X-Type 3.0 issues
X-Type 3.0 issues
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Merlot

Original Poster:

4,121 posts

234 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
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I've been looking on and off for a 3.0 X-Type. I'm quite fussy in so far as it needs to be dark blue, dark green or metallic red, cream leather interior with Sat Nav and winter pack. I've mainly been restricting my search in the £4-6k catagory, which tends to be 02/03 cars with ~50-60k on the clock.

However, I have the opportunity to aquire an '01 3.0 SE with all of the above, from a friend of a friend who doesn't want much for it. I've seen a couple of pictures and it looks clean, but it has done 115k.

Before I go and look, I'd be grateful to know of any issues I should be specifically looking for with regards to the 3.0 AWD. The car will be cheap enough for me to not worry about spending a bit should I need to (I would give it a full service at a specialist as a matter of course), but I'd rather not take the chance if there seems a lot of potential pitfalls.

Any help would be great.

pete5570

270 posts

198 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
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Is it a manual or auto?

Merlot

Original Poster:

4,121 posts

234 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
quotequote all
pete5570 said:
Is it a manual or auto?
Manual.


pete5570

270 posts

198 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
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Good! The manual is the one to go for, apparently the autos seem to suffer gearbox failure. I like the X type, i had a brief drive of a friends 3.0 manual and it really did shift, lots of kit too. He has covered 43k (it's got 102k on the clock) and no problems at all.

Merlot

Original Poster:

4,121 posts

234 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
quotequote all
pete5570 said:
Good! The manual is the one to go for, apparently the autos seem to suffer gearbox failure. I like the X type, i had a brief drive of a friends 3.0 manual and it really did shift, lots of kit too. He has covered 43k (it's got 102k on the clock) and no problems at all.
Promising.

Reviews I've read tend to be raving positively about the car, or complaining that it's an overpriced Mondeo which'll break every other week. Nothing really in the middle.

For me, it seems the ideal compromise of performance, economy, features, good looks and a small bit of prestige badge to boot. It doesn't seem to excel in any particular area, but does everything well.




daphantom

426 posts

225 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
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Merlot said:
pete5570 said:
Good! The manual is the one to go for, apparently the autos seem to suffer gearbox failure. I like the X type, i had a brief drive of a friends 3.0 manual and it really did shift, lots of kit too. He has covered 43k (it's got 102k on the clock) and no problems at all.
Promising.

Reviews I've read tend to be raving positively about the car, or complaining that it's an overpriced Mondeo which'll break every other week. Nothing really in the middle.

For me, it seems the ideal compromise of performance, economy, features, good looks and a small bit of prestige badge to boot. It doesn't seem to excel in any particular area, but does everything well.
i had an 01 3.0 sport(manual) with 70k for a year. No issues at all with the car -felt very solid. Would definately get one again. Didnt quite live up to the performance figures but i thought it was better on fuel than said. I also had a ST200 mondeo at the same time - no comparison between the 2 for confort, style, feel etc. The x-type feels + drives a whole lot better than than a ford.

pete5570

270 posts

198 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
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I wouldn't worry about people going on about the ford mondeo connections, the mondeo is a very good car. If the performance figures are to be believed, it must be quick enough for most people. Someone i work with has just bought what must be one of the last X types, an estate in silver with black leather and all the toys, it looks stunning.

w824gb3

261 posts

248 months

Monday 12th April 2010
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Ive owned 2. Both great cars & no big issues at all. Avoid the auto tho.

On the test drive check for any undue noises from the driveline.

The transfer box is the weak point because it only contains a small amount of oil - so if there are any leaks from this they may go un-noticed until its too late.

The box also has a black plastic air scoop to direct cooling air at it. These can be ripped off in snow or off road driving so get under the car & make sure its still there.

RW774

1,042 posts

249 months

Saturday 17th April 2010
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Trying to get my head around this. the X is a good product. The gearbox can be an issue but we have rebuilt them here so I don`t see there is a general problem.
I have had two cars for no apparent reason seize engines . Both early and both with widely differing mileages.My Indy colleagues in London have had the same issue, so again it is wise to use a top quality oil and change it often aned check it aswell, weekly .I believe the problem lies with sump baffling.The same engine as the S , but transversly mounted, using the same baffling.Spirited driving could airlock the pickup pipe during oil surge.
The X type is a good product underrated by the media.
Mondeo is too for that matter.

pete5570

270 posts

198 months

Saturday 17th April 2010
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I agree with above, They are good motors. If i didn't have an X300, i would have probably bought a 3.0 manual with all the toys, the prices are so low at the moment. I keep trying to get my wife to get one as a daily runner, but the 3 litre thing isn't winning her over!! When the diesels come down a bit i might have another go, until then it'll have to be some eurobox.

Merlot

Original Poster:

4,121 posts

234 months

Saturday 17th April 2010
quotequote all
What sort of MPG could I expect pootling about country roads at 40-60mph.

I've previously run two Volvo T5's which are heavy on the gogo juice (23/24mpg), would it be fair to assume that sort of MPG would be about right? I'm slightly concerned about buying a 3.0 V6 AWD car when petrol prices are at an all-time peak! rofl


FreeLitres

6,124 posts

203 months

Sunday 18th April 2010
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Hi Merlot,

I have had my X-Type 3.0 SE Manual for about 4 years now. It has served me very well and it is faster than many other cars on the road. The book figures for the manual 3.0 is 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. In the snow, it is a pleasure to drive and has never got stuck.

In terms of MPG, on a long motorway cruise I can get 32+ MPG. This is achievable using cruise control (not found on many Sport spec cars). Without cruise, I can never seem to get these high figures. Also, an auto box would bring this MPG way down. My tank average is 27mpg which is mainly A-road commuting and the occasional motorway journey. If you hoon it, it can go much lower. A 3-litre v6 at 7500 rpm can be thirsty!!!

Have a look on JaguarForum - lots of useful info.

benebob

365 posts

207 months

Sunday 25th April 2010
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Merlot,
I bought an X type 2.5 Manual in January with 99k on the odo. Aside from needing rear shocks and rotors (which is about the time for any car) it has been nothing but trouble free. Transfer cases can be an issue and they are a pita to change the fluid as there is no fill valve. My fluid was in good shape but I've heard people who have opened 'em to drain and got nothing out or a silver soup out. I get around 28mpg on average with it. If you're planning on working on it yourself it isn't the easiest car to work on but it isn't horrible once you're familiar with it. If your friends was well maintained I'd go for it. Maint, as with any car is the key.