Last fall i bought a 1997 Anthracite coupe and your videos have been invaluable in getting it on the road. I just got the computer back from Module Masters and the car runs great. I'm in Minnesota USA and maybe my whole life I've seen maybe 2 others in the wild. Beautiful powerful and rare, what a combo🤙
Attracting the right attention! I was parked at a stoplight a few weeks ago with a huge black lincoln navigator next to me. The light changed and I was surprised to hear tires squeeling. I looked over and he or she had smoke coming from the tires. Even with my delayed start in non-sport mode I beat it across the intersection. Not sure what they were thinking. 15 minutes later in a different part of town. I was challenged by a girl in a white challenger. This never happens, I must have gassed up with pheromones at the last gas station.
John, This is the best To The Garage video. Thanks for putting so much into the content of this series. You have enumerated why I love my 97 XK8 and my 2001 XKR Coupe. Well Done David Bend Oregon
Great stuff! Thanks for the mention! Those old prototypes had a bit of XJ220 but also a bit of Ford Probe so I’m glad we ended up with what we got! Reminded me to make sure I send you some pictures of mine at some point but great content as always and congrats on nearly 5k subs, this comment will be out of date in seconds I’m sure!! 👍
Excellent video John, thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself nodding in agreement to it all. Delighted and honoured to see my beloved 98 antiga blue xkr on it, thankyou. Stay safe and well mate. Andrew
@@ToTheGarage Hello John I need an advise for my XK8. Why do both windows suddendly go down, when shut off the car, get out and close my door. Then suddendly both windows go fully down. Thanks for your help. Greetings Mario from Switzerland
Really well put together John and in total agreement with all choices. Great to hear you mention Geoff Lawson because I met him in Ford Dunton Technical Centre. It must have been around 1994 when I was a young engineer doing errands for Nick Scheele’s team and Geoff came down to meet with some American visitors - possibly to do with the X100 programme!
@@ToTheGarage I spoke with Geoff briefly when I collected him from the Foyer and took him straight to the Managers canteen (They had separate canteens those days!). I think he was early. Anyway, I didn't realise who he was until recognising him on TV a couple of years later.
What a great watch John! Loved it. Cant remember if I put looks as no1 before, but its (for me) the most beautiful car EVER made. Great little 3 parter that's been a fab escapism from these troubled times. Ps are you sure you only wear the pirates hat occasionally?? ;-) Pps get that ToTG X100 owners meet arranged when its poss!
Great video again. With respect to the top speed does anyone know if there is any way to unrestricted it and what would be the advantages and disadvantages of doing so? Thanks.
I know it can be done. But I think its a mod to the ECU so well beyond me. Various numbers for the unrestricted car are bandied around. However 169 mph pops up now and again from memory. I think thats the coupe only though as it is more slippery
This nwas awesome, heartwarming, and utterly compelling. All good, but I really enjoyed the part where your family saw Purdy for the first time. The sign out with other drivers cars was fabulous, accompanied by some wonderful music. A much better alternative to Strictly, any day! Thank you.
I have always thought of my 2013 XK as understated elegance with outstanding power. From a driver pov - I've heard it described perfectly. . . nimble. This car is just an incredible driving experience.
Couldn't agree more. Had a stunning 2002 XKR Convertible for four years 380 bhp, adaptive suspension etc etc Ride and Drive second to none imo. Absolutely loved it and really do wish I'd kept it, more than any other car I've ever owned.
i agree with every word one thing missed even in the garage its pure eye candy. i never look back at my Sentra. I do glance back at my 3/4 ton Chevy truck. i look back a lot at my wifes camero. I look back a lot at my just bought Honda Fury. I walk backward staring at our 2001 Jaguar XKR
I have had one negative when it comes to attention. I have a client who is from the UK and is over in the states now. When I purchased mine his first comment was, "You bought a old man's car, in the Uk only old men by Jaguars". I personally think he is jealous, he drives a Porsche.
@@garyvanremortel5218 As much as I would love to tell him that joke, he's actually not a bad guy. I have made too much money off of him and make lots of trips to Europe on his expense. Have teased him about being unpatriotic.
@@MirageProductions We always have fun with the Porsche guys with that. Jag owners get accused of being arrogant too...but we have a right to be...;o) My neighbor had an '85 911S Turbo and I had to fix his jammed convertible roof for him. After seeing the gratuitously nutty complexity of that model, I never would want to own one.
Now I realize how smart I was in buying my Jaguar XK8 Convertible, black on black on black less than a year ago. It was the looks than first caught my eye. l just never realized how much there was too this car and how important it is going to be in being the best period.
I, also have a triple black 03 roadster with navigation and Apollo wheels. I looked long and hard to find it, but I am sooooo happy to have it. A thing of beauty is a JOY. FOREVER.
A fantastic series John, waited with great anticipation for your top 3 and couldn’t agree more with your conclusion. The looks of the XK, IMO are only 2nd to the e type and you can see the heritage shining through in the XK everywhere. The sound is fantastic even just with the rear silencers deleted and I have not had a car before that so many people, unashamedly come over to you and express their admiration 😎😀👍
I am the proud owner of a 1997 XK8 convertible from new. It is everything John has described in the video and more. I have considered from time to time adding little extras or trying to improve the looks but whatever I consider on reflection adds nothing to the original design. So all I can say is the designer got it perfect first time around and there is nothing that can be done to improve on perfection.
Love the twin turbo for power but you cant beat the style of the XK8 one of the reasons I bought the merc was its rag top reminds me of my XK8 did not like the hard top convertibles for looks nor reliability.... Keep up the videos love them Thanks...
As always a great production, Thanks John & pleased to hear you & family are OK out in the sticks, as we are. Let's just hope the Covidiots are kept n check by the local constabulary. Just a point, you have PLASSICAL in place of practical in the last video. I know there are more important things in the world right now, but, I just cannot help myself as an OED addict ! A friend of ours drove back from Norfolk to Surrey a few weeks ago & said it seemed "post apocalyptic" regarding the road traffic. His wife has survived an infection but he is an old fogey like me & just hope all will be well. However, he agrees now is the time to "blow the cobwebs" out of the system without Mr Plod watching ! I will get around to sending you my pics of Bill & Ben, (no Weed), as I think my XK8 is the same "Sports" pack as yours, rather dark birds eye maple. Take care & be safe, if the Institute Pasteur in Paris who discovered AIDS & the CDC in Atlanta recommend face masks, please JUST DO IT, do not listen to idiotic politicians, particularly in the USA & wish well to our American cousins.
Hi Alan. Thanks very much for the kind words. Would love to see your interior and compare. The Sports pack is now coming into fashion after 20 years of being the poor relation. Its amazing how many people who see mine ask if I have retried it to get the two tone effect.
I really like the sport trim, especially the dark wood, I know the ‘classic’ is, well, ‘classic’ but the sport trim is great, it’s one of those things where personal taste plays a big part but it would be boring if it was all the same and ‘variety is the spice of life’ as we all know 🤣
Yes, we here in the U.S. are facing a catastrophe as a President, never have we faced such a dreadful group of demonic crooks, and career criminals. !!!!! Just absolutely deplorable.
Bless you for articulating so eloquently ALL that we proud owners intuitively feel. The ONLY thing that upsets me about this car (a 2001 Silver XKR convertible) is that I will never know what it's like to own another luxury Sports car before I go to that big garage up in the sky...why? Because I couldn't afford to own two sports cars simultaneously (for a variety of boring reasons) and I know instinctively that NOTHING can or will ever compare to the pleasure and value for money that this particular freedom machine has brought me over the years....thus I will never know another ....I who once swapped cars like a drunk in an orgy, have become a 'One Car Man' (OCM) ! Who'd a thunk it! No more buyer's remorse for this spoiled senior! Cheers Sir.
In my head I am a 21 year old version of Sean Connery when im in mine Udo😁 Your letter just Arrived my friend. Thank you so much. It may not be appearing on the dashboard as I have a little project I am working on that it will compliment perfectly. A video will reveal all at some point. Stay safe fellow islander John
Hi John, it's the 3rd of Dec 2020 and I've just watched all three of these episodes and found them to be the very best that you've ever done. Other clips may have more technical merit, especially the "How to" and "secrets" series, but this is "heart and soul" stuff . I absolutely loved these !!! Oh dear, I feel the purse string being stretched so I have a question: there is an age range of XK8's from about '95 to about 2007 (money reasons,) must be convertible. Do you have any form of "buying an XK8" videos to help and/or do's & don't's such as Nicasil/alusil, metal timing chain tensioner replacements?
I did a bodywork buying guide. But in other regards its a close run thing. 4.2 engines are the safest bet as everything has been upgraded. Later cars have adjustable headrests but even less space in the back (Recaro seats) Earliest cars have in my opinion the prettiest nose. I would not consider Nikasil at all, as long as no blue smoke. easy to start and ideally a good compression test result.
My 1st Jag was an X type. 3 years old, 2.5l Dark Blue, cream interior, loved it. I'd saved for the deposit, and paid monthly. But, first time I went to a clients in it, I was told "you obviously get paid too much if you can afford one of them!" It was cheaper than the equivalent Ford or Vauxhall, but that didn't seem to matter. Did it put me off? I'm on my 4th Jag now, had my XF for nearly 5 years. Next on the list is an XK8, assuming I make it to the other side of this mess the world is in. Thanks for the videos John, keep 'em coming.
Roy Holmes My wife had a X Type 3.0 in Salsa Red. We bought it new and put 160,000 trouble free miles on it before it was rear ended and totaled. Lovely car inside and out. Pleasant to drive.
hi mate, my first car was from a dealer and was 10 months old, I think it was a demo or reps car. 2.5 manual and loved it. Sold it to my brother in law as I had to take a company car. It was a 2 litre X in black. Not so good as felt under powered. Still liked it though. That was about 6 years of motoring. Then after a short break with a Rover and then a Volvo (both ok) and about 5 years, I got a 3 litre X auto in Blue. Great car. Never a problem with any of the jags. Nearly 5 years ago I got a 3 year old 3 litre XF auto with only 20k on the clock. It's now got 90k on it. Again it's great. I've just always fancied an XK8, so at the end of this corona virus I'll be looking for one as my "last car" to use and then retire with. Hopefully. Be good and stay safe.
Lovely series John! Thanks. Great choice of the top three. Re the great Jag Designers, Sir William, Geoff Lawson and Ian Callum yes, BUT what about Malcolm Sayer? Jaguar wouldn't be Jaguar these days were it not for the E-type!
Good call Asif. To be fair I don't think there are any 'badly' styled jaguars. The X type is probably my least favourite but I don't think that is bad either. I have a least favorite car designer though. Chris Bangle. Imagine what would have happened if he had got hold of our beloved marque!🥺
Everyone who's seen my XKR just love it and that includes every female too, not one person has said a bad word and they all love how it looks and sounds. One girl said the Jag is hers and I can use the Monaro 😂
hi john..hope your good ....im refitting my spark plugs on my 98 xk8 .. my torque wrench has newton-metric markings on it so im unsure to the correct settings. can you advise me please. cheers andy
I bought the center adamesh exhaust replacement. Which replaces the squished section over the rear axle. I haven't installed it yet. I didn't want it quite as loud as stage two but I wanted to get rid of that squished section. I was wondering if anybody else had tried doing that. What kind of sound did you get? Adamesh said it would fit by itself.
Yes, I did that and it's visible in part 2 of 3 of this series at 17:25. It is a real bugger to remove the old ones due to awkwardness of shape but is manageable. I ran it for about a month with the backboxes still on. It gives an excellent tone for XK8 and to be honest what it should have had from factory. But I have an XKR which lacks the throaty induction sound of the XK8 (Supercharger suppresses it) so I ended up deleting the back boxes as well to achieve a similar burble.
I think you will get a good note from that Lyndon and the overall will release a bit more power. As Paul Kane says it is awkward to get the old bits out but doable. The clue is that Jaguar squashed that pipe to make fitting easy on the production line.
The car’s styling HAD to be no 1. I have only recently begun to appreciate American cars, but seeing the XK8 next to the Corvette makes the latter look quite vulgar. Think of all the sexy machines this country has engineered, like the A4 Pacific loco, the Spitfire or the Bentley Blower. On the earlier point though, my wife says that her MG RV8 attracts a lot more positive attention than my XKR, which she feels people think is a bit flash
The RV8 is indeed a fantastic car and in my opinion the ultimate and most desirable variant of the MGB. I take it that it wears that wonderful metallic Green? Your wife should be very proud. (NEARLY as pretty as an X100😉)
Bit late, but as the besotted owner of a 2001 XKR coupe, I wholeheartedly agree with you. I put together a little slideshow for a virtual cars and coffee event, and my only regret is that I still haven't captured the utter perfection of the X100's proportions. As you can see I have the 18" BBS Milan wheels from the X308 XJR with the R-package, and they really do a good job of accentuating the curves of the body. ua-cam.com/video/oghdSAaJpe0/v-deo.html
For a long drive through Europe the standard exhaust has the edge. I'm not keen on open pipe exhaust as I think it does change the character of the car and on an 800km drive may become irritating.
Under "sound" you forgot to note, no engine sounds better than a V8 to begin with! The only engine sound that sounds better is in offshore power boats with 2 (two) V8's synchronizing together!! As I understand it, when designing the X-100 they had 2 predominant inspirations; the E type (obviously) and ... Kate Winslet! Can't fault their taste.
Have you seen this John? Fantastic video critique of the E Type from designer, Frank Stephenson. ua-cam.com/video/Vq1EEwwfAmc/v-deo.html. What’s really interesting is that his updated rendering of the E Type looks, to my eyes, like the missing link between that car and the X100. I know I might get shot for saying this, but it’s kind of what might have been without the design cul-de-sac that some might say the XJ-S represents.
Great video Gerard. Thanks for the tip off. I liked a lot of what he did with the front end but I think he made the rear wings look a little too wide. Brilliant though. Loved the way he explained his issues with the original (I really done like the type vents either!) And a great artist. Thanks Pal Your Calendar is on its way👍
@@ToTheGarage Fantastic news John. Once again, many thanks for all the effort (and expense) that you’ve invested in this project. Here’s hoping that all of the subscribers feel the need for a calendar in their lives in 2021 🤞
Possibly Not. Switzerland and California have( I believe) the strictest noise regs. And I 'think' that Switzerland may be similar to Germany, in that the scope for modifications to any car is strictly limited to items offered by the O.E. supplier and accessories licensed by the O.E. supplier. and aftermarket items that are certified to conform with O.E specs. Am I right @Phillsen ? Its quite an interesting topic actually👍
@@ToTheGarage Switzerland is a bit of a contradiction. You can get a ton more stuff legally on the street than for example in Germany. The problem is it costs a fortune. If you want to have something that hasn’t been approved by regulators through the Manufacturer then you have to prove all kind of stuff like destructive and non-destructive material tests, calculations and maybe field tests and so on. Example there are Harleys that were sold in Switzerland with one brake disc on the front wheel. In other countries they have been sold with two brake discs. If you want to have the more capable two brake discs you either have to go through the same approval process the manufacturer would had to or you would have to find somebody who already did it and is willing to sell/license you the certificate. I guess you could get an exhaust system with valves through the approval process. But a simple muffler delete is next to impossible. Even on a 20+ year old vehicle.
Intriguing @Phillsen. Sounds like its a case of if you have enough money and time, most things can be achieved, as long as its already been done elsewhere. Compared to Germany's straight NO.😁 The UK has tightened up a lot in the last 20 years, but with good reason. For instance, our Kitcar scene was pretty much unregulated back then, and allowed folk to buy a crash damged mini. Pop it into a shed for 6 months and emerge with the same registration number and log book, on a Stimpson Scorcher. That 'car' is the very definition of insanity, with death almost guaranteed (and Ive always wanted to drive one🤣) Google it👍
I must have differing tastes to the majority judging by sales figures, but I really dislike the styling direction Ian Callum took Jaguar in. My favourite XJ has always been the Series 3 and I've lusted after an XK8 since launch. I can appreciate the S-Type but would never buy one, but I love the X-Type which resembles a miniature S3 XJ. I have an early V6 XJ X350 which I love and whilst the differences with the X358 may be relatively subtle, I just wouldn't want one.
I loved the Last XJ Matt and owned a Calum penned XF. But can certainly appreciate the degree by which the styling departed from what came before was always going to divide the faithful. Love it or love them the current crop are what is keeping our favourite brand going and so we should all be grateful for that. I thingk the Space and Space are nice looking SUV's but not sure if I would place a bet on them becoming future classics. The I pace probably will as its a landmark car but im not besotted by its looks either. I think the next gen XJ will be the one we are looking for👍
@@ToTheGarage The later cars are fantastically specced and built and I looked after a couple of LWB X351s regularly when I was a car detailer. Just my personal taste and sense that Jaguar lost something around that time. Sales figures prove my take isn't widely shared though. I can appreciate them, but don't yearn to ever own one.
With respect to the looks I agree that the front end is beautiful but feel the back end could have been so much more. I would say that Ford deliberately handicapped this car in many ways so sales would not outstrip that of Aston's DB7.
I like the XK8 back end, it’s a kind of round XJ6 style to me. DB7 - that is the car with the Mazda 323f rear lights, oh my, it’s kind of hard NOT to top this, isn’t it :-)
i put this on other forums written in 2001 about the 2001 XKR (I have one) from car and driver: A British Classic. Forget, for a moment, the 370-horsepower, 4.0-liter supercharged V-8 under its hood. Put aside thoughts of its Computer Active Technology Suspension or how quiet it is at cruise. Instead, just look at Jaguar's XKR. It's sex on wheels! A lot sexier than the naturally aspirated XK8 upon which it's based and not sexy in a vulgar, lecherous, strip-club-near-the-airport sort of way, either. But Elizabeth Hurley-wearing- Versace-at-the-Oscars sexy: provocative, confident, not at all trashy, with an upper-class British accent.
No - audible means you can hear it, aural means a sensation heard through the ears, oral is something to do with the mouth! Aural and oral are pronounced the same.
Last fall i bought a 1997 Anthracite coupe and your videos have been invaluable in getting it on the road. I just got the computer back from Module Masters and the car runs great.
I'm in Minnesota USA and maybe my whole life I've seen maybe 2 others in the wild. Beautiful powerful and rare, what a combo🤙
Get another and start a big cat sanctuary👍🍺
Attracting the right attention! I was parked at a stoplight a few weeks ago with a huge black lincoln navigator next to me. The light changed and I was surprised to hear tires squeeling. I looked over and he or she had smoke coming from the tires. Even with my delayed start in non-sport mode I beat it across the intersection. Not sure what they were thinking. 15 minutes later in a different part of town. I was challenged by a girl in a white challenger. This never happens, I must have gassed up with pheromones at the last gas station.
John,
This is the best To The Garage video. Thanks for putting so much into the content of this series. You have enumerated why I love my 97 XK8 and my 2001 XKR Coupe. Well Done
David
Bend Oregon
Thanks David. Much appreciated.👍
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.!!!!! Bruce Meyer---Beverly Hills.
Wise Words G F👍
Thanks for another interesting video John, your channel helps during these dark, locked down days (although the sun is shining!)
Thanks Kev
Stay safe
Great stuff! Thanks for the mention! Those old prototypes had a bit of XJ220 but also a bit of Ford Probe so I’m glad we ended up with what we got! Reminded me to make sure I send you some pictures of mine at some point but great content as always and congrats on nearly 5k subs, this comment will be out of date in seconds I’m sure!! 👍
You deserve more subscribers on your channel. Hopefully some of our fellow 'To the Garage' gang will add you to their list of regular views. 👍
Thanks very much, really appreciate it! 😎👍
Excellent video John, thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself nodding in agreement to it all. Delighted and honoured to see my beloved 98 antiga blue xkr on it, thankyou. Stay safe and well mate.
Andrew
Thanks for the picture Andrew
@@ToTheGarage Hello John I need an advise for my XK8. Why do both windows suddendly go down, when shut off the car, get out and close my door. Then suddendly both windows go fully down. Thanks for your help. Greetings Mario from Switzerland
Really well put together John and in total agreement with all choices. Great to hear you mention Geoff Lawson because I met him in Ford Dunton Technical Centre. It must have been around 1994 when I was a young engineer doing errands for Nick Scheele’s team and Geoff came down to meet with some American visitors - possibly to do with the X100 programme!
He was a guy I would liked to have met Paul.
I met Nick once when I worked at GKN as a supplier
Agreed! Great to mention Geoff!
@@ToTheGarage I spoke with Geoff briefly when I collected him from the Foyer and took him straight to the Managers canteen (They had separate canteens those days!). I think he was early. Anyway, I didn't realise who he was until recognising him on TV a couple of years later.
Fab video John. Loved the gallery too, the Xk8 between E Types shows just how fabulous it looks. Stay safe. Cheers, Tim
Thanks Tim.
I hope you and your family are also staying safe in these strange times👍
Thank you John. Looked forward to this with great anticipation.......was not disappointed. I hope that you and your family and friends stay safe.
Cheers Alan. and the same best wishes for you and yours
Great video once again John and thank you for showing my car which was the very last photo against a castle gate
Great car and a great shot Steve. Which Castle by the way?
Hi John,
It Was the gate entrance to Chomondeley castle in Cheshire not far from where I live@@ToTheGarage
Wonderful job, as usual, John! And I was quite excited to see my XK in your closing portfolio!
Mickey
Thank you very much and Thanks for sharing your picture👍
What a great watch John! Loved it. Cant remember if I put looks as no1 before, but its (for me) the most beautiful car EVER made. Great little 3 parter that's been a fab escapism from these troubled times.
Ps are you sure you only wear the pirates hat occasionally?? ;-)
Pps get that ToTG X100 owners meet arranged when its poss!
Great video again.
With respect to the top speed does anyone know if there is any way to unrestricted it and what would be the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?
Thanks.
Aye Aye Capn. Will do😉
I know it can be done. But I think its a mod to the ECU so well beyond me. Various numbers for the unrestricted car are bandied around. However 169 mph pops up now and again from memory. I think thats the coupe only though as it is more slippery
@@ToTheGarage I'm sure I've read before simply pulling a certain fuse will unrestrict things. Cant remember which one though.
This nwas awesome, heartwarming, and utterly compelling. All good, but I really enjoyed the part where your family saw Purdy for the first time. The sign out with other drivers cars was fabulous, accompanied by some wonderful music. A much better alternative to Strictly, any day! Thank you.
I have always thought of my 2013 XK as understated elegance with outstanding power. From a driver pov - I've heard it described perfectly. . . nimble. This car is just an incredible driving experience.
Enjoy your automotive artwork Fidgets Sailing👍
@@ToTheGarage I do I do! :)
hi John, really enjoying yr videos!
Thanks. Glad you like them!
Couldn't agree more. Had a stunning 2002 XKR Convertible for four years 380 bhp, adaptive suspension etc etc Ride and Drive second to none imo. Absolutely loved it and really do wish I'd kept it, more than any other car I've ever owned.
Thanks for watching Brian👍
Thank You John , for another great Video.
Made me Smile !
Revving that Stage 2 Exhaust, Beautiful Raw Sounds.
Greetings !
Glad you enjoyed it Skele. I think Raw is a good description.
i agree with every word one thing missed even in the garage its pure eye candy. i never look back at my Sentra. I do glance back at my 3/4 ton Chevy truck. i look back a lot at my wifes camero. I look back a lot at my just bought Honda Fury. I walk backward staring at our 2001 Jaguar XKR
Beautiful series! Everything you covered is accurate. The XK8/R sure gets the right attention. Smiles everywhere.
Thank you for sharing,
Cheers :)
I have had one negative when it comes to attention. I have a client who is from the UK and is over in the states now. When I purchased mine his first comment was, "You bought a old man's car, in the Uk only old men by Jaguars". I personally think he is jealous, he drives a Porsche.
Definitely jealous
That reminds me of that old joke about the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine.
@@garyvanremortel5218 As much as I would love to tell him that joke, he's actually not a bad guy. I have made too much money off of him and make lots of trips to Europe on his expense. Have teased him about being unpatriotic.
@@MirageProductions We always have fun with the Porsche guys with that. Jag owners get accused of being arrogant too...but we have a right to be...;o) My neighbor had an '85 911S Turbo and I had to fix his jammed convertible roof for him. After seeing the gratuitously nutty complexity of that model, I never would want to own one.
Well here in Germany only old men buy Porsche :-) Apart from the Boxster ... which is driven mostly by women :-) Enough clichés for your client?
A really nice video, I love your passion for the car and the Jaguar brand (Marque). Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! thanks Ian
Thanks john for your vid great as always,hope you and yours are well ,stay safe
Thanks Gareth and the same to you my friend👍
Now I realize how smart I was in buying my Jaguar XK8 Convertible, black on black on
black less than a year ago. It was the looks than first caught my eye. l just never realized how much there was too this car and how important it is going to be in being the best period.
Actually Black Black Black is not a very common car as the majority went classic interior trim which gave much paler shades.
@@ToTheGarage There you go. My car just gets better and better.
I, also have a triple black 03 roadster with navigation and Apollo wheels. I looked long and hard to find it, but I am sooooo happy to have it. A thing of beauty is a JOY. FOREVER.
A fantastic series John, waited with great anticipation for your top 3 and couldn’t agree more with your conclusion.
The looks of the XK, IMO are only 2nd to the e type and you can see the heritage shining through in the XK everywhere. The sound is fantastic even just with the rear silencers deleted and I have not had a car before that so many people, unashamedly come over to you and express their admiration 😎😀👍
Theres that 'Right attention'
Thanks Gary👍
I am the proud owner of a 1997 XK8 convertible from new. It is everything John has described in the video and more. I have considered from time to time adding little extras or trying to improve the looks but whatever I consider on reflection adds nothing to the original design. So all I can say is the designer got it perfect first time around and there is nothing that can be done to improve on perfection.
It really is an example of a pure shape that is hard to embellish successfully👍
I own a modern E550 cabriolet great car fast and beautiful but I still enjoy driving my 2000 XK8 Cabriolet it never gets old...
👍Love the E550 and empirically entirely superior making your XK8 surplus to needs. However! Emotionally we both know differently!😉
Love the twin turbo for power but you cant beat the style of the XK8 one of the reasons I bought the merc was its rag top reminds me of my XK8 did not like the hard top convertibles for looks nor reliability.... Keep up the videos love them Thanks...
Brilliant again John, makes me proud to be an owner,
Thanks Anthony
Great video John.. does the stage 2 exhaust release any more power? Really enjoy the channel. Cheers, steve.
Yes it does.
Allegedly 20Hp plus but I have no way of checking that 👍
As always a great production, Thanks John & pleased to hear you & family are OK out in the sticks, as we are. Let's just hope the Covidiots are kept n check by the local constabulary.
Just a point, you have PLASSICAL in place of practical in the last video. I know there are more important things in the world right now, but, I just cannot help myself as an OED addict !
A friend of ours drove back from Norfolk to Surrey a few weeks ago & said it seemed "post apocalyptic" regarding the road traffic. His wife has survived an infection but he is an old fogey like me & just hope all will be well. However, he agrees now is the time to "blow the cobwebs" out of the system without Mr Plod watching !
I will get around to sending you my pics of Bill & Ben, (no Weed), as I think my XK8 is the same "Sports" pack as yours, rather dark birds eye maple.
Take care & be safe, if the Institute Pasteur in Paris who discovered AIDS & the CDC in Atlanta recommend face masks, please
JUST DO IT, do not listen to idiotic politicians, particularly in the USA & wish well to our American cousins.
Hi Alan. Thanks very much for the kind words. Would love to see your interior and compare. The Sports pack is now coming into fashion after 20 years of being the poor relation. Its amazing how many people who see mine ask if I have retried it to get the two tone effect.
I really like the sport trim, especially the dark wood, I know the ‘classic’ is, well, ‘classic’ but the sport trim is great, it’s one of those things where personal taste plays a big part but it would be boring if it was all the same and ‘variety is the spice of life’ as we all know 🤣
Yes, we here in the U.S. are facing a catastrophe as a President, never have we faced such a dreadful group of demonic crooks, and career criminals. !!!!! Just absolutely deplorable.
you hit great details, thanks
No problem!
Bless you for articulating so eloquently ALL that we proud owners intuitively feel. The ONLY thing that upsets me about this car (a 2001 Silver XKR convertible) is that I will never know what it's like to own another luxury Sports car before I go to that big garage up in the sky...why? Because I couldn't afford to own two sports cars simultaneously (for a variety of boring reasons) and I know instinctively that NOTHING can or will ever compare to the pleasure and value for money that this particular freedom machine has brought me over the years....thus I will never know another ....I who once swapped cars like a drunk in an orgy, have become a 'One Car Man' (OCM) ! Who'd a thunk it! No more buyer's remorse for this spoiled senior! Cheers Sir.
spoken like a true devotee and connoisseur.
Thanks Simon.
I cant conceive of a time when there will not be an X100 in my garage.
Liked your video very much. Thank you
A thing of beauty is a JOY. FOREVER.
oh Yes!
OK...i`m an old man ....but i feel young when i cruise with my Jaguar XK 8 . And that`s a good thing . What a beautiful car ! ; )
In my head I am a 21 year old version of Sean Connery when im in mine Udo😁
Your letter just Arrived my friend. Thank you so much.
It may not be appearing on the dashboard as I have a little project I am working on that it will compliment perfectly.
A video will reveal all at some point.
Stay safe fellow islander
John
Great vid and very interesting explanation of exhaust stage 1 and 2, thank you👍🏻
No problem👍
Hi John, it's the 3rd of Dec 2020 and I've just watched all three of these episodes and found them to be the very best that you've ever done.
Other clips may have more technical merit, especially the "How to" and "secrets" series, but this is "heart and soul" stuff . I absolutely loved these !!!
Oh dear, I feel the purse string being stretched so I have a question: there is an age range of XK8's from about '95 to about 2007 (money reasons,) must be convertible. Do you have any form of "buying an XK8" videos to help and/or do's & don't's such as Nicasil/alusil, metal timing chain tensioner replacements?
I did a bodywork buying guide.
But in other regards its a close run thing.
4.2 engines are the safest bet as everything has been upgraded.
Later cars have adjustable headrests but even less space in the back (Recaro seats)
Earliest cars have in my opinion the prettiest nose.
I would not consider Nikasil at all, as long as no blue smoke. easy to start and ideally a good compression test result.
My 1st Jag was an X type. 3 years old, 2.5l Dark Blue, cream interior, loved it. I'd saved for the deposit, and paid monthly. But, first time I went to a clients in it, I was told "you obviously get paid too much if you can afford one of them!"
It was cheaper than the equivalent Ford or Vauxhall, but that didn't seem to matter. Did it put me off? I'm on my 4th Jag now, had my XF for nearly 5 years. Next on the list is an XK8, assuming I make it to the other side of this mess the world is in.
Thanks for the videos John, keep 'em coming.
Top man Roy. I equally enjoyed my mk 1 XF 3.0d another great car that I think will gather a following in years to come👍
Roy Holmes My wife had a X Type 3.0 in Salsa Red. We bought it new and put 160,000 trouble free miles on it before it was rear ended and totaled. Lovely car inside and out. Pleasant to drive.
hi mate, my first car was from a dealer and was 10 months old, I think it was a demo or reps car. 2.5 manual and loved it. Sold it to my brother in law as I had to take a company car. It was a 2 litre X in black. Not so good as felt under powered. Still liked it though.
That was about 6 years of motoring.
Then after a short break with a Rover and then a Volvo (both ok) and about 5 years, I got a 3 litre X auto in Blue. Great car. Never a problem with any of the jags.
Nearly 5 years ago I got a 3 year old 3 litre XF auto with only 20k on the clock. It's now got 90k on it. Again it's great.
I've just always fancied an XK8, so at the end of this corona virus I'll be looking for one as my "last car" to use and then retire with. Hopefully.
Be good and stay safe.
A Corvette is to a jet fighter as an XK8 is to Kate Winslet. Grace indeed.
🤣 well said
Lovely series John! Thanks. Great choice of the top three. Re the great Jag Designers, Sir William, Geoff Lawson and Ian Callum yes, BUT what about Malcolm Sayer? Jaguar wouldn't be Jaguar these days were it not for the E-type!
Good call Asif.
To be fair I don't think there are any 'badly' styled jaguars. The X type is probably my least favourite but I don't think that is bad either.
I have a least favorite car designer though.
Chris Bangle. Imagine what would have happened if he had got hold of our beloved marque!🥺
@@ToTheGarage Agreed about Bangle, his arrogance was matched only by his bad taste1
Hi John, I recall à Video Wheel you are comparing stage 1 and stage 2 sound but canot find it anymore
Wonderful! Thanks so much for this fantastic “lockdown” entertainment!
Thanks for the compliment
Everyone who's seen my XKR just love it and that includes every female too, not one person has said a bad word and they all love how it looks and sounds. One girl said the Jag is hers and I can use the Monaro 😂
I own one of the last xks made in 2014 this is my third one and i am keeping this one
Top man👍
hi john..hope your good ....im refitting my spark plugs on my 98 xk8 .. my torque wrench has newton-metric markings on it so im unsure to the correct settings. can you advise me please. cheers andy
Brill. Can’t wait. 😀
Me neither🤣
I bought the center adamesh exhaust replacement. Which replaces the squished section over the rear axle. I haven't installed it yet. I didn't want it quite as loud as stage two but I wanted to get rid of that squished section. I was wondering if anybody else had tried doing that. What kind of sound did you get? Adamesh said it would fit by itself.
Yes, I did that and it's visible in part 2 of 3 of this series at 17:25. It is a real bugger to remove the old ones due to awkwardness of shape but is manageable. I ran it for about a month with the backboxes still on. It gives an excellent tone for XK8 and to be honest what it should have had from factory. But I have an XKR which lacks the throaty induction sound of the XK8 (Supercharger suppresses it) so I ended up deleting the back boxes as well to achieve a similar burble.
I think you will get a good note from that Lyndon and the overall will release a bit more power. As Paul Kane says it is awkward to get the old bits out but doable. The clue is that Jaguar squashed that pipe to make fitting easy on the production line.
Thanks Paul
Watching youse guys drive on the wrong side of the road is an absolute heart attack here~~!!
:)
The car’s styling HAD to be no 1. I have only recently begun to appreciate American cars, but seeing the XK8 next to the Corvette makes the latter look quite vulgar. Think of all the sexy machines this country has engineered, like the A4 Pacific loco, the Spitfire or the Bentley Blower. On the earlier point though, my wife says that her MG RV8 attracts a lot more positive attention than my XKR, which she feels people think is a bit flash
The RV8 is indeed a fantastic car and in my opinion the ultimate and most desirable variant of the MGB. I take it that it wears that wonderful metallic Green?
Your wife should be very proud. (NEARLY as pretty as an X100😉)
@@ToTheGarage Yes mate. Woodcote green
Diaries cleared again, just as well im not working! Hope you're safe and well John
Andrew
what oil we are just about to change the oil filter and plug in the 2001 xkr?
Bit late, but as the besotted owner of a 2001 XKR coupe, I wholeheartedly agree with you. I put together a little slideshow for a virtual cars and coffee event, and my only regret is that I still haven't captured the utter perfection of the X100's proportions. As you can see I have the 18" BBS Milan wheels from the X308 XJR with the R-package, and they really do a good job of accentuating the curves of the body. ua-cam.com/video/oghdSAaJpe0/v-deo.html
Loving the wheels
For a long drive through Europe the standard exhaust has the edge. I'm not keen on open pipe exhaust as I think it does change the character of the car and on an 800km drive may become irritating.
Fully respect the point and in all sensible regards you are absolutely correct.
Still want mine louder though😁
Thanks for watching Alan👍
I love the Healey replica! What happened to it?
I sold it to the company that still makes the chassis. Sebring cars in Wisbeach
Straight forward..no hype and bullshit👍
Thanks Brian. 👍
brian chiles Truly nice to get just the facts.
I own a lovely 1999 xkr ❤
Congrats on owning a true classic👍
Under "sound" you forgot to note, no engine sounds better than a V8 to begin with! The only engine sound that sounds better is in offshore power boats with 2 (two) V8's synchronizing together!!
As I understand it, when designing the X-100 they had 2 predominant inspirations; the E type (obviously) and ... Kate Winslet! Can't fault their taste.
I love the principle. Nothings better than v8 except 2 V8's👍👍
Have you seen this John? Fantastic video critique of the E Type from designer, Frank Stephenson. ua-cam.com/video/Vq1EEwwfAmc/v-deo.html. What’s really interesting is that his updated rendering of the E Type looks, to my eyes, like the missing link between that car and the X100. I know I might get shot for saying this, but it’s kind of what might have been without the design cul-de-sac that some might say the XJ-S represents.
Great video Gerard. Thanks for the tip off. I liked a lot of what he did with the front end but I think he made the rear wings look a little too wide. Brilliant though. Loved the way he explained his issues with the original (I really done like the type vents either!)
And a great artist.
Thanks Pal
Your Calendar is on its way👍
@@ToTheGarage Fantastic news John. Once again, many thanks for all the effort (and expense) that you’ve invested in this project. Here’s hoping that all of the subscribers feel the need for a calendar in their lives in 2021 🤞
Okay no way I get that exhaust system on the street legally in Switzerland -_-
Possibly Not. Switzerland and California have( I believe) the strictest noise regs. And I 'think' that Switzerland may be similar to Germany, in that the scope for modifications to any car is strictly limited to items offered by the O.E. supplier and accessories licensed by the O.E. supplier. and aftermarket items that are certified to conform with O.E specs.
Am I right @Phillsen ? Its quite an interesting topic actually👍
@@ToTheGarage Switzerland is a bit of a contradiction.
You can get a ton more stuff legally on the street than for example in Germany. The problem is it costs a fortune. If you want to have something that hasn’t been approved by regulators through the Manufacturer then you have to prove all kind of stuff like destructive and non-destructive material tests, calculations and maybe field tests and so on.
Example there are Harleys that were sold in Switzerland with one brake disc on the front wheel. In other countries they have been sold with two brake discs. If you want to have the more capable two brake discs you either have to go through the same approval process the manufacturer would had to or you would have to find somebody who already did it and is willing to sell/license you the certificate.
I guess you could get an exhaust system with valves through the approval process. But a simple muffler delete is next to impossible. Even on a 20+ year old vehicle.
Intriguing @Phillsen. Sounds like its a case of if you have enough money and time, most things can be achieved, as long as its already been done elsewhere. Compared to Germany's straight NO.😁
The UK has tightened up a lot in the last 20 years, but with good reason. For instance, our Kitcar scene was pretty much unregulated back then, and allowed folk to buy a crash damged mini. Pop it into a shed for 6 months and emerge with the same registration number and log book, on a Stimpson Scorcher. That 'car' is the very definition of insanity, with death almost guaranteed (and Ive always wanted to drive one🤣)
Google it👍
@@ToTheGarage the Fuck? That was Trent legal? That’s not a car that’s a wheelbarrow with an engine…
I must have differing tastes to the majority judging by sales figures, but I really dislike the styling direction Ian Callum took Jaguar in.
My favourite XJ has always been the Series 3 and I've lusted after an XK8 since launch.
I can appreciate the S-Type but would never buy one, but I love the X-Type which resembles a miniature S3 XJ.
I have an early V6 XJ X350 which I love and whilst the differences with the X358 may be relatively subtle, I just wouldn't want one.
I loved the Last XJ Matt and owned a Calum penned XF. But can certainly appreciate the degree by which the styling departed from what came before was always going to divide the faithful. Love it or love them the current crop are what is keeping our favourite brand going and so we should all be grateful for that.
I thingk the Space and Space are nice looking SUV's but not sure if I would place a bet on them becoming future classics. The I pace probably will as its a landmark car but im not besotted by its looks either.
I think the next gen XJ will be the one we are looking for👍
@@ToTheGarage The later cars are fantastically specced and built and I looked after a couple of LWB X351s regularly when I was a car detailer.
Just my personal taste and sense that Jaguar lost something around that time.
Sales figures prove my take isn't widely shared though.
I can appreciate them, but don't yearn to ever own one.
With respect to the looks I agree that the front end is beautiful but feel the back end could have been so much more.
I would say that Ford deliberately handicapped this car in many ways so sales would not outstrip that of Aston's DB7.
When they were new. The underslung rear bumper was too radical for me, but over the years I have grown to live that also Viraf.
It's not so much the rear bumper for me but more the light cluster, it just doesn't go with the rest of the car.
I like the XK8 back end, it’s a kind of round XJ6 style to me. DB7 - that is the car with the Mazda 323f rear lights, oh my, it’s kind of hard NOT to top this, isn’t it :-)
I think the rearend is perfect. What do you want a cam-back or a cut off stubby like they've gone to, no thank you.
i put this on other forums written in 2001 about the 2001 XKR (I have one) from car and driver: A British Classic. Forget, for a moment, the 370-horsepower, 4.0-liter supercharged V-8 under its hood. Put aside thoughts of its Computer Active Technology Suspension or how quiet it is at cruise. Instead, just look at Jaguar's XKR. It's sex on wheels! A lot sexier than the naturally aspirated XK8 upon which it's based and not sexy in a vulgar, lecherous, strip-club-near-the-airport sort of way, either. But Elizabeth Hurley-wearing- Versace-at-the-Oscars sexy: provocative, confident, not at all trashy, with an upper-class British accent.
Fantastic. I like Liz Hurley and I Like X100's Therefore it is all true.👍
Thanks for sharing wild bill
Yeah you had to say the best v8 GT car because if you only said the best GT car you would be talking about a XJS.
I think you meant audible not oral 🤣
Good spot👍
No - audible means you can hear it, aural means a sensation heard through the ears, oral is something to do with the mouth!
Aural and oral are pronounced the same.
Way too many adverts
Sorry Terry
Too loud 😔
Each to their own👍
Vauxhalls pretty much the shittest European cars.