Rowley_1812

Good choice Bryan.

I guess it must depend upon model as well as tyre size, this is my dash panel pressure table (2.0d) with more options to the above ...

Like Peter, I've never quite understood why people choose to remove make and model badges, I know they're purely superficial but are nonetheless meaningful ... surely?

And mine was an Austin A35 ... an even longer time ago!

Hi Keith, I'm with David, certainly smacks of tyres if you're only getting noise at speed. With which then follows your purchasing dilemma. There's an up-and-coming market in tyres emanating from the strangest places. Of course the evergreen providers such as Goodyear, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Continental are all up there but I'd be inclined to research some mid-cost tyres where you can save many pounds and still get very similar (and safe) results. I have a favourite independent tyre fitter who recommended NanKang (Taiwan), they're not budget tyres but honest to goodness middle price boots. Ultimately of course it's down to how you drive! Best, Rowley

Hi Andrew, you're quite right, it certainly stands out ... and it's not everyone's cup of tea! Personally I'm not one for the dark side. Best, Rowley

Good luck with that Charlie. Consider yourself very lucky though, most of us only have the choice of one year to enter into our vehicle profile! Best, Rowley

PS ... glad to see that you've decided to stay involved rather than leaving the Forum !

Keeping your birds in the boot ... and there was I thinking that I'd heard it all !! Walter, you're an example to us all ... magnificent !! Best, Rowley

Hi again Richard, Unless the car is being given away I'm not sure that it's sensible to buy one with an obvious problem, especially if the cause is not apparent, could be costly. My advice would be to stick to a reputable Dealer so that if there are problems you can ask for them to be fixed before you buy the car, and have said problems noted and warranted. Rowley

James, That's a fair point from David about insurance costs, but then I would hope that you will have thoroughly researched prices for your circumstances already. And that example you post at £3,290, yes, the car looks clean enough but there are things you can learn about both the car and the Dealer simply from the wording of the ad; not much mention of 'history' other than 'VOSA MOT history', that would suggest (to me anyway) that the service book is not fully stamped which would ring alarm bells. That would be the first thing to check over the phone before you even go and see it. A reputable Dealer would likely send you photos of the service book stamps if you ask nicely and sound interested. Rowley

Absolutely James, I agree with Jim. Go for it and help bring the so called and rumoured 'average driver age' down ... and help make it a young man's car too! As Jim's sons are doing. Find yourself a beauty, which, given your budget, should be eminently do-able. As Jim suggests, take your time, and maybe test drive a few options; but always keep one eye on the all important history which, in fairness, you would be doing with any car you buy. Good luck, Rowley.

Hang in there Walter. I suggest you enjoy your Jag and leave the Forum sites alone, then you'll get the best of both your worlds, without any anxiety!

What a poser! Dogs never cease to amaze me, watch the electric window though! Ah yes, child lock! I mean ... dog-lock!

Amazing! I love it! Jaguar's own version of 'The Lady in the Van' ... except this is The Retriever in the X-type'!

Walt, With any car come garage bills. The trick with any vehicle is buying well, with sound & reliable service history, and then looking after the car as best you can. If, like me, you have no flair for car DIY then best to find a reliable and trustworthy Independent mechanic to look after you, whatever car you’ve got, then hopefully those big bills will stay away. I have another thread about Main Dealer Servicing, to which many good people have contributed interesting and valid comments, and I am now convinced that Main Dealer Servicing for any 10+ old car simply doesn’t make financial sense. The one big caveat is that your Indy needs to be reliable, qualified and trustworthy so as not to rob you blind, like the Main Dealers have a tendency to do. Best, Rowley

Well said Jim. Walt, most of the time it’s not the cars that are unreliable, it’s the owners! Perhaps I jest, but as Jim suggests, a Forum such as this is mainly for finding like minded people to help with correcting issues rather than praising the car’s obvious virtues. It goes without saying that the Jaguar is a magnificent car (providing it's well looked after) ... and so say all of us! Best, Rowley

Hi again everyone, Remember this thread last year? Apart from a new battery, a new set of boots and an increasingly annoying coolant leak, all has been well. But this week the time came for the annual ‘major’ and, of course, sorting out the coolant leak. After some serious thought and much searching I seem to have found myself a truly reliable, knowledgeable, capable, efficient, inexpensive, qualified and, most of all, trustworthy Independent. I logged earlier in this thread that last year’s ‘major’ was with a Main Dealer who pointed out (on their 'visual health check list') that at worst a replacement water pump might be required, for which they quoted me a staggering £567.48 (excl VAT) which, granted, did include the required amount of fresh Jaguar coolant (say £43.55 + VAT). Not only did my new trusty Indy carry out a textbook Service for just over half the price of the MD, but he also sourced and fitted a new water pump and associated drive belt for £155.74 (no VAT of course). As by this time I'd been topping up with fresh coolant every 200 miles we agreed to preserve that so no new coolant was needed - I doubt that MD would even have suggested that!. Given that the MDs ‘major’ Service quote was £299, the saving I’ve made for a full Service plus new water pump (and belt) using my newly acquired trustworthy Indy amounts to a staggering £660.31!! I’ve found a new best friend! Best, Rowley

Hi Richard, Far be it for me to contradict Old Peter but for what it’s worth, unless I’ve misunderstood you completely and assuming that the figures you’re quoting are good old British pounds sterling, I think you will be hard pushed to get an honest X type for three figures that hasn’t got or had significant issues, even one with high mileage, especially if you’re looking forward to a minimum of 6 months trouble free motoring. Of course I wish you well, but I think you’ve set yourself a very tricky task. Best of luck, Rowley

Good pics Adam. Showing all the signs of being a 2.5SE which, according to my equipment list, shows rear parking assist as standard but power foldback mirrors only as optional. As for the wiring at your fingertips I'm not your man for that stuff I'm afraid, however interesting it looks! Let's hope an expert sees your post and can help out. Have a Happy Easter, Rowley

Hi Adam, My Jaguar knowledge is limited compared to Old Peter but I’ve really enjoying the passed 16 months of my X type ownership. That said I too am surprised that you don’t have rear parking assist as standard (I thought only front parking assist was optional). Your photo looks to be of an SE with cayman 17” forged alloys maybe around 2005/6? Electric retracting rear view mirrors I also thought to be standard for that vehicle. Photos of the rear and of your driver’s armrest controls would help determine your standard fits. Enjoy the Jagfun. Best, Rowley

Thanks Joe, sound advice and food for thought for the unenlightened.

Got that, thanks Joe, but not entirely clear about the relevance. I'd like to hear feedback about peoples experience with DPFs, positive and negative, as mine is all negative.

If I ever upgrade to a younger more powerful 2.2 I feel the need to avoid the dreaded DPF. Some say … that there is no X-type diesel with a DPF! But trusty (?) Wikipedia says that the 2008-09 2.2 145bhp model has one. Also, HonestJohn refers to late 59-reg models having one and apparently a DPF is standard on facelift 2.2 automatics. It is also suggested that a DPF was a ‘rarely selected option’, even on the 2.0D. So is this rogue DPF fitted engine still the Ford Duratorq ZSD (EU4) or is it another unit? Who can admit to owning one of these models? And is the DPF a problem? Rowley

Hi Ian, Hope I'm not too late, you've probably bought some by now. Have you tried www.carmats4u.com? They offer a range of tailored car mats from £17.99 (special offer) upto £99 for a full set of four. You pays your money and takes your choice. Best, Rowley