X Type - any revisions from launch to 03 model
X Type - any revisions from launch to 03 model
Author
Discussion

Lone Granger

Original Poster:

801 posts

265 months

Saturday 20th December 2008
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Also am i right in thinking that all Sport models have black veneer - I definitely prefer the very light veneer + cream leather

If was available in light veneer too, how much is the ride compromised on Sport over SE / Classic (and do those models differ much..?) - I would be ok with a compliant slightly firmer ride, but not one that jarrs over broken road surfaces typical on B roads

Do any of the specs dial out understeer more effectively than others?

Triple7

4,015 posts

259 months

Sunday 21st December 2008
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Only SE has the Jag-feel, cream and wood you are after. The Sport model has a firmer set-up, the SE is quite soft IMHO. All depends on what you like.

G

The Leaper

5,470 posts

228 months

Sunday 21st December 2008
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LG,

By the way, you refer to "cream leather" which is not Jag speak at all. What you might mean is officially called "ivory" which is the highest spec Jag leather and around £1000 as an extra when ordered on a new car. There is also "sand" which is a bit darker and is a no cost extra. The different price reflects the different quality in the leather.

Ivory is specified for new cars quite regularly for the XJ, XK and S-Type but I think less so for the X Type.

R.

Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

232 months

Monday 22nd December 2008
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The only answer to deciding which one to go for really is to drive a few examples of the different suspension set ups and see which you like. Then take your current car over the same route straight afterwards as a reference.

I think most people have become so used to the hard suspension set up, responsive geometry and low profile tyres fitted to most cars that they have forgotten what real ride comfort and refinement is all about. My mate's ancient, 100k Omega, as an example, with it's pick and mix cheap tyres and soft suspension has a ride quality vastly superior to my V8 XJ. That might not seem too relevent or obvious on a brief drive but given the broken, pot holed and badly patched surfaces that our local authorities are pleased to call roads, ride comfort gets important after a few hundred miles

One person's sporty ride, grip and feel is another person's crashy, harsh nightmare. Given the choice personally I'd go for the softer set up every time, with the highest profile tyres and smallest diameter wheels available.

It's not often you find yourself desperately needing anonther 0.2g of lateral grip or a razor sharp turn in - in fact in my experience the novelty of a sporty driving experience usually goes off after a few miles - yet every yard you drive on every journey you do in a bit more comfort is a bonus IMO.

Lone Granger

Original Poster:

801 posts

265 months

Monday 22nd December 2008
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Jaguar steve said:
The only answer to deciding which one to go for really is to drive a few examples of the different suspension set ups and see which you like. Then take your current car over the same route straight afterwards as a reference.

I think most people have become so used to the hard suspension set up, responsive geometry and low profile tyres fitted to most cars that they have forgotten what real ride comfort and refinement is all about. My mate's ancient, 100k Omega, as an example, with it's pick and mix cheap tyres and soft suspension has a ride quality vastly superior to my V8 XJ. That might not seem too relevent or obvious on a brief drive but given the broken, pot holed and badly patched surfaces that our local authorities are pleased to call roads, ride comfort gets important after a few hundred miles

...wise words...
One person's sporty ride, grip and feel is another person's crashy, harsh nightmare. Given the choice personally I'd go for the softer set up every time, with the highest profile tyres and smallest diameter wheels available.

It's not often you find yourself desperately needing anonther 0.2g of lateral grip or a razor sharp turn in - in fact in my experience the novelty of a sporty driving experience usually goes off after a few miles - yet every yard you drive on every journey you do in a bit more comfort is a bonus IMO.

Lone Granger

Original Poster:

801 posts

265 months

Monday 22nd December 2008
quotequote all
The Leaper said:
LG,

By the way, you refer to "cream leather" which is not Jag speak at all. What you might mean is officially called "ivory" which is the highest spec Jag leather and around £1000 as an extra when ordered on a new car. There is also "sand" which is a bit darker and is a no cost extra. The different price reflects the different quality in the leather.

Ivory is specified for new cars quite regularly for the XJ, XK and S-Type but I think less so for the X Type.

R.
Aha..!! - I think i have only encountered the Ivory once - in a show stand 2.7D S-Type and commented to salesperson that i had no idea Jag interiors were that good these days - this would account for it - colour matches and it was magical in the back - a cacoon of sumptiousness! - I used the generic 'cream' in the hope to reveal just such an interesting fact - nobody has mentioned it previously when i have enquired about differences in spec

The consensus would appear to be to go for an SE with Ivory for luxurious 'Jaguar feel' to cheapest Jag - Did I hear of a Sovereign model?

The Leaper

5,470 posts

228 months

Monday 22nd December 2008
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LG,

Interesting your last post. I know several Jaguar owners, all saloons not the XK, and most have ivory. I was at my reasonably local JMD recently and there were several ivory interiors on the forcourt. Maybe ivory is an SE UK thing!

R.

mondayo

1,834 posts

285 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2008
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Lone Granger said:
The Leaper said:
LG,

By the way, you refer to "cream leather" which is not Jag speak at all. What you might mean is officially called "ivory" which is the highest spec Jag leather and around £1000 as an extra when ordered on a new car. There is also "sand" which is a bit darker and is a no cost extra. The different price reflects the different quality in the leather.

Ivory is specified for new cars quite regularly for the XJ, XK and S-Type but I think less so for the X Type.

R.
Aha..!! - I think i have only encountered the Ivory once - in a show stand 2.7D S-Type and commented to salesperson that i had no idea Jag interiors were that good these days - this would account for it - colour matches and it was magical in the back - a cacoon of sumptiousness! - I used the generic 'cream' in the hope to reveal just such an interesting fact - nobody has mentioned it previously when i have enquired about differences in spec

The consensus would appear to be to go for an SE with Ivory for luxurious 'Jaguar feel' to cheapest Jag - Did I hear of a Sovereign model?
There is a Sovereign model, but I think it's a newer model. They were still selling them last year, I've not looked recently though

mugs

146 posts

232 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2008
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Jaguar steve said:
I think most people have become so used to the hard suspension set up, responsive geometry and low profile tyres fitted to most cars that they have forgotten what real ride comfort and refinement is all about.
I'd agree with this, it depends very much what you're coming from and what your frame of reference is. I went from a very soft Mazda 626 to a '51 Sport and initially found the ride very hard and it didn't feel at all like I'd hoped a Jaguar would. Now that's I've gotten more used to it I find I tune most of the bumps out and appreciate the positive aspects of the suspension far more than I did in the first month or so. If I could choose again I think I'd go for an SE as the Sport treads a fine line between firm and crashy, but the only way for you to find out if it's acceptable would be to take a test drive in one - you'll only need five minutes to know for sure.

Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

232 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2008
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I'm coming from a background of old Renaults, Citroens and a Series III XJ cloud9 That's real ride quality IMO

Shar2

2,255 posts

235 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2008
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Just bought an SE estate, Jaguar Racing Green with Champagne leather interior. Very comfortable with a nice ride without being wallowy. I'm certainly very pleased with it.

skidrisk

75 posts

213 months

Wednesday 24th December 2008
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I've got an Xtype sport with the cream/ivory interior. The suspension on the sport X type is 15 percent stiffer than other specs and it certainly handles well but still feels quite refined imo, although I have fitted 18" rims on mine so it feels the bumps a bit more now.

Here's a shot of the interior just to show you that you can get it on the sport model.


Edited by skidrisk on Wednesday 24th December 03:32