I'm looking at buying a 2008 XK (60k) so not a new member yet. Owning a 2000 XK8 has been educational. The 2003-2006 XK8's are generally pretty reliable if well maintained
but of course have quirks (like any Jag). Also increasingly hard to find. Is the X150 similar (or better) in reliability? Any standard issues to look out for? Green shower for instance. Trans should be serviced at 60k. Thanks

 

The 2008s are rock solid. Correct on the trans fluid. No green shower (my XK8 had one) in the X150s.
The plastic coolant pipes are a concern, as is a plugged duckbill drain for A/C condensation pooling. Battery voltage is something to watch for, a low battery can create all hell & damnation. It's easily rectified though.
Other than that, drive it 500,000 miles with proper maintenance and you'll do fine!

 

Sounds great. Recommend replacing pipes at 60k? Non DIY cost? Thanks for recommend on battery.
Still own the first gen XK8?

 

Every rubber coolant hose and suspension boot/bush is suspect due to age. It's a good idea to inspect those closely before you agree to a price. There are several threads on this forum and in the DIY stickies about them. They have great information even if you are not a DIYer.
When I bought my XKR, I set aside a budget for sorting the vehicle. After talking with my preferred indy mechanic, and being ignored by the dealership (300 miles away), I elected to do much of the work myself - including every hose I could access with the supercharger removed, complete rear suspension replacement, front toe links. I had my indy do spark plugs, injectors (cleaned), and also had trans fluid changed. My repair budget was $5K and it is gone, but those repairs covered 99% of the problems that I have read about on these forums, and I haven't had to do anything except an oil change in the last 4000 miles.

 

Bought a 2007 2.5 years ago have done little ,changed plugs, air filters,oil. Will have tranny fluid changed next year , just approaching 60000

 

Thanks for your feedback. All good suggests (especially the hoses). Worn front suspension is usually an issue. Asking is 16k and it's a private sale. It's been listed for months so plan to offer 14k. Plan is to drive and inspect carefully (using my now extensive XK8 repair experience). If it looks worth buying, have my indy inspect everything, put it on a lift, test drive, written report. Most Jag dealers don't have a clue on how to repair older XK's. Your list of repairs makes sense especially since it's an XKR. Glad to hear your car is running well.

 

CA Jag,
As many of us X150 owners, our X100 cars led us to the X150. I still own my beautiful 2002 XKR convertible, As you'll soon find out, outside of its looks, there is not a single other category to which it has any comparison to the X150 platform. NOT ONE! My 2002 has had every known repair ever mentioned on the X100 forum from the worst, broken tensioners and broken timing chain to transmission solenoids, ABS/Traction control warnings, airbag warnings, flickering dash lights, wheel bearings, the green shower (twice) and many, many more. Since I got my 2010 XKR eight years ago, I just can't stand driving the 2002 any longer. It jiggles like a bowl of jello (as it always has through 175,000 miles of driving), it's frightening on canyon twisties with any kind of speed, its ride is harsh and not dampened with anywhere near the refinement of the X150. It is still a classically beautiful design that wears its E-type heritage very well, but you will enjoy the absolute solidness of the X150 platform, its firm but much more refined ride, its power, and if you're tall you won't be hitting your keys with your knees anymore. But the most astounding thing you'll find is just how incredibly reliable they are if they've been well cared for, mostly meaning oil and coolant levels are kept constant, oil changes done religiously, and fully charged battery is always kept up. My 2010 has now passed 190,000 miles, still looks almost new, is still a taut pleasure to drive and look at everyday. And my car has not been babied, it's been to the track dozens of times. It's a workhorse. I test drove a 2007 for a forum member years ago, that had been neglected, and I recommended against him buying it because clearly the shocks were shot, the interior wasn't cared for nor, I suspect was the engine. Do yourself a favor and find a car where you see documented evidence of regular oil changes and service, and then you don't have to be afraid of a little higher mileage
car. These cars are meant to be driven and actually suffer more "maladies" if not driven regularly. Good luck with your search, you'll not be disappointed once you get a nice example. I still have my 2002 because with a 175,000 on it, even though it's in wonderful condition, it's probably worth only $4-5000.00, and I don't need $4000 so badly that I can't keep it around and drive it with the top down on nice spring days.

 

Tberg - both gorgeous cars. It's great to see the two together and compare. Red really is a kick *** color for an X100. Thanks for the useful comments. No twisties yet on my project X100 because I can't. It finally runs well (quick start, super smooth idle, quiet growl, strong acceleration) but still needs front suspension redone, better tires, rear shocks, dashboard rattle fixed, 2nd ATF change, maybe battery and whatever other problems that will arise. I can do all that or just buy a well maintained second gen X100 or X150 and go drive. Maybe keep the X100 to drive 1x/month altho it's a love/hate relationship at this point. Well it's unique to own a car that gets compliments and reactions every time I drive. One guy in the next lane over at a stop sign rolled down his window and said that he'd always wanted to own one. I really did seriously consider giving him the keys and walking home. Not many cars get this kind of response (or level of owner frustration).

My X100 purchase was the weirdest car transaction I've ever done (and I've bought many cars). I NEVER buy undrivable cars without service records and inspects. I interview the owners (who live in the right zip code). Inspect carefully. I made the BIG mistake of starting w/ a first gen "rescue car". Saw it on Craig's and bought the same day. Love at sight. The rare color perfect paint (10/10). Seller was an attractive well dressed lady in dark glasses. Wouldn't answer my questions. Met me driving a late model BMW. She had to walk down the road and get the Jag out of storage. I'm not making this story up. It barely made the short drive back but hey, asking seemed like bargain. Limp mode but figured it wouldn't be that hard to fix. Yeah right. Purchase took place on the side of a busy CA freeway. Four hour wait to get it towed home. Figured all the colored lights on the dash would look great when I parked the car on the front lawn for Xmas. My wife is never going to let me forget how much time and money this car has cost. It's going to take a kitchen remodel to keep her quiet. Upside is that I've discovered what cool cars Jags are.

Based on your comments (and others in here), I am really looking forward to test driving the 2008 XK on Friday. Only 60k miles, older owner, nice part of town, full service records (looks like it's been well maintained). Meeting at his office. Just turn the key and enjoy driving a classic Jag 'vert. Really? Hard to imagine. Maybe no code reader, jumper cables, free AAA tows, high balance credit card and cell to monitor temp/volts.

Thanks everyone for all the useful comments and feedback. Unlike the X100, doing my homework this time.

 

Here in little Denmark, I'm in a Jag club, and I see regurlarly 3-4 members with X100s and 4-5 members with X150s. The X100s constantly have problems, the X150s very rarely. If the X100s only drove when nothing was wrong, they would never drive anywhere.
I would today never buy an X100, but I'd be happy to buy another X150...

 

Drove an 08 XK. Car looks, drives and sound good. Nice growl, tight shifting, light steering, handles well. Asking is 16.5. How long does the CATS typically last? Easy disconnect if I want to convert to gas Bilsteins when the time comes? Carfax isn't that great. Too many owners but sold 3X at the same MBZ dealer in Van Nuys. 1 year ownership each time. All drove less than 5k year. Weird. Seller has owned for 3 years (12k) and great service history. Has 60k miles. Possible 15.7 to buy

 

Don't confuse XK CATS with XJ CATS. There's no air suspension. OEM are Bilstein monotubes. You probably know this but want to make sure you don't confuse the two. I don't think I've read of a CATS failure but I may be misunderstanding your question altogether.

 

Thanks for the details. Still new to the X150. Are the shocks (and control module, etc) pretty reliable or do they typically fail at some point? LOL looking at the car like it's an X100 and budgeting for repairs. I'm sure how hard the car is driven and location both factor in. The 08 I drove was great. Only X150 I've driven so far. I haven't driven a non CATS equipped car so don't know the difference. The newer Jag's may not have the "classic" look but starting to understand just how good these cars are.

 

different car with 06 str but same cats system. 160,000+ miles and no troubles if that helps. Not even s sweat of oil. I did replace the lower shock bushings and top mounts myself. A non diy price i could not tell you labor but parts were about 250.00 my cost.

 

Don’t recall reading about any module failures in the X150 CATS systems, however dampers within the struts occasionally fail, as happened with my right front about four years ago. Replace with an appropriate damper, and you’re good to go (just don’t make the mistake of using the wrong version like I did, as the dampers for the 5.0L cars won’t work in the 4.2L cars ).

 

Thanks. Useful info. How much was the damper? Radiance is one of the great colors for this car

 

I bought used ones (actually whole struts) on eBay for about $120 each.
I’ve only ever owned red cars, and Radiance is beautiful. However, if I’d known about Emerald Fire before I made my purchase, I may have been tempted that green beauty.