Jaguar x type 2.5 V6.....any good?

[Timmy40]

Thanks Andy, when you say it eats tyres, I do about 12,000 miles per year so would I expect to budget for a set a year?

The issues you mention sound not too bad, I've got a mate whose a mechanic who is used to working on them, and we have a workshop so can get stuff fixed for parts + mates time.

I picked up that pre 2004 they had sill issues.

All in all sounds pretty good, and having owned a string of Alphas in the past most other cars relability/cost issues always seem remarkably reasonable! Besides I've never owned a Jag so it's another tick on the list.

See what you mean about a 3 litre vs 2.5, I'll have to see what's about.

[bigbob77]

andy-xr said:

The 2.5 isnt particularly good, as in it has roughly the same economy as the 3.0 and isnt as fast.

The 3.0 might be better, but not fair to say the 2.5 isn't good. Smooth below 4k rpm, and sounds nice (and gives a decent kick) above.

[Timmy40]

bigbob77 said:

andy-xr said:

The 2.5 isnt particularly good, as in it has roughly the same economy as the 3.0 and isnt as fast.

The 3.0 might be better, but not fair to say the 2.5 isn't good. Smooth below 4k rpm, and sounds nice (and gives a decent kick) above.

As far as I can tell at least on paper, and in looking at a manual there's not a huge amount in it speed wise, especially as believe me I won't be drag racing the thing. I just want something comfy that won't propel me through a hedge when it's snowy/icy on the roads.

I'm in bargain bucket territory here, there's a 2004 on 104k that's £2k nearby. It's hardly more than a ride on lawn mower at that price. If it dies badly I'll just have to dig a big whole and bury it in the fields as a treat for future archeologists!

[snotrag]

I've recently bought one (see my recent thread) and impressed so far.

It took a LOT of searching to find a non-rusty one. I drove 2.5's and 3.0s, manuals and autos.

I saw some utterly shocking rust repairs and some with dubious MOT's given the size of the holes underneath. Lots had tired interiors - the beige/cream does not last well. Go for black if you can.

Settled on a lovely 3.0 SE auto. I would only get a 2.5 with a manual, its not pokey enough for the auto. The 3.0 is a lot harder to find but glad I stuck out. I think mine is nice, its not BAD being auto, just different - nice and relaxed. The J-gate gives you some control if you learn to use it. I have another car for thrills.

I'd also suggest look for an SE not a Sport - Sport actually means no chrome but no ki (at least on the early cars)

Clonky rear ARB seems to be standard issue, easy fix.

MPg is poor in town (20-ish) but on a steady motorway run I'm impressed with mine - mid 30's which I thought was excellent.

Engine sounds great, growly when you boot it and plenty of torque.

Its got a lovely solid, planted feel to it, which suits a winter commuter car to the ground. Excellent traction with 4 decent Bridgestones on. I've found parts cheap too.

Having now owned one, I reckon with a bigger budget than mine a 3.0 Sport Premium Estate with a manual box would be a very talented 3-series rival.

The 'just a mondeo' comments are farcical - the Mondeo is a great car, an X-type is an improved Mondeo.

FYI the other car I looked at were Legacys - discounted because I couldn't afford a nice H6, only the four cylinder variants. I wanted a 6 pot.

Edited by snotrag on Thursday 26th November 16:15

[Dapster]

Hardly in its first flush of youth but it's SOOO much classier than a shabby old X type or dog eared A4. Pretty bullet proof if the wings aren't rotten and this example still looks new...



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/272016097923?clk_rv...

[Liquid Tuna]

Dapster said:

Hardly in its first flush of youth but it's SOOO much classier than a shabby old X type or dog eared A4. Pretty bullet proof if the wings aren't rotten and this example still looks new...



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/272016097923?clk_rv...

It's funny but I just don't see it. These old buses are plastered all over the bargain barge thread and anywhere else people can put them, but I just don't see the "class" everyone's on about. They look like a dinosaur from a bygone era when Mercedes made a car that didn't rot after a decade and should be driven by old women.

[giuliatz2]

I've got a 3.0V6 AWD Estate Auto, fantastic car! I bought mine for 2k and it's a 54 plate on mint condition, serviced at Jag and Magna and kept by an old man with a fancy plate

[giuliatz2]

Liquid Tuna said:

Dapster said:

Hardly in its first flush of youth but it's SOOO much classier than a shabby old X type or dog eared A4. Pretty bullet proof if the wings aren't rotten and this example still looks new...



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/272016097923?clk_rv...

It's funny but I just don't see it. These old buses are plastered all over the bargain barge thread and anywhere else people can put them, but I just don't see the "class" everyone's on about. They look like a dinosaur from a bygone era when Mercedes made a car that didn't rot after a decade and should be driven by old women.

this

[Skyedriver]

Timmy, I pm'd you but then my PC went off so don't know if it sent.
Will resend if you didn't get it.

[jontbone]

Dapster said:

Hardly in its first flush of youth but it's SOOO much classier than a shabby old X type or dog eared A4. Pretty bullet proof if the wings aren't rotten and this example still looks new...



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/272016097923?clk_rv...

Blimey, that looks to be in time warp condition. I don't remember them looking that tidy in the 90s.

[snotrag]

Im a fan of the proper Mercedes-Benz, but...

Dapster said:

SOOO much classier than a shabby old X type or dog eared A4

Is it really?


Front Left by simonholehan, on Flickr

[Cabsi]

I had a new 2.5 Sport manual saloon in 2002 as my Company Car.

It was a great car, and was absolutely trouble free except for the clutch as I just couldn't make a clean/ smooth start without serious concentration. In the end my Jag dealer changed the clutch, but I seem to remember that it involved dropping the engine out. I wasn't paying so didn't worry, but might be worth checking the clutch operation on any potential manuals.

The AWD was brilliant, and I still remember the poetry of easily doing figure of 8's on a snow covered school playground...

[snotrag]

Note:also 1200 quid cheaper than the Mercedes in the ad!

[FreeLitres]

The car I kept for the longest amount of time was an X-Type 3.0 SE Manual. I loved the V6 engine and it surprised a few people with it's ability to launch off the line. (0-60 mph in 6.58 secs which was faster than most hot hatches of the time)

Overall, the car was great. The failure points I experienced during my 6 years of ownership were;
Lamba O2 sensors kept failing. One needs the exhaust manifold to be cold to access - hours!
Rear ARB bushes kept wearing out and knocking
Rear caliper would stick on slightly and hum as it rubbed the disc
Just before selling, was getting the dreaded rust on the sils and the jacking points got soft
The AWD transfer box started to get clunky but a bearing/seal rebuild sorted it for not much money

It was great in the snow!

ETA: As above, CHECK THE CLUTCH! Replacement means a £850 engine out job.

Edited by FreeLitres on Thursday 26th November 22:09

[Timmy40]

Skyedriver said:

Timmy, I pm'd you but then my PC went off so don't know if it sent.
Will resend if you didn't get it.

Nope got nothing through chap, can you resend.

As for the Merc suggestion I'm surprised no one has popped up yet and asked if I've considered an MX-5.

[Domf]

Timmy40 said:

I'm going to resurrect this one as I'm looking at getting an X-type 2.5 V6 AWD.

The AWD is crucial.

Hi I've owned from new 2 x type's 2.5 sport (2003 and current 2006). Now to counter some of the comments on here:-

Mine has covered 130,000 miles from new in 9 years so what's the story
Good
Still returning 30mpg on the Motorway which it does 100 miles every working day
Interior dove white full leather (option) with black piano, all perfect including drivers seat(I use leather clean and polish) people forget if you have a leather interior treat it like a good pair of shoes if you don't polish then they'll look rubbish
Tyres I use Bridgestone S001 225/40 18 , just replaced all 4 after 30,000 miles and were still very legal. Cost £380 for 4. These are harder wearing than Pirelli's and offer great traction with the AWD, I live and travel around Yorkshire, so the white stuff does appear and in 9 years never got stuck, but be warned the power can make the car plough on at corners.
I've just had the underside checked for sill worm and they are rock solid, the later the car the better protected
Still on original exhausts
Body solid and paint

Bad
Headlights are poor, Jaguar never really improved them in the cars lifetime
The keyfobs tend to fail on unlock only(both mine have), but the key works perfectly. They are relatively expensive to replace as a Jaguar sourced item.
locking solenoids in doors can fail, plenty on ebay
The rear park assist can be tempramental especially after a wash, the sensors don't like power washers on them
Master Brake Cylinder went at 90k

Ugly
Clutch was replaced under warranty in the first year, Jaguar apparently fitted a substandard clutch plate on MY2006, sounded like a diesel on tick over
Rear bushes, they fail every 15,000 miles, car is relatively heavy at back because of the RWD setup

BigUgly
Transfer box, mine went at 47,000 with no warning, this is a 10 hour labour job and the transfer box either recon or new is expensive. (£1400+). Given current X Type values, this expense would send the car to the scrapyard

Finance
RFL on post March 2006 this is £480 on an X Type 2.5 or 3.0 C02 emission is 234!!!!!!!!! That's a large percentage of the cars worth

I still like the car and until the XE appears next year with AWD, the old girl will keep adding on 500 miles a week. Note I've said nothing about the engine, because the V6 has not missed a beat at 70mph shes ticking over at 2900 under stressed, but will quickly pull you into license losing territory. I have had the car serviced by Jaguar HULL and then Jagutech in Hull from new, fully stamped.

One question, I get from my mates on meeting them 'Have you still got the Jag?', you don't get asked that question with many cars and I've owned some of the German brands