Ooops.... Now what ?

[Big Giant Head]

I've just bought a '98(R) XK8. Completely spontaneous decision.
It was a sunny day and it was shiny and beautiful, only had 11k on the clock and
the S-Type I traded in was beaten and ragged and on it's last legs so the XK cost me
ten grand on the credit card. Oooops.

So (and I can see there is some serious knowledge on this forum) - what now ?
What do I look for on the car that I should have looked for before I bought it ?

Everything seems fine on a 300 mile trip from B'Ham to Kendal and back.
It's smooth and deadly quiet at high speed (a bit of a shock coming from the 99 manual S-Type),
all the electrics work, the paint is immaculate and it seems that the one previous owner really did
just take it back and forth to the golf club - but it is 8 years old and has (I guess) the engine
that everyone warns against. It does have memory seats, auto dim mirrors, full stamped
up main dealer service history and 3 keys (one valet), four good tyres and the smell of a (nearly) new car.
It also does exactly what it's told when I put my foot down in a way the S-Type could never match !

I feel like I've scored a bargain here but it also feels a bit too good to be true.

All and any advice much appreciated.

Edited by Big Giant Head on Monday 19th June 01:18

Edited by Big Giant Head on Monday 19th June 01:53

Edited by Big Giant Head on Monday 19th June 01:53

Edited by Big Giant Head on Monday 19th June 01:54

Edited by Big Giant Head on Monday 19th June 01:54

[P700DEE]

Two choices either search this site for all the possible problems and frighten yourself or sit back and enjoy a beautiful car. You may have a perfect example that needs nothing doing to it and unless you start hearing funny noises there is nothing you need do.
One hint though, never start it and turn off the ignition before it has finished its warm up routine they have a nasty habit of flooding the engine making them hard to start even days later !

Want to meet more people who apreciate your XK pop along to the XK enthusiasts www.xkec.co.uk
Regards Richard

[gep]

From what i understand the problems were mainly caused by high sulphur content in fuel which eroded the nikasil bore lining? Thats now been removed from petrol

You could get a blow by test to give yourself peace of mind although at that mileage i wouldnt worry

Great car, good luck

[Phil Hopkins]

Hi BGH, if you let me have the chassis number i'll do a warranty check on the Jaguar network for you. This might give some indication as to whether it's had the engine replacement (though it's not always 100% that it's logged on there).

Phil.

[dr bob]

Hope you don't mind me asking BGH, but is the valet key what I think it is (basically a performance limiter)?

How cool is that? And also you'll never suffer from the MOT tester giving it a bit of a 'spirited' run as being discussed in GG this morning!

CH

Hope you enjoy it!

[Big Giant Head]

The valet key works with the valet button - you push the button and give the key to the guy
in the red jacket who's going to park your car at the Savoy :laugh
The valet button locks the boot and glove box and the key won't open them.
Don't know about performance limiter - bloody good idea though !

Thanks for everyone's comments.
The beast is an absolute joy so far and even at 8 years old still turns heads
around Edgbaston.

I'm thinking about putting an XKR grille on the nose - has anyone any experience
of this ? Is it as easy to do as the all the sellers of such kit say it is ?

[pwig]

Big Giant Head said:

I'm thinking about putting an XKR grille on the nose - has anyone any experience
of this ? Is it as easy to do as the all the sellers of such kit say it is ?

Yeah it's called

'Being a chav'


Have a listen to see if there is a rattle from the engine for a few seconds when cold.

[Big Giant Head]

Hmmmm...

I kinda know what you mean - but it has to be said that the simple mesh
grille just looks a lot better.
Seen this ?
www.chavelocity.com/