The show must go on
2005 JAGUAR X-TYPE 3.0
My X-Type, true to form, breezed its MoT test, despite piling on the miles in the previous 12 months, being my main mode of transport to and from the UK’s various classic car auctions.
I’d asked my local garage, Oklahoma Motors, to put it through its usual annual scrutiny/safety audit and give it a thorough service in preparation for the late summer auction circus. As expected, back it came with no nasty failure hurdles to be crossed.
Other than the test and full service, that was it, although you might have guessed that as there’s been no let-up in CCW’s extensive on-the-spot auction coverage.
Since being re-ticketed, it’s racked up a serious (nearly 4000) amount of miles, but never dipped below 30mpg. It’ll do up to 36mpg on a run, a figure that I’ve seen quite a few times and find acceptable enough for an older saloon with four-wheel-drive and a manual ‘box.
From King’s Lynn (Anglia Car Auctions) to Weybridge for Historics’ sale, Poole for SWVA and Heythrop Park for Silverstone’s early summer auction, the X-Type just gets on with the job without fuss. The tyres have been replaced by a set of Michelins, which seem the ideal choice for this car, being quiet and offering shedloads of grip and feel.
The car always starts first time and feels just as at home on B-roads as it is on motorways. I’ve not used it on short journeys for the past couple of years and always let it run for 30 seconds before turning it off when I get home after a long run (or dropping in for fuel). I’ve no idea whether that has any bearing (pun intended) on things, but the oil consumption is next to minimal and it never, ever seems to smoke on start-up.
Yes, I still like it a lot – so much so that I’m contemplating treating it to a re-paint in the near future. Meanwhile I’ll be booking it in for another oil change and to have a malfunctioning parking sensor replaced. Other than that it’s business as usual – and long may that continue.