I bought mine with the gearbox down which turned into a nightmare of a job because I then found out the engine had a knock, some searching and a lot of luck found me a 2001 engine and gearbox which me and a friend fitted, he is a very competent mechanic who had never worked on a Jaguar V8 before, neither had I.

between the two of us and some very grateful help from this forum we swapped both, change all the tensioners, water pump and thermostat housing and got it running.

I love it to bits and never intend to part with it, they're only expensive to maintain if you go to Jaguar for the parts, spurious parts and ebay is the way to go if you're on a budget.
All told it stands me at £4,300

 

Went and bought a 99 XK8 Convert with 95K on it. Traded the 98
Mustang Cobra even for it. Now comes what needs to be done and what the
dealer (Cadillac) said he would do.
1-replace the ant cause it doesn't go all the way down.
2-Cut me a new Key and program it, Jaguar dealer tried it this afternoon
and the key fits and turns, but won't start the car. Appointment for Tues
to take care of that.

Now for what has happened since I got it home!
1-Went for a ride with the Wife (1st time, trying to impress her with my
taste in class which is alittle late. Been married 48 yrs to her) LOL
'Got the Stability Control Failure (ABS).
2-Pass Seat back rest switch inop. Wife had to sit in the car all most
in reclining position. (She ain't happy about that). Also the Lumbar switch is
broken.
3-Pass window switch works up/dwn at pass side but only goes dwn
from drivers side. Won't go up.
4-Ash try cover inop won'yt go down or up. Have to move it by hand, Feels like its off track or something.

Now for some good news!
I looked in the folder in the glove compartment and found a bunch of
invoices from previous owner with his phone nr.
Most of the invoices where for micky mouse stuff, but I called him
and found out he had a friend that was a jaguar Mech change out the
Tensioners and the Water Housing and pump. at 90K. He said abut
2-3 Months ago.
I guess I lucked out some what.
Car is black (they called it mid-night metal flake Blue) I call it Black,
with a black top and cream interior. Drive nice, but I'll see how I feel
after I get the bill for fixing the about items.
Now I think I will go do some research on the Stability Control Failure on
the forum here.
Talk to you guys later..

 

Welcome aboard!

All the issues identified are common problems. Why not try using the forum to research and fix them yourself? The dealer/independent will cost a lot.

 

Feel fortunate that the Tensioner repair was done. That is the BIGGIE!!!

 

The antenna mast is an easy replacement if the plastic gear hasn't been broken.

 

I don't think the gear is broken cause it goes up and down just not all
the way down. Looks like the very bottom of the mast was crimped
a little, any way the dealere said they would replace that.

I am going to put the car up on ramps in the morning and clean the
front ABS sensors, I hope thats all it need. I turn the car on tonight
and the light didn't come back on but that doesn't mean it won't
once I drive it a bit. We''ll see...

 

congratulations ago, I suppose I could change your original title from 'no thanks' to 'sure, I'll take one please'.

 

Good luck,

Looks like you have a few things to fiddle with.
Approach them with humor and patience, you will be happy!
If something comes up with a heavy price there is often a work around.

The support is here when you need it.

Regards,
Steven (1avguy)

 

Took the car to Ford dealer, cause I don't have ramps and its raining.
Just to clean the ABS sensors. On the lift I showed him where they where,
He removed the sensor and cleaned the sensor with a rag with cleaner
on it. Did all 4 wheels. They where dirty. Real dirty on the front.
I had the Stability Failure light with the ABS light on yesterday. Parked
the car all night. Started it this morning drove approx 10 miles with out
a msg. After the cleaning service and before he started the car the
ABS light stayed on and when he started it the failure msg came up.
He parked it I paid and when I started it they same all the way home.
I just got the car yesterday and the Cadiliac dealer I bought it from game
me a 50/50 3 day warranty on it. I am gonna talk to him before I decide
to tackle the job of taking the ECU out and cutting it open and re-soldering
the terminals. I am going on vacation the mid of Oct from Florida to
MD and NH but driving the SUV, so if the dealer won't do the job I will
wait till I get back in Nov and tackle the job myself.

 

Okay continuing saga with this "Stability Control Failure" "ABS"111 LOL
I said earlier that I had the sensors cleaned, but the light and msg came
on after car was lowered and drove home with msg on. Left the car sit for
about and hour, just went out and started the car and no light!
I can't understand this thing. I am wondering if I have to have the codes
cleared with a scanner for the light to stay off?
Any help?

 

agoguen,

Someone else here will likely confirm but I think codes will clear themselves after a number of start stop cycles with no problem reporting back from sensor, (I think six). You may have solved problem and code has cleared.

Steven (1avguy)

 

Nope the problem still with me!!! I noticed though that when I drive the
car in the morning and the eng compartment is cool no msg or ABS light. But
once the eng compartment gets hot like 20 mins and then slow driving
and idling all of a sudden the fault returns. I believe its heat related and
its the ECU cold solder joints that expand when they get hot causing
an open condition. I get that fixed soon! I got other issues to
take care of first, at least I can drive the car without ABS.