Well known Jaguar World and Classics World project car
Significant recent work undertaken by XK8 specialists Chiltern of Bovingdon
One of the first XKRs fitted with the updated 4.2litre AJ34S engine
400bhp and 0-60mph in 5secs but 30mpg achievable
MOT to September 2023
Attractive specification of black metallic, 20inch BBS alloys and charcoal over cranberry leather with optional Birds Eye Maple veneers
Serviced in October 2022 3,000 miles ago
Just completed 700 mile, faultless trip to the Isle of Man and back
The Appeal
The X100 XK8 of 1996 achieved the remarkable trick of combining a firm nod to Jaguar’s heritage – in this case the E Type – at the same time as creating a thoroughly modern car for modern buyers. But it was the XKR, launched two years later, that restored the firm’s reputation for brutally quick sports cars in the tradition of the original Le Mans-winning race cars.
The standard V8 XK8 had a not-to-be-sniffed at 290bhp, but the XKR, with the help of a large Eaton supercharger, hiked that up to 400bhp. O-60mph came along in 5secs. Figures that quite rightly worried the established sports coupe makers from Germany.
During the X100 XK8’s life Jaguar continually improved the model, most notably replacing the original 4litre V8 with a 4.2litre version in 2003, and titivating the aesthetics such as the front grille and lights.
This 2003 XKR has that later engine and those visual improvements. If you are a Jaguar enthusiast you are likely to have seen this car in the pages of Jaguar World magazine or on the Classics World YouTube channel as it has been a project car for both media. It has benefited from significant recent expenditure at a well known XK8 specialist and is in generally good, very useable condition.
The MOT runs to September 2023 and while there are some advisories to note and aq small number of cosmetic issues that may need attended to, it looks like a very presentable, potentially very good value way into the delights of this very capable supercharged GT.
The History And Paperwork
First registered 28th June 2003
Full set of Jaguar handbooks and wallet
Invoices for significant expenditure dating back to 2016
Over £2,000 spent in October 2022 at Chiltern of Bovingdon
Serviced 3,000 miles ago in October 2022
Gearbox remapped and other repair work in 2019 by Jaguar specialist
Front discs and pads replaced in October 2022
MOT to September 2023 with advisories
The Interior
Charcoal over cranberry leather interior in good condition
Rare Birds Eye Maple veneers in excellent condition
Electric and heated front seats
Cruise control, automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers
Premium Alpine sound system with CD multi changer
Rear seats in virtually as new condition
The interior of a XK8 could only be a Jaguar. It is beautiful, from the sweep of wood veneer across the dashboard – allegedly shaped like a Spitfire wing because XK8s were made in the plane’s old factory – to the acres of sumptuous leather. Like the exterior it clever blends tradition and modernity.
It is also very well specified. This car has cruise control, heated and electric front seats, part-wood steering wheel, infotainment system and a premium Alpine sound system with boot-mounted CD multichanger.
This XKR was carefully personalised by the original owner, who chose distinctive charcoal-over-cranberry leather seats – which also extends to the centre console – and attractive Birds Eye Maple veneers.
XK8 interiors are generally hardwearing and this one has held up well. The wood is in unmarked condition and the seats are very good, just worn stitching on the outside bolsters of both front seats detracting. The driver’s seat also has a light sheen and creases typical of the age and mileage. Both issues would likely respond to the attentions of a valeter.
The door cards follow the red and black theme and are in good condition, just a light scuff on the passenger side armrest indicating use.
The carpets and overmats appear in good condition but would benefit from a good clean.
The headlining on XK8s is one of their Achilles Heels as they have a tendency to sag. The one in this car is showing the early signs of the fabric giving way, most noticeably in the centre and at the rear edges. Replacing these units is inexpensive and does not require specialist skill.
The driver’s headrest cable – the headrest is electrically operated – and the door seals were both replaced during late 2022. The Seller reports that the rear brake light has come away from the rear window – this is a common fault on these cars and should be a relatively easy fix.
There are two factory keys and fobs supplied with the car.
The Exterior
Black paintwork, possibly Jaguar Narvik/Ebony Black
BBS 20inch optional alloy wheels
Pirelli P-Zero tyres with good tread
Bodywork in generally good condition with some deterioration visible
Straight clean lines with no obvious parking dings
The XKR’s party piece is to appear to be a regular XK8. Afficionados may notice the bonnet louvres and boot lip spoiler, but otherwise there are no clues that this is Jaguar’s 400bhp supercharged rocket ship.
That understatement leaves the svelte lines of one of Jaguar’s prettiest cars to do the heavy lifting. The XK8’s development can be traced back to the 1970s, with many twists and turns and blind alleys, all of which makes the finished car so remarkable. It cleverly blends tradition with modernity, referencing the iconic E Type but being very much its own car.
The black paintwork of this car suits the subtle style of the XKR, just those aforementioned fittings and the attractive 20inch BBS split rim alloys hinting at its purpose.
The bodywork is generally very clean and straight with no obvious stone chips, parking dings or edge chips that you may expect of a car of this age and mileage. However, X100 models do have a propensity to rust; while this 20 year old car is largely rust free, corrosion is visible at the base of the rear arches where they meet the bumper. This is a common X100 weak spot and while relatively inexpensive to repair may be worth attending to before it worsens.
The photographs of the underside of the car indicate some signs of corrosion that are corroborated by advisories on the MOT. This runs to September 2023 and indicates some weakness in the structure particularly in the front floor pans – a known XK8 weak spot – and the offside rear outer sill. The offside front inner wing and offside rear chassis leg are also advisories.
The BBS rims are generally very presentable but there are signs of kerbing on both front rims and some marks on the rear ones.
The Mechanics
4.2litre AJ34S V8 400bhp Jaguar engine
6spd ZF automatic gearbox with semi-automatic option
Over £2,000 spent at XK8 specialist in October 2022
Full engine and gearbox fluid and filter service in October 2022
New auxiliary and supercharger belts in 2022
New front brake discs, pads and anti-roll bar drop links in autumn 2022
New aerial mechanism and mast
Brake fluid flushed and replaced in 2022
Gearbox remap in 2019 at cost of nearly £800
New engine temperature sensor and new steering angle sensor
With the XKR Jaguar wanted to take the fight to BMW, Mercedes and Audi, but in a distinctively Jaguar way. It chose as its main weapon its new 400bhp V8 engine. It worked: the new supercharged motor did not just catapult owners down the highway, it put Jaguar back into contention as a maker of serious performance cars.
Just prior to this car leaving the factory Jaguar switched to the new 4.2litre AJ34S engine. Power remained the same as the earlier 4litre supercharged cars but the change brought improved economy – up to 30mpg the Seller claims – and more torque. The same ultra smooth delivery and near silent running remained.
The AJ34S engine is generally very reliable and capable of high mileages, but benefits from correct maintenance by specialists. We were not able to view history for the car before 2016 but since then it has received significant expenditure, all by Jaguar specialists.
Within the last 12 months the Seller has spent nearly £3,000 with XK8 specialists to improve the standard of the car, much of which has been documented in the pages of Jaguar World magazine and on the Classics World YouTube channel. As well known Jaguar enthusiasts, this work has been done to a high standard and reflects their knowledge of these cars.
The work is listed above and includes scheduled as well as preventative maintenance, for example replacing the auxiliary and supercharger belts. A full service was carried out in October 2022 3,000 miles ago.
The 6spd ZF gearbox fitted to 2002-on X100s like this one is a generally more durable and reliable unit but benefits from regular fluid changes. The Seller attended to this in October 2022.
The MOT includes advisories for a small exhaust leak and play in the nearside front lower ball joint. However the Seller advises that these have been attended to and the extensive invoice for recent work appears to bear this out.
The Seller tells us that the car recently completed a 700mile round trip to the Isle of Man without fault, returning 30mpg during the trip.
Summary
Enthusiasts have always appreciated the X100 Jaguar’s svelte lines and all-round capability but this has certainly increased over the last couple of years. The XKR dials up the desirability, adding extra purpose and performance to an already compelling package.
This attractive XKR has an interesting recent history and comes with significant recent expenditure on scheduled as well as preventative maintenance. There are some jobs potentially to consider in the future but mechanically it looks spot on. The XKR is a very useable modern classic and this one looks presentable and very good value.
Notice to bidders
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