X-type Modifications
Discussion
Hi all,
I am about to part company with my Elise - after 4 years of fun I feel I have paid my dues to hardcore motoring and am getting tired of driving to work with a wet leg when it rains, not being able to pick up any radio stations, and being forced to use my wife's car to take my baby daughter anywhere.
So I am looking for a replacement P&J that is an antidote to the Elise and the 3.0 X-Type Manual seems just the ticket. I have done my research on the trials an tribulations of X-Type ownership and I think that if I buy well I should have a pretty reliable and comfortable car. However, I think I will probably want to add a few modifications to get the best out of the new motor...
My questions is for those of you that have had X-Type mods done, specifically ECU re-map, sports exhaust (dual or quad), brakes upgrade (I understand this is highly desirable as an upgrade), or anything else performance enhancing that might be of interest...
- Would you say the mods are worth the financial outlay? (the Arden mods are pretty pricey!)
- Have any of you experienced reliability issues following mods? (e.g. I understand the X-Type gearbox isn't necessarily up to the job of coping with power increases)
- Assuming a FSH, would you think that a higher mileage example (say 60-70K) would be best left unfettled? Or should it make no difference as long as the car has been well looked after - higher mileage = less expensive car to buy = more money for mods =
- How do the Jag dealers look upon mods? Does it make getting the car serviced more expensive?
- Do modified cars lose value a lot more quickly than standard cars? (I would think they do, but it might still be worth it)
That's probably more than enough for one post...
Thanks!
I am about to part company with my Elise - after 4 years of fun I feel I have paid my dues to hardcore motoring and am getting tired of driving to work with a wet leg when it rains, not being able to pick up any radio stations, and being forced to use my wife's car to take my baby daughter anywhere.
So I am looking for a replacement P&J that is an antidote to the Elise and the 3.0 X-Type Manual seems just the ticket. I have done my research on the trials an tribulations of X-Type ownership and I think that if I buy well I should have a pretty reliable and comfortable car. However, I think I will probably want to add a few modifications to get the best out of the new motor...
My questions is for those of you that have had X-Type mods done, specifically ECU re-map, sports exhaust (dual or quad), brakes upgrade (I understand this is highly desirable as an upgrade), or anything else performance enhancing that might be of interest...
- Would you say the mods are worth the financial outlay? (the Arden mods are pretty pricey!)
- Have any of you experienced reliability issues following mods? (e.g. I understand the X-Type gearbox isn't necessarily up to the job of coping with power increases)
- Assuming a FSH, would you think that a higher mileage example (say 60-70K) would be best left unfettled? Or should it make no difference as long as the car has been well looked after - higher mileage = less expensive car to buy = more money for mods =
- How do the Jag dealers look upon mods? Does it make getting the car serviced more expensive?
- Do modified cars lose value a lot more quickly than standard cars? (I would think they do, but it might still be worth it)
That's probably more than enough for one post...
Thanks!
Hi Dominicf
Thanks for such a quick reply and solid advice!
Sounds like I had better put more money into the initial purchase of the car rather than worry about the mods at the moment (with the possible exception of brakes... And maybe the exhaust...)
Yes I was thinking of the Sport (the only variant I have driven so far) which seemed soft but competent - that is actually what I am looking for (and I accept pretty much anything is going to feel soft after the Elise).
Thanks for such a quick reply and solid advice!
Sounds like I had better put more money into the initial purchase of the car rather than worry about the mods at the moment (with the possible exception of brakes... And maybe the exhaust...)
Yes I was thinking of the Sport (the only variant I have driven so far) which seemed soft but competent - that is actually what I am looking for (and I accept pretty much anything is going to feel soft after the Elise).
Hi Triple7
Your car looks the business... Those wheels are very nice indeed...
Good tip about the VIN number.
Thanks for the link, interesting reading and more reasonable prices than those I have been quoted (though obviously not including fitting - not something I would do myself
)
I must admit I hadn't heard about the post '03 power drop for the X-Type 3.0l, and Jaguar still quote the 231BHP on their website?? This needs more investigation on my part as I want to start with the variant with the best performance potential.
Point taken about the high milers - though low miles & 1 owner doesn't usually equal spending as little as possible! I am pretty keen to buy a car that's taken the worst of its depreciation, so I was considering a high(ish) miler, slightly earlier car say '02/'03, though as you say FSH is non-negotiable
As regards 'all the options' I understand that the Sat Nav is the best thing to have for re-sale values, but have heard some horror stories about big bills when the break, and I have my own portable Sat Nav, so not entirely convinced on that front. Which other options would you think are important? (I agree on the leather btw)
Your car looks the business... Those wheels are very nice indeed...
Good tip about the VIN number.
Thanks for the link, interesting reading and more reasonable prices than those I have been quoted (though obviously not including fitting - not something I would do myself
) I must admit I hadn't heard about the post '03 power drop for the X-Type 3.0l, and Jaguar still quote the 231BHP on their website?? This needs more investigation on my part as I want to start with the variant with the best performance potential.
Point taken about the high milers - though low miles & 1 owner doesn't usually equal spending as little as possible! I am pretty keen to buy a car that's taken the worst of its depreciation, so I was considering a high(ish) miler, slightly earlier car say '02/'03, though as you say FSH is non-negotiable
As regards 'all the options' I understand that the Sat Nav is the best thing to have for re-sale values, but have heard some horror stories about big bills when the break, and I have my own portable Sat Nav, so not entirely convinced on that front. Which other options would you think are important? (I agree on the leather btw)
Yes, I think I will need to take my time, there aren't so many of the spec I am interested in for sale down in Somerset, but that's not a problem as I have alternative transport in the meantime.
Checked out that other forum and it is very good, thanks Triple7!
Normand - 600bhp
that would be interesting! Except that the wife will want to drive the car from time to time and I don't think she would approve 
I wonder how he got on with reliability. I used to run a Sapphire Cosworth that had about 480bhp, and that spent more time in the garage than on the road. Good fun while it lasted though.
Checked out that other forum and it is very good, thanks Triple7!
Normand - 600bhp
that would be interesting! Except that the wife will want to drive the car from time to time and I don't think she would approve I wonder how he got on with reliability. I used to run a Sapphire Cosworth that had about 480bhp, and that spent more time in the garage than on the road. Good fun while it lasted though.
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