Old Peter

Hi Phil, I am in London at the moment visiting our daughter, and have just got the internet connection sorted out. Like you I am and have been for some years astounded by the prices charged by the main dealers for what I consider minor problems. I had the amber engine warning light come on six months ago, took it into Colliers in Tamworth and was charged £69 for the diagnostic service -- just 30 minutes -- which indicated that the EGR valve was a bit sticky. A mechanic I use charged me £20 for the same service when the light came on again. Apparently it costs around £300 for a new valve to be fitted. The cure for a sticky EGR valve is half an hour on the A38 giving the engine a bit of a burst. Depreciation on many of the top of the range cars can be most disconcerting. When I retired in 1999 I bought an 8 month old Rover Sterling - cost new £27,500 - for £12.500. Price halved in 8 months! Jaguars are a prime example as there are so many optional extras that will push the price up from say £33k brand new to around £60k, and depreciation appears to take no notice of the extra bits, such as interior trim choice, full electric seats, touch screen with Sat Nav, Jaguar Voice [which is a waste of money] and around £20k spent on the options may only get you about £4k on the price when you sell the car three years later. I have used a mobile mechanic for the last 13 years, who used to work for Colliers, who has done a great job for me. Unfortunately, software in a modern car is main dealer only. Let me know how the terraclean goes as mine is going in towards the end of May to ensure emissions are as low as possible for the MOT in June. On a more positive not I filled up my S Type on Friday with top of the range Diesel and got 41.8 mpg which included the M25, the Blackwall tunnel and the stop start driving through Greenwich and the area round it, and the 2.7 litre engine sounded really good and was more responsive. Regards, Peter.

Another thought, has the previous owners phone been unpaired? I had the problem when changing my 'phone. Peter.

Hi Malcolm, It just occurred to me that you might not have the owners manual. If you have P37, but otherwise dial the number and press cancel and hold it till the number is erased. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Malcolm. Have a look in the owners manual - In car telephone book - I think you can remove the contacts manually. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, George. I think Trevor could well be right. Jaguars have a lot of electricity flowing around in them, but they are intelligent enough to shut down certain things that they do not think important when the electricity supply is reduced. Regards, Peter.

Hi John, I had a 2.5 petrol x type and it got a similar mpg on local usage, but on a longer run I used to get around 35 mph driving steadily. You could get as good as that. Peter.

Welcome to the club, David. Great to see some more expertise coming to the Club. Some people think about original colours being de rigeur, but personally I think that certain cars look better in certain colours and a good respray can work wonders. I don't think value would be affected with the right colour. Regards Peter.

Hello again, Phil. I just had a thought that Terraclean might clean up your injectors and solve the problem Apparently there is fuel injector cleaner available. It might be worth investigating. Regards, Peter.

Hi Phil, I have had a look around and I think you might be able to get fuel injectors for a bit less than £200 each. While there are some for sale on eBay, I would be more inclined to see what is available around some of other Jaguar parts suppliers such as Just Jags, The David Manners Group [Halesowen area] and Rimmer Bros. Living with the problem is a thought but not a solution. I will still keep my eye out when trawling the internet for Jaguar bits. Regards, Peter.

Hi Karl, I did have a slight inkling that you followed a gentleman's game. I used to know Central Park very well, and indeed watched Billy Boston make his debut at that historic ground. Enjoy your trip to Brummagem. I live within the City limits although some of residents still want to retain Sutton Coldfield as a separate entity. There are plenty of Jaguars round here! Regards Peter.

I used to enjoy going up to Widnes to watch Rugby League every other week -- it's a pleasure driving a Jaguar on a long trip. I had an 190 mile round trip and usually go about 43 mpg. [2.7 Diesel] Peter.

I kept mine for 11 years. Never a problem other than normal things. It just got old and tatty. There are plenty of x types around and the one you want will turn up. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Michael. I think most Jaguar owners have had similar experiences prior to owning a Jaguar. I had 30 years of company cars and as you say, plastic and boring. When I retired in 1999 I bought a nearly new Rover Sterling --- a steady reliable car -- a passengers car but not a drivers car. I decided to buy a Jaguar and wanted a diesel S type automatic, but my wife saw a Metallic Red X type 2.5 litre AWD petrol manual without a scratch on it. Lovely car to drive. We were gutted when it was stolen == carjacked. The dealer told me I would never drive another make and we now have that S Type Diesel automatic. You will enjoy both the Club and the Jaguar, Regards, Peter.

Hi Phil, I was put in touch by Terraclean with a mobile mechanic who does the Terraclean service, and am arranging for it to be done towards the end of May. The engine in my car was replaced when it was owned by Jaguar and has only done 33k, but I feel that a good engine clean would help in keeping the expensive bits on a V6 in good shape. Regards, Peter.

Hi Dan. Insurance not due for a couple of months but I will definitely give you a try. Peter.

Hi Phil, I pass through Drayton Bassett every now and then when going the back way into Ventura Park. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Simon. Passing on experiences is invaluable to us all. I hope you enjoy the Club. It is a very good experience, as much as owning a Jaguar. Regards, Peter.

Hi Phil, I have had a look around and it seems that what you have heard is correct. I would suggest you look for an independent specialist. There is a Jaguar specialist in Northfield that has been recommended by other owners who might be cheaper than Stratstone or other main dealers. Just google Northfield Garage. I live in Sutton Coldfield, so if there is any assistance you may need I am available. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Philip, It seems you are both enjoying your Jaguar and the Club already. There are lot of both expert and friendly people in the Club. I will check out the software issue and get back to you. I had a 2.5L SE AWD petrol x type and it was very well equipped. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, David. Billyboy has already given a good answer to your problem. You will find a lot of helpful members in the Club. On the question of independent Jaguar specialists you will find a topic under the forum Jaguar Owners Lounge where there isa list of recommended garages. I do know of a well thought of specialist in Northfield who is listed on that forum. Let me know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Paul. You are enjoying the unique experience of owning a Jaguar. You will find a lot of friendly people in the club and also quite a few from Lancashire. Regards, Peter. [exiled Lancastrian]

Welcome to the Club, Phil. I could be wrong, but a quick guess points me to tyres. The S type is rear wheel drive, so I think the rumble must come from the rear tyres. I used to have a Rover Sterling which was front wheel drive and got a similar rumble when it touched 70. A quick tyre check solved it! [plus a new pair of Dunlops]. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Pete. When I got my first Jaguar, I was told I would never drive another make. True so far. Jaguars are in a class of their own. Rimmer Bros do sell reconditioned parts which are genuine Jaguar. Just Jags is another good site to look at. I am also fairly certain that you could also get replacement trim from either one of these people. Regards, Peter. Exiled Lancastrian.

Welcome to the club, Karl and Mike. In my diesel s type I have used supermarket fuel half of the time, but I use the good stuff with an tankful of the very good stuff occasionally. I notice the difference. The 3.0 litre petrol engine is a very good motor, and sometimes appreciates the single malt, as it were. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Keith. You will be in the company of a lot of friendly people. Regards, Peter.