Shed of the Week: Jaguar X-Type V6

Why your jokes really aren't appropriate for the old junior Jag

Imagine if Rolls-Royce built a 3 Series sized car. The idea of a pocket Rolls certainly has something going for it, even if the showroom result had a reassuringly expensive price tag. Which it certainly would have.

Now imagine Jaguar building a 3 Series sized car. Luckily you don't have to imagine it because they have been doing just that, or the equivalent thereof, since the first Mk I rolled through the Browns Lane gates over 60 years ago.

Classic colour combo still looks good

Both Rolls and Jaguar offer sporting luxury. The difference with Jaguar of course is that their version of it has always been affordable for the common man or, in Mrs Shed's case, the (very) common woman.

A few years back, Shed took in a used X-Type 3.0-litre SE AWD as a part-ex for a sit-upon gang mower that had been quietly rusting in his yard. The X-Type owner had to add cash to the deal because, as just about no-one will tire of telling you, the Jag was basically a Mondeo and therefore worth Nothing. This is an interesting one as a few small bits of the X-Type like the engine, body, suspension, cabin, drivetrain had very little connection with Ford.

Anyway, Shed gave the Jag to his missus. She proudly ran it for four years with minimal hassle until the Irish navvy she was seeing on the side accidentally put an indelible bootprint on the nearside rear door card. It had to go after that.

Have a look at this week's rather lovely 2.5-litre X and see if you still think that this much-maligned mini-Jag is a worthless Ford.

As always, check that dash for warning lights

Forget any pre-conceptions you may have and just look at it for what it is: a refined 2.5 V6 luxury saloon with nearly 200hp, all-wheel drive, a good chassis, a seven-second 0-60 time and a typically fulsome Jaguar spec.

Many long term X-Type owners swear they are not only a better drive than the Mondeo (more planted, and yet also lighter on its feet) but also than the equivalent 3 Series, offering more space than the German car and naturally none of its rear-wheel drive issues in snow and ice.

Our Shed comes in a fantastic colour, with apparently lovely leather, very handsome 18in Aruba wheels and a low mileage. There's a bleb on the bonnet that looks eminently fixable or forgettable. Otherwise, what's there to be afraid of?

Early AWD cars suffered from weak bearing in the transfer box but they'll have all been sorted by now. The box itself needs careful checking of its fluids as it doesn't hold a lot and leaks can quickly develop into a serious problem. ABS rings were known for popping off the rear driveshafts. Ultimately not a difficult one to fix, but something that would often trigger a Blackpool Prom's worth of warning lights, causing much angst.

Bad pics, but it sounds like a very good car!

Wheel alignment is critical on a car like this. If it's out you can easily rip through a set of tyres in less than 5,000 miles. Driver's seats rock on their mountings. Water pumps can fail, as can the rear parking sensors. Plug changing is a bit of a faff as the manifold has to come off first. Boot and door locks suffer from water attack. In many cases the Ford connection means that ancillary parts are relatively cheap.

As we go to press, Dan is driving an F-Type SVR. Chances are that it's going to be quite a machine. Our humble X-Type may not quite compete with that but the heritage is the same and there really is nothing like a Jag. Even if it is only a lickle one.

Amazingly, there hasn't been an X-Type in SOTW in getting on for four years, and possibly even longer than that: Shed's pre-October 2012 records were unfortunately destroyed in a mysterious but quite profitable fire. So, it's a long overdue appearance for the X-Type here, and maybe on your driveway. If you don't have a driveway, get one. It's all part of being a Jaguar owner.

Here's the ad.

REG NO:LA53AWH. AS WE ARE AN AA CARS DEALER THIS VEHICLE COMES WITH A FULL AA HISTORY CHECK AND ALSO 12 MONTHS FREE BREAKDOWN COVER, Upgrades - Leather Sport Upholstery, Navigation System, Beige Full leather interior, Four wheel-drive, Standard Features - Air-Conditioning, Automatic Climate Control, 7x17 X-Sport Alloy Wheels, Alarm, Alloy Wheels - 18in Aruba (ilo 16in), Alloy Wheels 17in Andros, Electric Windows (Front), In Car Entertainment (Radio/Cassette), Remote central locking, Power steering, Lumbar support, Immobiliser. 5 seats, Metallic Green, Please See our Website for more Pictures of this car,www.richmondcarsales.co.uk Satellite Navigation, Air Conditioning, 17'' Alloy Wheels, Anti-Lock Brakes, Passenger Airbag, Power Assisted Steering, Driver's Airbag, Electric Windows, Remote Central Locking,

Show all posts

Author

Discussion

Valgar

Original Poster