I'm considering buying a 2000 XK8 Coupe with factory Navigation. The seller (a dealer but not a Jaguar dealer) states that it has every option available for that year. The car has 77k miles on it and I'm going to have it inspected. What should I look for? Also, I'd like to add bluetooth and XM radio. Is this possible with the factory head unit or will I need an aftermarket head unit. I'd like to keep is as close to stock looking as possible. Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Mark

 

im also on the lookout for an XKR or an XJ8...you need to ook out for the following things
Interior
Operate all controls in the vehicle and verify they are functioning in every way.
Check all exterior lights.
Check Operation of Mirrors
Operate Air Conditioning and verify outlet temp.
Check all Seat Heaters Front and Rear.
Check Armrest Cupholder and verify it’s not broken.
Operate Wiper and Washer. Check for smooth operation and even delay time. Erratic Operation is a problem to watch for.
Check Headliner. Make sure fabric is not separating.
Check condition of all wood trim. Some clearcoat cracks are normal. Split wood is another issue.
Check condition of seating surfaces
Verify function of power seats and lumbar support.
Verify that both keys start the car.
Check the function of both remotes.
Verify the radio unlock code is known.
Verify function of CD player
Turn up the volume and listen for bad speakers.
Verify the clock works and keeps time.

Exterior
Check all painted surfaces and look for inconsistencies in gaps and paint.
Check body panels and note all damage.
Check condition of windshield.
Check Door Jambs for evidence of paint overspray.
Check everybody panel for the factory Jaguar VIN tag. Verify last 4 digits. The hood, decklid, doors and bumper beams will have tags if the panels are original.

Underhood
Let Owner know the car must be Stone Cold when you get there. You want to do a cold start and check for Valvetrain Noise. Verify temp of engine, then start. If it rattles it needs Timing Chain Tensioners.
Once cold started turn around immediately and verify it did not spew a cloud of blue smoke.
Remove Oil Cap and Dipstick to look for sludge buildup. Peer down in valve cover and look at the valvetrain. Is it clean or a carmel brown? Any sludge?
Check Valve Cover Breather Hoses and look for sludge inside or if it’s full of oil.
Remove the Intake Air Inlet Hose and look for sludge or if it’s dripping with oil.
Check throttle body for buildup of sludge.
Check MAF for buildup of sludge.
Check Air Filter for evidence of oil.
For a Nicasil Engine check for Blow By. (Remove oil cap on warm running engine and look for excessive oil vapor or moisture)
Verify Water Pump has been replaced.
Verify Thermostat Housing is Aluminum
Verify Thermostat has been replaced.
Look for Gasket Leaks
Verify Timing Tensioners have been replaced.
Verify Throttle Body Replacement
Verify if Engine was replaced.
If Engine is a Remanufactured unit it should have Blue Temp Strips on the rear of the Cylinder Heads. Try to view with an inspection mirror and the flashlight.


Underbody
Verify tread depth and that tires are worn evenly.
Check condition of wheels. Curbed?
Look at brake rotors. High ridges on outer edge tell you they are worn.
Look for Transmission Leaks
Verify if Transmission was replaced.
Look for Differential Leaks
Verify Differential Service.
Verify Trans Fluid has been drained and refilled.
Verify Wheel Bearings have been serviced.
Look for rust under all footwells.
Look for evidence of car being bottomed out.
Check condition of ball joints and tie rods.
Check condition of shocks.

Cam chain tensioner replacement - must have been done or must do.
Throttle body replacement - early recall that should be verified.
Water pump/thermostat/thermostat tower - Early pumps surly have all been changed by now. Plastic impellers broke off. If unknown all three should be changed.
Front end/wheel bearing rebuild - sooner or later. Look for irregular tread wear.
Transmission 'sealed for life'. Life is less than 100k miles.
Top latch hoses.
Control Arm Rubber Bushings and Pivot Pins - Worn and/or Loose
Lower Ball Joints Worn (Less often also the Uppers)
Sway Bar Frame Mount Worn Rubber Bushings
Shock Absorber (Front) Lower Bushings Wear
ABS signal faults (Hardware or Software)
Rear Sub Woofers Blowout
Misc Dash Squeaks at the Window Interface

 

Hey Hashim--your opus should be taken verbatim and listed in the FAQ section for an all-encompassing 'how-to' for people shopping for these cars.

Kudos!


Doug

 

Bluetooth and XM radio can be integated with the factory headunit, but you will have to find locations to mount the aftermarket equipment.

Kuda makes matching leather mounts: http://www.kudausa.com/kuda_mount_an...06-16-174.html

Another alternative is to use the Garmin GVN-53 and GXM-30, which will upgrade your navigation and add XM radio together and work with the factory nav. screen. It does use a handheld remote, however.

 

Geesh, may as well buy new. Ha ha

 

Thanks for the checklist, I'll take it with me when I go to check out the car. Are there specific weaknesses in the XK8 that I should look for. For example, I currently drive an X-Type and know the transfer case is a weak spot.

Mark

 

I'd run a carfax on it and see if there were any maintenance records from the previous owner/owners.

 

Ok, I ran a carfax report; there were 2 owners. There were no maintenance records from the first owner other than a note that it failed an emmisions test, afterwhich it was sold. The second owner had the following maintenance performed at around 40k miles:

Floor console replaced
CD changer replaced
Thermostat housing gasket replaced
Water pump replaced
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Maintenance inspection completed
Oil pan gasket replaced
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Two wheel alignment performed
Vehicle serviced

The car has 77k miles on it now and there are no other records of maintenance. What do you guys think?

Mark

 

well, as far as my search is going, the three most important things are chain tensioners has been replaced, water pump replaced and if its a pre-2001 the throttle body replaced (not sure on that one). Also....could anyone chime in on the gearbox weakness, what years? what to look for?

 

I took that from the XJ8 forums and from here.....still missing some parts though

 

A headace

 

A headacehttps://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_hyper.gif

 

What's a headache, the XK8 or replacing installing XM and Bluetooth?

Mark

 

The 97 did not have a recall on the TB I was told.

 

Since it failed emissions testing in the past, what was fixed to make it pass now?

 

What should I look when buying an XK8? - For me, the answer was simple: Radiance Red or British Racing Green. Most of the rest is stuff that can be worked out. (Fortunately I got a creampuff anyway.)

I know it's not quite that easy, but it's Friday and I'm in a silly mood.

Good luck (and listen to these Forum guys; they know their stuff).

 

That's just it, the one I'm looking at IS British Racing Green! It looks great and it's a coupe, which is what I want.

As for the emmisions inspection, I'm not subject to those inspections where I live so I'm not that concerned. Also, it was registered again after that failed test.

Mark

 

Look at your checkbook and hope that you have plenty.....

I have a 1998 xk8, with only 30,000 miles , but i am afraid to drive it

 

What a waste!

 

In my opinion each model year has a unique issue and it may be a serious or minor problems. For me to answer your question directly would be hard. I can say this, it is a luxury car it is a classy car that comes with an additional price tag and that is what it will cost you to maintain it. You must want this car to go forward in getting it. The joy comes from the self satisfaction in maintaining and driving it. I know this is not what you want to hear but it is the best I can offer for right now.