Old Peter

Hi Malcolm, and welcome to the club. Buying a car from the near the end of its production run is usually a safe bet. All issues have usually been ironed out. You don't say if your car is the Diesel or the petrol version --- both cars are great and the diesel is very economical and also very quick when you want it to. Have you the s type handbook, as I think you car - the SE the same as mine should have the powerfold mirrors, using the circular switch at the top of the switch panel on the driver's door? It took me a few months to find it! I was driving up the M6 last Saturday and the worst piece of driving I saw was a man in a Bentley who cut across three lanes at high speed to bully his way to an exit.The best bit of driving [after myself] was a red E Type Jaguar, who was also going quickly who never broke the rules of the road. Regards, Peter.

That is so true. My sister is a well respected poet and author, and she has come across many instances when editing anthologies to find items which bear marked resemblances to other people's work. Peter.

There is a twist in the A446 close to where I live with a sharp left turn on a right hand bend. There are often cars in the pond behind the hedge. There is a marked similarity with that photo Peter.

Hi Andrew, Looks a rather nice car -- the colour suits the XK8. Once the niggles get sorted out and the sun is shining, the heads will turn as you drive. Regards, Peter.

Hi John, Closed roads were a bit of a devil on Monday. Doris, the Satnav, was very confused but my knowledge of the area really helped me. The plan for going back was via Keswick, over Dunmail Raise into Grasmere and then via Windermere towards Kendal, Milnthorpe, and then the M6. But we had to go via the M6 all the way. But never mind, there are more years. Regards, Peter.

Hi Rod, There are a few bluetooth systems on the market. My son has one that cost £15.99 and allows him to play his music from his iPhone. I have never heard it, but he says it is OK. The Audio connection module is the one to get if you are keeping your car for a fair length of time. Regards, Peter.

Hi Jon, They are a touch expensive. I wonder if Breaker Yard could source them for you. Another alternative is to fit [if possible] the post facelift system. Regards, Peter.

There was a survey last year, and quite a few posts on the topic of Tyres. The survey took into account wear, quietness, and behaviour in wet conditions as well as meeting the EU requirements for 2017. Goodyear Eagle XL Asymmetric came out top with Vredestein a close second. From memory I think Pirelli were quite low in the top ten, 7th I think. Peter.

That's great Tony. Quite a remarkable transformation. I would like to bet yogurt some heads turing. Regards, Peter.

Hi Ian, Personally, I would stick with the 18" wheels. They give a good ride and the tyres are not too expensive. The specification for the s type SE and Sport 2.7 and 3.0 litre cars is either 17" or 18" and the ones fitted for most drivers' preference are the 18" and appearancewise are the best looking and give a great ride as well as coping with wet twisty roads - as tested by me last Saturday driving through the Furness Peninsula on the way to Egremont. Regards, Peter

Hi Karl, You could try the David Manners Group. Give them that part number and see what they say. If they have one, their shipping costs are not that high. I got a part for a member in Loughrea Co.Galway and as the shipping cost to Ireland were quite expensive, I delivered it to him on my way to Balinderreen last June! So if their shipping costs are high, I could pick it up and post it to you quite cheaply, as I live only 10 miles away. Regards, Peter.

Hi Julie, I have seen sub frames replaced on a mini a long time ago, but never on a Jaguar s type. It would be worth checking on the price of a sub frame. The David Manners Group has a good catalogue online. If you can find at the cost for one it will give you can idea towards the cost of the job. I will have a look around to see if I can locate one. If there are any members with welding experience, I hope they see this topic. Regards, Peter.

Hi Neil, Last year I replaced two Pirellis on the front of my S Type, and did some research as to which were the best tyres meeting all the EU criteria and also for stopping in the wet and noise. Goodyear Eagles came out the best, just beating Vredestein for top place. I think Jaguar also did that little bit of research, and as Pirelli were way down on the list, probably determined that Goodyears were better tyres for the model. I certainly could tell the difference, Regards, Peter.

Hi Paul, It was a great trip all round. We left the M6 at exit 36 near Kendal and went round the Furness Peninsula road -- I know it well - a rather narrow and hilly route and the Jaguar was absolutely brilliant. The Hotel we stayed in was a Country house hotel - Ennerdale Country house Hotel - which I would recommend to anyone going to somewhere for a bit of country air. Thoroughly enjoyable. Regards, Peter.

Hi Monty. and welcome to the Club, While the Jag Specialists are very good they are a two hour [minimum] drive from Redditch. Andrew has pointed you in a good direction, and there is also a very well thought of Jaguar Specialist in Northfield, just a short drive up the road. Lets us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

Hi John, Just back from the Lake District for the weekend to celebrate 49 years of being married to a wonderful lady. But no bumps for the S Type -- smooth run for both ways -- 450 miles with 42 mpg one way and 41.7 return with bad traffic jams. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the cub, Gary. The XF is a rather nice car, and the 3.0 litre diesel is avery good and quite economical engine with a great turn of speed. The diesel engine does need a good run once a month [if you do mostly short runs] to regenerate the DPF, I do mostly short runs with my S t]ype 2.7D plus the odd longer run and have not had a problem. There are quite a few XF owners in the club who will share their experience with you. Enjoy the Jaguar experience. Regards, Peter.

It is a bit perverse, Karl.

They are out there, Richard. I looked for an auto but got a manual Peter.

Hi Karl, You have checked the manual drive which shows that the gears will change OK. It could be be electrical rather than hydraulic, and I would go along that route first. Certainly if the auto gearbox is performing correctly it does seem to point towards something electrical -- it could just be a sensor. Regards, Peter.

Hi Richard, and welcome to the Club. My son has an x type 2.0 Diesel -- good car, good engine but he does a lot of miles so a diesel suits him. I had an x type 2.5 AWD SE and I found it a great car and it would probably suit you down to the ground. Not as economic as the diesel, of course, but on a long run you will get over 30 mpg, and around town about 25mpg. That will probably suit you better. Let us know how you get on. Regards, Peter.

Hi Andrew, The short answer is "Yes". You need to know a lot about electrics to do it yourself though. Regards, Peter.

Hi Bryan and welcome to the Club, There have been many good comments on what to look for, and my experience is looking for as late a model as you can afford and if you can get one from a reputable dealer it will usually have a warranty, and an owners handbook and service history. The two diesels have been mentioned - both good engines - but if a 2.5 V6 petrol comes along you should consider that too. The All wheel drive is fantastic, and I got over 35 mpg on a long run driven steadily. The two diesels are often used for towing, and you can tell what sort of towing they have had to do by looking at the wear on the tow bar. The one you want is out there. Good Luck Peter.

Hi Mark, Jaguar recommend Castrol Magnatec 5W - 30, Fully synthetic, which is what I use. It is guaranteed for 20,000 miles although I change it more frequently. I think there are a few more members who use the same. Regards, Peter.

That is a good price, John. The Midlands is an expensive place in which to own a car. Peter.