XKR Convertible - Buying Advice

[Jarcy]

I am hoping to be in the position whereby I can begin my search for an XKR convertible next year.
As such, it's time to start cluing up on the various features and options, and also to learn as much as possible about the cars.

I'd like to visit one or two (independent) dealers and kick some tyres, but my first attempt wasn't too successful.
I was surprised that although I was standing in front of him as a potential customer, he wasn't interested in taking my details and just said, come back when we have in stock a particular car that you're interested in. (They had an XKR which was sold, and an XK available - it's got to be the 'R').

I'm after a 5.0 litre car in a dark colour, most likely black.
Originally I was drawn to the cream interior, but this hasn't worn so well on my daily car, so may go for black.
This'll be a weekend car, so condition will be key.
I prefer the 2011 front end facelift, but would go for as old as 2009 for an exceptional example.
Budget would probably limit me to a 2012 example. I don't want to be straying into F-type money.


A few questions:
Other than the front end, what other features are present on the 2011 facelift?
Seats - I prefer the look of the sport seats to standard. Do the sport seat have air-cooling and full adjustment? Which is more comfortable?
Any reliability issues or quirks to worry about?
These seem to come pretty loaded as standard. Any factory options to look out for?
Do all XKRs come with the B&W stereo? Was there an upgrade option? How good is the B&W, even with hood down? (I like nice sound)
Are all exhausts factory standard? Any aftermarket tuning? (I like nice sound)

Thanks all.

[Jarcy]

Simpo Two said:

You might find it worth taking a trip to Chiltern Jaguar where you can see and compare about 25 XKs and ask all the questions you need to. Mine came from there and they do know their XKs.

Thanks, I have reviewed their stock list (although I'm not in a position to purchase yet). Maybe I'll take a drive over there.

[Jarcy]

8bit said:

Seat-wise, heated seats were standard right since the early alloy body 4.2s but cooling became standard when the first 5.0 cars were introduced. I had standard seats in my old 4.2 and sports in my 5.0, I'd say if you like to drive enthusiastically then the sports seats will stop you sliding from side to side as much.

Were the sports seats in the 5.0 cooled then? I get very hot in summer, especially if the roof is down when aircon is less effective.

Thanks for the info BTW.

[Jarcy]

8bit said:

That last seat is referred to by the workshop manual as the 16-way "performance seat". Heating is standard but again no cooling option.

Edited by 8bit on Wednesday 7th November 13:01

Thanks for clearing that up. I suspected that might be the case.
It is the "Performance" seats that I prefer the look of, but not yet having tried for comfort.
Disappointing they don't have cooling, but I can weigh that up in my search.

Those with the "luxury" seats, how are they cooled? Do they blow air through the perforations, or is there a fridge/aircon element built in. I've never experienced cooled seats before.

[Jarcy]

Simpo Two said:

They have an interesting approach. When you ring up to view a car, they say straightaway: 'We want 7 days to prepare the car and the price you see is the price you pay, we don't negotiate'.

So yes, you pay top price but they do cut the mustard when things ht the fan and the service manager replies intelligently and quickly if you have a question. Every other used car dealer I've worked with has proved to be a bandit, but I'd buy from CJ again - and no, I'm not being paid! That said chaps if you're reading this, I'll have £500 off my next XK thank you

Thanks, useful to know in advance, and at least they are upfront at the first enquiry.
Years ago I was looking to buy a car from a dealer, and it wasn't until after the test drive that I found out that there was no opportunity to negotiate, and what's more they insisted on loading £700 onto the price to pay for the warantee. So after I had exclaimed "so you'll only let me drive this car away if I pay you more than the asking price?", I turned heel and walked out. A lost sale, mainly because I had been strung along.