2nd hand Jag XK8
Discussion
smilerbaker said:
Seriously tempted to get a 2nd hand XK8 (not convertable) one of the first ed ones which imho look so much better then the new ones. there seem to be loads around the 10k mark. What should I look out for, what problems etc etc
Ta
Ta
If you search back in this forum you should be able to find a article describing the potential issues with the early V8 engines.
An AWFUL lot of them have been clocked if outside the dealer network, even private ones. Be thorough about checking the history side of things, especially if they have had 3 owners or more.
A friend runs a jag dealers & they have a massive problem with them, "almost" everyone that comes in for px has had some dubious history if its been outside the dealer network. It would seem that these cars appeal to dodgy traders as they wear miles well, are dead easy to clock with big profits involved & it would seem the buyers are a little less cautious than others. Call the local jag dealers with the chassis vin number & they'll run it through the computer (implying you want it serviced by them etc) to reveal any service data, they "might" tell you if something is fishy, though I beleive they are not entitled to, so ask nicely.
Check if the leather is original, many will have had the connolising re-done (read resprayed) and a throrough look will reveal this, check the seams & stuff for overspray or peeling at the edges.
Otherwise they are pretty bombproof by all accounts.
A friend runs a jag dealers & they have a massive problem with them, "almost" everyone that comes in for px has had some dubious history if its been outside the dealer network. It would seem that these cars appeal to dodgy traders as they wear miles well, are dead easy to clock with big profits involved & it would seem the buyers are a little less cautious than others. Call the local jag dealers with the chassis vin number & they'll run it through the computer (implying you want it serviced by them etc) to reveal any service data, they "might" tell you if something is fishy, though I beleive they are not entitled to, so ask nicely.
Check if the leather is original, many will have had the connolising re-done (read resprayed) and a throrough look will reveal this, check the seams & stuff for overspray or peeling at the edges.
Otherwise they are pretty bombproof by all accounts.
smilerbaker said:
Thanks for that, whats the pro's and con's regarding hard / soft top with them? I really need rear a rear seat for my son, but as he is only 7 and average height will he fit into the convertable ok? or is there no space at all in the back?
Cheers
Cheers
I looked at a convertible, but like you have kids. I don't think I could have driven one with my eldest, who was 6 then, sitting behind me.
Now the situation is worse because the new safety regs demand that any child under 14years and under 135cm must be sitting in a type approved booster seat. So you have to try and find one that will even fit in the back of an XK.
Nikasil, was a new way of building the linings for cylinders. Take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikasil
The problem was that it dissolved in high sulfur petrol. Much to BMW and Jaguar and ... embarrassment.
smilerbaker said:
OK now a little concerned! didn't think we had low quality pertol in the uk? how do you tell if the car has a problem?
We don't any more. It's been banned. But was on sale upto about 2000 IIRC.
Search back in this forum and there is an excellent buyers guide that covers the problem. The Jag V8 is installed into the XJ8 and S-Type as well as the XK8. Sorry I can't remember what the article was called or who posted it.
It is not just an issue for Jaguars.
I'm sure someone will come along and point you at the XK8 owners club, there are usually loads of them on here, I'm sure one will come along with some advise soon.
A lot of the effected engines have been changed by Jaguar under warrantee. If not there is a "blow test" which is used to check whether there is an issue effecting a particular car.
smilerbaker said:
OK now a little concerned! didn't think we had low quality pertol in the uk? how do you tell if the car has a problem?
You may notice in ads many pre 2001 cars will be re-engined, if done it should have been by an approved Jaguar dealer.
So you have a choice an original engined car, may never have suffered nicasil problems or they may be just a few miles down the road. A re-engined car is likely to have the V8 with steel linings and won't suffer the death rattle. But the XK is a car that you must get the full history of, pre tensioners are another achiles heel, i believe Jaguar are on their 3rd design of this component since the XK8 was launched, check if the car has had these replaced with a more modern component. Remember early xk's are now 11 years old and 10k may seem a bargain, but if anything goes major on these cars £££££ and the car could cost you as nearly as much to repair as you paid, by as late a model as possible.
a8hex said:
[I'm sure someone will come along and point you at the XK8 owners club, there are usually loads of them on here, I'm sure one will come along with some advise soon.
Owners club can be found on www.xkec.co.uk
Loads of info on Members Forum, some good get to gethers as well.
Re Nokasil, most engines have now been changed, if they had not suffered should be OK now. You can always ask for the engine to be giver a 'Blow by' test at the local dealer.
I've had my '97 (R) XK8 for two years now and although I had to change the tensioners/water pump and thermostat the engine is running as sweet as ever. Asked Jag main dealer to do a blow by and they refused saying that since the engine is now 9 years old and had 75K on it there is not much point as if it was going to go it would have done so by now. Since all fuels are low sulpher these days there is little to worry about nikasil linings.
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