Considering XK
Discussion
blackpoolrocket said:
and know nothing about jags apart from these cars have horrible reliability issues and suffer from heavy depreciation
Never been my experience. I've run my XJ for over 14 years and it's been highly reliable. Now if you want to talk about "horrible reliability" the wife's wheels now that's a different story.Thanks for the support but I want to make the right choice not the wrong one.
The internet is a wash with tales of problems from evo to yahoo I know nothing apart from what I read hence the reason for posting.
As for depreciation, the fact I can buy a 2004 for 15k speaks volumes.
I only want help not abuse and I'm only quoting facts if this offends then don't blame me, blame google.
Another point is there seem to be all automatic right? Why is that???
The internet is a wash with tales of problems from evo to yahoo I know nothing apart from what I read hence the reason for posting.
As for depreciation, the fact I can buy a 2004 for 15k speaks volumes.
I only want help not abuse and I'm only quoting facts if this offends then don't blame me, blame google.
Another point is there seem to be all automatic right? Why is that???
All big cars depreciate like mad. Just be glad that this means you can afford to buy them. Just remember that when you come to service them though you are looking at buying bits for what was once 60Ks worth of car.
There were problems with the earlier 4.0 V8s, the earlier ones had nikasil linings (like porkers and BMWs) which could dissolve in high sulphur petrol. By 2004 I believe these problems, plus the timing chains and water pumps had all be sorted.
As to autos, Jaguar only offer an auto box on the V8. They have never offered a manual. Most buyers of new GTs want autoboxes apparently.
Not sure about the S-Type and ignoring the X-Type. The last big Jag to have a manual box was the 94->97 X300, XJ6 (there is at least 1 X300 XJ12 manual out there too). There was very little call for these at the time, and the nearly new markets was even less keen on them. I guess Jaguar made the call that it wasn't worth engineering the manual for a tiny number of sales. If you want a manual one, I think NormanD is close to getting the work done now.
Don't knock the autobox fitted to the cars till you have driven one. They change gear faster than you ever will and faster than the opposition electro-mechanical boxes, but yes they are all autos. There are conversions out there to get full control over the box so that it will only change when you tell it too. Again, NormanD is your man there.
There were problems with the earlier 4.0 V8s, the earlier ones had nikasil linings (like porkers and BMWs) which could dissolve in high sulphur petrol. By 2004 I believe these problems, plus the timing chains and water pumps had all be sorted.
As to autos, Jaguar only offer an auto box on the V8. They have never offered a manual. Most buyers of new GTs want autoboxes apparently.
Not sure about the S-Type and ignoring the X-Type. The last big Jag to have a manual box was the 94->97 X300, XJ6 (there is at least 1 X300 XJ12 manual out there too). There was very little call for these at the time, and the nearly new markets was even less keen on them. I guess Jaguar made the call that it wasn't worth engineering the manual for a tiny number of sales. If you want a manual one, I think NormanD is close to getting the work done now.
Don't knock the autobox fitted to the cars till you have driven one. They change gear faster than you ever will and faster than the opposition electro-mechanical boxes, but yes they are all autos. There are conversions out there to get full control over the box so that it will only change when you tell it too. Again, NormanD is your man there.
blackpoolrocket said:
Thanks for the support but I want to make the right choice not the wrong one.
The internet is a wash with tales of problems from evo to yahoo I know nothing apart from what I read hence the reason for posting.
As for depreciation, the fact I can buy a 2004 for 15k speaks volumes.
I only want help not abuse and I'm only quoting facts if this offends then don't blame me, blame google.
Another point is there seem to be all automatic right? Why is that???
Fair enough, to my knowledge and the fairly low level of problem posting on this forum, Jaguar's seem very reliable. Certainly if you are looking at 2004 model's then they are fitted with the 4.2/6 speed box which has been very reliable. Only problems I've had on mine have been a couple of faults with the ABS harness and slight leak from one of the coolant hoses. Running costs and services have all been very reasonable.The internet is a wash with tales of problems from evo to yahoo I know nothing apart from what I read hence the reason for posting.
As for depreciation, the fact I can buy a 2004 for 15k speaks volumes.
I only want help not abuse and I'm only quoting facts if this offends then don't blame me, blame google.
Another point is there seem to be all automatic right? Why is that???
Graham
Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Sunday 11th July 20:39
Okay done some more research now i'm really worried.
I qoute:
There’s plenty to go wrong – expensively – and you should expect it to. According to the What Car?/Warranty Direct Reliability Index, Jaguars aren’t reliable and are costly to fix.
Engine: the Achilles Heel of early XKs is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000.
This is a slighty different year to the one posted above which equals more savings on price. I can see choosing a 2002/3 for 15k and keeping £3k in a pot is gonna be the way to go
I qoute:
There’s plenty to go wrong – expensively – and you should expect it to. According to the What Car?/Warranty Direct Reliability Index, Jaguars aren’t reliable and are costly to fix.
Engine: the Achilles Heel of early XKs is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000.
This is a slighty different year to the one posted above which equals more savings on price. I can see choosing a 2002/3 for 15k and keeping £3k in a pot is gonna be the way to go
blackpoolrocket said:
Okay done some more research now i'm really worried.
I qoute:
There’s plenty to go wrong – expensively – and you should expect it to. According to the What Car?/Warranty Direct Reliability Index, Jaguars aren’t reliable and are costly to fix.
Engine: the Achilles Heel of early XKs is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000.
This is a slighty different year to the one posted above which equals more savings on price. I can see choosing a 2002/3 for 15k and keeping £3k in a pot is gonna be the way to go
Lol. there is your answer then. don't buy one.I qoute:
There’s plenty to go wrong – expensively – and you should expect it to. According to the What Car?/Warranty Direct Reliability Index, Jaguars aren’t reliable and are costly to fix.
Engine: the Achilles Heel of early XKs is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000.
This is a slighty different year to the one posted above which equals more savings on price. I can see choosing a 2002/3 for 15k and keeping £3k in a pot is gonna be the way to go
I was looking at 997 911S cars; they have an engine issue and they pop too. So.. I am not buying one. Simples. I can not be bothered to buy a warranty for the car. £1200 per year? no thanks. So.. I am buying something else instead.
;-)
blackpoolrocket said:
Okay done some more research now i'm really worried.
I qoute:
There’s plenty to go wrong – expensively – and you should expect it to. According to the What Car?/Warranty Direct Reliability Index, Jaguars aren’t reliable and are costly to fix.
Engine: the Achilles Heel of early XKs is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000.
This is a slighty different year to the one posted above which equals more savings on price. I can see choosing a 2002/3 for 15k and keeping £3k in a pot is gonna be the way to go
The V8 engine was revised for the 2000 model year. Earlier versions (AJ26) of both the 3.2 and 4.0 versions had Nicasil coatings on the bores, a poor quality waterpump and weak plastic bodied (in both mk1 and mk11 versions) secondary timing chain tensioners. None of these issues, except the secondary timing chain tensioners will affect post 2000 cars in your budget, and the latest metal bodied temnsioners are fitted to all 4.2 litre V8 engines. Some early XK's also are suffering from serious floorpan corrosion which requires a lot of interior stripping and welding to repair and numerous gearbox failures due to lubrication breakdown. I qoute:
There’s plenty to go wrong – expensively – and you should expect it to. According to the What Car?/Warranty Direct Reliability Index, Jaguars aren’t reliable and are costly to fix.
Engine: the Achilles Heel of early XKs is the engine, which can self-destruct due to high levels of sulphur in petrol. This affects cars built before 2000.
This is a slighty different year to the one posted above which equals more savings on price. I can see choosing a 2002/3 for 15k and keeping £3k in a pot is gonna be the way to go
So yes, there have been serious and extremely expensive problems with some of the earlier cars which is why I suspect the warranty Direct figures are so bad for '90s Jaguars.
To avoid grief, ideally you'll buy the very best example you can find, which means a FSH, gearbox and 'diff oil changed at 50k or less intervals and the latest metal bodied timing chain tensioners fitted. Any car that's been maintained to this standard shows care from the previous owner and is likley to be a good example.
In addition to this have a look and feel of the tyres to see if there's any unusual wear pattens, chek the front very carefully for stonechips - if there's none suspect paintwork and make sure the hood works properly if it's a convertable.
Buy a good one, and keep a few hundred aside for a full fluid change and tensioner swap and you should be happy. Buy a rough one and it'll no doubt end in tears. Best place to start looking is the PH classifieds, jagads or some of the Jaguar independents also sell cars - often at top money but that's what it takes to get a good one.
blackpoolrocket said:
S two final questions:
Is 15k a realistic amount for a decent one?
What are the average running costs annually?
£15k should get you a good one if you're prepared to do some travelling and looking. Personally I'd not get too hung up over "book price" or whatever the Trade guides tell you to pay - mostly the figures given are to the sellers advantage and if you think about it for a moment who really knows? Show 10 different people the same car, especially somthing a bit unusual, and they'll all come up with wildly differing values.Is 15k a realistic amount for a decent one?
What are the average running costs annually?
I'd rather pay over the odds for a slightly older well cared for perfect car rather then buy a newer one that's a bit shabby at a bargian price anyday even if it's not exactly the spec or colour I wanted and spotting the perfect car when it comes up is much easier if you've already looked at and driven several examples.
I'd keep a few hundred back for a full fluid change, or work that into the deal if the seller is competent and trustworthy, get it re MOT'd as soon as I got it home, you'll need around £400 for changing the secondary timing chain tensioners if you buy a 4.0 that's not been done although some garages insist on changing the whole lot - chains guides, and all the tensioners - this'll cost more like £1000. Whip the RH cam cover off and have a look, the secondary tensioner is visible and you want to see a grey metal body, not a orange or cream plastic one. Jaguars are very sensitive to suspension set up and wheel balance. A 4 wheel geometry alignment reset at a tyre or suspension specalist is often worth the £75 or so it'll cost too.
Servicing every 10k - except if you need plugs - is cheap enough 'cos there's not much to do from around £150, although I'd have an interim oil and filter change every 5k too. Discs, pads, filters, shocks are up to you. Buy genuine parts from the main stealer and you'll get stung, buy patern parts from an motor factor and you'll save - discs and pad set from £80, shocks from £70 each, bushes are peanuts but cost to fit, plugs £8 each, transmission oil £10+/litre, tyres £125+++ each.
Expect up to 30 to less than 15 MPG depending on where and how you drive. Depreciation is going to be a factor so that's another reason to buy a good one, really look after it and keep it for a long, long time, and insurance is generally pretty reasonable on Jaguars.
Les Paul (no, not that one
) Jaguar in London has got a couple of XKs in your price range on his website at the moment. 
Couple of other points worth mentioning. 2003 model year worth trying searching out in my opinion as it has the 4.2litre v8 and the 6 speed gearbox. Also these cars tend (although not always) to come with 20" wheels, brembo brakes, CATS and lots of nice to have options. However, saying that I wouldn't rule out a 4.0 if you find a good one (there's a lovely looking black one on PH at mo!)
Sat nav is okay but not great, it'll get you out of trouble if stuck but it's not possible to get updated discs so is now well out of date. A lot of people prefer the 3 dials in place of the sat nav display.
Tyres for the 20" wheels aren't cheap, I've just purchased a couple of Pirelli fronts at £230 a tyre so you are looking at almost £1k for a set of 4. Also have to watch for curbing damage. They can be repaired but not cheaply.
A lot of cars will have had the exhaust swapped for a more sporty system. The standard exhaust is very quiet, after market exhausts provide a bit more of a burble/v8 noise.
Rear space in the convertable is a joke, coupe a little bit better but really restricted to small kids on short journeys.
Good luck on the search
Sat nav is okay but not great, it'll get you out of trouble if stuck but it's not possible to get updated discs so is now well out of date. A lot of people prefer the 3 dials in place of the sat nav display.
Tyres for the 20" wheels aren't cheap, I've just purchased a couple of Pirelli fronts at £230 a tyre so you are looking at almost £1k for a set of 4. Also have to watch for curbing damage. They can be repaired but not cheaply.
A lot of cars will have had the exhaust swapped for a more sporty system. The standard exhaust is very quiet, after market exhausts provide a bit more of a burble/v8 noise.
Rear space in the convertable is a joke, coupe a little bit better but really restricted to small kids on short journeys.
Good luck on the search
Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Tuesday 13th July 11:26
Judging by your name, i guess you have or had a TVR ? I didnt bother looking at your profile
Ive just moved from my old TVR to an XKR Coupe and am loving it, its very reliable and has the nikasil engine !
All Nikasil engines should have been sorted by now if they were damaged, low compression & rough running would be the signs.
I bought an older 2000MY but with only 50k on the clock, as such ive just changed the brake pipes and a wishbone to keep the set up perfect.
To be honest your questions are more of a worry for me, do some more research & youll see that every car in the market has faults and problems.....buy a 996 and suffer from oil seal problems for example.
Too much research on the internet from people who DO NOT own the cars their talking about can make you fearful to ever go out of the house. Only listen to those people with real life experience.
At the end of the day, its cheaper to run a Ford Fiesta than a Jaguar.... you pay your money and take your choice, are you a car enthusiast or looking for a shopping car ?
Dont be put off the Jags by stories on the internet, only negative stories get posted.
So far its a lot more solid and less fragile than my TVR was
Ive just moved from my old TVR to an XKR Coupe and am loving it, its very reliable and has the nikasil engine !
All Nikasil engines should have been sorted by now if they were damaged, low compression & rough running would be the signs.
I bought an older 2000MY but with only 50k on the clock, as such ive just changed the brake pipes and a wishbone to keep the set up perfect.
To be honest your questions are more of a worry for me, do some more research & youll see that every car in the market has faults and problems.....buy a 996 and suffer from oil seal problems for example.
Too much research on the internet from people who DO NOT own the cars their talking about can make you fearful to ever go out of the house. Only listen to those people with real life experience.
At the end of the day, its cheaper to run a Ford Fiesta than a Jaguar.... you pay your money and take your choice, are you a car enthusiast or looking for a shopping car ?
Dont be put off the Jags by stories on the internet, only negative stories get posted.
So far its a lot more solid and less fragile than my TVR was
S2 Giles said:
Judging by your name, i guess you have or had a TVR ? I didnt bother looking at your profile
Ive just moved from my old TVR to an XKR Coupe and am loving it, its very reliable and has the nikasil engine !
All Nikasil engines should have been sorted by now if they were damaged, low compression & rough running would be the signs.
I bought an older 2000MY but with only 50k on the clock, as such ive just changed the brake pipes and a wishbone to keep the set up perfect.
To be honest your questions are more of a worry for me, do some more research & youll see that every car in the market has faults and problems.....buy a 996 and suffer from oil seal problems for example.
Too much research on the internet from people who DO NOT own the cars their talking about can make you fearful to ever go out of the house. Only listen to those people with real life experience.
At the end of the day, its cheaper to run a Ford Fiesta than a Jaguar.... you pay your money and take your choice, are you a car enthusiast or looking for a shopping car ?
Dont be put off the Jags by stories on the internet, only negative stories get posted.
So far its a lot more solid and less fragile than my TVR was
Bang on! I've never had a problem with my '96 XK8. Also have a Griff, no major problems so far. Prefer the Griff for summer evenings/weekends, but the Jag is first choice for a week touring or for use in the rainy season. The only cost on the Jag is the yearly service, £300-£600 depending on which one. The oil in the hydraulic roof system usually needs changing every few years, last time it cost £280. The trim in the Theres always a little bit of work required on the TVR-part of its charm, the Jag only requires washing and waxing. Ive just moved from my old TVR to an XKR Coupe and am loving it, its very reliable and has the nikasil engine !
All Nikasil engines should have been sorted by now if they were damaged, low compression & rough running would be the signs.
I bought an older 2000MY but with only 50k on the clock, as such ive just changed the brake pipes and a wishbone to keep the set up perfect.
To be honest your questions are more of a worry for me, do some more research & youll see that every car in the market has faults and problems.....buy a 996 and suffer from oil seal problems for example.
Too much research on the internet from people who DO NOT own the cars their talking about can make you fearful to ever go out of the house. Only listen to those people with real life experience.
At the end of the day, its cheaper to run a Ford Fiesta than a Jaguar.... you pay your money and take your choice, are you a car enthusiast or looking for a shopping car ?
Dont be put off the Jags by stories on the internet, only negative stories get posted.
So far its a lot more solid and less fragile than my TVR was
Wife had a 4.0 XK8 (1999 I think) which she loved to bits, no probs at all. Now she has a 2007 XKR (4.2 s'charged) and loves it even more. Yes we have had it to the garage for a replacement boot lock and thats it in 3 and a bit years. If you look at the recent JD Power surveys Jag now does well and better than ze germans. Also I seem to recall that auto express in their survey had them near the top. Advice seems good to me, buy the newest but best cared for example you can. I thought the pre 2006 convertibles were a bit 'wobbly' though so coupe is best. Good luck and if you do go down the xk route have fun!
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff