Carole Simpson-Hadley

We are particular about keeping our two Jaguars (our low mileage XK and our S-type) as close as possible to how they left the factory.    The XK was produced with Dunlop Sport Max and that is how she will remain.  Our S-type (2007 2.7D) came originally with Pirelli shoes and, according to the DOT codes, had been replaced around 2012 with Pirelli Zero Nero (18" wheels).  When we purchased the S in July 2016, there was a small amount of cracking in the treads so we opted for a complete set of similar Pirelli Zero Nero.

These have covered just 6000 miles but the n/s front has developed a bulge in the outer sidewall.  There is no scuff mark on either the alloy or the tyre, and neither my partner nor myself are ever guilty of kerbing etc.

What experience has anybody had of Pirelli shoes (particularly Zero Nero)?  Sensible/gentle driving being the case, what sort of mileage on these tyres has anybody achieved.

Any recommended alternatives, as we have picked up that the Pirellis are somewhat prone to sidewall bulges.

All comments and advice most welcome!!

Happy growling

Hi Mark & Joe

Mark, must admit we have not heard of the products which you mention....where might you have bought them from?  We understand your battle to keep your S on top....although our XK lives in the Carcoon, we have the same problem as yourself with our S as we don't have the space to garage it as well as the XK.   As the paintwork is Seafrost, it doesn't show light dust/dirt like a dark colour, but we are both fusspots so it does seem like a never ending battle.  We are known as the most accurate weather forecast in our area.....if our S is valeted and sparkles, then it will surely rain!

Joe, many thanks for that and what you say certainly makes sense. At the moment the slight cracks are almost invisible but should this escalate, you have given us another option to investigate.  Although we are based in the South Staffs area, the XK is going off to an Indie Jag place in Derby tomorrow for its annual service, so we shall point the issue out to them and see what they have to say, also.

Happy growling

Good morning Mark

First job on the XK was a going over with a Mequairs Smooth Surface clay pad (with the spray liquid cleaner). Took a while but well worthwhile as some film was lifted off....just as well we didn't go for the Superguard which the Jaguar garage was intent on selling us, as the light film which we removed might have got sealed in!

Second, one or two light marks were removed with Mequairs Ultimate Compound; they disappeared completely.

Third, an application of Mequairs Gold Class Carnauba Plus Paste; easy to apply and made quite a difference on first application.  Needless to say, applied in the shade on a non-damp day.  The shine on the paintwork was noticeably deeper and, on the occasions it was necessary to wash the XK, the water just gathered in blobs and ran off.  On the one occasion we got caught in the rain (on returning from MOT), again the water gathered and, on 1st braking, a veritable waterfall went off the nose!

The first application was done in May 2016, just after we purchased the XK, and we have just done a second application. This has deepened the shine even more, and it is like a veritable mirror.     Needless to say, anywhere where compound is used to remove a small mark, the carnauba is re-applied to the particular area.  In the period between applications, we haven't noticed any deterioration, but of course each application gives further protection.       Sometimes a small amount of wax may get caught around the edge of the parking sensors, but thisis easily removed with a soft cotton bud. (I did say we could be classed as a bit "anoraky"!)

We use Autoglym Glass on the windows, applied directly via a microfibre cloth rather than sprayed; we use Mequairs tyre gel as this doesn't "flick".  When washing, we have three buckets each with their own sponge or mitten - 2 for the paintwork and 1 strictly and specifically for the wheels & tyres.

As we have said in our other post titled "Spoilt for choice", as the XK lives in a drive in Carcoon, however she goes into the Carcoon, she comes out exactly the same.

Cheers Mark, enjoy the S as do we with ours (that is when the XK is safely cossetted!)

Having posted an item on our low mileage XK and our S-type, we thought perhaps it was a thought to put them together on the forum. (Note that the F-Pace belongs to the gentleman from whom we purchased the S). The May 2017 issue of Jaguar World held a small item on our Jaguars which we sent in in response to the previous month's issue item on a low mileage XK8.  The editorial team aptly titled it "Spoilt for choice" and, we must admit, it is nice to make the decision, although the weather is a deciding factor on leisure trips out.......if it is raining or rain is threatened, the XK stays in its drive-in Carcoon!   We have found the drive-in Carcon ideal, as it is simply a case of switch off the fans, unzip and drive out. On return, drive in, zip up and switch on the fans. No condensation, no dust, and no paw marks.  Much easier than a regular car cover and far more protective.

Finally, has anybody put together a list of Jaguar Independent Specialists, those who know the cats but don't charge dealer prices?!

Brilliant.....good to know there are others about who are as particular (dare I say "anoraky") as we are.  

Big M - we have pretty much come to the same conclusion as yourself.....leave well alone and if it becomes completely unacceptable, a new cone it would have to be.  Can't stand the thought of messing about with repair work every few years!  On the subject of "our front door".......we wish!  Actually, it is the entrance door to Coughton Court in Warwickshire (National Trust) but we can always dream!  Our other front door could be that depicted in the attached photo, but actually it is Powys Castle in Wales, but the XK looks good sat there!   

Leo - again, you think as we do. Although there are absolutely no other marks on the XK, other than the almost invisible ones mentioned at the start of this thread, we are not nieve enough to think that that will always be the case. Judicious application of Carnauba and very careful cleaning nevertheless keeps us on our toes.  We have increased the mileage from 6664 to 8345 in the year during which we have owned the XK, so she is getting used more than in her first 9 years.

Happy Growling

Many thanks to all those who have responded; useful information indeed, not to mention saving a large bill if you are not sure what you are looking at!

Outside of that, the S type (in Seafrost with ivory interior) has proved to be a delightful everyday car.  A few early teething problems after purchase in July 2016......replacement of the brake servo (apparently a fairly common issue) at 54K miles, and an occasional (now sorted) appearance of the DPF warning due to the fact that in the first 9 years of its life, the S had mostly been used to potter about locally.  The household "lorry" for trips to the tip, taking the dogs out and general running about is a Citroen C4 Picasso and the XK X150 mentioned under the XK forum is the high days and holidays cossetted car.

Owners Club forum has already proven to be very useful, and well worth the pennies. We have even visited Halfords more times than we ever thought we might, armed with the 15% off card.

Happy Growling!

My partner and I are proud owners of a very low mileage XK X150  and a 2007 2.7D S-type, both very cossetted.

Recently, the right-hand brake light Bulb failed on the S-type, this having happened three times since purchase in July 2016.  An easy enough job to do, but unfortunately, and inadvertently, the metal part of the Bulb holder assembly briefly touched against the frame of the car.

Result, a very strange light combination.  O/S reverse light not working, O/S indicator flashing VERY dimly in unison with an equally dim flashing brake light and the N/S indicator flashing in unison.

A call to the local Jaguar dealer resulted in an inability to get past the "pretty people" who seem to provide an effective barrier to getting to somebody who knows how the cars actually operate! Another sagely announced that a diagnostic would be required (£120 + vat) and most probably a replacement lighting module.

Self investigation proved that the remedy was remarkably simple......fuse 48 (10amp) in the boot mounted fuse box (one of three fuse boxes in the car) had blown. Replacement gave the required result - all lighting working correctly!

Hopefully this may be useful for others who don't necessarily want to run off to their local Jaguar dealership and come away with next year's holiday money somewhat depleted!

My partner and I are proud owners of a 2007 XK X150 4.2 which we have owned for one year; recorded mileage when purchased in April 2016 was just 6664, a real find. The XK lives in a secure garage within which we have installed a drive-in Carcoon; if she goes in sparkling, she comes out the same.  

We have made two applications of Carnauba wax, the most recent just this week. Needless to say, the paintwork is "out of the box" but this week we noticed, in a particular light, what appeared to be a few light scratches left of the grille but inboard of the light unit.  Judicious application of light resin restorer and even a light "go" with a 3000 grade sanding applicator made no difference whatever.   

It was suggested that some damage had been repaired at some point; a call to the service department of the South Wales Jaguar dealer from whom we purchased the XK resulted in a helpful breakdown of the service and repair record (the XK had been supplied new and always serviced there).  This showed that in September 2010 there had been a "local repair to the front nose cone".  As a consequence, what there is is a slight breakdown of the repair tissue beneath the lacquer and paint.

Really, the marks are scarcely noticeable and hard to see from most angles and in most lights, but we know that they are there!  **Has anybody else had a similar experience and, if so, what is generally deemed to be the best way to completely rectify? **