xk8 v stag

[saintstag]

Hi all, anyone had any experience of the Jag xk8, they look quite tempting.....

[Guerpillon]

Just 26 years later, and even more when you drive them. In fact, 30 years gap

But, to be honest, Triumph moved then to V8 with the Stag 26 years ahead of Jaguar, that sticked to L6 and V12 till 1996.
And now, Porsche is downsizing to H4, prior getting electric.
What about an electric Stag ? Or a TR18 ?.

[MandM]

Hi all, anyone had any experience of the Jag xk8, they look quite tempting.....

I have been reading and looking at what is available , it seems early ones had engine troubles bores (pre 2001 ish) and chains, also rust in problem with bad rust to front floor a chassis at rear, from 2006 aluminium bodied cars with 4.2 seem to be the best, will keep looking, and learning.

[MandM]

I have been reading and looking at what is available , it seems early ones had engine troubles bores (pre 2001 ish) and chains, also rust in problem with bad rust to front floor a chassis at rear, from 2006 aluminium bodied cars with 4.2 seem to be the best, will keep looking, and learning.

Engines from 1996-2000 (vin 001036 to 042775) were fitted with Nikasil cylinder bore linings, some cars after August 2000 had Nikasil engines used to use up stocks.

Engines with numbers above 0008181043 have steel liners

[alpenmac]

Didn't realise that "socks" were that good in engines. Must have been those "HG Indestructible" ones!

[SaphireSpud]

Hello saintstag,
I've been running a 2005 XK8 convertible for just over 3 years! What do you need to know? What part of the country are you in?
I'll be glad to advise or respond to any particular queries. I've had my Stag for 9 years so comparisons can be made.
Regards, John.

[MandM]

Hello saintstag,
I've been running a 2005 XK8 convertible for just over 3 years! What do you need to know? What part of the country are you in?
I'll be glad to advise or respond to any particular queries. I've had my Stag for 9 years so comparisons can be made.
Regards, John.

Hi John i would be interest to hear what you think about your XK8, have had any problems?

Thanks
Martin

[John100]

I've got a 71 Stag for summer driving and an 06 XK for everyday use, no complaints and noting to answer your questions.... I just like talking about them :-)

[Guest]

XK8 drinks fuel and falls to bits with corrosion, there's lots gone for scrap.
No suprise, I banned them from my workshop.

Triumph moved then to V8 with the Stag 26 years ahead of Jaguar, that sticked to L6 and V12 till 1996.

Yes the Jaguar straight 6 was the best engine ever made in the UK.
Very economical and totally unbursteable.

FYI,-
The Jaguar V12 was always a central heating boiler, making more heat then actual work or power.
It was a real heavy, flexible oil leaking, POS, but Duckworth said from the beginning it would be a disaster, and could never work.
It took 30 yrs for Jaguar to realise he was right, (while Duckworth's company went from strength to strength, even making a F1 v12 engine which was fantastic)
The Jag v12 brought the company to the brink of bankrupcy, multiple times, only saved by the all alloy straight 6.

Have you ever seen the exhaust manifold on the XK8, it looks so bad it could have come from the 1920s.
In fact it makes the Stag one look like pure art work.

[SaphireSpud]

Hello Martin, my XK8 is a late model X100 so it has 4.2 engine and 6 speed autobox which are both preferable to the 4.0 and 5 speed of the earlier models. You can find plenty of reports of engine changes under warranty for the v.early models but this weakness of bore liners and timing chains should all be sorted by fitting the updated / newer spec parts (again, usually under warranty). Always ask for proof that this work has been carried out. My car, which I have owned since Aug 2013, had some electrical problems during my earlier days that were soon sorted by my local (Stag / BL) garage. There are so many electrical toys on the XK8 that sensors, relays and wiring faults do crop up from time to time. I've had wiring replaced and re-routed in the steering column (I now have the auto steering adjust turned off as continual movement up-and-down will bend and, with time, fracture wires) the driver's seat headrest auto-adjust mechanism modded (again, a common fault after some time) the centre consul is illuminated by many leds and I've had most of them replaced (early days for the use of leds) and just recently the exterior boot release button has ceased to function (yet again, a common problem and easily fixed. I would recommend joining the XKEC (XK Enthusiasts Club) as they are friendly, and knowledgeable, bunch with branches all over the place and an excellent website with forum. Using the forum, answers to problems usually arrive within minutes of posting the query. The XK8 is a different ball game from the Stag, press-button hydraulic roof and heated seats are two of the items that I, and my wife, miss with the Stag. Regarding fuel consumption, the Jag is much more economical than the Stag. Stag 20-25mpg at best but Jag will do only low 20's around town but over 30 mpg on a long run. We toured Scotland last year (and Land's End to John O' Groats) and managed 29.0 mpg over 2,752.6 miles. I was pleased with that but that was on mostly small roads and many fellow club members report fuel figures well into the late 30's. Hope this helps, anything specific then please ask. Regards, John.

[MandM]

Hello Martin, my XK8 is a late model X100 so it has 4.2 engine and 6 speed autobox which are both preferable to the 4.0 and 5 speed of the earlier models. You can find plenty of reports of engine changes under warranty for the v.early models but this weakness of bore liners and timing chains should all be sorted by fitting the updated / newer spec parts (again, usually under warranty). Always ask for proof that this work has been carried out. My car, which I have owned since Aug 2013, had some electrical problems during my earlier days that were soon sorted by my local (Stag / BL) garage. There are so many electrical toys on the XK8 that sensors, relays and wiring faults do crop up from time to time. I've had wiring replaced and re-routed in the steering column (I now have the auto steering adjust turned off as continual movement up-and-down will bend and, with time, fracture wires) the driver's seat headrest auto-adjust mechanism modded (again, a common fault after some time) the centre consul is illuminated by many leds and I've had most of them replaced (early days for the use of leds) and just recently the exterior boot release button has ceased to function (yet again, a common problem and easily fixed. I would recommend joining the XKEC (XK Enthusiasts Club) as they are friendly, and knowledgeable, bunch with branches all over the place and an excellent website with forum. Using the forum, answers to problems usually arrive within minutes of posting the query. The XK8 is a different ball game from the Stag, press-button hydraulic roof and heated seats are two of the items that I, and my wife, miss with the Stag. Regarding fuel consumption, the Jag is much more economical than the Stag. Stag 20-25mpg at best but Jag will do only low 20's around town but over 30 mpg on a long run. We toured Scotland last year (and Land's End to John O' Groats) and managed 29.0 mpg over 2,752.6 miles. I was pleased with that but that was on mostly small roads and many fellow club members report fuel figures well into the late 30's. Hope this helps, anything specific then please ask. Regards, John.

Thanks very much John for the insight, will looking very hard soon for car with history etc,in my price bracket , thanks again. Martin

[SaphireSpud]

Martin, I have two articles which may be of some help to you that were sent to me by the XKEC when I joined prior to purchase. "Points to Ponder" and "Test Drive" helped me to check out a car during the test drive. They are pdf articles and, if you send me a personal e-mail to (E-MAIL ADRESS REMOVED) I will send them both to you (as I'm sure the XKEC will do if you contact them). Regards, John.

[Guest]

Regarding fuel consumption, the Jag is much more economical than the Stag.

Stag 20-25mpg at best but Jag will do only low 20's around town but over 30 mpg on a long run... -many fellow club members report fuel figures well into the late 30's.

Sorry this is pure fantasy.
The Jaguar V8 guzzles fuel.
Also the diffs on the XK8 are well known for going wrong and getting really noisy after a mere 100 000kms....
+
If you have modern fuel injection on a STAG not some clapped out carbs it will EASILY be much more economical than the Jaguar.
You gotta compare like with like, and there's NO WAY in the world the Jaguar will ever be more economical.

Heated seats?
I have them on my Jaguar, and I never ever use them.

[STypeR]

If budget permits go for the XK with the 4.2 litre unit that came with the ZF 6 speed. A much less troublesome engine from the start and a later more refined design. The supercharged version is probably a better bet also as it was designed with lots more robust bits that the standard 4.2 engine; but both robust designs. The thermostat housing for example is plastic in the atmo 4.2 and the whole thing needs changing, not so for the SC - the SC version has forged aluminium pistons as compared to cast on the atmo and has special oil (cooling) jets under the pistons etc etc.
Trade off is more fuel consumption with the SC but it’s no pussy with around 400 horses. Also the 4.0 litre came with I think a Ford based 5 speed which can be troublesome. Not that the 6 speed ZF is perfect but it is a very good strong gearbox. The fluids/filters in that auto box need changing despite the 'sealed for life' BS.
The updated X150 if you can stretch it that far, also initially came with the later 4.2 etc. Light years ahead in looks and design and had a brand new platform with all new suspension - similar suspension to the same vintage S Types (not 1999 to 2002 S Type) and XJ and none of the (fairly ancient) XJS carry over; not that that was a bad design either.
Remember as in all modern cars these cars have lots of plastic and disposable/throw away parts that won’t last the distance unlike the way cars like the Stag were designed; Radiator, transmission sump etc. Hot-cold/hot-cold over the years means plastic cracks and fails. New rotors every so often and all the common issues of modern car ownership
Aside of the basic maintenance, unless you are hands on it can get very expensive to pay anyone - forget the Dealerships, they are in a cost world all of their own. Probably not a bad idea to pay the Dealer for an initial ‘assessment’ though and take it from there.
Imperative you join a forum or two. jaguarforums.com is another great forum also. And don’t let it put you off, these are very rewarding cars with future classic status and with not every second person driving one.

[SaphireSpud]

Wise words there from the Antipodes! I concur. Regards, John.