Ok, so I might be starting a new job soon and I fancy a more sensible car. Ignoring the insurance aspect, what are XK8's like to run day to day?

Im looking to spend 4-6k on one and will probably be looking between 70k miles and 100k miles from what I've seen. I think id rather have the V8 but the straight six is a possibility (I've been regaled with tales of head gasket problems). I have heard about air box and MAF housing issues with the V8 but Im not really sure whats hearsay and whats not.

So, anybody got any personal experiences of owning one? Whats the average running costs like year to year? I know tyres are going to be around £250 a corner and I can do servicing myself unless I can find somewhere cheap to take it. Im talking about common part failures, part costs etc.

Id appreciate any info you have

Aren't they all V8's?

if an XK8 is your idea of a "more sensible" car what the hell are you driving now?

i was expecting you to say an astra or focus etc

The clue is in the name .... XK .. 8 !!

I,m sure Mark Chandler will be along soon to tell you everything you need to know.

quote:

---

Originally posted by omega0684
if an XK8 is your idea of a "more sensible" car what the hell are you driving now?

i was expecting you to say an astra or focus etc

---

I've owned an XK8 but can't comment as I've lost my sense of humour

I ran one for 4 years, and 70,000 miles, great cars, never heard of MAF or airbox issues, if it backfires then they will bust, a cam breather feeds just infront of the MAF, it does get a little oily.

The gearbox needs oil changes, its a sealed for life = 100,000 miles, if you change the oil it will last a lot longer, its a flat ramp job as you drop the fluid then fill until it overflows.

Do the engine every 6000 miles as well.

Do not worry about liners, the sulpher that destroyed these years ago went years ago, the test is when running remove the oil filler cap, idle should not change and you should not get a lot, if any pressure. They do smoke a bit on the overrun.

Listen to front end rattles on startup, if it does the tensioners could be on there way out, BAD get them sorted.

Other rattles around the back are probally the CATS, will still pass MOT just a bit annoying you can drive a 6" screw in to pin them.

Check top front wishbone, it has an ali crossmember if the bolts get loose then it wears the holes, major job to remove and replace.

Rust, they do especially rear wheel arches and inner sills at the front, have a good look on a ramp.

I ran mine on LPG, they have soft valves so you need a system that mixes gas and petrol, I used a vogas system, very good and payed for itself quickly.

Expect 25mpg - 30mpg on a run, I did all my own servicing, nothing tricky here.

Would I buy another, well no should have got an XKR although an XK8 is still a powerful fast car that will do 150mph in style.

Regards Mark



[Edited on 15/2/12 by mark chandler]

welll... you can 'expect' 25 mpg.. But good luck getting it :-)

Have you run one for 4 years Bare?

25mpg is easy enough on reasonable trips, I used to go from Tunbridge Wells to Heathrow 4 times a week, dual carriage way and M25 and achieved nearer 30mpg, best was 35 mpg going to Cornwall.

It never got below 20mpg and I like to make progress

Come to think about it why are all your comments derisory?


[Edited on 16/2/12 by mark chandler]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bare
welll... you can 'expect' 25 mpg.. But good luck getting it :-)

---

Even my old XJS (3.6 manual) could easily manage 30 MPG on a calm motorway run at 70....