If you want to find one of the best values on the emerging collector car marketplace, look no further than the Jaguar XJR and XKR lineup. Now, like all cheap performance cars, there’s a reason for the bargain basement pricing, but those reasons can be overcome. This is a 2002 Jaguar XKR roadster listed here on craigslist in Florida with limited information (fairly standard for a car like this) but the mileage is low at 52,000 and condition seems decent in photos. The asking price is $13,500, and thanks goes to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for sending this tip in.
So, let’s climb down a rabbit hole: much like the Porsche 996-chassis 911s, with the overblown claims of IMS bearing failure, Jaguars of this vintage are often hit with the Scarlett letter of bad timing chain guides. This was due to a few factors, and in my non-expert opinion, many manufacturers – not just Jaguar – chose to switch to plastic chain guides in a cost-savings measure while simultaneously recommending ridiculously long oil change intervals. Put these two factors together and you have a situation wherein the lack of regular fluid changes caused accelerated degradation of the chain guides. To replace the guides is an expensive and time-consuming affair, and the labor costs often get close to exceeding the value of the car – hence, almost every XJR and XKR you see if fairly cheap.
But if you wade into the Jaguar forums and message boards, you start to see a pattern: yes, plenty of cars have had this preventative maintenance done, but plenty of others have not done anything with the tensioners in the case of cars with extensive oil change histories along with other evidence of ongoing upkeep. While there’s no ironclad rule about a vehicle with regular oil changes not needing the tensioners replaced, it doesn’t hurt. Of course, the best way to remove any doubt is to look at the engine block numbers to see if it falls in a range when Jaguar began using upgraded tensioners. This occurred in 2002, so there’s a good chance this XKR has the preferred tensioners.
Let’s look at some of the other basics of the 2002 XKR: it comes with a supercharged, 375-horsepower 4.0-liter V-8, and a 5-speed automatic transmission built by Mercedes. Performance is strong, rocketing to 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 miles per hour. Plus, you get a bevy of cosmetic upgrades like these slick alloy wheels, hood louvers, and a mesh grill insert up front. You can likely find an XKR cheaper, but even at this price, it’s a serious bargain. Even if it “…runs like new” as the seller claims, confirming the numbers on the block to better understand if this XKR needs the tensioner replaced before purchasing would be time well spent for the next owner.
I wonder what a manual transmission swap would involve and how much it would cost
That is a great car for the money. I’d be a buyer but for having a 2008 XK. These cars don’t give problems.
The tensioner design was fixed on all XK and XKR engines made starting in August 2001, which means if the car is an early 2002 model you have to check the engine serial #. However that said, worst case it is 8 hours labor and $600 parts for pre 8/01 engines. A far less ugly situation than Porsche IMS bearings. XK convertible top hydraulics are a challenge but there are now workarounds. A number of other failures like auto headrest adjusters are fixable, but annoying.
These are fantastic, comfortable touring cars. The biggest challenge with these XKRs is parts. Many are different than the non supercharged XKs. Even consummables like brake pads and rotors are extremely hard to find now. And if you lose a main CPU or BCM module, your only remedy is a salvage vehicle and reprogramming ( ask me how I know). I sold my ’03 a couple of years ago solely based on the ongoing parts availability issue.
That’s why they are so cheap.
I echo your comments, these early XK8/XKR’s offer incredible bang for the buck. The issues are well known and not insurmountable & there are forums that provide excellent advice and support.I recently picked up an 01’ with less than 22,000 miles in near perfect condition and it was even less money than this example.
This XKR has a couple of fairly rare options in the BBS Montreal wheels and Recaro seats. I’ve had a couple of these and they’re pretty bulletproof.
When talking about older Jaguars and drivetrains, the pre-’98 4L inline-six cyl cars, including the supercharged XJR mated with a GM TH trans, were bomb-proof. Otherwise, I would be looking at a newer model with the 4.2L motor that is less prone to gremlins.
In my opinion any 2002 to 2008 Jaguar XKR is a great sport car given proper maintenance. This Jag is a good deal for the money and one of the best deals on the road today. The Jaguar XK models had been pretty much refined by 2008 when Tata purchased the marque in 2008.
Early in the epidemic, I was stuck in southern Alberta taking care of my 90 year old Mother. There is a version of Craigslist here called Kijiji and with the Canadian dollar being worth 68 cents I started looking for a new project. Found a rusted out ’97 XK8 with only 100k kilometers. Back and forth with video of running and driving as well as him showing me that all systems worked including the top. The price was so low that even adding shipping of 300 miles I could part out the car for double my money. Has it been fun. I haven’t owned a convertible for many years and I had forgotten how much pleasure top down cruising really is. The guides had been done and the interior is mint without any tears or wear marks. The rust was mostly confined to the passenger side and I found later that the car was parked near the street with that side exposed to the junk plowed up from the nearby boulevard. That it is naturally aspirated has not bothered me at all and although I would have preferred the Mercedes five speed, the ZF has been upgraded by me when changing the fluid. I will guess that this will not always be an unappreciated classic. I blew out the plastic thermostat but two hours and $44 Canadian got an aluminum replacement from Rock Auto. Whoever buys this will not regret it, especially if it has the upgrades made after August . I have yet to hear anyone say that it is not a beautiful car.
Wonder if there’s a disclosure on flooding? That part of Florida has been in several major Hurricane related floods recently.
Apparently, Mitchell G. has moved from GA to FL.
Operated restoration shop at British specialist in SoCal for many years . These cars are way under appreciated in my opinion. Fit, finish, and LOW , yes just regular maintenance. Steal at under $20k. If it needs it fix it!