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I am a long term Jaguar owner with a 4.2 S type as my 'day car' and a Mark2 240 as my 'toy'. I have decided that I won't change my S type until I have seen the XF and it has been out for a while. Getting itchy fingers I decided that I would buy a 'budget' XK8 as a second 'toy' and to reduce the mileage I am putting on the S type.
I have purchased a black 97 coupe which has done 32000 miles on an engine replaced in 2001. It goes very nicely and looks fantastic. I do notice that the 4.0 litre is a bit slower than the 4.2 S type though, and not quite so economical. Maybe I'm driving iot a bit more enthusiastically with it being a 'new' car. Obviously I am aware of the timing chain issues and will have mine checked in due course. I imagine I have the second generation type in a 2001 engine so at 32000 miles they are 'hopefully' ok. Everything looks good and works well except for the n/s front loudspeaker. I have connected another one and still no joy so I imagine it is either connector/cabelling or a fault in the head unit. Has anyone any experience on removing the head unit so I can check it out? Has anyone had the same experience and can say 'have a look at the widget behind the glovebox etc?'

Hi Peter,
You are right about the relative merits of the 4.0 litre cars versus the 4.2s. The six speed gearbox makes the later cars feel more perky as well as giving more mpg. That said, they're all good to drive. As for the tensioners, there's no knowing how long they will last. It's best to get them changed to the latest metal bodied version as soon as possible. Some last to 200k miles, others let go at 20k miles. There's no real pattern of use from which to determine a safe mileage. Good luck with the speaker problem. It's not one which has cropped up on the Forum previously. Mike.

Hi Peter,
welcome to the forum
I fully endorse Mike's advice. Can't help you with the speaker problem either, but hope someone on this forum will be able to help you.
Enjoy your new toy

Hi
Thanks for your replies. If the tensioner problem is so bad then shouldn't it have been the subject of a recall or is it a relatively small number of cars affected? Is it something that has become a bit exagerated? We have a number of 4.0 litre XJs and XKs in Central Region and I dont actually know of anyone who has had a problem.

As far as I can tell all 4.0litre XK's are affected, which is why most of us have had them changed for the latest type as a mater of precaution. The Jag dealer that did mine reckoned mine would have failed completely within another 100 miles

I shall ask my local main dealer to check tensioners etc at next service and give me a price for replacement. They are unusally fair and always apply the allegience pricing. Does anyone have experience of a good independent Jag specialist in the West Midlands who is experienced and less expensive than a main dealer? I have a local man that does work on my Mark 2 but I suspect the V8 needs someone with specific knowledge.

Also, as mentioned in my original post, does anyone know how to remove the stereo from the console?

Elite and Performance Jaguar are a very respected indie. I believe they are based in Derby.

Or there's JEC's own David Marks, based in Nottingham.

Thanks, I know of, but haven't experience of, either of these companies. There seems a lack of good independents in and around Birmingham as I understand.

Try Chris Forbes at CFS motors in Coventry workshop@cfsmotors.plus.com
He did upper tensioners,water pump and thermostat for a bit less than £400 all in on my XJ8 3.2
If you contact him do not forget to mention you are a JEC member.
First class workmanship and reasonable prices from ex Browns Lane test and development experts.

Thanks Dave,
I know Chris but hadn't realised he worked on 'modern' engines.