Roadworks improve fuel consumption - who knew!

[raysearles]

I know this is fairly obvious but as I approach the 3 year ownership mark for my Xj351 I have taken on a new project in Manchester. This means a commute a couple of times a week up the infamous M6 13 - 19 - of which 18 miles is the roadworks being upgraded to Smart motorways.

Add to that the usual crawl and one starts to get used to meandering along at a mellow pace - something the 351 does exceptionally well. After two months my average fuel consumption is up to 42.1 mpg now, which is pretty good for the old 6 speed box.

In all other respects 351 ownership for me anyway is totally boring, nothing goes wrong so nothing to report.

Just musing, TTFN

[abbirkin]

Hi Ray, some time since I browsed the forums, and the X351 forum is clearly not too searched (probably in line with the popularity of the cars).
I get similar mpg when meandering but it drops a lot when you put your foot down, something one is really tempted to do and is why I bought my car (2012 3.0D Portfolio)
I’ve done 49,000 miles now and had no troubles in the 3 years of ownership, except the infotainment screen locks for a few minutes every now and then. There is a small piece of bubbling paintwork appearing on the front near side bonnet which is disappointing. Other than that, I still feel it is the best car I have ever owned.
Barrie.

[abbirkin]

Here’s the bubbling paintwork at the bottom near side of the bonnet. Thought it was aluminium??

[steve_m]

I always sense a discomfort in The Force when the XJR-s is stuck in endless traffic.
It's not the car, it's me.
Whilst the fuel figures are obviously better on the car, the throbbing veins in my temple don't bode well at all.

[davidr]

Here’s the bubbling paintwork at the bottom near side of the bonnet. Thought it was aluminium??

Yep. Classic aluminium surface corrosion. It isn't that an alloy body won't oxidise but what you won't get is the structural corrosion that can ravage a steel bodied car. Many of us with aluminium bodies cars such as X350, Land Rover etc will have seen some of this minor corrosion and dealt with it as a cosmetic issue. Don't worry - your car isn't about to go the way of a Lancia Beta!

[abbirkin]

Thanks for the encouragement! I got in touch with Jaguar HQ who have told me today to get in touch with a dealer to look at the corrosion. Didn’t realise there is a 6 year corrosion warranty on the car so at five and a half years, it seems I’m just in time with my motor.

[J44EAG]

Lucky old you!

For those doing their own ali body paint jobs, my article in the X350 pages in the March 2018 magazine explains the procedure in detail. Although the subject of the article was a small dent repair, the same methodology applies in the case of the above corrosion repair....but without any filler being applied. The corrosion can be removed just with an abrasive production paper before following the steps detailed in the article. Please ensure that carbon based Wet & Dry paper does not come into contact with bare, unpainted aluminum. Carbon traced into ali WILL cause corrosion issues at a later date. W & D paper though is quite safe to use when flatting down primer, colour and gloss paint finishes. Just make sure you don`t take too much paint off and go back down to bare metal!

Mike K

[RichardSEL]

Good article, Mike. Someone ('er indoors) has had to use the Sport due to unpredictable starting of Ludlow (see other thread) But had to fill up with the car to the wrong side of the pumps. The pump filler jammed in the
car's filler and so she twisted it to free it -- predictable result pump filler trigger shroud scrapes bodywork before releasing.

Alright, it's only a surface scratch, but a surface scratch that T-Cut only tends to darken, not remove.

Asking around and seeing what wisdom there's on the interweb I get a different answer every time.
From keep on using T-Cut and "it'll be alright" to "oh, the whole panel will have to come off otherwise you'll
never get a good match".

I've got the very fine paper, a holder for it, some wood blocks to wrap it around if needed, aerosols of primer, correct colour made up especially, and clear. But me being me I just know I'll make a hash of it if I try without
some guidance. As this is X308 unsure what bits of your alu metal article are relevant

Here's a pic (moisture wipes overall)

... "Painting in cold weather is not advisable and just invites trouble." quote from Mike's article
Good advice. Which I showed to 'er indoors...