Old Peter

Sounds great, Margaret. Brings back memories for me of our caravanning days. I have been advised to use best quality fuel, too. Regards, Peter.

Now start to enjoy the Jaguar experience, Keith. The s type is the best car I have ever driven.

Hi Johno, I must say that I have never heard this one before either. Usually such pipes are rather strong, and stones not that sharp. I would be inclined to look for an independent garage, or an air con specialist. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Steve. Nice colour which suits the XK ---- much better than red! Regards Peter.

Welcome to the club, Richard. There are several knowledgeable XJ owners in the Club who will possibly be able to help. Regards, Peter.

That saved me googling that site, Richard. I have some kerbing that possibly Rim Blades will cover for about £30. Peter.

I have just seen a van drive past my house with "Alloy wheel Repair" on the side. I didn't catch anything more' But wheels are like shoes - if they feel uncomfortable, get some that you are happy with. Peter.

Hi Sydney, I have sent you the number of the mobile mechanic I use in a PM. Regards Peter.

Hi Trevor, Within 10 miles I can access the M5, the M6, and the M42. The M6 toll is 4 miles away and the A38 [fast dual carriageway] just a mile away. Thieves like a quick getaway and I am told that they come from the London area to get the rich pickings from the best suburban areas within the Midlands. That is also one of the reasons why insurance is so high. Fifty yards away from my house there is a large private estate -- all the houses are quite old with much land around them -- and are the desirable areas for professional footballers, rich lawyers, and a few pop stars to acquire houses. When we lived in a Derbyshire village you could leave your car unlocked with the windows down in the hot weather. It was an eye opener when work sent me down here in 1982, and my choice of location was in an area where there were good schools and close to my office, which was only 500 yards away. The Police locally has an great emphasis on the movement of criminals, and that is the major reason for the introduction of the Central Motorway Crime Unit which covers lots of counties. The criminals try to keep ahead of the law, though. Regards, Peter.

Hi Richard, Car security is a very important topic, and personal opinion depends a lot on where you live. The police round here tell us that this area has been targeted by car thieves from well outside the city, with a sophisticated operation in place to avoid Security Cameras. There are none within a 2 mile radius of my house and thieves are thought to put cars on trailers and cover them to avoid numberplate recognition. Three cars have been stolen in my road in the last year, two of them by breaking into a house and stealing the keys, and mine which involved blocking my drive and the accomplice waiting round the corner till I got out of the car to ask the driver in the blocking car to move, which he did while his accomplice jumped into my car and drove it off. The Police said I was lucky as there had been 4 similar instances where all four elderly drivers had been dragged out of their cars and beaten up before their cars had been driven off, and never recovered. I never take my keys out of my pocket until I am next to the car, even on my driveway. Peter.

Welcome to the Club Richard. I am not very good at the electronics bit, but I rarely use cruise control. There are many members who will assist on this issue. Regards, Peter.

They could, Richard. And they will. I was car jacked, but in a slightly different way.

Hi Sydney, Have a look in the Jaguar Owners Lounge section and there is a topic Recommended Independent garages. Regards, Peter. P.S. I will be further in touch later.

My daughter in law had a Megane with keyless entry. You had to be pretty close --- 3 yards or so. But to be safe Richard I would check. Put the keys in the house and see if the car will open. Personally, I don't like the system, and never open or close my car doors from a distance, as thieves have been known to watch for a door being opened from a distance and then grabbing the owner. Being car jacked is not a pleasant experience! Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Steve. Nice car, nice colour! You will enjoy driving such a nice car. Regards, Peter.

Yes, Richard. HMRC - Big Score -v- everyone else. Nil. I always buy cars from a main dealer because of the warranty and the way they are presented for sale. But I never have them serviced by a main dealer because they are far more expensive than independent Jaguar Specialists. Enjoy you Jaguar -- mine is getting a good wash at the moment . Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Stuart. I agree with Richard. Jaguar recommend that Climate control should always be left switched on. Also, if you have the touch screen you can look at the settings for air distribution. There are plenty of places you can get the Climate control checked out. Regards, Peter.

Hi Trevor, I have only ever had 1 Japanese car, even though it was made 30 miles from where I live. The others were all British makes. I found the Japanese Toyota Avensis [Company car] very reliable BUT not that economic in the fuel department - any speed over 50 would suck petrol our of the tank, well built, but using very cheap trim with very garish upholstery, poor steering, and not that comfortable. British made cars, even the volume cars such as Ford, Austin and Morris, and Rover were all comfortable, and a bit more refined with far better road holding. I would therefore concur that cars made in the UK should have a factor built in to whatever system of Road Tax [the idea of a £50 cheque from the Government every year could appeal to many]. Peter.

Playing devil's advocate, it could be argued that the owner of the 1 litre car using it daily would contribute more in fuel duty than someone who uses his vehicle less frequently. It could also be argued that those people with a poor public transport service should get some concessions for daily usage. Peter.

Interesting topic. I have put a new topic in the Lounge so I don't fall foul of myself! Peter.

While this topic has been discussed over the years, I think it would be useful, in the light of the changes that have happened since 2001, to have a fresh look at the topic. Should this tax on vehicle ownership have an approach on vehicle usage rather than on the car itself ? Should it depend on the car --- engine size, emissions etc,? Peter.

Monday will be £25 cheaper --- Road Fund license. Peter.

Hi Alan, Redditch is the opposite end of the West Midlands to me, although I used to have to go there quite a bit when I was working. I am in Sutton Coldfield --- just 6 miles from Spitfire Island where the S Type and the Spitfire were made. Let me know how you get on with Climate control. If you have not got the Owners Manual you can down load it from the Internet. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Alan. The S Type is a great car to drive, and I find it very lively even in the diesel version. The drive back from Birmingham to North Wales is a nice drive in any car, but I think it would have been extra special in an S Type. You might need to get the air conditioning -- sorry, climate control -- regassed, and there are quite a few garages that will do it. Regards, Peter. Former Shotton Steelworker.

Hi Trevor, I have just got in after popping round to the corner shop [sainsbury's]. On the way I saw two beautiful Black Jaguar XJ in convoy. The front one was a hearse and the one behind was a stretched one! The local Funeral Director knows style -- The front one will the last Jaguar I will go in! Great Cars Peter.