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Hi everyone,

I am soon to be the proud owner of a 1997 XJ8 cabriolet. To say its the most exciting car I have ever owned is an understatement !
My dad always wanted one and now on my 50th birthday I will have one !!

I have had it checked carefully before purchase and it seems ok but there are a few (well probably lots!) of questions I will have. I am not at all technical but willing to learn so bear with me.

First thing is the rubber seal from the roof to the rear quarter light seems to be perishing, any ideas how I can replace it ?

Also I want to buy a car cover. The car will be outside all the time for the near future and I wondered what people recommend ?

Is it worth getting a manual (e.g.; Haynes ?)

Thanks everyone for your help

Medic 040

Hi Medic and welcome, I too am a recent (and well chuffed) XKR (Coupe) owner. I also am not too technical and also limited as to what DIY I can do due to mobility problems.
My only bit of advice I can suggest is to find a good, reliable Jaguar Independent service garage.
These are often referred to on this site as "Indies" but Dreadlocks are an optional extra!

Good luck and enjoy

Hiya, welcome to the JEC

Welcome. I hope you enjoy your new car and you membership of the Club. Let us see a picture of your car in due course.

Welcome! The seal above the quarterlight can distort and then become caught when the hood is operated, accelerating the normal wear process. I recall replacing one of mine a few years ago. The seal simply unclipped and only took a few minutes to replace. What took longer was my recovery from paying the bill. The 10" strip of rubber cost something like £70! Mike.

Hi Medic 040
welcome to the club, you'll find it very welcoming on the forum but for further enhancement of the club do what I did. Join your local region section.
Although you don't say where you are, you will find one for your area.

Gordon

Er, medic040 - assume you mean an XK8..!
Michael

Hello Medic040.

Welcome to XK8 ownership, I hope it brings you as many silly grin moments as mine has done.

To answer a couple of queries;
Car cover, I have used a genuine Jaguar cover for some years, it is of very good quality and keeps most of the grime off the car.
The early ones are part number JLM 20120 (from a 1997 accessories catalogue) and the later ones are C2S 4480, was £163.94 inc VAT (from a 2003 accessories catalogue). That said since production of the X100 finished in May 2005 I'll be surprised if there are any new ones left.

For serviceing data, I recommend a JTIS disc, easily available on eBay.

Doug Barrass,
Ashford, Kent.

Thanks everyone for making me feel so welcome. Picking the car up next weekend so photos to follow !!

Thanks My Quest for spotting the error, not good for my first post !!

Thanks also for the advice about the trim I will start looking into it. We currently live in Warwickshire but are moving to Jersey in May hence the cabriolet.

Thanks again

Medic 040