No, I've not gone insane, and please no-one crow on about massive fuel bills etc.etc. However, anyone got any rational thoughts on which of the above they'd go for?
4.4litre 840i coming in at £7000 and mega mile XK8 about £8500. I fancy the 840 as a big car for not alot of cash. Anyone driven one and have any views? Avoiding the 4.0 litre due to Nikasil problem. Will most likely get an RAC warranty or the like to be on the safe side also.
Honest thoughts, good/bad very welcome.
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Driven the BMW when I was considering one a year or two back. Not as quick as you might think, but there again it's a huge amount of metal to move around.
I saw one the other day and my pulse quickened for a second. Still a gorgeous car. Not sure how good an example you'll get for that kind of money though. Interior divides opinion.
No opinions of the Jag but a colleague had a P reg one which he drove 100 miles a day commuting for a couple of years with no problems.
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840i It would be a genuine problem for me to choose between a new shape XK8 and any equivelent BMW though. Superbly, painfully pretty.
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A guy in our car park has one. Its fairly old - must be at least 7 or 8 years old, but its never let him down. Still looks good even though I see it every day.
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Your post got me thinking so I looked at BMW prices on Autotrader and I think there seems to be a big premium for buying from private sellers which I put down owners thinking their car is a uniquely good example. You're hardly likely to get them to drop the price big time, whereas a dealer faced with a serious buyer might be a bit less rose tinted about the vehicle.
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If you can afford the running costs the only question should be "At what time can I pick the BMW up?"
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- And the 1500-quid price saving in buying the BM over the Jag should keep you in petrol for a few weeks! (Or pay for a good service or an unforeseen repair).
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A mate of mine once had an 840i. I thought it was a fabulous car and I still love the styling now. The interior was completely lined in leather which looked amazing but I don't know if this was standard or not. This particular example racked up lots of kilometres mainly on the Autobahn and I don't remember him having any problems with it.
If you're looking at an old one, be aware that for their time they had very complex electronics and cabling so you want to make sure that all the electrical toys work. I stand to be corrected on this, but I don't think an RAC Warranty will cover things like climate control, seat motors and hifi on a car this old.
The suspension, particularly at the back, relies on a lot of bushes to work properly and I wouldn't like to be the one paying to have them replaced once worn, so might be worth getting that checked.
I'm not a big fan of the XK8 so not the right person to ask. My choice would be the BMW but why not go the whole hog and get an 850?
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The 4.4 litre V8 is just as fast as the 5 litre v12 and uses less petrol too - any saving is appreciated! I have to say I admire your courage, I'd love an 840. My colleague at work bought a 10 year old BMW 7 series for 8 grand and had to spend 5k on it in the first year of ownership. He might have been better off buying a car for £12k..... be warned!
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Just for info, Practical Classics did a feature on the 8 series a couple of months ago- i seem to remember their opinion was positive- worth tracking down.
Personally, I love the looks of the 8 series, and would have one if circumstances permitted. As an alternative, though, how about a Porsche 928?
Whatever happens, nice position to be in!!
BW,
Alex.
--
Dr Alex Mears
MG BGT 1971
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner.
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I have three customers with XK8's and they all swear by the things. All I would say is DONT get one with white leather as it looks filthy very quickly and do bear in mind that its quite cramped for such a big car. Very smooth though and seems well made.
I think the BMW is the practical choice, but try them both as this sounds like a purchase of the heart rather than head. There are alot of other alternatives to these cars - if you want a list Im sure plenty here will give you one - the Porsche is a great car, have a look at it - prob better made than the BMW even.
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Many thanks for all this. After more research, the savings to be made on purchasing and 8 series seem good. There are many less around than the XK8, and on the whole seem just as, if not more reliable. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled, as ideally I would like a keenly priced '96 or '97 4.4 litre version in Blue with the cream leather combo. Auto trader do have some nice ones, but a lot seem to be dark racing green. Don't want to look like a drug dealer...!
Porsche 928 not worth considering as I need the two rear seats (such as they are) for anc occasional baby seat. The XK8 and 8 series are the only big coupes to my knowledge to offer this and a good boot.
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Rear seats in the XK8 arent suitable for baby seats, its really only a 2+2. If you need proper rear seats, how about a Merc CL420? Proper 4-seat coupe and one of the last still built like a Merc.
Or perhaps a Volvo C70 T5?
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Ditto that, I got given a lift in the back of an XK8 when I was 16 (I'm 5 foot 6 now, fully grown!!) , 2 miles home from the station by my mate's mum. I was impressed when I first saw the car, but not when I got out 5 minutes later and could barely stand through cramp.
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