RE: Shed of the Week: Jaguar X-Type
Discussion
Two Mondeo's in as many weeks! sorry i couldn't resist! Joking aside i recon that's a top class shed. I had a Mondy ST220 for three and a half years so i imagine that power unit with 4wd traction would be quite a weapon in the wet. i dont see the sills as a big issue. get them plated up and plastered with underseal and it will be concealed by the sideskirts.
There's a bit of me liking this. I always thought the x type was a pretty distinctive and classy looking thing in the right colours in a sector that's otherwise depressingly bland. Can't comment on its overall build, never had one but so many can't be so wrong...
I'd live without the awful timber colour on the inside.
Oh, and why is it that Edinburgh is worthy of comment as being such a long way. From where I am, north of Edinburgh, everywhere else is a very long way but such comments are never added to anything based in the South East. Give me the fresh air and open roads up here any day over the cheek-by-jowel and expensive existence so many seem to think it their only option!
I'd live without the awful timber colour on the inside.
Oh, and why is it that Edinburgh is worthy of comment as being such a long way. From where I am, north of Edinburgh, everywhere else is a very long way but such comments are never added to anything based in the South East. Give me the fresh air and open roads up here any day over the cheek-by-jowel and expensive existence so many seem to think it their only option!
I've only ever been in one X Type, which was doing duty as a cab on Guernsey.
It creaked and rattled worse than any other car I've been in, and bits of trim were falling off.
It was an absolute heap of s
t and spoke volumes about the lack of build quality or design integrity that went into these cars.
It creaked and rattled worse than any other car I've been in, and bits of trim were falling off.
It was an absolute heap of s
t and spoke volumes about the lack of build quality or design integrity that went into these cars.SVX said:
A close friend of mine runs a 2.2d version of the X-Type, and its not a bad drive at all.
I quite liked my 2.2d Sport. Engine was a bit utilitarian (its a Transit van engine) but i thought for the money i paid for it, it was a decent car. Mine was a pre DPF variant with the mechanical EGR so went quite well too...when I first saw this shed feature, I thought "Please not a diesel X Type", but was pleasantly surprised to see it was a 3 litre. I think this is a pretty tidy shed. A fair bit cheaper than the equivalent year 330i (which also rusts) and likely to have lower running costs than the E46 too.....
My father in law ran a 2.5 V6 manual for ten years from new and it was 100% reliable, other than a squeaking sunroof which was sorted under warranty. They're also not as slow as people make out, provided you use the gears, as they're a bit peaky, not a problem I imagine with the 3 litre.
I seem to recall that in the EVO group test back in about 2001, the 3 litre X Type was only just edged out by the 330i, on account of the latter being able to hit an indicated 155 on an autobahn. History revisionists may slate the X type now, but it really was quite a close call between the Jag and BMW (and Audi A4, which was placed by EVO below the X Type) when the X Type was new. It certainly didn't have the negative press that early S Types had. I am also sure that the X Type will be a great daily driver on rainy, greasy british roads. A good shed.
I was expecting a barrage of negativity following this article, but to my pleasant surprise, it's all rather positive. Yes, the automatics in SE trim do have a whiff of Partridge about them, and the Sport models with diesel engines were beloved of aspiring reps, but a 3.0 manual is a fine enough thing and great value.
...which is why I bought one a couple of years ago; a 2005 estate in Sport Premium trim (no wood, alas), and it's done just fine. Problems? Well, a bit of paint came away from the bumper, but that's easily solved, and the headlights are clouding after 13 years in the sun, which is annoying, because they weren't very good out of the factory (unless someone ticked the 'xenon' box).
It never put a foot wrong hammering across a damp Snowdonia in November, and was a hoot in the snow, too
...which is why I bought one a couple of years ago; a 2005 estate in Sport Premium trim (no wood, alas), and it's done just fine. Problems? Well, a bit of paint came away from the bumper, but that's easily solved, and the headlights are clouding after 13 years in the sun, which is annoying, because they weren't very good out of the factory (unless someone ticked the 'xenon' box).
It never put a foot wrong hammering across a damp Snowdonia in November, and was a hoot in the snow, too
Always thought the estate was one of the prettier estates of the time.
To be fair to it I think it was the -ve press about the ford parts % that killed the car rather than anything based on the cars merits. Those people I know who have owned one, none really had a bad word to say about it.
To be fair to it I think it was the -ve press about the ford parts % that killed the car rather than anything based on the cars merits. Those people I know who have owned one, none really had a bad word to say about it.
That looks like it has been quite tricked-up for a 'Sport'. Heated seats and steering wheel controls for audio weren't standard spec.
I had the same engine/gearbox combo in an SE that I ran for three years and it is the one car I regret selling when head-ruled-hear and I traded it for an Alfa GT diesel because I though my commute was going to extend and instead it got shorter.
If this car has made it to 80,000 miles then the transfer box isn't one of the ones that left the factory with badly set bearing load, unless it has already been replaced. Hopefully it is the original transfer box in which case it will have the viscous-coupled LSD that was deleted when later models had an electronic, brake-activated stability control.
I'm also willing to bet both rear brake calipers will have been replaced at some point because of handbrake seizure. If they have been replaced with the later post-2005 design (as also used on Mondeo estates so sourcing them is cheap) then no longer a worry. If replaced like-for-like they will seize again as there is a design fault in the seal around the splined wheel that is turned to activate the handbrake that lets dirt in and causes the mechanism to rust.
I had the same engine/gearbox combo in an SE that I ran for three years and it is the one car I regret selling when head-ruled-hear and I traded it for an Alfa GT diesel because I though my commute was going to extend and instead it got shorter.
If this car has made it to 80,000 miles then the transfer box isn't one of the ones that left the factory with badly set bearing load, unless it has already been replaced. Hopefully it is the original transfer box in which case it will have the viscous-coupled LSD that was deleted when later models had an electronic, brake-activated stability control.
I'm also willing to bet both rear brake calipers will have been replaced at some point because of handbrake seizure. If they have been replaced with the later post-2005 design (as also used on Mondeo estates so sourcing them is cheap) then no longer a worry. If replaced like-for-like they will seize again as there is a design fault in the seal around the splined wheel that is turned to activate the handbrake that lets dirt in and causes the mechanism to rust.
My Mother's just sold hers. 2.0 6 cylinder saloon, gunmetal grey with a gorgeous deep red leather interior, it was mint. Bought new in 2003, did nearly 80K miles with FSH. A forecourt took it off her hands for a grand - I nearly cried. She now knows to involve her son on any car decision she makes. 
I just dont know who bought these new other than the aforementioned retired bloke wanting a smaller car, there is one on my parents road, he was always a bit of a prat to be fair, they have a hint of Stringback driving gloves and IAM about them, would have made a very appropriate Alan Partridge car.
It does look like a Mini XJ, that should be a good thing, but it loses something in the shrinking process, but what makes an older XJ is its largeness, raffishness, waftiness, being expensive and being a Jag, it didnt scale down.
For some reason it reminds me of a similar situation with old computers and specifically the BBC model B computer, which wasnt raffish or wafty being a beige box, but it was expensive, double the price of the Commodore 64 at 399 and three times the Sinclair Spectrum, it was a bit "educational" and stuff but it had a certain kudos as it was the same price as a half decent car back in 1985, so kids that had one didnt get the ridicule they perhaps would for having a spods computer.
However, some parents loved the "educational" angle but werent wealthy enough to own a proper BBC model B at 399 plus accessories, so Acorn (Maker of the BBC line) created a pared back, smaller and cheaper version called the Electron, which was 175 quid, social death for kids as it had all the spod features but none of the kudos for being expensive. The X Type is the car Equivalent of the Acorn Electron.
So, a X type loses the good jag features, but kind keeps the slight whiffiness, the drive probably still likes a G and T and wears a Cravat, but it is a polyester one and the gin is own brand.
You can be slightly ironic owning an XJ and you get all the sophistication, but not an X type, its a Jag that has been de Jagged, even if its a half decent car.
I am not fussed about image by and large (have an old TT ffs) but this is on my list of cars I couldnt ever buy, sort of ok when new but now, I would own a PT Cruiser or a 300C before this.
Edit, actually, scratch the PT cruiser, would rather own a selection of Donkey Porn.
It does look like a Mini XJ, that should be a good thing, but it loses something in the shrinking process, but what makes an older XJ is its largeness, raffishness, waftiness, being expensive and being a Jag, it didnt scale down.
For some reason it reminds me of a similar situation with old computers and specifically the BBC model B computer, which wasnt raffish or wafty being a beige box, but it was expensive, double the price of the Commodore 64 at 399 and three times the Sinclair Spectrum, it was a bit "educational" and stuff but it had a certain kudos as it was the same price as a half decent car back in 1985, so kids that had one didnt get the ridicule they perhaps would for having a spods computer.
However, some parents loved the "educational" angle but werent wealthy enough to own a proper BBC model B at 399 plus accessories, so Acorn (Maker of the BBC line) created a pared back, smaller and cheaper version called the Electron, which was 175 quid, social death for kids as it had all the spod features but none of the kudos for being expensive. The X Type is the car Equivalent of the Acorn Electron.
So, a X type loses the good jag features, but kind keeps the slight whiffiness, the drive probably still likes a G and T and wears a Cravat, but it is a polyester one and the gin is own brand.
You can be slightly ironic owning an XJ and you get all the sophistication, but not an X type, its a Jag that has been de Jagged, even if its a half decent car.
I am not fussed about image by and large (have an old TT ffs) but this is on my list of cars I couldnt ever buy, sort of ok when new but now, I would own a PT Cruiser or a 300C before this.
Edit, actually, scratch the PT cruiser, would rather own a selection of Donkey Porn.
Edited by J4CKO on Friday 2nd February 10:42
I had a 3.0 sport manual for a year. It was a nice car, although I never properly loved it.
I thought the interior was pretty crap. Seats were too wide for the car. The rest of it was old style Jag, but since it felt small, it didn't work. Still, fine if you like that sort of thing, but felt old compared to the Mondeo. Also, the original owner had opted for the nice leather seats, but the stingey prick didn't bother with the digital aircon or satnav, so my console was fullof horrid heater knobs that looked like they were from an old rover. Turned out retrofitting the upgrade stuff was a pain on the arse/impossible too.
Shifted fairly well, although it didn't really feel it. I often compared it to a friend's BMW 330ci, which handled better, was faster and better on fuel. An unfair benchmark perhaps as the 3 series was the class leader. Even the Peugeot 406 3.0 V6 i currently have isnt any slower than my X type. The Jag was far more sporty drive though, and was also much more fun than a Merc E320 i drove. The 4wd system was great, and helped me through a very snowy winter in 2010.
Unfortunately the engine properly shat itself at 80k, and after a replacement engine I PX'ed it for an Lancer EVO. For whatever reason, it seemed X types were at the bottom of their depreciation when I came to sell, and got a pretty poor deal. Plus I really just wanted it gone.
So I bought it for £2500, spent £1250 fixing it, and then PX'ed it for a value of around £1250. It's the only car I've ever lost 100% of my investment on.
I thought the interior was pretty crap. Seats were too wide for the car. The rest of it was old style Jag, but since it felt small, it didn't work. Still, fine if you like that sort of thing, but felt old compared to the Mondeo. Also, the original owner had opted for the nice leather seats, but the stingey prick didn't bother with the digital aircon or satnav, so my console was fullof horrid heater knobs that looked like they were from an old rover. Turned out retrofitting the upgrade stuff was a pain on the arse/impossible too.
Shifted fairly well, although it didn't really feel it. I often compared it to a friend's BMW 330ci, which handled better, was faster and better on fuel. An unfair benchmark perhaps as the 3 series was the class leader. Even the Peugeot 406 3.0 V6 i currently have isnt any slower than my X type. The Jag was far more sporty drive though, and was also much more fun than a Merc E320 i drove. The 4wd system was great, and helped me through a very snowy winter in 2010.
Unfortunately the engine properly shat itself at 80k, and after a replacement engine I PX'ed it for an Lancer EVO. For whatever reason, it seemed X types were at the bottom of their depreciation when I came to sell, and got a pretty poor deal. Plus I really just wanted it gone.
So I bought it for £2500, spent £1250 fixing it, and then PX'ed it for a value of around £1250. It's the only car I've ever lost 100% of my investment on.
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