Liam2016

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for your latest posts and advice. Really sorry not to have replied before, I usually get an email to say there had been another post on this thread but that didn't happen for some reason, and have been a bit distracted with a new addition to the family only a few weeks ago…! :) Back at my desk now and getting back on the case for the new cat... Jim - that is a lot of car you got there for 3k - Nice work…! If you see anything you think is a similar bargain please don't hesitate to let me know…! You pretty much were spot on with your summary of what I am looking for - although service history and good care of the car are very important. Life has been pretty busy on all fronts so the new car took a back seat but looking to check out a few cars in the coming few weeks and really looking forward to that. As before I am in no hurry, this is a pleasure car upgrade for me rather than a quick search and jumping on the motorway. Will keep in touch and be post here if I find anything which members might be able to advise me on, or maybe to see if anyone wants to come and look at a few cars in the southeast sometime. Best to all! Nathan

Thank you!

Thanks for this Peter, very sensible advice and yes have always checked out dealers/servicing people etc online - so easy to do these days. As for the possibility of members looking at cars, that is a fantastic offer and something I may well take up! Where would I post for that - just here or is there a more specific forum? Many thanks, Nathan

Hi folks, Thanks so much for your posts. Definitely agree with much of what you say. I am not a main dealer junkie - a while back I had an old BMW always serviced by main dealer (purely because I thought these things were important) and then they told me to scrap it (!) so I took it to the local garage who services my wife's car just on a whim - result: good as new! I guess my point was in buying 2nd hand, a Jag-serviced car at least indicates some sort of quality control - and likely a careful and conscientious owner - but no, not the be all... Of course some independent garages are brilliant (and I would now trust any 'regular' car with mine after the bimmer fiasco) but some are, sadly, not… But I would still look for a lot of paperwork and all MOTs and lists of work done over a FMDSH... Here are my criteria - bearing in mind history, condition, work done, and milage/age always trump trim/colour and specific engine size. Saloon - diesel - manual - 2.0/2.2 are both fine for me. I'd love a V6 but the MPG of a diesel would save me conservative estimate of £750+ per annum on fuel, which is just too much for me to ignore… I mainly drive long journeys anyway. Prefer a facelift model - which I think is 58 plate or more recent…? (If anyone can confirm that, and whether these are more solid cars, as I have heard, I'd appreciate it...) Otherwise under 10 years old unless it was a truly amazing example… Milage under 90k if possible, and absolute max 100k. SE/sovereign would of course be great, but again not a priority. There isn't anything on an S I would really miss. (OK an absolute deal breaker is NOT red leather, which I saw recently - it actually made me feel quite queasy!!) That all said, if the best looked after/serviced model was a higher spec one, I would be prepared to pay for that too. If it was a car with new clutch/flywheel that would certainly catch my attention. And general good work/MOTs as already mentioned etc. Budget is 5k - preferably nearer £4k, although will not scrimp on car history and condition. Any thoughts? and if anyone can confirm about the facelift models and whether these make a difference to potential longevity, I'd be grateful. Thanks all. Nathan

Thanks Andrew. This is all great. Just another quick question - would you say FSH from a Jag dealer is preferable, or are the cars easy to keep in good order? One just never knows who they might have been serviced by, and the jag stamp at least is a sign of care and attention (I guess…?) Thanks again for all this. As soon as my car is sold, I'm shopping!

Sounds good! Thanks Peter - top tip.

Thanks very much both for these posts and for your advice. I also used to drive BMWs too, which I liked, but I agree Jags are just something else… Very helpful to have a brochure while scouting around so thanks for that. As you say, its the individual car specs which will make all the difference... One other question is that I've heard the headlights are not the brightest on the x-type - it is possible to upgrade the bulbs these days (either DIY or in garage?) I'm also curious if there is any particular work/issues which would likely have needed resolving on an x-type diesel that has done over, say, 80,000 miles… You know how old hands get used to looking for certain niggles on certain cars... Thanks folks. Best wishes, Nathan

Dear Peter, Thank you very much for your welcome and very helpful advice! Can you or other users give me any lowdown on the difference between x-type Sport, S and SE models? I've seen the equipment specs online, and know the suspension in the sport is stiffer... I'm not too fussed about satnav or similar - but if you have first hand experience of the differences in the drive or layout that would be great to hear. Thanks so much and best wishes, Nathan

Hello everyone, I'm looking to buy an X-type - specifically a diesel saloon. Working from home I don't drive all that much but when I do its long distance and quite a lot in a short space of time, and decent mpg is a factor… Not so fussed between 2.0 or 2.2, but can anyone give any hints whether the automatic gearbox is reliable, or a potential hazard? Or if the manual on a diesel is a bit of a grind in low gears, would an auto be better…? Also, I've heard that 57 plate or after were significantly face-lifted and are a more prudent buy, even if more expensive for similar mileage…? While full service history and good paperwork go without saying, if anyone can suggest a rough ballpark figure as to what I should be spending on one of these models (hopefully under 90,000 miles) I'd be grateful. I am amazed that something as gorgeous as an x-type is so competitively priced in comparison to 3 series and such like, and want to make sure I'm not looking at something 'too good to be true'... Would be so grateful for any help! Best wishes to everyone, Nathan