Old Peter

Hi Andrew, I am glad you got it all sorted, and now you will start enjoying your car. I also use a mobile mechanic for service and repairs but for tyres I always go to Halfords Auto centres and I have built up a good relationship there --- they seem to keep the same staff. The last time I changed a pair of tyres after a pothole damaged one, I asked for a the tracking to be checked. They forgot to do it - I spotted it when I got the invoice, and they fixed up the appointment the next day, corrected it but waived the £30 charge. Regards, Peter.

That's good, Mike. A bit of dirt on electrical contacts can cause problems. Peter

Passing on an experience is very useful, Frank, and will assist others with the same problem. Peter.

The event, with Compere, Singer [old Irish Songs etc] will be held about a mile from where the villages were. Al the inhabitants were rehoused right across the town, but the village spirit still continues --- the oldest ex inhabitant is now 93. Peter.

Hi Paul, The Company which delighted many of our northern members is Mackies automatic transmissions 95 Causeway Street Tollcross Glasgow G32 8LT 0141 778 4476 It is worth having a look at their website. I don't get oily hands any more, but do like to know what is wrong if anything does go wrong. The ZF gearbox seems to be well respected by many owners, but like all things made by humans can go wrong occasionally Regards, Peter.

Trevor, The British Racing Green colour is the most unsafe on the road due to visibility problems [allegedly]. The success of BRM on the racetrack is because no one could see it coming up from behind. That is one good reason to tell your wife. Another good reason is that it is a Rag Top, and you definitely need it garaged when not in use. That is the second good reason. The third good reason is that the specification is not as good as the car you have got. I had an Austin 1100 in that colour and apart from it breaking down and costing me money, I was ran into by the local butcher from Edale, when I was living in Derbyshire and he said that he hadn't seen me even though I was going at less than 30 mph, which proves my first point. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Paul. I am sorry to hear about your gearbox fault. I have not come across the fault and having the same gearbox, I hope I don't. Some months ago there was an invitation to visit an automatic gearbox specialist to which some of our members went. I would have gone but the venue was in Scotland, which is a bit far. Some those who went might be able to tell you something. I will look up the name of the company and get back to you. Regards, Peter.

Trevor I don't think people are worrying about mpg. But it is always worth noting what the car consumes as that is often indicative of engine performance as well as driving style. I always fill my car to the top when it is about three quarters empty, and reset the trip computer at the same time. Regards, Peter.

Hi Trevor, Most other car drivers think that Jaguars use a high amount of fuel, and are there purely for the advantage of Shell, BP, ESSO, etc. When the XE come out next year, some drivers will find out, that while the cars are very quick and luxurious, some of that Model will qualify for a nil road fund licence. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Jai. A jaguar can be driven very sedately and look and feel like a big limousine. It can also be driven quickly, and it should be occasionally, just to give the engine a bit of exercise. I get over 40 mpg on long runs, and the best I have had on an eighty mile drive mostly on A roads was 49.2. Enjoy your Jaguar experience. Regards Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Martyn, There are a nice lot of friendly people who are members and who enjoy their cars. I am assuming you have a diesel and regenerating the partulates filter is a great excuse to go for a fifty mile drive and give the engine a bit of an exercise with the S button pressed ON. Regards Peter.

Hi Mervyn, and Welcome to the club. It is the Blackpool lights season in your car, then? I can't think of an answer as I have never come across that one --- yet! I would suggest that you went through the switches on by one, switching each one on and then off, and the see how they respond. I don't know the interior lights on an XF, but that is what I would do on my S type. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

Some here:

Trevor, the other solution is to say you really like the s type 3.0 litre and there are some going for under £5k. Peter.

Easy, Trevor. Just say you need a house in 2 acres with a double garage for the Rag top, and accommodation above for the gardener and housekeeper. It usually works. Peter.

Welcome to the club, Mike. That is a beautiful car that you will drive. --- and enjoy. The club is a friendly club with lots of experiences to share, and there are plenty of topics to enjoy reading and in which I hope you participate. The Jaguar experience is unique, and I was told when I bought my first Jaguar that I would never drive another make of car. Very true. Regards. Peter.

The same as me, Nige, but I am going back to a re-union for the 3 villages just outside my home town [Widnes] in November, in spite of the 3 villages being demolished almost 50 years ago.

Hi Ken, You can get genuine Jaguar parts from several sources -- I have used the David Manners Group which are quite local to me. Rimmer Bros are also recommended The sensors are not that expensive, though. Peter.

Hi James, The car could so with a long run occasionally, and given a bit of welly from time to time. That keeps the DPF clean and regenerated. I would also give the car a Terraclean service - cost about 160 euros, but it does give the engine a good clean out and gets rid of the carbon deposits --- it is very good for diesels. Does the engine malfunction warning light come on --- I think it ought to with a bearing going. Regards, Peter.

Hi Alo, and welcome to the Club. There is no problem with putting a post in the wrong place -- we are a friendly club. I don't get my hands dirty any more and these modern cars stump me a bit. But there are many members with good knowledge of Jaguars, and there is also one member [Jagslag] who will give good advice --he has his own Jaguar Garage in South London. Good luck Peter.

Welcome to the Club, James, I have an S Type but it has the same engine as your XF. I don't get oily hands any more, but I have never had that problem. I have a guess, I think most people would like to hear the engine running. What is the mileage on your car? Diesels do last much longer, and will stand a big mileage. Peter.

Hi Trevor, The State pension used to be free of tax until 1984 when the then Prime Minister taxed it. Additionally Winston Churchill when he was Prime Minister instituted extra allowances to be set against income tax, which George Osborne is now phasing out. Pensioners are fair game for any Government.

I know Barnsley quite well, especially the Crown Courts, as I worked in Yorkshire for 12 years. A Judge once asked a Barrister [a miner claiming accident compensation] whose client's case was getting worse as it looked like he was to blame for the accident, if his client knew the principle of Sui Injuria non profitero? The Barrister quickly replied "They talk of little else in Barnsley, Me Lud."

Hi Trevor, Charlie is quite right. The XKR you have has a better spec that the XKR-S, and having a rag top is only for three months in the year at best. We only used to use ours in the summer, and my wife preferred to drive the Rover anyway. Performance wise, there is hardly any difference and in a straight time trial a skilful driver in an XKR would beat a less skilful one in an XKR-S. I don't like green cars, anyway. My first 4 cars were green and I have not had one since! Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, John. I hope you enjoy the club as much as you will enjoy the ultimate classic car. Like Rich, I am waiting for some pictures. Regards, Peter.