Jon Hyde

Completely agree, Joe! Except to say that the Jaguar diesels seem to be very good diesels! Most people who've been in mine don't even realise it's a diesel. I bought my XF-S 3.0D because I love the way it looks and drives. Was prepared for poor economy, but am now pleasantly surprised. Given that I have a legendary heavy right foot, I'm delighted with 30ish mpg on short trips and almost 50mpg on cruise-controlled long motorway trips. Cheers, Jon

Speed itself isn't the real issue. Inappropriate speed is the danger. High speed on an empty motorway shouldn't be a problem, but breaking or even driving at, the speed limit in other situations (outside shopping centres, schools, etc.), can be very dangerous. But that's why drivers have brains and the ability to asses the situation and drive accordingly. I would imagine these speed-limited cars will be unaware of fog, ice, children, crowds, sun glaring in the driver's eyes, etc. For those reasons, I think they are a really bad idea, resulting in chains of cars all doing the speed limit regardless of whether it's safe to do so. J

Sorry, ignore my previous post, forgot to scroll down past the USB section! Really embarrassed now! J

Hi Royston, Always good to have an up to date map disc, but that seems very expensive! 2019 version available here for £29.99: https://www.latestsatnav.co.uk/latest-2019-20-sat-nav-disc-update-jaguar-xf-and-xk-navigation-map-dvd-61-p.asp I got the previous version from them and it worked perfectly! Cheers, Jon

Hi All, I knew there was something a little amiss with my brakes (gentle shudder and rumbling noise), but recently it developed a rhythmic squeak whether breaking or not from somewhere on the righthand side. (not a good impression to anyone as I drove by). I had to take a trip to Manchester a couple of days ago, and just as I was leaving the M6 for the M62, the message centre politely informed me that the disc pads were low! My dilemma was whether to try to get pads replaced or drive home to Sussex. As it only said low (not shot to bits!) I decided to drive home (I expected a bill for front discs anyway). Got booked in to Arun Ltd (in Pulborough), where I bought the car, for today. Wonderful experience, really nice, enthusiastic people! The diagnosis was warped front disc(s) and rear pads which had (on one side) gouged the disc. Decision was to replace all 4 sets of discs and pads. along with wear sensors, Total bill including labour - £936. Now, I didn't really want to blow £900+ just now, but you can't really mess about where brakes are concerned, but the real revelation is the way the braking and stability has improved! I always thought is was a lovely car to drive, but it's now so, so much better! It stops as well as it goes. What really surprised me though was to learn that pad wear sensors are no present on every corner, just front left and rear right!, so the others may be wearing more, but undetected, which I think was the initial cause of my problem. Apologies for a long, probably boring post, but I'm just so delighted to experience my XF has it should be! Cheers, Jon

Hi Steve, Personally, I think I'd take the 'safety' margin on the speed. It might be a radar gun one day and the 3mph (10%) buffer might be useful! Also, taller tyres, while possibly quieter, might soften your handling. Personally, I've always really liked the low profile look (my XF has 255/35x20s) And, what about wheel arch clearance on full lock? Unfortunately, not the sort of thing you can have a trial run with. Cheers, Jon

Hi Terry, Totally understand what you're saying about Mercedes vs. Jaguar! I recently retired at 62 after years and years of various company cars (was a shock to have to tax and insure a car for the first time in decades!). Was originally considering a C Class, but had always had a hankering for an XF. Tried both, in various guises, but the XF won hands-down! I think the word we're looking for is 'soul'. MB cars are efficient and tidy, but I've yet to find one with the grin factor of my XF. I know the XF is a few years old (2011) but to get the same fun from a Mercedes (or Audi, BMW, et al) would have blown my budget. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I am mine! Cheers, Jon

Hi Neal, I got some lovely colour matched mats for my XF from www.xjkltd.com. Well worth a look! Nice looking X BTW! Cheers, Jon

Hi Rod, That must be a nice drive by Jaguar! Over the past few years I've had several trips up to Ryedale, for work, but in various company cars. Bought my XF last October when I (semi) retired, no chance yet to 'go north', but have had a few trips across to my in-laws in Tipperary. Cheers, Jon

Southwater, West Sussex

Hi, My 8x20" wheels need a bit of a tidy-up. Can anyone recommend a wheel refurbishing company in the West Sussex area? There's an additional problem in that some of the spokes have plastic 'blades' attached, which will probably need replacing as well. Are these likely to be available? Thanks in advance for any help / advice! Cheers, Jon

Hi James, I also have a 2011 XF. I don't think there's a setting to silence the indicator's clicking (it might even be a legal requirement for it to click). In my XF, it sounds like a mechanical clicking (not the modern synthesised rubbish!) from behind the instrument binnacle. Sounds like a relay or something needs replacing. Good luck! Jon

Hi Carpo, Further to my previous post, I found that www.autodna.com gives accurate results (at a cost of about 7euros), absolutely correct for both my XF-S and my wife's TT. I didn't learn much, but it was interesting! Cheers, Jon

Hi Colin, Interesting post! I think I'll give your suggestion a go, always prefer to be in control rather than controlled (unless it's wet or icy!!!). My 2011 XF-S brakes well, but when the brakes have warmed up, I get a slight shudder and rumble from the front. I assume that means I will soon need new disks - not looking forward to that bill! Cheers, Jon

Hi Carpo, Your experience seems very similar to my own - the car identified was nothing like mine (although it was a Jaguar, just not an XF!). Tried again for my wife's Audi TT - site came back with an Audi A4. It's a pity - would have really liked to know the exact spec when the cars were ordered. Ho hum! Jon

Hi Richard, It does actually, on p39. But I wonder why they bother to give the option - why wouldn't u want them to be in automatic mode? Just another Jaguar quirk, I guess! Hope you enjoy your XF!

Hi all, My 2011 XF has little red lights in the rear light clusters that show a red light to each side. There are also (apparently) similar amber ones in the front clusters, but the never seem to light up! Does anyone know if this is intentional for the UK market (I believe they're essential in the USA), or do I have a problem to fix? Thanks in advance for any comments/help! Cheers, Jon

Perfect! Thanks Graham! Jon

Thanks Graham, Hadn't thought of that! I'll give it a go later today. Cheers, Jon

Sorry if this is a silly question, but... I can never feel any air coming from the centre rear air vents in my XF (hand between seats over vents!). Do they only blow air if the rear seats are occupied, or is there something wrong? Cheers, Jon

Good luck Ian, hope you get a result! Cheers, Jon

Hi Ian, I have a 2011 XF-S and also do lots of very short trips, often with headlights on at this time of year. I have never had the failures you describe, but did occasionally get a battery low warning when parked and listening to the radio (only had the car since October). That worried me into buying a new battery and I haven't seen the warning since. Sounds like you may have a lazy alternator, maybe. Good luck! Jon

I have a 2011 XF-S 3.0d Portfolio - got it in October. Having taken on board advice from other members (especially Peter - thank you!) and swapping to premium diesel with an occasional shot of Millers Oil additive, I now regularly get 32-34mpg locally and an easy 42-46 on long motorway trips. I also do not 'spare the horses'! If I drop into sport mode I can easily drop that down to low 20's. But that's almost too much fun! Cheers, Jon

Hi Peter, Odd thing: I've never actually seen a sportbrake on the road, they seem to be as rare as hen's teeth around here! Do agree that tinting all of the back of one would be a little OTT, but I guess it depends upon how dark it is. On the flipside, all that glass could make for a very hot interior! I think the important consideration is not to go beyond what would have been available on the options list when new, especially in terms of darkness/colour. Cheers, J

Hi Peter, It's a 'factory' tint - pretty much like you would have if you ticked the box when buying new. Only done from the B-pillars back, I think anything in the front is illegal anyway. I do think it freshens the look though, and no problem yesterday getting rid of the frost on the back window with the window heater. Cheers, J