR market, a 72 thousand mile '98 at £6K. The tensioners and water pump had already been done and it has a full service history.
I've had it for nearly two years and I cannot fault it.
I would certainly recommend joining the XKEC for advice but avoid being taken in by the tales of woe or it could put you off buying one
I've had it for nearly two years and I cannot fault it.
I would certainly recommend joining the XKEC for advice but avoid being taken in by the tales of woe or it could put you off buying one
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