We follow Tasker and Lacy as they give a second-generation XKR the once-over
The aluminium-bodied X150 generation of the XK and XKR spelt the end of rusty sills and arches that had been the downfall of its predecessor, but that’s not to say it’s rust-free all over, as we discover when we follow independent Jaguar specialist Tasker and Lacy servicing an XKR.
Fortunately, the corrosion in this case is only superficial, but technician Glyn at T&L says he has seen worse, including holes in the rear subframe. We are also a little concerned by some of the lack of thought that’s gone into the design of the XKR and access to its serviceable components. Take the rear differential, which on the vehicle shown here is a mass of brown rust. Despite the corrosion not being structural, when we try to undo the inspection plug to check the oil level, not only is access almost impossible, but the plug that seems to require a 10mm Allen key to undo it, is too rusty to slacken and could easily round off.
Should the oil inside the diff need changing, then it would be easier to drain it (the drain plug is easy to access) and forcefeed the required 1.3 litres of 75W90 gear oil before quickly refitting the drain plug.
Aside from the concerns we’ve raised, what impresses us about the XKR when it comes to conducting the checks we’ve outlined over the following 24 steps, is that the components are familiar territory for anyone who’s worked on an XF, F-Type or other Jaguars from this era.
