N6 JMX
-
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by N6 JMX
-
-
It's fair to say that Jaguar Cars are not supporting the heritage cars any longer, but Jaguar Classic are picking up the slack, so we do anticipate an increased spares availability going forward.
In addition, there are a significant number of good after market suppliers working on spares availability, including the likes of SNG Barrett, Swallows, DCR, etc. Plus there are specialist Breakers for Jaguar cars around too. Also bear in mind that not everything on the cars were manufactured by Jaguar, lots of little companies provided parts to be built into the vehicles.
Module repairs are also becoming a thing, with several known repair factors around the country, mainly in the Midlands and south of the country.
If you overthink the future viability of any classic car, you will not be buying anything. If you are concerned at all, then you may wish to rethink your classic car ambitions.
N6 JMX
-
Hi Tim, both the X-100 and the X-150 models have their supporters and both have their own particular foibles. Yes corrosion on the X-100 models can be an issue, but if it's been looked after by an Enthusiast owner who knows the areas of concern, they should all be addressed and solid. X-100 principle areas of corrosion are the rear arches and the floor pans under the passenger and driver footwell.
The X-150 models have aluminium architecture, which means that the body should largely be corrosion free, but you still need to look carefully. The car body will not rust, but corrosion can still be present, evidenced by some blistering of the paint as the white aluminium oxide works under the paintwork. Typical areas to inspect are front end stone chips, trailing edges of the lower doors, boot lid around the chrome plinth, which can be a water trap, especially if it is a little loose and also vibrating through the paint coating. Also check above the windscreen rail, which can also catch stone chips. Of course the X-150 has steel underpinnings and if the car has been used all year round, or lived most of its life next to the sea (air) then the front and rear subframes can be corroded - badly in some cases. Check rigorously under the car, especially around the rear subframe mounts where it meets the aluminium body - preferably on a ramp. More difficult to inspect the front subframe as it is generally hidden by the undertray. If the rear is bad, then you can be assured the front will also be poor.
The 4.2 litre engines are good, but in my opinion the 5.0 litre is better. The difference between the XK and the XKR are not as marked as you might consider - it really depends on how you drive the car. Yes the XKR with its "active" exhaust can sound awesome on acceleration, but the exhaust noise valves only open above 3,000 RPM, and you will rarely be pushing the car to that extent in day to day use.
In conclusion, check out cars that have previously been owned by an enthusiast - there may be a club sticker on the window or in the glovebox, or a show rosette. Check out the MoT history via DVLA, and purchase the best you can afford - there are quite a few good ones out there, but also any number that may have been subjected to a "hard life".
N6 JMX
-
Hi Armando, you don't say whether your battery is good, or what age the battery might be! Anything over 5 years and you should be considering fitting a replacement battery as the car's electronics are very sensitive to the battery voltages. In fact, the ability, or not, of the battery to start the car is no longer the best indicator that the battery is in good condition.
There are any number of potential parasitic drain points on a Jaguar, interior lights, including the lights in the sun visor mirrors not turning off. Can we assume you have checked the car in the darkness to ensure there are no courtesy lights illuminated? Include the boot / trunk in your checks.
After that, it will be a case of connecting your multi meter to read current drain and systematically pulling fuses until you find the drain.
N6 JMX
-
To see the range of suitable tyres for your vehicle, go to the Kwik Fit website and input your registration number. You don't have to buy your tyres from Kwik Fit, but there website is really simple to use and get the information that you need to find the best deal on your choice. Just to remember to double check the size and rating that the website comes up with.
N6 JMX
-
-
Hi Nicholas, suggest you talk to the folks at SNG Barrett for more insight, but be aware that they also will want to sell you the parts.
The best person I know to ask about the upgrade to this type of Jaguar is Ken Jenkins, who trades his garage as Carlton Autos Ltd. Website link below.
Ken Jenkins Jaguar Specialists - Classic Jaguar Spares
N6 JMX
-
Hi Mark, not exactly in London, but I have heard good things about Cotswold Automotive Parts (CAP) in Oxfordshire, who have repaired a number of electronic faults on members cars in the past. Website link below:
Jaguar & Land Rover parts and accessories | Bicester
N6 JMX
-
Hi Ade, welcome to the Forum and sounds like you have a plan in mind for your Jaguar.
Not sure that red leather in the XF was ever an option but I am sure others with more knowledge will be along soon. If it wasn't an "off the shelf" choice from new, you may have to get creative and go for a full retrim of the seats.
In the meantime, you could try a few of the specialised Jaguar Breakers, like Autoreserve or Eurojags, they would seem like the most appropriate option for now.
N6 JMX
-
Is it just the satnav that's inoperative? If yes, then the likely culprit is the disc player in the boot. However, the system is so out of date that it is almost pointless to try and get a repair, unless of course you are seeking to keep originality.
There is an option on the 4.2 litre engined cars to have an upgrade to allow Apple CarPlay / Android Auto hooked up, which gives you all of the advantages of phone mirroring, Google Maps, Waze, etc. It's more convoluted in the 5.0 litre engined cars - it can be done, but more complex.
Check out systems like Mr 12Volt and Cartronics. Come back here if you need more steer.
N6 JMX
-
Check out a company called Bag World, link below. They already have a set for the F-type Coupe so not a big step for the Convertible.
Bagworld | Bespoke bags and luggage
N6 JMX
-
Hi Symon, welcome to the wonderful world of Jaguar motoring, hopefully you will be able to put up a couple of photos of your Jaguar once you have it on the driveway.
You get the XK8 in the anniversary year - its 30 years since the launch of the XK8 Sports Car range, so there will be a number of anniversary celebrations to get along to in 2026. Check out the "Events" tab further down this forum list.
N6 JMX
-
-
-
I am pleased to announce that the Scottish Jaguar Enthusiasts' Day will take place on Saturday the 6th of June 2026 at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, (The Transport Museum). Entry will cost £10 per vehicle and pre-registration is required. All monies raised will be used to support our chosen charity for 2026, which is Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). The event in 2025 raised nearly£2,000 for the charity. Plus a great day out was had by everyone who came along, exhibitors and visitors alike.
For those of you who have not visited the Riverside Museum, it is a fantastic building with a stunning collection of Scotland’s transport history, plus it has a permanently moored Tall Ship, The Glenlee on the River Clyde, immediately adjacent to the Riverside – actually on the quayside of the museum. In addition, the newly opened Partick to Govan pedestrian bridge allows easy access to the attractions on the south side of the River Clyde. Accordingly, there is lots to see and do. Plus, there is a restaurant and café onsite as well. For “the other half” that may wish to experience the retail therapy that Glasgow – the Second City of the Empire - can offer, rather than chat about the fabulous Jaguars on display, there is a regular bus service from the front of the museum to the heart of the city and return.
More details available and register by contacting Jim Mann by email at [email protected]
N6 JMX
-
Hi Paul, welcome to the wonderful world of Jaguar motoring and to the Forum.
I can confirm the NC500 is a great outing with lots of Scotland's magnificent scenery on offer. I am also sure that there are great driving roads closer to your home in Antrim where you can cut your teeth and get used to the feelings the Jaguar gives you and your new wife.
If you want to get adventurous, then I would suggest planning a trip to Lake Garda in Northern Italy. Don't take the conventional route of getting across to the Continent and heading down through France before hanging a right at Lyon though, go for a North about route, taking in Belgium / Holland, Germany, and Austria before entering Northern Italy through the Brenner Pass. You can take your time with plenty of stopovers in some great locations, try Autobahn, Autostrada and N roads, whichever takes your fancy.
Once at Lake Garda, there are many picturesque villages, with great hotels and restaurants to while away the restful time.
This is a trip my wife and I have undertaken over 20 times in the last 30 years and we still keep going back, it's a great trip to a great location. And, depending on your time and resources, you can make such a trip as long as you want.
Enjoy.
N6 JMX
-
Hi Gordon, you are looking for a very niche / specific enthusiast - need's to have the XJ, with a later than 65 registration and those will be few and far between in themselves as the XJ model X-351 ceased production in 2019, so a 4 year window, PLUS you need the enthusiast to be Sam, or have a three initial name that uses "SAM" - not asking much!
Listing here, but with an indicative price is okay, but also other locations such as the JEC Classifieds might be worth the effort.
N6 JMX
-
18-inch with the higher profile sidewall tyre will offer maximum protection and comfort - if that is what you are after. Presumably on a diesel you will not have the premium brakes, which subsequently require a larger diameter wheel to clear the front calliper.
Usually a good selection of original fit wheels for sale on the JEC Classifieds website, although a quick check shows nothing in 18" or 19" at the moment.
N6 JMX
-
-
Hi Ian, The XF Sportbrake (Estate) is a great car and really spacious - my daughter has one.
In my opinion, go for the petrol engine, unless you plan on travelling over 15,000 miles a year in it. The petrol engines are so much more refined than the equivalent diesel and you should have nil worries about Low Emission Zone compliance.
Highest specification is always a target, maximum number of toys, etc. although they are generally well appointed.
Come back if you have anything specific you need to check, otherwise happy hunting and let us see the photos when it arrives.
N6 JMX
-
-
Hi Carl, welcome to the Forum and the wonderful world of Jaguar driving.
Elite are not local to me, but I have heard of others using them with good results. If your headlining is sagging, a common issue, then no amount of trying to glue it back in place is going to make it look better. Go for a proper modern replacement, it's easier than you think. Headliner World, search via your chosen Browser, get good reviews.
N6 JMX
-
-
Hi Jonathan, quite a bit of difference between the XK and XKR, so better if you can try them out and see if you have a preference. Other major decision has to be Coupe or Convertible, as that too will impact on your selection process. Engine size needs to be considered - the earlier cars were 4.2 litre V8, whilst from late 2009 the engine size was 5.0 litre V8.
Many aspects of the ride in the X-150 are down to personal preference. The cars look great on 20-inch wheels, but lots of folk complain about the ride being too harsh and seek out lesser diameter wheels. Note changing backwards from 20 to 18 is NOT possible on the XKR due to the size of the brakes / callipers.
The JEC has a Classifieds Section, therefore mainly Enthusiasts' Cars on sale, and in the December issue, there are currently 10 off X-150 cars for sale with an almost equal split between Coupe and Convertible, but in my opinion the Convertible is the better looking model. Nowadays the price range is quite dramatic, with some being advertised at under £10k and I have seen some on AutoTrader at over £40k.
Being based in Scotland, my own XKR Convertible is taken off the road (SORN) between October and March each winter so as to avoid the salted roads. Whilst the body architecture is all aluminium, there are steel subframes underneath and these can suffer very badly from corrosion, so be sure to look underneath any car you view - take a good strong flashlight - although most of the front subframe will be hidden under a plastic tray, but the rear subframe will be readily accessible to see. Corrosion of the aluminium body is always possible too, especially where stone chips have been present, or loose trim traps water and can vibrate through the coating.
If you want any additional insight / help, come back trough the Forum or drop me a PM.
N6 JMX
-
X Type one family owner 65k
in Jaguar X-Type Club
Hi Kevin, better to list the For Sale car in the Classifieds section at the bottom of the Forum pages. Include at least a couple of photos and also list it with a price so people know what you are looking for.
N6 JMX