Rowley_1812

I started a post last May ... "Which diesel fuel?". Back then I was a fresh but not-so-young Jaguar Owner of 6 months and contributors to my topic, including Old Peter (no offence Peter ... after all, it is your 'handle'!), were very much of the view that Shell V Power could certainly benefit both engine condition and performance. My X-type and I have travelled 17,000 miles since I purchased her in November last year (I may be not-so-young but still have to work!) and since May I've been using said V Power exclusively ... and without regret. The cost difference is now down to a mere 7 or 8p per litre, added to which if you join the Shell Drivers Club and accumulate 'double points' then you will benefit from a small voucher periodically to help balance the books. It's proven to be worth the extra cost in my view. That said of course, although fuel type might well seem to enhance the longevity and performance of your treasured mode of transport, nothing beats regular maintenance with particular attention to oil and filter changes.

Thanks Daniel, but I had that EUREKA moment and I'm now connected. Still cuts out sometimes, together with the radio, for 10 seconds and disconnects itself for some unknown reason - my 'old' problem as Peter has rightly commented as I posted it on a separate feed end of last year. The only way I can get it to reconnect is by cutting the engine and restarting, and even then it may not reconnect (ie retain the SIG*) first time, I might have to stop/restart up to five times before the signal stays connected permanently. I can also hear a faint 'click' on the radio when I hit the brake pedal ... I've often wondered if there's a minor electrical fault somewhere. Life's a puzzle innit?!

EUREKA! Out of a clear blue sky ... I don't know how or what I did but it's done. Paired.

I've just upgraded my iPhone 4S to an iPhone 6 (not 'S') and cannot get the car to link to the phone (or maybe it's visa versa!). Car's happily showing the SIG msg but the 6 seems not to want to find the car when searching for bluetooth options. Q ... Has anyone successfully matched an iPhone 6 to an X type by any chance? If so, what's the trick please? Spoke to O2 asking if they thought the phone software was too new for a 10 year old car but they seemed to dismiss the idea (but then I suppose they would wouldn't they?). Incidentally, I started a topic back in NOV about bluetooth problems with my 4S but they were intermittent and although I got used to the (random and inexplicable cut to NO PHONE msg) issue by fiddling about I never fully overcame THAT problem.

Bezza ... your comments make good sense, thanks very much for those, and now that I've been and done the M/D service I can comment thus. They didn't totally screw me - but you might think otherwise when I say that given the parts cost of their 'major' service figure of £299 came to the princely sum of £64.87 I'm now a convert to a good, reliable and preferably recommended Indy! Essentially my car has had an oil change, oil filter, air filter and seemingly not much more. No brake fluid change - but then I think I was aware of that and will now have that done elsewhere. It was an experience from which I think I've learnt a lot. M/D did of course list several 'recommendations' ... categorised under 'visual health check' ... which (using their labour/parts costs) racked up to £1,869.91!! When in discussion with the Service Manager none of these items (eg. rear suspension spring protector isolators ... £205.92!! Front discs and pads ... £311.23) were recognised by either him or me as being anywhere near critical, let alone a requirement. He gave me the impression, bless him, that M/Ds were expected to show proof that they had spent my money wisely by pointing out and highlighting the slightest blemish - presumably to avoid any legal come-back should I feel inclined to instruct solicitors at a future date - but more so, my thinking is on the basis that some rich and stupid owner might take their comments at full value and say 'yes', do the work for me, if you say it needs doing then it must need doing! I guess some people might be like that. Anyway, I'm now convinced about the need to secure the services (no pun intended!) of a good and reliable Indy and I have one or two in mind to investigate.

As I thought, this topic does seem to be taking on the appearance of a can-o'-worms. However, there are some interesting comments, especially those that refer to regular maintenance being the key ... with which I cannot help but agree. But there is also the suggestion that mpg is greatly variable, even taking into account natural influences such as road-state, speed, journey distance, perhaps even fuel origin (?) etc. But even assuming like-for-like driving styles there is also the probability of differing consumption figures when comparing 'same model' 'same spec' vehicles. Odd that! So, given my 55-plate 2.0d saloon (regularly serviced) I would be interested to learn what mileage you guys expect to get from a full tank of diesel (supermarket/V-power/whatever) with same (factory) spec vehicle. To my knowledge mine hasn't been re-mapped ... (yet!).

Thanks for all your input people ... there's a fairly predictable thread that's developed ... 1 - Nobody wants to pay more for a service (or anything for that matter!) than they have to; 2 - Those who are competent should do as much as they can themselves; 3 - Main Dealer Servicing is not always what it's cracked up to be ... and a M/D stamp doesn't necessarily enhance vehicle value; 4 - There are some trustworthy Independents out there ... it's just a question of finding one; 5 - It's perhaps not the stamp but the invoice that counts - always providing that the works done properly. So ... it's a big old can o' worms. Each to his own. Look out for No.1 as others will always be keen to take money off you. Sounds much like the philosophy of life.

'Saleability' is good ... and many thanks indeed for a very thorough and seemingly well informed response. Several points well made about M/D v Indy added to which I'm clear that it makes zero financial sense to trade in a 7+ year old vehicle. As explained, I did speak with some Independents and were immediately put off by many but of the two who seemed to know what they were talking about their 'set-cost' quotes came in not significantly lower than the main Dealer (one was £275 and the other was £249). I would hesitate to suggest that costs are perhaps likely to be higher and less likely to be too negotiable in Surrey/South London compared with Yorkshire ... but I may be wrong. The one route that I didn't investigate, which seems to be gathering popularity these days, is the mobile mechanic whose overheads are clearly the lowest (apart from DIY of course - and I'm far too long in the tooth to be bothered with that!). So if there is a recommendation to be had of a trustworthy mobile option in the Croydon/Caterham/Reigate/Gatwick area then I shall be all ears. I think that without a sturdy recommendation I would be reluctant to jump straight in - thoughts that resemble frying pans and fires immediately spring to mind! So by giving Grange Croydon a chance and seeing if they try to screw me over I shall have taken a step forward and with the good help and guidance of you kind fellas will then be better off when making a decision come the next service ... or even an intermediate oil change! Thanks again Philip.

And I'm guessing that your mobile man doesn't faff around with VAT either Peter ... which is always helpful on the pocket!

Purchased my lovely 2.0D S saloon last November and now it's time for it's first 'major' service. Done nearly 12,000 miles in 8 months since purchase (serviced just prior to purchase), car hasn't missed a beat and all I've had to spend was £3.75 on a headlamp bulb. I thought about both 'Independents' and so-called 'Jaguar Specialists' but after getting quotes and talking to a variety of Service Managers, some knowledgeable and others far less so, I have opted for a Main Dealer service. Unarguable benefit is to have the Dealer Stamp in the service book, especially as the car has 'full history' thus far albeit including 2 x 'Independent' stamps. The old adage is 'you get what you pay for' but am I paying too much? £299 inclusive of both the dreaded VAT ... with a Courtesy Car provided at no extra cost. In fact they would have collected the car from my home and delivered it back at no cost as well. I'm not used to that kind of service from previously used Independents with my other cars. Is there a geographical cost difference? Am I being stung? Are any of you jealous? Or is this a normal and expected service cost? Discuss ...

That modification sounds extremely cunning If I may say so Steve, although not short of a degree of anxiety when fitting it appears. As my bluetooth is so unpredictable I now have an ear-piece jobbie in reserve or, failing that, using the speaker mode turned up on the iPhone apparently has a similar effect - so say the recipients of my calls. But would so like my bluetooth to work properly though, it would make me feel more ... complete!

Peter, thanks for that input. My X-type is not a model that is blessed with digital mpg display so all my calculations are on the brim/mileage/refill basis of calculus - the most accurate of course! I drive a fair mileage per annum (circa 15,000 - mainly motorways) so I really ought do the calculus more often and prove it to myself one way or t'other. I'm also curious how others are finding whether they match up to the advertised 'autotrader' mpg for the X-type 2.0 diesel which seems to range from 36 (urban) to 60 (extra urban) with a stated combined 'average' of 48mpg. I'd be happy ... no, very happy ... with 48mpg, but I do wonder whether quality of fuel has any say in the matter. Upwards and onwards ... Rowley

Judging from previous posts I think it's probably understood that supermarket fuel is substandard. But has anyone actually - and factually - established that higher grade diesel (eg. Shell V-power / Esso Supreme) either (a) serves to better maintain/protect/clean or (2) gives better economy despite the extra pump cost? Or both?!? I might be opening a huge can of worms here but on the recommendation of Forums I now leave supermarket diesel well alone. I tend to alternate standard diesel with higher grade when I'm at the pump ... but just wonder whether the extra cost of higher grade diesel actually works. I've also been recommended Normfest CT60 as a periodic additive. I'm after facts here fellas ... anybody done the math? Happy motoring ... Rowley

Some bright spark on the other meeting room ... you know, that JaguarForum lot ... suggested it might be a phone software issue. I don't think it is but, interestingly, I'm due for a mobile upgrade so will do so before the service and see if that makes any difference. And now that Summer seems to be making an attempt to influence our lives (and our cars!), maybe that will make a difference too! Fickle or what? Hey-ho ... Rowley

The NO PHONE message seems to have kicked up a bit of further interest, but clearly if you don't have bluetooth fitted or don't match your mobile with the car then NO PHONE is all you're going to get. The original posted problem of mine still exists ... annoyingly! It's great when it works but I'm thinking there's a loose connection somewhere or maybe an earth issue. I'm no electrical whizz so shall leave it to the bright boys to sort out on the next service which is due very soon. Happy Days.

Thanks for your kind input Peter. Trevor pointed at the battery back in his 10/11/14 post but there doesn't appear to be a date on it (now there's something that would be useful manufacturers?!) and in fairness it doesn't look that old. But having had the car just 6 months it's difficult to tell as I have no obvious starting, light dimming or other electrical problems. Electrical connections behind the radio and on the stack in the boot also occurred to me and I shall follow up your advice. Thanks again, kind regards, Rowley

I'm back again with this phone issue. Any Bluetooth experts out there? It's now 6 months of trouble free driving in my first X-type ... and I'm still loving it. My only cost has been £3.75 for a dipped headlamp bulb. Wonderful! However, contrary to my own post of 10 Nov last the Bluetooth phone issue is not fixed. Service due soon when maybe a switched-on mechanic might be able to lend an ear and offer a solution to the problem ... a problem which is liveable with but nonetheless incredibly annoying! 9/10 times from start up the radio cuts out within 2 minutes (max) - stays off for no more than 10 seconds then returns - and the previously correct PHONE display changes to NO PHONE. Oddly, after a further minute (max) the radio cuts out again for no more than 10 seconds - still NO PHONE. The only way I can correct is to cut the engine, allow 10 seconds for speedo/rev counter arms to properly click/rest, then re-start (tricky if on the M25!). Sometimes I have no problem after just one re-start and the radio doesn't cut-out and PHONE display stays and Bluetooth stays connected; other times I've had to cut/re-start the engine as many as five times before I get my Bluetooth connection properly and permanently functional. Incidentally, this radio cut-out/Bluetooth failure rarely happens once the car has been running beyond the 2 minutes mentioned above. I know because I've timed it! The radio always cuts within the first 2 minutes of starting the car. It's almost as if it's teasing me ... bless it! Ring any bells? (Sorry ... no pun intended!) Rowley

Hi Jack, One must assume that you have Bluetooth facility wired to your car, otherwise clearly you can expect nothing. When you seek via 'Settings' on your iPhone does it offer the 'Jaguar' option? If 'yes' then you have one-way recognition but the car is in denial. Let me know as I have what could be a similar problem in that my X-type is wired for Bluetooth but sometimes it seems reluctant to pair with my iPhone 4S. I've only had the car 10 days so it's 'work in progress' but one day I have 'NO PHONE' and the next the display shows the proper 'SIG' and all works well. Rowley

Good call Trevor ... thanks, Rowley

Well chaps, now we know! A battery disconnect for 20 minutes (well, 30 actually!) did the trick! Bluetooth operational again. Mind you, that doesn't solve the dimly-lit lower screen but I think I know a man who will solve that for me. Happy Days. Rowley

Never mind Charlie, at least you seem to have got to grips with emails and stuff. Take it easy. ATB, Rowley

Trevor, Thanks for your input. I'm in the Caterham area. Cheers, Rowley

Afternoon all, I've just purchased a really nice X-type 2.0 S diesel saloon on a '55' plate and am loving it. Four days ago I surprised myself and managed to pair my iPhone 4S with the car and actually made some calls. I think I read that each time I got back in the car with my phone it would pair automatically ... but no! Two days later I get in and there's no pairing and when pressing the phone icon hoping to get 'SIG' message the display shows 'NO PHONE' and despite all attempts in my travels since the display refuses to change from 'NO PHONE'. Meanwhile my iPhone is all set and wants to pair with the car again but cannot due to no 'SIG' display. Incidentally this is not touch screen. Last night I drove the car in the dark for the first time and it was evident that the lower screen (clock/phone display) was noticeably dimmer than the top screen, so much so that the content was difficult to read even when adjusted to full brightness. I wonder if these two issues could be connected? I shall be returning to the nice Independent Dealer who sold the car to me but in the interim went to my nearest Main Dealer to ask advice. All they suggested was that I disconnect the battery for 20 minutes 'in the hope' that this resets the car's software and solves the problem. Needless to say I've not done this as it's going to be down to the seller Dealer to sort out. Over to you kind people. Any ideas? Rowley