Old Peter

The first cars of the X Type came under the ownership of the Ford Motor Company. They discontinued the Mondeo Ghia, and actually badged the Mondeo as the Jaguar X type It didn't sell. The Jaguar design team and the Jaguar management pleased with Ford to let them design a real Jaguar, and use whatever Ford Parts that they needed. And so the X Type was born. To the existing FWD engines a 2.5 V6 and a 3.0 litre V6 with All Wheel Drive. These sold very well in the USA. Then the Diesel Models were added. A lot of parts designed for the Mondeo were used ---- nothing wrong with that, as car manufacturers had been doing that for years. Morgan used the Rover Engine, Rover used a Peugeot engine in its 218 and 418 models, and even Rolls Royce used a Buick 5.6 litre engine and latterly a BMW engine. The X type used a Mondeo Floor pan and the S type [mosty designed in Detroit] uses a Lincold floor pan. The diesel engine used by JLR in the Freelander and in the S Type was designed as a joint venture between Ford and Peugeot, and is used in quite a few other 4x4 diesels. A lot of the other bits, such as strengthening struts inside the bodywork of many cars and chassis strengtheners are made by the same manufacturers in the West Midlands as are the forged parts, alternators, radiators and exhausts. But the essential design of all Jaguar Cars is all Jaguar. And the Company is righty proud.

Welcome to the Club, James. I had a 2.5 AWD x type [manual], & although I have had years of automatic gearbox experience [currently with a 2.7 litre auto] I have never heard that noise before. I will listen for that noise when I next go near a hill - a bit flat round here - a try to think what it is. Regards, Peter.

Hi Nick, So sorry to hear about that major problem. Perhaps Trevor [Jagslag] will be able to offer his valuable advice. Good luck, Peter.

Hi Jeremy, Sometimes prices surprise you in both directions. It is often a good idea to go and have a look at the premises. At the same time, I have used dismantlers for bits that have come in surprisingly cheap as against the original manufactured bit. Regards, Peter.

Glad it is fixed, Peter. I had an X type and I liked it very much. Someone else also like it very much, too, and carjacked me, Scroat! Jaguar Cars are real, good British cars, and we do it right in Birmingham! Regards Peter.

Good idea, Andrew. Trevor is a Jag enthusiast, and as he says, all advice is free, but bring your own biscuits. I have been using the same mobile mechanic for 13 years and he is very good -- but with my old 1999 Rover sterling I could often find the bits online that he couldn't. Loyalty does pay off! The meet in October did not have a great deal of interest, but maybe around Easter next year, Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Martin. The s type is a great car to drive and cherish. Regards, Peter.

Hi Jeremy, and welcome to the club. You appear to have a great project going on. Some pictures would be great. There is a Wheeler Dealers Mk2 restoration which you may be able to get on You Tube. But there is a company which may be able to assist:- John Skinner Cirencester Telephone: 01285 657410 [John or Joanna] There is a website which you can google -- John Skinner Manufacturing. I hope that is suitable. I drive a Jaguar Mk3 [i hope] !. Regards Peter Lancastrian in Exile.

Hi Reggie, I had heard that an unsuitable or failing battery will start to shut down things which the computer on the car feels are unnecessary. A member who bought an s type from a small dealer found that the "new" battery which was fitted was a very small one [54 Amps], a bit more suitable for a mini. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Peter. I was going to say that there would be someone to give you some assistance -- but already you have had some. I hope you enjoy the Club. Regards, Peter.

Hi Andrew, Is the Dealer from whom you bought your car going to pay/contribute to the repair? The cost of a new part is around £70. And the labour charge would depend if you went to a main dealer [expensive] or an independent garage. I think the damage to the nearside damper could have been caused by bumping over a kerb on a regular basis, so it might be just one side, but while one side is being looked at, I think it would be worth looking at the other side too. Let us know how it goes. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Kevin. There was a restoration job on a Mk 2 on Wheeler Dealers which you will be able to get on You Tube. It could give you some ideas. I hope my car become a Mk 3 one day! We hope to come to Ireland with our car next year to visit the home of our ancestors. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Ian. I think you may have to go to a main dealer to have the key fob reprogrammed to the Car computer. I am no expert but it happened to my son's Skoda Octavia --- I think that battery had failed for too long. Regards, Peter.

Another week gone and no further take up. So reluctantly I think that the planned meet has to be cancelled. At the same time, the Heritage Motor Museum is well worth a visit. Maybe next year. Peter.

Oops. The fire extinguisher seemed to work OK. Some overtime at Castle Bromwich. Peter.

Well done, Pete. It is rather pleasing that those who love and drive these great cars can teach those that sell them a thing or two, even three! Peter.

Brilliant, Trevor.

Hi Trevor, On the site, Under Jaguar Owners Forum you will find a topic titled List of recommended Independent Jaguar Garages. I think it would be very useful to members if you put the details of your Garage on that topic, as enthusiastic Jaguar specialists are [in my opinion] much better than most main dealers. Regards, Peter.

Hi Johnny, and welcome to the club. I don't get oily hands any more, but there are many who know about these great cars. I am sure that someone will be able to assist. Failing that, Spanners in Coleshill are quite good. I gave my 2.7D the Terraclean treatment, which is of great benefit to diesels and it has made a world of difference. Good Luck Peter.

Hi Trevor, Glad to have you aboard. There are a lot of members who will ask you some questions, and quite a few Greater London Members who have been looking for good Independent Jaguar specialists. Regards, Peter.

Trevor, by 2017 there will be an XE RS with a 5.0 litre V8 supercharged engine. God knows what speed it will do but it will certainly be speed limited. I think the new car will have a good choice of engines with the 2 litre engine being available in both petrol and diesel engine. Peter.

BMW eat you heart out! On Friday I was driving in between Solihull and Birmingham on the back roads when I saw a car with trade plates coming towards me. The Front plate was across the radiator grill but had slipped a little and I could see the growler badge. The car was in light blue and looked rather like a slightly smaller version of the XF I wonder ---- and wished I had a car camera! Peter.

Welcome to the club, Keith. Very nice looking car, and their are some other proud owners of the XJS in the club. Regards, Peter.

It is always worth trying , Richard.

Hi Terje, The s type handbook is quite brief on HID headlamp bulbs. "Where HID lighting is fitted, refer to you Jaguar Dealer/Authorised repairer if the headlamp fails to operate". There is als a note "HID Xenon lamp units Type D2S 35 are not renewable, contact your dealer/authorised repairer if the headlamp fails to operate". I have not seen a description of how to do a replacement for Xenon Bulbs anywhere. Good luck, Peter.