Jhdee

Quite likely to be the earth point - a common issue on the XK/XKR. There is an earth point located in the front wheel arch - forward end. It can just about be seen by turning the front wheel to full lock. Corrosion takes place causing a bad earth - give it a little "wiggle" but note it is quite likely to break off. Most are fixed by drilling a new hole and re-fitting the earth strap.

I had a 4.2 XK and then changed to a 5.0 XKR - there is a significant performance difference between the two. Fuel consumption is noticeably different too. Would I go back to a 4.2 ------absolutely no way ..... having way too much fun. Seriously though - it depends on what you will use the car for. When I had the 4.2, it was my daily runner and went everywhere throughout europe. My 5.0 is used for pleasure driving only - not sure I would be prepared to use it as a daily runner - just a little too expensive on fuel for me. Either way - they are both fantastic cars

Power steering fluid would be reddish in colour as opposed to the brown/black of engine oil.

Please see the attached - from the XK Service Manual Antenna 1.pdf Antenna 2.pdf Antenna 3.pdf

Q1 - The only certain way to ensure you have the performance active exhaust is to have a look underneath. I'd try using a mirror if you can't get it on a lift. As you probably already know - 1 centre box = performance active exhaust whilst 2 centre boxes = standard active exhaust. Q2 - Pulling fuse19 only affects the rear silencer box. Personally - wouldn't bother - just select Dynamic Mode on the centre console - has the same affect on the rear silencer as pulling fuse 19. It does however invoke other Dynamic Mode options like stiffening the suspension, tightens up on throttle response etc. Q3 - Really down to personal preference. I like the larger XKR plate. Many don't like it because it reminds them of a Rover 75 . Q4 - Purchase a box of lemons - the only thing that will get the smile off your face after you've driven to for a while ----- good luck

That's unfortunate Carole - but a typical case of the "little guy" against the "machine". Personally, I don't think you'll be missing very much by not using Pirelli again - never been a fan. I've just returned to my favourite - Michelin. I've just put a pair on the rear of our estate (not a Jag ) and I'm very pleased with them. When it comes time to change on the XKR, I'll be going with Michelin this time. Just a thought - have you thought about contacting the motoring press with details of your experience. They may be able to "persuade" the "machine" to re-consider its treatment of your good self. It could also benefit the public in general and alert them to the poor response they are likely to receive if they encounter any problems. I'd suggest something like Auto Express, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World etc - there shouldn't be any cost to yourself - just a little time to email - worth a thought.

Thanks for your kind comments Ralph. As much as I would love to have a purpose built garage to keep the XJS in, I'm afraid most of my spare cash has gone into re-commissioning the car. The rest, I'm sure, will go in petrol money - the pre-HE always had awful fuel consumption

Never been a Pirelli fan. Normally I would go for Michelin - a bit expensive but last much longer than most other brands. I've got Dunlop Sport Max on the XKR and had them on my previous XK and they were quite good. The winter tyre version of the Dunlop Sport Max is excellent.

All tucked up in her Carcoon - its an outdoor version but I've housed it in a temporary garage which is not much good at keeping out the rain but at least it keeps out the wind and bird sh1te

With the weather being a little kinder today, I've managed to get a few more photos of the old girl - took her out for a drive today - the first time in 28 years - boy did that bring back some memories and she's still as impressive as the day I bought her 35 years ago. We managed to keep the tax disc from the last time she was on the road - nice little souvenir

Hi Steve - bleeding auto correct - it should have read Carcoon - sorry for the confusion but at least it was funny one - some of these auto correct changes can get quite rude

Don't worry she's definitely going to be driven - its the storage for those wet winter months that'll be important for the future so I've bought a Cartoon. I've heard only good things about them so I'm hoping it will keep her in good condition. As Peter quite rightly states she has a 5.3 litre V12. Fuel consumption was never really the strong point hence the introduction of the HE engines with the Fireball heads. Not many pre-HEs about these days probably due to their awful fuel consumption and galloping tin-worm

Thanks Peter - I really like the colour too. Was never really sure about the black vinyl roof but over the years it has grown on me. I've owned sleeping beauty since she was 2 1/2 years old having originally purchased her for my father - the smile on his face when he drove her home for the first time was worth every penny. Since 1989 she has been stored in a rented lock-up garage. The amazing fact about sleeping beauty is she required no weld repairs to return her to roadworthiness !!! The conditions in that lock-up must have been perfect for storing Jaguars - I guess dry and draughty is the answer. She has done 43k miles and runs really well. One of her unusual features is an electric metal sunroof. Apparently, the first owner insisted on having the sunroof and the research I've carried out indicates it is one of 600 cars that Jaguar took off the production line for Webasto to fit the sunroof before returning to Jaguar for build completion. The main target now is to find another draughty lock-up to keep her in good shape for the next 37 years

........... my sleeping beauty has awoken and is now back on the road - am I pleased ??? - you can bet your sweet bippy I am

Congratulations Carl - really good looking motor Now you need to purchase a box of lemons - they help to take the manic smile off your face after a GOOD run

What a clean good looking example. If I had the space for it, I'd rip your arm off for it but that would make 3 Jags on the drive and SWMBO would be getting a new necklace made from my nuts Good luck with the sale but you don't really need luck - it will sell very quickly.

I'm on my second XK - the first was a 2007 4.2l XK. Had it for 3 years as a daily runner. Used it all over europe averaging 22k miles per annum and virtually trouble free. I now have a 2010 XKR 5.0l - but this one is a keeper and gets used for pleasure driving only. How do I feel about XKs - I'm planning to be buried in this one - they are probably the best performance luxury value-for-money car on the market. Get yourself a good Jag indie workshop and even the maintenance costs will be reasonable for such a car. Good luck with the XKR - I'm sure you'll enjoy it

Glad you got it sorted Rich - and thanks for coming back to let us know what the fix was - this is the only way we can all learn more about our cars

I have personally used Dunlop Sports Max on both the Xk and the XKR. The winter tyre version is very good in wet or light snow. When I come the replace the XKR tyres I will probably go for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 - have always had good results with Michelins on all previous cars. Interesting to note though that the original spec tyres for the XKRS GT were Pirelli P0 Corsa - I understand they were very good too.

Hi Jon Please find attached some photos of the boot cover. For some reason - posting the photos has turned them 90 degrees but I'm sure you'll get the idea. Photos 1 ~ 3 - General views Photo 4 - Upper catch closed Photo 5 - Upper catch open Photo 6 - Lower support - this is a rubber bung type item which just pushes into place. Both catches are poor and tend to let the cover drop - they can be adjusted by tightening the screw to expand the rubber bung (difficult to describe but all will become clear when you see them) PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2 PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4 PHOTO 5 PHOTO 6

Well done Jon - enjoy Have you done a reset on the trip computer ?? If not it could be a reading over many miles. I would fill the tank to the brim then drive some miles and repeat the fill - its then quite easy to calculate the fuel consumption. I have known the trip computer to give some strange results. FYI - my 07 4.2 XK could achieve up to 34 mpg on a run with 100k mlles on it. My iPhone paired quite easily with the Jag system - first was a 5s and then a 6s - I just followed the procedure in the Owners Manual. The boot load cover is quite a common problem. It is a solid cover not a curtain type. The retaining clips are quite poor and after time allow the cover to fall down evert time you close the boot - hence they get ditched. I actually did away with the "clever" clips and replaced them with screws - end of !!! Try a check on flea-bay as they often show up there - as previously mentioned - Jaguar main dealer will supply but it would probably be very expensive. Key fobs can be repaired but I understand new replacements can be expensive and will need to be paired with the car on Jaguar software. I also believe there is a specific procedure to follow when paring the key fob which may require deletion of the currently paired keys and then re-pairing all the "new/replacement" keys. Try a few google checks and I'm sure you'll find what you need. If you need any photos of the boot load cover - let me know and I will sort some out for you. I've attached a copy of the owners manual just in case you don't have one - its for a 2009 but its pretty much the same as 2007. Good luck and enjoy. 2009_XK_Owners_Manual.pdf

Hi Graham, Long time no speak !!! Happy New Year yo you too. Fitting the replacement cover should be quite easy - its held in place by some "omega shaped" cross section clips which just push into place. Must admit I never tried the drivers side only the passenger side which is easier with the steering wheel out of the way. Hi Jon W, Good luck with the "fitting". Fortunately my kids have "grown up" but have developed some homing-pigeon habits - but there's no way I'm changing my XKR for them now - the best they can hope for is that I can get a roof rack for it - only joking of course John D

Hi Jonathan, You should be able to get quite a good XK for £14k. 1. Rear leg room is absolutely minimal. I'm only 5ft 10 ins. and there is no leg room behind the driver's seat - I'm also a fat git which doesn't help. 2. Tha air con water leakage can be an expensive issue. Check the carpets in the passenger footwell - lift them up and check to see if there is any evidence of water damage to the material. There is a "card-board" type cover between the footwell and the underside of the dashboard - have a good look at its condition as water ingress tends to damage it. It is not possible to see the location of the modified duck-bill drain unless you have access to a borescope type video camera. If you are buying from Chilterns - they will know of the problem and its fix - insist on evidence it has been completed. Apart from damage to carpets and trim, water ingress can cause damage to the A/C blower motor and control module. If you check some of the other Jag sites you will find numerous fixes. These are really work arounds. The official Jag fix is to remove the dashboard to fit the modified duck-bill drain and is obviously expensive but very effective. Let me know if you need further info - I think I still have some illustrations/photos. 3. Other issues - check everything electrical for correct function and operation. The XK/XKR is quite critical on battery voltage and can throw up a number of weird problems - a new battery generally fixes most issues - if possible check the date on the battery - its located in the boot. Most members use a battery conditioner like the CTEK item. If the car is a coupe - check the rear passenger windows. Open the doors and check to see if the the rear passenger windows can be moved - the brackets that secure the bottom of the windows to the rear wings tend to break. Its an easy fix but you have to buy a window assembly - something you need to make sure the seller sorts out. 4. I've never had any direct dealings with Chilterns but they seem to have a good reputation. Push for the longest warranty you can get. Whilst all of the above may sound a little worrying, my previous XK was a 2006 and I used it daily for work. I owned it for three years , did an average of 25,000 miles per annum and apart from regular maintenance I only put petrol in it. Sold it last year with 130,000 miles on the clock and it still ran like clockwork. I now have a 2010 XKR 5.0l - so none the problems mentioned above managed to put me off 2 tips I can offer should you decide to buy - first, make sure you have access to a good Jaguar independent garage - Jaguar main dealer prices will make your eyes water. Secondly, get yourself a good supply of fresh lemons to suck to get rid of the inane grin the car will put on your face - its a lot cheaper than the Jag main dealer but has the same effect. Good luck with your purchase - you are going to love it - any other questions, let me know and I'll be more than happy to assist. John D

Hi Rich, Can't say for certain but it would be a good place to check. The heated rear window must be earthed somewhere and through the tail-gate earth strap would be my first choice. I believe there is only one wire to the heated rear window element and therefore the earth must come through the body i.e. through the hinge earth strap. Of course with with a heated rear screen it could be a break in one of the element wires - does any part of the screen heater work or is it all dead ??

The reason for differentiating between daily and weekend use was purely a cost thing - the fuel costs and the maintenance costs will be quite a bit cheaper for a non-supercharged model - problem is - if you drive the R you're not going to buy a 5.0 litre N/A model !!!