Wanting to buy an XF Sportbrake - what should I look out for please?

[vroom6sri]

Hi, all.

After several years of having use of a company vehicle I am soon to become a car owner again and it's the XF estate that I am interested in. I'm after a Sportbrake (that is the estate model isn't it?) but not sure if the 2.2d (200bhp over the 160bhp methinks) or 3.0 V6 diesels are for me. I'll have a look at a few in person and see what I think but please can I ask what things I should watch out for/be wary of and what big jobs need doing at what intervals so that I can check that when looking though service history and negotiating on price? Is it just the cambelt that is a big/expensive job?

Thanks in advance.

[PaulT]

Oh, go for the 3.0 XFS. It is good on consumption and the acceleration is silky smooth. Cambelt at 112k miles but it is normal to replace the water pump and auxiliary belt at the same time, throw in the fuel pump belt - should be done at 144k - with a service about £1.2k from an independent.

[Tomato]

Sportsbrake is the estate. Dont get the lower powered diesel, you will be constantly wanting more power, its a heavy car.

I would personally get the 3ltr if doing the mileage, its a much better engine and will never really be understress unless you make it 😀

[vroom6sri]

Thanks for the info both of you. That's really useful.

Can I just confirm are you saying that I can expect to pay around £1,200 for a service AND cambelt, water pump, aux belt and fuel pump belt altogether at an independent Jag garage? The 1st time I read it I thought you were saying £1,200 just for the service (I hope that's not what you meant as that pretty much writes off me owning one of these stunning cars!).

I'm planning on doing the servicing myself anyway like I have done on my cars in the past.

[Big John]

Hi

Mine is the 200bhp 2.2D Sport (more imposing front end) and I am more than happy with performance and economy. The sportbrake does have air suspension at the back which is pretty reliable (very for me). On mine you can hear the air pump (if you listen) running for about 20 seconds about 200 yards after start-up. Advice is pretty standard such as FSH, and they are heavy on brake discs (about 2 years life for me and I am not at all aggressive on them) but a couple of known issues are water ingress in front foot well and spare wheel well in boot. Both of these can drown the computers and cause all sorts of problems. As with the saloon low battery voltage can cause computer issues so lots of owners use a CTek battery charger to keep the battery topped up on a weekly basis. Check every thing electrical actually works.

On the 2.2D cambelt cost me £600 at dealer this year but note replacement is now 7 yrs not originally specified 10.

I only use V-Power fuel which does increase running costs but have had no issues at all with DPF issues.

Good luck in your search

 

[vroom6sri]

Great info, especially the bit about the interval for the cambelt changing from 10yrs to 7yrs. thank you. Is it the same for the 3.0L do you know?

[Tomato]

I pay into a service plan on a 9 year old XF which is £40 per month. It covers most servicing items including belts, engine is a 5ltr petrol variery so the most expensive version to service.

Front brake change £700 Rears £550

Rear tyres £300, Fronts £250.

All main dealer prices.

Can get cheaper through specialist but use Main dealer due to the car being the RS variant and protection of the value (hopefully 🤣)

[PaulT]

It was around £1,200 that I paid for an XFS for cambelt, aux belt, fuel belt, water pump and service on a 3ltr XFS at an independent.

[vroom6sri]

Thanks for all this info. I much appreciate your time and imparted knowledge.

 

I’ve never thought about service plans before but that seems worth a look! Thanks for the advice.

[vroom6sri]

I read somewhere about making sure certain hoses have been replaced with ones with better connectors but not found much detail as to what this specifically relates to. Sorry but please can any of you shed any light on this?

[vroom6sri]

On 5/27/2022 at 12:06 PM, Tomato said:

I pay into a service plan on a 9 year old XF which is £40 per month. It covers most servicing items including belts, engine is a 5ltr petrol variery so the most expensive version to service.

Front brake change £700 Rears £550

Rear tyres £300, Fronts £250.

All main dealer prices.

Can get cheaper through specialist but use Main dealer due to the car being the RS variant and protection of the value (hopefully 🤣)

It now looks pretty much a certainty that I'll be getting an XF Sportbrake around late August/early September so I was re-reading through this thread and the useful info you all provided me (thanks again for that) but this service plan could be perfect for me so would you mind sharing a bit more info on it please? I've no experience of these at all.

Edited August 1, 2022 by O.T.H

[Tomato]

I use https://www.vertumotors.com/service-repairs/priority-service-plan/

They have a jaguar main franchise down the road from me. covers all servicing costs based on the schedule of the car, i.e. belts etc. Includes them picking up and bringing back the car, can add on MOT too. Important to note, they will do belts, but only if the schedule is showing time to change, so if they have never been done, they will do at the schedule suppose to be done.

Couple of points it does not cover anything not serviceable i.e. wear and tear, no water pumps etc covered.

Took my out fixed monthly cost for 4 years, the garage I use has been good, the video they provide with any issue has been good.

As its a franchise you can get cheaper elsewhere, I use as my XF is rare and trying to keep main dealer history to protect value in the future.

Also have comprehensive warranty with Inchcape for the stuff that does break, used a few times over the last 3 years.

 

[vroom6sri]

Thanks, Tomato. I appreciate the detailed explanation.