Would you buy this car....?

[SimonR]

Thanks for the positive feedback, Alan - I think it is definitely a good car for £770, barring any nasty surprises of course.

The walk-around video is here: https://youtu.be/q13k99IpWtw?si=FCxMOt_Ikf18dGZD

The two main questions that I have initially are:

1. What's going on with the bonnet? - it's a very odd problem as it seems although the slam panel is too low, or maybe that the central part of the bonnet is too low and it's therefore fouling on the top of the engine. Anyone else seen this problem before?

2. The infortainment system is a weird one - even if I select the options for CDC (CD Changer) and Phone etc, they don't work. It's almost as if it's been factory reset or something. One possibility is that the multiplugs have become dislodged when the Snooper was added to it - I'll be removing that soon so will know shortly.

Anyway - please do let me know what you think!

PS - the plan with the 75 is probably to keep it, meaning that I'll most likely get the X-Type sorted, rust-proofed and MoT'ed before passing it on as a going concern.

[davidr]

Well done Simon. Looks like another good project and you'll soon have a very usable car.
I had one of the last X Type estates bought new as my company car in 2009. It was a diesel in Sovereign spec with all the toys. In Indigo Blue with Ivory leather it was a good-looking car. I really liked it and have always thought the estate better looking than the saloon and of course, much more practical.
When the lease ran out 3 years later I was sorry to see it go but the consolation was nice new XF which was even better

[SimonR]

Sounds like you had my perfect X Type back in 2009, David! Those late Estates are really purposeful-looking cars, and as you say, really practical.

I think I've worked out the issue affecting the bonnet - a bit of reading and Googling suggests that the cable on my car needs to be replaced. Apparently it's reasonably common that they seize and don't retract all the way to allow the latches to close. One of the tell-tale signs is that the lever doesn't return flush with the trim panel on the inside the car, and mine definitely sits out at an angle. I can also feel that it's not moving properly. I've ordered a Jaguar part to replace the cable but haven't taken the old one out yet.

The Infotainment system is more of a conundrum - I fear it may need to be reprogrammed by someone who has the Mongoose software.

My progress with the brakes and tyres has been hampered by the whole family having a second bout of Covid in the last 10 days. We're through it again now so I should be able to make some progress again soon.

[Andy P]

Hi Simon,
Hope yourself and family are all over covid now and had a peaceful Xmas /New Year.
Look forward to some more updates from you when you have the time.
They are always a good read and very interesting.
Good luck and take care.
Andy

[SimonR]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the message and a belated happy 2024 to you and yours!

Progress has been a bit slow due to us all being Ill for most of December, the cold weather and also, regrettably, work. However, there is good news - I had time today to fix the bonnet issue. I'll probably post about it separately in case anyone else has the same problem.

It looked for all the world as if the catches were too low, but in reality it was a knackered release cable holding the catches open. It took me about an hour today to replace it and normal service has resumed.

I'll stick a video up about it when I get a minute. Next job is the rear brakes...

[SimonR]

Here's the latest on the X-Type.

https://youtu.be/3Lmt_LNij2k

[Dave Eynon]

Simon, a great piece of filming and commentary. It could be really useful to other owners who have a similar latching problem. Will it be readily accessible if someone was searching in the X-type section in the future?
Dave

[SimonR]

Hi Dave - thanks for the feedback! Yes, my YouTube content is posted for eternity. And people.can just search for it like anything else if they don't have the direct link.

I don't mind writing the job up for the mag if that would be useful. It's a fault that has pretty serious implications (i.e. if you can't latch the bonnet, you probably shouldn't be driving the car) and the cause is difficult to diagnose but easy and inexpensive to fix.

[Dave Eynon]

Hi, an article for the magazine would be great as it would probably reach owners who perhaps don't use the internet / social media so much.
I recently had an X-type as a loan car whilst mine was having its clutch changed and I couldn't open the bonnet as one latch wasn't releasing. All down to a cable fault again, this time the cable outer sleeve clip was detached. I think the message to owners is to check and lubricate the cables to avoid failure as much as you can. I had failure of the fuel flap cable which seized solid, similar work to what you have done with the bonnet cable, I did write it up for the magazine at the time.
Also we have not had many technical articles on servicing the diesel models so anything you could provide on that would be welcome.
Cheers
Dave