Old Peter

Hi Steve, Just after I retired, and after 30 years of company cars, I bought a Rover 825 Sterling that was only 8 months old. Part of the deal was that the first full service would be at no cost to me. But when I found out that the future cost at at the local main dealer who I had done business with for 17 years would be £325 + VAT, I started putting away a few shillings every week. Then, in 2002, just a few months before a service was due I had a flyer put on my car window -- A Rover Trained Mechanic was setting up his own business and would be less expensive than the main dealer. I rang him, and he gave the car a full service for £75. He has been looking after my cars ever since. He picked up my car from our house yesterday at 7.00 am, and brought it back after a full service and MOT at 11.15 with cost being £135. A great find! Regards, Peter.

Hi John, The XJS is now officially a classic, and I have seen some great examples. I nearly bought one when I retired in 1999, but the mpg and the lack of boot space put me off. I would like to see some pictures when it is back on the road. Regards, Peter.

That's the one, Steve. I usually try to miss the rush hour when we go there. I have every confidence in Carl, my mechanic, who altered some jobs so he could fit my car in before the weekend. Regards, Peter.

Hi Steve, The biggest cost could well be labour, as locating the leak will probably take some time. S type water pumps for the diesel are not expensive -- under £50, -- which is not bad. If it is that, it could be sourced quickly. But the engine is a big lump and it takes time to find where the coolant is coming from. We are going to visit our daughter in Brockley on Friday for the weekend, so I don't want an overheating problem in the Blackwall Tunnell! Regards, Peter.

My car has just got back from its MOT which it sailed through. However, my mechanic found a water leak -- not getting into the engine, though. It will be sorted out on Tuesday, though. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, David. Hopefully someone with electrical expertise can assist you. I am a bit mystified myself -- gurgles I can understand but my only guess that the clicking is an attempt by the ECU to open on close a valve. Check that the battery is OK first, as batteries that are running down a bit do tend to let the electrics do funny things. Regards, Peter.

Keep this alive, Steve. Peter.

Hi Andy, The early x types had some build quality issues, but these were soon fixed. My first Jaguar was an X type 2.5 litre petrol with which `I never had a problem on an 05 plate. Many of the mechanical parts are Ford, which is not a bad thing, and not over the top, Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Joe. I have only been in an XF once, so XF owners can tell you more about this Model than canI But my S Type has the 2.7 Diesel engine -- and a great engine it is. The cam belt needs to be changed at 105k miles, but otherwise there is nothing more there is to worry about, other than to ensure you give thecae a good rune every few weeks or so to regenerate the DPF. Enjoy your trip to Blackpool, in God's own County. Regards, Peter.

Hi David, and welcome to the club. Just check out the sills behind the covers. Owners of the 3.0 model will share some of their experiences, too. Regards, Peter.

Hi Carl, and welcome to the club. The club members are a very friendly and helpful group of people, and have a collectively great fund of knowledge. The S Type is a great car and I believe it will become a classic. Regards, Peter.

I have a system installed which which tells me the speed I should be driving at if I go just 2 miles over the limit for that part of the road. It is called SWMBO. I have had this system for over 50 years and it is much better than modern technology. Peter.

I think I have managed it, Dino, --- I cropped off a small piece at the bottom [or the top!] Nice colour too. Peter.

Hi Sammy, and Welcome to the Club, My sons the same problem with his x type 2.0 diesel. So far I am guessing that it is either the turbo, the turbo actuator, or a very mucky EGR valve. Good luck. Regards, Peter.

Hi Frank, My car goes for its MOT and service on Friday. Fingers crossed. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Jolly. IOW is not great for roads, but remember as Sir William Lyons, said, "Grace, pace and Space", so while you may not be able to use the Pace that often but you will still have the Grace and Space. And on rainy days you can still come out of Cowes with a Splash. Regards, Peter.

That is very useful, Kevan

Both photos are indigo Blue!

Hi Michael, The s type is an iconic car and the leaper is basic in the design on the Mk1 and the Mk2. But is definitely does to suit the bonnet of the XF. I was talking to an old lady in the Sainsbury's car park this afternoon and while she was admiring my S Type with the leaper, she did say that it was a pity the leaper was not suited to the XF. Hope you enjoy the new Jaguar. Regards, Peter.

Hi Terry and welcome to the Club. The s type does enjoy having a fully topped up battery. Luckily, the s type has a key entry into the boot which does help. And Steve is correct when he says that the key should also open the door. I am just guessing, but from what you have said it appears that the key is not switching the alarm off. Those with more electrical expertise than me [there are a lot] will be able to pinpoint the problem. Regards, Peter.

The only letters after my name that I care about are MMSDT -- very rare. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Phillip. I have seen one of those at close hand and it looks great, and I guess it will be rather quick! We used to live in Derbyshire and still visit -- I will look out for you! Regards Peter.

Hi Adam, My wheels are not as bad as that, but still need doing. There is a relatively local company that I will try and hope that he can do it in a day. He is quite near the Cross City [Birmingham] railway station in Lichfield just 5 stops from where we live. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Paul. You are quite correct --- the Jaguar experience is a great one. Regards Peter.