Jon Hyde

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

Hi Dave, Thanks for that! Sounds like a little project for me too! Cheers J

Sorry if this upsets purists, but I felt my XF needed some tinted windows. Went to Ultimate Tinting Gatwick, had a superb job done by Dale, the proprietor, even though the extreme angle of the rear window made it a bit of a trial. I think it really lifts the look of the XF. What do you all think? J

Hi Peter, Would he travel to West Sussex??? 😉 J

Hi Rhys, I was in your situation back in October - bought a 2011 XF-S! First car I've owned in 30+ years of company car driving. Still have a silly grin on my face every time I drive it! Enjoy yours!

Hi All, Has anyone else considered swapping the bulbs in the interior lights for equivalent LED bulbs? Seems such a shame to have yellowish lighting in such a cool interior, but I worry about compatibility! Cheers, Jon

Hi All, Sorry if this is boring, but... Just had our first long trip in my XF. Kay & I went to a niece's wedding in Ireland, drove from Sussex to Holyhead for the Dublin ferry, over to Tipperary, tootled around a bit, then back via Rosslare and Fishguard. XF never missed a beat and was a total joy! Really impressed the relatives too. Biggest surprise?... Apart from the silly grin on my face, we averaged 42mpg. In no way hanging around either! Not bad for a 3.0L V6! Loving my XF more every day! Now, where's the sponge & car shampoo? Jon

Hi Peter, What is it about 1980s garages - do you think the planners decided they would never be used for cars anyway, so shrunk them. I used to have a Mercedes A Class, which would have squeezed in, but I would have had to spend the night in the car as no room to open the door! No chance of getting near it with an XF! Ho-hum! Jon

Hi Paul, Thanks for that, but it's my interior lights that (used to - mysteriously stopped now) randomly go on & off while driving. Either way, it seems to have resolved itself! Thanks for your interest though. Jon

Hi Peter, Well the Pirellis seem to do the business - car is transformed. Funny thing is, I didn't notice any issue until I got the car and pushed it a bit more than I did on the testdrive. Not checking the make of tyres was a schoolboy error - only excuse is that I haven't owned a car for 36y - always had company cars, but now easing back and self-employed. Either way, £800 is worth it for peace of mind.

Galway Bay is beautiful - I've been fortunate enough to do lots of work there over the years. This time we're off to the wife's family home in Tipperary for a niece's wedding. Just hope it doesn't rain! (forlorn hope though!). Cheers, Jon

Ha! So that's why it bites back on wet roundabouts then! Do they like Guinness tho?

Thanks Steve, It definitely is a struggle in the footwell, especially for someone who's 6'2" and 62yrs old ;-). I'll have a go at removal soon, but taking the cat on it's first long journey (since I got it) - off to Ireland this week - can't wait!!! Thanks again, Jon

Thanks Peter, I'll give that a go! Thanks, Jon