Old Peter

I have Pirellis on at the moment but they do not score as well on the scale that you can get on several tyre sites. While I have found the P Zero assimetrico quite good they only come 7th out of 10 , with Goodyear Eagle Assimetrico coming top and Vredestein above Pirelli. Goodyear Eagle assimetrico score a C on rolling resistance affecting fuel economy --- Pirelli [as above ] scored an F GY scored an A on wet grip -- Pirelli still good with a B Sound wave GY two bars [70 decibels which meets future EU limits - P gets 3 bars 73 db 3 over the future EU limit. This also affects exterior noise. Regards, Peter.

Hi Gary, I came across Nexen when I was looking at tyres. They are classed as a Budget tyre, although they have the correct criteria for a powerful car. In a survey they were rated a 70% on those tyres suitable for a saloon, with a note that they do not perform that well in the dry and are a bit low in the comfort rating. They appear to be very good in the wet, though. Personally I would not use a Budget tyre on a performance car, as tyres are the only thing between you and the road. The two best tyres that came out top and second were Goodyear [which is very high in all factors -- look at Halfords site which gives all the details] and Vredesetein. From all accounts Nexen are not a bad tyre, but you have to ask your self if you are going to put a cheapish tyre on a quality car. Regards, Peter.

Hi Quinny, Replacing an EGR valve for £1k is over the top. You can buy a new genuine Jaguar valve on e bay for £170 each. Having looked at them it does not look too difficult for a DIY job, but if you want it done cheaper and reliable garage will probably of it for no more than three hours about charge. A Jaguar Main dealer will do the same job for about 5 hours [which will include a tea break or three] at about £140 an hour. The other and cheaper option is a terraclean service for you car -- this is very good for diesels, and coupled with the Millers EGR cleaner will save you quite a few shillings. Regards, Peter.

Hi Quinny, The 2.7 diesel has two EGR valves on either side of the engine, but when they get stuck the engine warning light comes on and if you have a OBD2 code reader it will flash up the code, P0420, I think which indicates too much exhaust gas in the area not getting into the Valves. There are several EGR valve cleaners on the market - I used Millers EGR valve cleaner once and it worked [less than tenner from Halfords]. The other way to cure a sticky EGR valve is to get the car on to a fast road, press the S button and give the car a blast. Cleaning out the valves manually is possible, but I don't get dirty hands any more, so I haven't done it. But you don't need diesel fumes in your car, so you are choosing the right course of action. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, John. Try switching on the interior air circulation, and if that stops the fumes coming in then it must be a leaky air circulation duct. Also try closing all the air intakes and switching off the climate control. There could well be other suggestions that could assist. Regards, Peter.

Possibly, Richy, although my x type had that too, but just the CD interchanger and the space for the sat nav. Peter.

My s type will get its service in late May and the MOT at the same time. It wil also get some new tyres on at the time. I am going to fit Goodyear Eagle Assimetrico XL which at the moment are £148 a corner. Research says that they are a better tyre that Pirelli P Zero assimetrico. Peter.

Hi Louisa, I think you must be right about a loose wire somewhere. There is a Jag expert in Doncaster -- listed in the Owners Lounge -- that is highly recommended by those members who have used this garage some coming from a fair distance away. They could be worth trying if you have no success. I don't think the skin graft has worked!! Regards, Peter.

Hi Richy, and welcome to the club. I had a 2005 2.5 AWD petrol x type which also did not have the touch screen, and also examined the idea of a retrofit. I am not expert in electrics so my plan was to source the parts required and have it done by an expert. I eventually decided it was too expensive and abandoned the idea just before my car was stolen. But I do believe that there are members who have done this job and will assist with their exeperience. My s type has the touch screen and it certainly looks much better. Regards, Peter.

Hi Louisa, Some good news there. On the beep -- It is 50 years and 7 months since I took a young lady for a day out to the Lake District on my venerable Triumph T100 for our first date. On the way back a crunching noise occurred which I correctly diagnosed as a con rod going through the crankcase so causing the engine to seize just 40 miles from home. A beep means nothing to me now, so I wouldn't worry. Regards, Peter. P.S. We have been married for almost 48 years, and the only beep I get is when I am exceeding the speed limit.

Hi Jamie and welcome to the club. Trevor has suggested a good route, and for new one and advice try both Mothercare and Halfords. Regards, Peter. P.S. Look after the little one now, and there will come a time when he/she will be buying you a pint.

A terraclean service will clear out the fuel system. It gave me a much improved performance and more mpg. Well worteh the £120 I paid last year, Peter.

Try Preston Jaguar Centre, Jeremy. They have been recommended by a member. What Horse Garage Barton PR3 5AB. Peter.

Welcome to the club, Timothy. Ebay will turn up a case for you, I replaced the bit of the case which shows the characters on the buttons, so I don't think it will be too difficult to replace the whole case. I did it several times on a Rover Sterling. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the club, Glen. I am not an engineer, or a computer expert, but from the evidence, it appears to me that the ECU is getting a message from a sensor and shuts down the engine. It could be that a sensor is faulty? Maybe an OBD 2 code reader could tell you something. The may well be a member more knowledgeable than me who can assist. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Thomas. The S type is a very nice car, and it is good to see so may members taking a lot of pride in a car which, in my opinion, ought to have a Mk IV model in the mind of the designers. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Steve, I hope you will enjoy the club, as much as you will enjoy your s type. Rrgards, Peter.

Hi Paul, and welcome to the Club. Trevor has pointed you in the right direction. The list of garages is very useful, but when you have sorted out the problems I would recommend you give the car a terraclean service which is very good for diesels. I have never had the restricted performance light on [yet]. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Mike, I used to have a 2.5 AWD and very good cars they are. There are quite a few online companies who will be able to help on the exhaust, but there are also quite a few specialists in the West Midlands too. The David Manners Group are quite good and worth trying. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Geoff, The AA also have a similar service to Autoglass and might be worth a call. I have not come across any other mobile services for windscreens, but I would suggest googling around a bit and you could find an expert in that field. Regards, Peter.

Hi Colin, I take it that you have the standard auto box as fitted by Jaguar with the "J" gate change on the left side of the gear shift which allows you to select a particular gear. I have never come across this issue before, and I am not an engineer. Some members have found that a gearbox issue has been cured by a gearbox oil change, not withstanding the fact that Jaguar say the gearbox oil is for life. There could be others with more expertise than me who will also give suggestions. Regards, Peter.

It all depends on the type of cover you need for your car, Stuart. I got one from my local car accessory shop just for protecting against frost, which is does, and stops bird dropping getting on your car. It is only a top half cover, and cost about £25. Just google in the words "car cover" and you will find a whole range. You will need one for a large car, as mostly the sizes are small, medium & large. Peter.

Hi Trevor, Tha main dealers are quite expert in getting your hard earned money from your back pocket to theirs. In 2000 I was in the Rover main dealers close to where I live and saw that the price for a full service on my Rover Sterling [2.5 V6] was £325 +VAT. My local mobile mechanic, who had worked there from an apprentice,did the same service for £75. He has done my services ever since. Peter.

Hi Earl, It does not look too difficult a job, - a bit finnicky - but better to do it yourself than giving Guy Salmon £140 an hour to do it. regards, Peter.

Hi Dave, and welcome to the club. I had a 2.5 X type 2.5 AWD manual and used to get the same rattle at over 3000 revs. But a pair of rotten scroats carjacked me before I could solve it. I am now paying for their accommodation for the next 8 years, I am pleased to say. Otherwise the car was a great car to drive, quick and agile. Regards, Peter.