‘It just keeps going’
2005 JAGUAR X-TYPE 3.0
Another year, another MoT test, and another straightforward pass. Once again, the X-Type has piled on the miles this year, but 21,580 miles between tests seems like a run around the block compared to its 2.1-litre predecessor – which I still own.
Keeping on top of the servicing has meant that my manual ‘box X-Type remains both comfortable and dependable. I have a strict regime of oil and coolant changes at least every three months, and if I can’t wash and wax it as soon as I get home from an auction, I do it the next day, before parking it in the garage.
The latest job at Carmarthen’s Oklahoma Motors included fitting new discs and pads all round, six spark plugs and adjusting the handbrake, but there were no nasty surprises, such as floorpan or sill corrosion.
It’s done some long trips, including to Bradford’s annual classic car show last month where I judged the concours. That journey, which should have taken no longer than five hours, took nine, but it didn’t miss a beat or even get hot in the nightmarish M6 ‘upgrade’.
And yes, it just keeps going. It fires up first go each and every time, even if it’s been left sitting in the garage for a week or two. It’ll give 34mpg on a run, it doesn’t use oil between services and despite what the so-called ‘experts’ say, it’s not particularly heavy on tyres, something that is often regarded as a downfall of the fourwheel drive models.
All that needs sorting out now is a rear parking sensor (which I only really use when I’m reversing it into the garage) and a new air conditioning compressor. Other than that, it remains a top-class motor that is a joy to own, but hopefully after years of reliable service I’ll soon be able to retire it to more gentle, less intensive mileage – once I’ve found a suitable replacement, of course.