Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[kevin2306]

assuming I will not win the lottery or inherit vast fortunes I can't ever see me being able to afford a decent E Type.
Having had a good mooch about, I could afford one of the early XK8s, some lovely low miles examples available if you search about.
Any1 had any experience of them?

(I should say I'm not suggesting the xk is anywhere near the car the e type is, just the budget is a lot lower to acquire 1!)


Kev

[Rick]

I had a V8 XJR not so long ago, which shares the same engine as the s/c XKR.

Things to check - timing chain tensioners break, so make sure they've been updated to the third generation type. While they're being done it makes sense to have the chains and the guides replaced at the same time.

If you're looking at a s/c car, have a close look for coolant leaks running down the back of the engine from the centre of the "V". Pound to a penny the valley pipes are leaking. To replace them means lifting the s/c, I had mine done for this reason.

Re the XK8 in particular, try to have a proper look underneath, as the floors can rot close to the transmission tunnel. Years ago when the Dodge was being restored, an XK8 was brought in for an underbody treatment, and there was quite a bit of rust creeping along the seams in this area, so if possible try and get any potential buy up high on a ramp.

RJ
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[kevin2306]

[Rick]

From memory it was a coupe, it's a fairly common weakness by all accounts. Buy a nice one though and they're a great car, my XJ was a blast and I'd have another (good one) in a heartbeat

RJ
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[michael1703]

I've had to do quite a bit of welding on an 02 xk8,where the rear chassis rails are double skinned they aren't seam sealed so water gets in and blows the seams out, also driver and passenger floor pans.

The thermostat housing is plastic and they crack but you can fit an aluminium housing as an upgrade

Front ball joints are pricey as are rear axle bushes

They share lots of bits with x300/x308 which are more common

[earlyamerican]

I have both - 1971 series 3 Etype and a 2001 XK8 They compare favourably in roadholding and driving pleasure. mainly because my etype has power steering.
Both look superb from front- side and rear view.

The 20 years that seperate them have seen many changes in some key areas. The main one is the complex electrical system in the XK8 that may require specialist treatment if one has a problem. I recently had all the work done on the XK8 suspention and timing bringing it up to first class condition for £2500.00 a little price to pay for a 14 year old car
Which do I like best ? naturally the Etype though the cooling and heating could be better. To sum up the XK8 is very good but the Etype is truly great

Which do I drive the most - A 2.5 Xtype all wheel drive estate.
only because they are both a little hard to get into at my age.