Old Peter

Welcome to the Club, James. XF owners will be able to assist you with their experiences of the XF and the engines that power this car. I have the S Type with the 2.7 diesel [208 bhp] and find it quite economical. This engine went into the first XF's and were uprated the 3.0 litre diesel to meet EU5 emissions regulations. The S type is a heavier car than the XF but still returns about 45 mpg on a long run and about 30 mpg around the city. Of course, a lot depends on the way you drive and the weight in the car, but the XF should get no worse than that. Regards, Peter.

Yes, You must get it picked up, Steve. Whatever the problem is, your car is unsafe to drive, Peter.

Hi Graham, Glad it's sorted out. I had similar problems to you with my x type, but I just gave up! I am keeping very well, possibly due to a Funeral Director building a new premises just round the corner! And I hope you are keeping fit and well and enjoying your XK. Regards, Peter.

Hi Martyn, I once used a windscreen cleaner/water repellent and found that it seemed to leave a haze on the windscreen. I managed to get rid of it my using a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, which I put into a spray bottle. I use the same process to clean my windscreen wipers. It is good for the interior of all windows, too. Peter.

Welcome to the club, Jamie. Like Paul, I never rely on the manufacturers mpg figures as They are not calculated while travelling on a road, but rather on a test bed - a rolling road plus some time on a track. The car is often low on weight, with as much as possible taken out, such as spare wheel, jack etc and only with a couple of gallons of fuel in the tank. The best way of checking mpg is out on the road driving normally and if SWMBO is in the passenger seat, driving a bit slower! I get 45 mpg on a long trip, and 30 mpg round the city as reasonable good. Regards, Peter.

HI Dan, White smoke on a petrol engine when it is warmed up can indicate that there is some coolant getting into the cylinders and being burnt off. I am not a mechanical expert and guess that there might be a cheap way of curing it. Hopefully, another member will also be able to assist. Regards, Peter.

Hi Ernest, and welcome to the club. Both the x type and the s type are great cars, and as you are handy with the spanners you should not have ny problems if the car has met mechanical issues. The X type has a very large boot, so if it is to carry a lot of stuff etc that could be your choice. While the s type has a smaller boot - surprisingly - it is roomier car the 2.7 diesel is a great engine and very quick, especially for acceleration. Let us know how your search goes. Regards, Peter.

Hi Graham, I wonder if it is a Bluetooth issue? --- either the "phone or the car. Peter.

Hi Tim, If your car has Bluetooth there is a widget on Amazon/eBay that will let you connect your 'phone or iPod. You can also check out the David Manners Group website who have an online catalogue and a good online service. I have used this company before and they are quite good. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Keith. I am a bit pragmatic about curious noises if the car is driving well. I had an A40 that had a whine from the differential of 40k but it went very well and could even get up to 65 mph with a following wind. I would not be too worried, and eventually you will find the solution. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Alex. There is an event coming up in a a few weeks organised by Steve Sheldon - The Brighton run. I think that there are a couple of vacancies still. You will enjoy your XKR in this weather, Regards, Peter.

Hi Mick, Mileage can be a big issue, although a well looked after car with a higher mileage and good servicing throughout its life can be a good buy. I have always bought cars from a main dealer as you get a warranty and you can also find out what the previous owners were like. A good indication is often where the owner lives. The first owner of my car lived in Cornwall, but had his car serviced in London, which indicated that he/she probably worked in London, and lived in Cornwall and made sure that his car was well looked after. The second owner was actually a Jaguar Main Dealer who replaced the engine before selling it on three months after taking it in as part exchange. It was sold to a gentleman who lived in the Cotswolds, where it was serviced by a Main Dealer. When I bought it I got a good warranty and a car without any issues, and an engine that had only done 21k miles. Regards, Peter.

Hi Mick, The ride on all cars depends a lot on the suspension and the wheel size. There is a strong body of opinion that the smaller wheel option gives a more comfortable ride. Going up to the Lake District 6 weeks ago an E Type Jaguar passed me, It was driven quite quickly and very well. That model went out quite a long time ago, but is still on the road, and a good model will cost £100,000 plus. The XK ceased production in 2014 and there are plenty on the road and will be a future classic. Both the X Type and the S Type are the cars that brought Jaguar cars within the reach of a lot more drivers and could well be described as the cars that kept Jaguar as a well known marque. While there are drivers who are prepared to look after their cars and enthusiastic enough to restore some on the older models and keep them on the road no car could not be described as "won't last much longer", in my opinion. I think that the S type is a future classic with the 3.0 litre petrol and the 2.7 diesel engines capable of doing rather big mileages. Regards, Peter.

Hi Mike, Duct Tape can often do jobs like that. Other than that, some fabric glue and suitable fabric will be the answer, Peter.

Welcome to the Club John and Peter. Jaguars like a battery in good condition, and there are a few little foibles that happen when it isn't, and the computer will shut down things which it does not consider too important. On my s type, the doors will lock at 3 mph. Regards, Peter.

Hi David, XF and s type batteries seems to last about 5 years. I usually put mine on a charge once a month. Peter.

Hi David, Have you checked your battery? If it is fully charged I would be to first reset the windows and if that doesn't work, I would disconnect the battery for a few minutes and then do a full reset. The alternative is to squirt a bit of WD40 or similar into the window as it is going down and see how it goes. Others with more electrical nouse than myself will also assist. Regards, Peter.

HI David, A main dealer will charge about £160 and hour, but might well quote a price for the job --- usually not cheap. My mobile mechanic usually charges circa £20 an hour, and a local garage charges about £40 an hour, so at a guess, you would be looking at a quote of £150 ish. Regards, Peter.

Hi Richard and Aidan, I was able to get a SatNav disc update for my 2007 S type quite easily and it worked well. I will look around but I think that the models before the facelift have a different SatNav system. Peter.

Hi Terry, My S type 2.7 diesel [which was in the 2008/9 XF] has a cam belt which should be changed after 105k or 10 years. I would have thought the XF would have been the same, although I stand to be corrected by an XF owner. Regards, Peter,

Hi Ian, You can get the full key fob on various sites, and then you will need to have it programmed to the car. A good auto locksmith/electrician can do the job cheaper than a main dealer. I am a bit surprised that a car as new as yours should only have one key when it came. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Robert. I have nothing to add to what Paul has said, other than the S Type is a head turner and a very nice car to drive. Just enjoy your Jaguar, and the Club. Regards, Peter.

HI Miles, No worries about late reply. I am undecided as whether to have another protective coating --- pensioners do not have much in the back pocket -- or just do a good bodywork clean up and a good polish. If I go for the first, I am also undecided as whether to do it myself or have a local detailer do it -- cost is a factor. If I go for the latter -- which is the one that is least expensive -- I would like the best cleaning and polishing products that you, as a professional, would recommend. Regards, Peter.

HI David, I think you will need it programming. Look for an Auto Locksmith/electrician who will be able to do the job a bit cheaper than a main dealer. Peter.

Pity! I have had two new windscreens in the last 5 years --- lorries! Peter.