The Voices

Just put my 'free' private plate on the car. I don't think it looks too bad for nothing ? Prefer it to 'growl' rather than 'purr' but that's just me !

Probably worth trying some 'uprated' headlamp bulbs ? Might also be worth getting the headlamp 'aim' checked to make sure the alignment is correct.

Jaguar never offered the 19" size on the X-Type, we did offer dealer fitted 'Arden' 19" alloys however ? Returning to a smaller size will be straightforward. Just buy a set of used genuine alloys and ensure that, if they come with tyres, the tyre size is correct for your car. The 2.5 was offered with 16", 17" or 18" wheels from the factory. As the rim gets smaller, the tyre profile is increased to maintain the same diameter and prevent speedo errors. A 'taller' tyre profile will give better ride quality and less road noise than a low profile tyre but you lose a little steering feedback and handling. I probably still have some literature with the standard tyre sizes if you cannot find the information on this forum.

We had a trade- in car at work with the number plate P88 URR (PURR ?) It was on the car when the previous owner bought it and he didn't want to keep it. My boss said I could have it if I wanted for the cost of the retention fee. Seemed like a bit of fun for £80, as we are also cat lovers (as well as 'big cat' lovers !) Retention certificate has come back so just ordered new plates ready to do the online DVLA transfer. I think it should look reasonable ?

I wondered about speaking to the local Powerflow / Longlife exhaust centre in Kendal (where I work) to see about a price for custom back boxes ? I am biding my time on the used Milltek, I can get a new one for about £1,000, so £500 would be the maximum I would pay for the used one.

Hi Russ, I am still watching the second hand Milltek exhaust. The fact that it is still for sale suggests that the target audience is very small and the price is too high !

I decided not to buy the Barcelonas after all. Concerned that the lower profile tyres would make the ride a bit harder and then Sue would give me earache for 'ruining' her car ! I may regret the decision in future..............................

Hi Russ, I expect it will be very noisy without any silencing. Might give it a try at some point, the second hand Milltek would be my preferred option but only at the 'right' price.

Worth a thought !

Not a bad idea Russ. Our alloy wheel guy calls at work on Wednesdays which is unfortunately my day off. This would mean a 150 mile round trip to get them done but I should just get on with it !

Hi Joe, thanks for the tip about the pipe bends. My current exhaust is fine, just want it to sound a bit more like a V8. Another option is to replace the rear silencers with straight through pipes, I have heard a few sound clips and they sound okay ?

Hi Joe, thanks for the link. That is the exhaust I was considering. Might make him a 'cheeky' offer as I can get a brand new one for £1,100 or less ? I am also considering seeing what our local Longlife / Powerflow branch could come up with, possibly just smaller rear silencers ?

Good point, well made !

Now I have another dilemma ! Cheap set of 19" Barcelonas and second hand Milltek exhaust available ? This is how the Impreza started !

Garage is standard size but currently full of enough bits to build another Impreza ! Feel like I would just be spending money for the sake of it, I can buy them for about £600 including a good set of Sport contact 6 tyres. I know that it is bargain but only just spent £350 on the new rear tyres for the Vulcans. The 'budget' S-Type R is starting to get more expensive, my fault not the car however !

I really like the design of the Vulcans but you don't often see a set of Barcelonas for sale ? Worried that I would buy them and keep the Vulcans in the garage 'just in case' !

I have the chance to buy a set of 4x 19" BBS Barcelona alloys which were the factory upgrade for my S-Type R. It already has the 18" Vulcan alloys which are a very nice wheel anyway. My current alloys and the Barcelonas are in need of refurbishment so the costs balance out on that side. I could sell the Vulcans to contribute to what I need to spend on the Barcelonas, they are very rare second hand so might not see another set at a sensible price ? In theory, the 19's should offer a bit more steering feedback due to the lower profile tyres but ride quality and road noise will suffer slightly. Decisions, decisions !

I want one of those boards they have for nuclear facilities. 'x' days without an incident ! Just hoping the battery was at the end of the line rather than a charging or battery drain issue ?

I have to be quiet because the car is listening to what I say ! Look what happens when you speak too soon. Engine management came on again and then dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, ABS fault, brake fluid low, parkbrake fault, cruise not available and probably some others that I forgot. The car started but I think the battery is knackered. Purchased a new Exide 100ah from Eurocarparts via their Ebay shop, only £91 compared to £151 (less prevailing discount) from their own website. Had to fit it in the dark after work on Friday as Sue was not happy going back into the Impreza. So far so good ? Famous last words.............................................

Seems to be running fine now and no fault codes (fingers crossed !)

Car has started fine today and no warnings or engine management light either. See how it goes for now ?

Hi Steve, I am from Yorkshire originally so 'paid for it, so got to make it work !' Went to remove the battery this morning but tried the car first out of curiosity. Guess what ? It started ! No engine management light but usual array of 'flat battery' fault warnings for no cruise control, parkbrake fault, etc. Removed the battery and put it on charge but managed to shear off the long thin bolt that holds the plastic block clamping the battery in place ! On closer inspection, the bolt goes straight through the floor-pan and through a captive nut welded to the underside ! There is not enough thread available under the car to lock two nuts on to it and remove it like a 'stud'. Tried WD40 and mole grips but still no chance, only option was to drill it out from inside the boot. Of course the remaining portion has broken off at an angle, so cannot drill the centre to get a clean run at it, my plan was to start with a small bit and work up in stages so that I could save the threads on the captive nut. Only option I could come up with was to drill the whole thing out using a larger bit, this left me with a slightly larger hole in the floor-pan and no captive nut ! I have cleaned up the edges of the hole and rust proofed it, then used a larger bolt and stainless steel nuts and washers to replace the 'skinny' original. All seems to have worked out okay but another 5 minute job becomes a !Removed! saga ! Battery is now charged and back on the car but not had chance to do anything because I am supposed to be shifting a few tons of soil into a skip that has to go back on Monday morning. Considered buying a new battery in case the current one is on its last legs but my 'smart' charger not showing any faults, hope it is the bluetooth OBD adaptor that was draining the battery. Eurocarparts have a 30% online discount this weekend, I can get the Exide 100ah, 900a cold cranking battery for £152 less the 30%, which looks decent value ? Further updates to follow !

Oh happy day ! Engine management light on, fault code p0420 (catalytic converter) ! And a bonus flat battery ! I have a suspicion that the ODB bluetooth adaptor is constantly 'live' and may have drained the battery ? First job tomorrow is to remove the battery and get it charged (and see if it has a date on it !) Then see if the fault code is real or a phantom !

I am using the 'Torque Lite' app on my tablet to monitor temperature through a cheap Ebay ELM137 bluetooth module. Now it is driveable again, I can have a look at what else needs doing. No urgency but more of a wish list ! Some small 'smart' repairs needed, 2x car park dents, 4x alloy refurbs, slight scuffs on the leather to sort out and a general clean up. Possibly consider the supercharger pulley upgrade, intake pipe mod, remap and K+N filter (just worried whether the poor old thing will take the strain !) New front EBC yellowstuff pads to match the rear, LSD would be nice (apparently there is a reasonably priced Ford one that fits ?)

Collected it this morning, everything seemed fine on the trip home. Coolant temperature didn't go above 95 degrees. Even got the chance to suprise a Porsche Panamera ! Andy said the thermostat was shot at anyway so it was worth replacing it.