1999 Jaguar XK8 Convertible from North America - Comments

One seal was replaced where the top meets the window ($90).

The car came with only one remote and one key. A new remote and key from the dealer was about $400.

The power antenna must had to be repaired (<$200).

After over a year of trouble-free motoring, one of the timing chain guide rails failed causing one or more of the tensioners to fail, so the engine had to be replaced at 65,000 miles. The new engine has updated timing components that are not supposed to fail. This job would have been $12,000 if it weren't for the Select Edition warranty.

This is my grandmother's car. The car has been great with the exception of the timing chain failure. Fortunately, this was covered under the Select Edition warranty. She was aware when she got the car that this problem exists with Jaguars of this generation. There are usually some indicators before engine failure such as clicking noises or rough startups. She experienced none of these warning signs.

If buying one of these cars, I would strongly recommend having the "third generation" timing parts installed as a preventive measure if it has not already been done. The preventive work costs $2,800 at a Jaguar dealer versus $12,000 for engine replacement.

The interior of this car is cozy and has a lot of nice features. The materials are top-shelf and the controls are well-designed. The Jag is very fun to drive and looks most dashing in British Racing Green with the Camel top.

I feel that this car is much safer for my grandmother than the Mustang convertible that she had before. The Jaguar has been a very reliable car with the one exception and is still her favorite car that she has ever had. The dealer, Jaguar Hilton Head, has been wonderful in helping her with the car and provided an S-Type 4.2 loaner without delay when the car had to stay overnight unexpectedly.

During which model year did the "3rd Generation timing components" become a running production change?

According to our research, it was 2005. The "2nd generation" components came out in 2000 and are supposed to last longer than the 1st gen., but they're still not as good as the 3rd gen. components.

Update: Well, sadly, the XK8 had its last drive in October. Grandmother was on her way into town and had an almost tragic single-car accident. The driver's side of the car was wrapped around a tree just forward of the firewall. Judging from the damage, it looked as though the car was moving at considerable speed when it left the road. While my grandmother did sustain some injuries (broken ribs, shattered vertebrae, and bruised hands), she did live through it and is now walking around, sans back brace at that, as if nothing happened! So, the Jag did it's job in protecting her considering that most other cars in this same accident would have just folded up and taken the driver with them.

Whilst on vacation in Naples, the Grands purchased a 2001 Mercedes CLK 320 Cabriolet with some 40,000 miles on the clock to replace the Jag. It is wonderful in its own right like the Jag was. The Jag was all about emotion and sport, the Benz is all about elegant, and brilliant, functionality.

I purchased a 1999 XK8 Convertible 4 years ago. After a year I paid a Jaguar dealer 1400.00 to replace the timing chains and tensioners. I also had the water hoses and thermostat replaced for 460.00. FWIW the timing chains (one side) was nearly unbolted and ready to fly loose and destroy the engine! As is the case with all these cars, the throttle body was crapped out. The car had 66K on it at that time. Other than those issues, it's been a great car.

I traded it for a 2001 XK8 convertible, which has had several problems and I have repaired them all. Air leaks on input tubing, brakes, front and rear. Wheel bearings on the front. Still a nice car.

I have had 12 Jaguars, currently have three. I just could possibly be incredibly dumb, as I am still having fun with them.