Jaguar XK8 B.E.S.T. Buyers guide. How to check & avoid the most expensive problem area V163 XKR X100 

Ben, thank you for your positive feedback and good luck with your new car. We are running an XK8 quiz at the moment you might want to participate. One question per day during advent. Prize draw if you answer all 25 questions, regards Damian

Simon, thanks for the feedback. How was the car you went to see? Regards Damian

@@ODRModurol Hi Damian, It was a mixed bag - I found a 2003 4.2 XK8 as a Cat N write-off with very mild frontal damage, and an unsightly but easily repairable dent in the N/S rear wing. It was a very nice 2 owner low milage example (72k miles) prior to the incident so I hoped it would be worth repairing. When I saw it in person, it was almost as good as it looked in the advert, with only a bit of additional corrosion in the sill ends which needed attention before it got any worse. It looked to be in very sound mechanical condition and all the electrics worked fine, even the A/C. I was pleased to see that the black leather interior was more or less unmarked and a recent new headlining was pleasing to see. I settled on a deal at £2750 and will pick it up this week, all being well, just as soon as I can source a replacement front passenger side headlamp. I'm going to chronicle its rebuild on my channel so you'll hopefully soon see what I've got myself into! Happy Jagging for now...

Simon, Sounds very interesting and a good deal. Subscribed to your channel and looking forward to see how you get on, regards Damian

Rick, thanks for the feedback, much appreciated, regards Damian

Garth, what a great idea. Can’t image where, please could you send us photo (Oanddr@gmail.com). Much appreciated, regards Damian

Isaac, thank you for the compliment, hope you find it useful, regards Damian

Nick, no problem. Thanks for the feedback, regards Damian

Bruce, nice one. Probably the best policy is to buy a car with most of the issues fixed. Like you say then they are quite reliable. Thanks for the feedback, regards Damian

Gerard, thanks for the feedback. Good question I wonder too, regards Damian

Thank you very much for your comment, regards Damian

Alfy, Thanks for your comment. Good luck with your search, lots to choose from, regards Damian, PS do get the book, will be money well spent.

DisAstra, Glad the video helped you start your ownership journey with an XK8. Lots to like about this Jaguar. Much appreciate the feedback, regards Damian

@@ODRModurol I love it, looks great sounds amazing and is a comfy place to be, plus it handles really well for its size. My only issue is that I dnt think the xk8 has enough grunt. Love the torque but it lacks the horsepower to really stretch its legs

@DisAstra-qx9gq, plenty of grunt but restricted by the gearbox, that’s my theory. Hence my manual transmission project. At some point will know one way or the other, regards Damian

@ODRModurol Manual box will definitely imrove the engine response. The auto in the xk is a typical 90s box tho, takes an eternity to drop a gear then even longer to realise you want to drop 2 gears. Imo the v8 lacks a bit of power because ford owned Aston Martin at the same time. If the xk8 had 30-40bhp more, then people would have the xk8 instead of the base model db7. By the time the xkr was released (1998) Aston were putting v12's in the db7 n got rid of the supercharged 6cylinder. Best of luck with the manual conversion, I will be watching the channel to see how it's going.

Joe, good luck with your search. They are old cars now but most things can be repaired. It's just about knowing what you are buying and paying to right price. Hope you find one you are happy with, regards Damian

DruMcDoo, thanks for the info and input. Good points, much appreciated, Damian

Victor, thank you for the suggestion👍, regards Damian

22Royston, OK might try a test drive video. Thanks for the idea much appreciated regards Damian

Gary, very jealous of the weather in California especially with respect to rust. Thanks for the compliment about the shirt, limited edition 😉👍, regards Damian

Thank you for your feedback and kind words. X100 and X150 are quite different cars fulfilling the same brief. If you not looking to work on the cars yourself would recommend trying to find a 4.2 litre version of the X100 with good body work. Good luck with your search, regards Damian

Gary, great tips as always. Excuse my ignorance but what’s LSM, regards Damian

@@ODRModurol Linear Switch Module.

Gary, cheers it’s always an education, regards Damian

@@ODRModurol You need to reread my XK8 Bible.😁

Gary, correct, apologies Damian

Dave, There is a used one 'GJE4563AB' (passgr RHD) for sale at AutoReserveJaguar.com for £127.17 plus shipping. Link at the bottom. Before going this expense might suggest double checking the wiring harness is OK. They can get caught and damaged under the seat. Hope this helps, regards Damian www.autoreservejaguar.com/xk8-xkr-2000-2006-passenger-seat-occupancy-sensor-rhd.html

Callum, I used something similar. I used the Rustbuster chassis kit, regards Damian

Callum how did you get on with it? I have just bought one and want to do the same

James, there are lots of aftermarket parts available for these cars, including polyurethane bushes. In my experience its safer to replace with OEM-standard parts. The cars are now 20 years old and new std rubber really makes a big difference. Check out SNG Barratt they offer OEM and OEM standard parts. Hope that helps, regards Damian

Yes I changed ours at 20 k miles

Sakura,doesn’t sound like a battery issue probably the gearbox is developing a problem with the clutch plates (the A drum, my guess). Is your car the later 4.2 litre 6 speed or 4.0 litre 5 speed version? Later 6 speed is generally more reliable. Has it had a oil change? Regards Damian

@@ODRModurol Hi its a 2004 4.2. Its had an oil change by a garage not so long ago i saw the receipt in the history. Perhaps its a problem with the oil level not filled properly but I agree that it seems more like a clutch type issue

If its the A drum does that mean complete gearbox replacement?

Service docs reads ZF6HP6 automotive trans. Oil pump,filter assy and muchatron sleeve

ZF6HP26

@hakobhakob8138, thanks for the question. Not easy to explain so made this short video to show you. See the link below. Basically on the end of the RHS fuel rail (throttle body end) will need to remove the engine cover to see it. Hope that helps, regards Damian ru-vid.comQS9_LSXvkt0?feature=share

Thank you very match, helpful like always 👍

@hakobhakob8138, no problem, hope it helps, regards Damian

Michael, thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. Double checked the sound level and it’s quite good. Might want to check your sound settings, regards Damian

@@ODRModurol My settings are good. Whilst watching this video and the adverts came one they were very loud.

Michael, ok will check again to see what’s going on, regards Damian

Roger, thank you for your input agreed the XK8 is similar to most cars of that generation but don’t forget to do your research about the specific model. Lots of good advice available, regards Damian

Derek, correct you need to time the engine using clamps over the cam lobes and a pin in the drive plate. Plastic tensioners where is weak spot but now sorted on must cars now. Sorry you had a bad experience. LS swop might be a safer bet. Thanks for the input, regards Damian

Buying one with the metal timing tensioners seems to be most important on these old Jags. Following you closely in the U.S. Damian, your great video series is giving me confidence.

Soothsayer, it will definitely save you a lot of money and less to worry about, regards Damian