Buying an XK

[ianoliver57]

Hi All, I am thinking of buying an older XK 4.2, probably of 2000 - 2004 with, say 100k on the clock. Are there any particular pitfalls or specific problems I should be aware of / look out for, with this model / age / mileage?

Any advice appreciated.

Regards

Ian.

[PTR200Jag]

Hi Ian,
I am not an expert in this marque as it is very new to me but I can tell you now that, for me in my search, rust was the biggest hassle!! Suspension mounts and rear arches plus front floor / plates....

I, like you, looked for an older model and viewed 17 in total varying from the 1999 4 litre to the late 2002 4.2 litre version in coupe format... Are you looking coupe or convertible?

I looked for around the 80k miles mark to fit in with my budget but it does seem that more miles drops the price considerably rather than the year.. this may be due to potential gearbox /diff problems beyond 100k although there seems to be a lot of cars that have gone far beyond that without major headaches in that department.

It took me in the region of 12 months to find the "right" car but even now there are things wrong that I missed

I am very new at this model and there are far more knowledgeable people on this forum who should be along shortly with a list of specifics to look for !!

[raysearles]

Certainly PTR is right about watch out for rust; we have just spent best part of £2k having the repairs done to floor, inner sills and WHY by XJK at Stoke-on-Trent; there are some well known rust traps underneath, well worth paying for an expert to look underneath on a ramp before you finalise any purchase IMHO.

[mike020150]

Buying any steel car of 10 years plus from any manufacturer requires careful examination for rust. The reality is that car manufacturers do not produce long life cars and it's unlikely they ever will!
The X100 is no better, no worse, than any other models and is a lot better than its illustrious forebears. In practice, the main problem is that X100 outer panels survive better than those in less obvious areas and therefore the cars can still look extremely attractive whilst harbouring corrosion out of sight.
Mechanical problems can usually be put right at a sensible cost even if that means resorting to second hand components. Consequently, my advice when looking for an X100 is to check underneath and, if possible, behind the wheel arch liners first. Then, move towards thinking about mechanical defects.
With Nikasil and water pump/thermostat issues largely behind us, typical mechanical problem areas centre on VVT units, gearboxes that have not had oil changes and wear in all of the suspension components including the wishbone pivots where they pass through the front subframe. Replacing odd bushes is not that expensive but any Jaguar is heavy and has a lot of them. If, by now, there isn't maintenance evidence of suspension work on practically any X100 that comes up for sale, I would be extremely wary of buying a car which may not have been well maintained. Oh, and don't forget that X100s with failing (not failed) batteries will give rise to all sorts of spurious electrical faults so budget for a new battery if, on a car for sale, there are any signs of electrical faults. Mike.

[ianoliver57]

Many thanks to all who replied. Just goes to show the value of JEC online forum pages. It's very useful to be able to 'tap into' the knowledge and previous experiences of other members.
Interesting that rust seems to be the main concern. I had noticed several ads which noted gearbox replacements at around 80k and was thinking that was the main problem!
Looking at 17 cars is not really an option for me as I live in Argyll and most XK's advertised seem to be in 'the deep south'.! Too far to travel just to view.
Think I'll need to review the 'wish list' and perhaps keep the cash in the bank until I can afford a newer one!

Thanks for all the advice and help.

Regards, Ian.

[daveji]

If I were you I would keep an eye on the Classifieds in the Jaguar Enthusiast and look for a car from a member. They tend to be better cared for than most and many have anti-rust treatments applied before the metal worm got into the car.
XK8 are quite well protected from rust and the few weak spots can be handled by timely treatment.
Early gearbox failure can be avoided by proper maintenance......it is not an inevitable "weakness".With any complex car proper maintenance is key........and anyone buying
one of these without confirming the service history is asking for trouble.
The Club can arrange a professional inspection for you on any car which can save much trouble
and worry.
Remember the trade knows what these cars are worth and bargains are as rare as hens teeth.
I followed buying advice from Nigel Thorley in his excellent book "You and your XK8"....available from the Club....which I regard as "required reading" for any prospective XK8 owner.
Above all.....take your time...do your homework......set your budget....and buy the very best car you can afford.........never ever the cheapest you can find.

Best Regards
David

[Rictus]

Ian, don't be put off by the rust issue. All cars rust at some point and with the XK8 there are a few notable places but they can all be sorted. As David recommends, look to buy a car from an enthusiast who will have a full service history and details of any work done. That way you can do much of the homework before travelling to view.

When you do find a possible candidate why not ask for help from members local to the car for sale, who could take a preliminary look on your behalf. After all most members would welcome the chance to drive someone else's XK8. They are great cars and good ones are out there

Peter

[ianoliver57]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I was half thinking of trading the XF R Sport for a 2010 XKR at my local dealers. 24,000 on the clock with full dealer service history. Not sure if I'll be able to afford it. Tomorrow will tell. If I can, I'll go for it but if not, think I'll leave it for a bit and look again later.

Thanks for the help and I'll let you all know what happens. Watch this space!

Regards

Ian.

[daveji]

Ian
A car like that,from a Main Dealer with a Jaguar "Approved" warranty is as near risk free as can be got.
Both of mine were that spec.....and I have never regretted buying either.
Jaguar's requirements from a Dealer before putting an Approved warranty on a used Jaguar are very strict, and the financial penalties on a Dealer for picking a "wrong un" can be severe.
Consequently Jaguar Main Dealers only put an "Approved" warranty on the very best cars.
The lower grade Jaguar warranty used to be called "Select"....still good cars.....but not the best.
"Approved" warranty cars can be a bit pricey.....so drive a hard bargain ! and make sure the dealer provides all the warranty features......a buyer pays for them in the end.
Good luck !

David

[Rictus]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I was half thinking of trading the XF R Sport for a 2010 XKR at my local dealers. 24,000 on the clock with full dealer service history. Not sure if I'll be able to afford it. Tomorrow will tell. If I can, I'll go for it but if not, think I'll leave it for a bit and look again later.

Thanks for the help and I'll let you all know what happens. Watch this space!

Regards

Ian.

I can see why you're tempted by that prospect Ian

To be honest if you can live without the extra seats then a 2010 XKR is probably the best use for anyone's money

I assumed your original idea was rather along the same lines as that chosen by myself and many members - have the style of a Jaguar in the sensible package of the XF and have a bit of weekend fun in the form of an XK8/R. I have to say I find it a winning combination and thoroughly recommend it. And I'm not just saying that because I'm the XF Forum Coordinator and want you to stay in the fold

At the end of the day both options are very inviting...

Peter

[PTR200Jag]

My apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread but here are some more of my rusty thoughts....

I thought I would add, that, in my experience in buying a lot of cars, and motorcycles, over the years is that a lot of time spent researching particular models for their Achilles heel pays dividends in the end.

Whilst it is not always possible to examine EVERYTHING on the vehicle at the purchase point, some time spent in discussion with the previous owners reveals a lot of information about the care of the vehicle.

Although I went to see 17 XK8 before I found the "right" one they did vary in quality quite substantially. There were some that were out and out rust buckets, some that needed mechanical help but minimal rust, some that were a possible contender but needed tlc.

To put the rust concern into focus it very much seems to be that a fastidious owner has stemmed the problem rather than Jaguar, or any other manufacturer for that matter, being better protected from the factory than most.

I have seen, and had, rust free Civics, CRX, Accords, Preludes, Micras, all built in Japan in the nineties and still twenty years down the line virtually rust free and yet had Civic and Micras built here in this country since the turn of the century, turn to rust before my eyes. Rust bucket Minis have been countered by really good Minis looked after by their owners

On the other hand I have had recently access to a Ford Fiesta 1.4, 2002 model and with just a minor speck of rust on the rear sills but standing next to a Citroen built in 2006 that was falling apart from the red plague.

I currently have a Honda S2000 sat in the garage from 2003 with a minor rust bubble on the rear arch, but only one and no other rust anywhere else yet a Honda V6 Legend Coupe, from the nineties again, was a rust bucket and that was a £35k car when new in 1994. (equivalent cost now?)
My mate had a £45k BMW built 2001... totally wreck yet my next door neighbour has one too that is looked after... no apparent rust.
One thing for sure is that paying big money for a car does not guarantee you an easy rust free life! neither does a "one owner" car having seen a 1999 XK8 "one owner car" I thought it would be immaculate. Not a bit of it, dented, rusted through,filthy, you can guess what I did, walked away.

So it appears that a previous poster is probably right, find one that has been looked after, maybe from a JEC member, or certainly one that has had some time with an owner whom has probably sorted most of the problems for you!

I will put my flack jacket and helmet on now

[ianoliver57]

Wow, bet you feel better getting that off your chest!!??
Seriously, I have to agree with everything you said. I've had similar experiences myself. As I see it, I have 3 options;
1) When in doubt, do nothing. That seems to be the safest option, but not one I'm likely to follow.
2) Trade in the XFR Sport for an XKR. I have to ask myself, do I really want to trade an 11 month old XFR Sport, with 5300 on the clock and 2 years of warranty, for a five year old car with 24,000 on the clock. Kind of seems like a backward step?.
3) Find a decent 'old' one and have it as a fun, weekend, additional car and keep the XF. Looks like the best option to me.
Now............ all I need to do ......... find a decent XK8!

There is a 2000 model in the JEC classifieds which looks good and I may make some further enquires. The suggestion of having someone more local have a look sounds like a good idea. It's not really practical to head for south of England just to have a look.
We shall see. Oh, and some day, I must mention all this to my wife!

Regards

Ian.

[PTR200Jag]

Wow, bet you feel better getting that off your chest!!??
Seriously, I have to agree with everything you said. I've had similar experiences myself. As I see it, I have 3 options;
1) When in doubt, do nothing. That seems to be the safest option, but not one I'm likely to follow.
2) Trade in the XFR Sport for an XKR. I have to ask myself, do I really want to trade an 11 month old XFR Sport, with 5300 on the clock and 2 years of warranty, for a five year old car with 24,000 on the clock. Kind of seems like a backward step?.
3) Find a decent 'old' one and have it as a fun, weekend, additional car and keep the XF. Looks like the best option to me.
Now............ all I need to do ......... find a decent XK8!

There is a 2000 model in the JEC classifieds which looks good and I may make some further enquires. The suggestion of having someone more local have a look sounds like a good idea. It's not really practical to head for south of England just to have a look.
We shall see. Oh, and some day, I must mention all this to my wife!

Regards

Ian.

Yep I am with you on option three !! mine was also bought on that basis.... I also mentioned to the wife, in passing, that I might get one seemed safer that way

and as that was your original idea it still seems good to me

Worth following up the JEC classified one, certainly.... I ended up going a little newer to try and move out of the rust zone/mileage/nikasil situation and got a 2002 4 litre but another couple of months further on registration wise would have got me a 4.2 version.

This also keeps to the lower taxation zone too, 2005-6 models get the higher road tax? i think.?

[JONNJAGS59]

Sorry to hijack the thread...but naively I assumed all of the 4.0 XJ8/XK8/XKR models 96-02, up to when the 4.2 appeared suffered the Nikasil issues aand plastic tensioners. Were there 4.0 engined cars from a specific date not affected?

I know most from that era should have been sorted now, especially as they're still running!

Rust is a whole different issue.

Cheers,

Jon

[aaj]

For XK8/R (I don't know about XJ/S Type) Models

Nikasil Engines: Engine Numbers prior to 000818xxxxxx

1st XK's with 4.2 Type Tensioners & chains Engine Numbers from 0108130000

If I had an Engine close to 0108130000 I would do a visual check (Removal of the LHS Cam Cover is easiest) to see what Tensioners were fitted as running on the Plastic Tensioners doesn't bear thinking about!)

All 4.0 XK8's had the Water Pump that needed changing (As far as I'm aware, the 4.2 one was never fitted to the 4.0 Engine at the factory)

AllanJ