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Comments
(They didn't like it.)
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
I remember them slagging off on the used 96 VDP that they leased a few years back because of ownership costs.
Them smacking it up badly a few times didnt help either!
Bill
The 2.5 and 3.0 are exactly the same engine. The 3.0 just has bigger holes in it. They are not exactly the same as the Ford moters; the cosworth designed heads and continuous variable valve timing are exclusive to Jag.
If you are worried about reliability vs. BMW DON'T. According to JD powers Jaguar(#3), Lincoln(#4), and Mercury(#12) were all more reliable and had fewer problems than BMW(#13)
Edmunds reviews are not worth the paper they are not printed on. Face it, if the people writing them were any good they would have jobs with one of any number of real automotive journals.
However, I would be very wary of buying the X until there is some meaningful information concerning its reliability.
You can option a MB C Class to $47K if you add everything to it, it also has a $30K "teaser" price.
Mike
Edmunds and others have tested new cars from a variety of mfgrs that have been "previously abused" by other testers. Did they all behave like the X-type? Is that relevant? I think the answers are NO and YES. It does say something when one car can't handle heavy use. The X-type is intended as a serious all around high performance sport sedan. Does that mean reviewers are to drive it like a Geo Metro or VW Jetta diesel? No, they should drive it to find out its limits and capabilities. Just like any real owner over 50,000 miles of warranty might also.
But just because the X-type "flunked" Edmunds' test, doesn't mean it will "flunk" others. It wouldn't surprise me to see some good reviews elsewhere. But the early reviews of real testers haven't been good. MT had it in a recent comparison test. They weren't too impressed for the over $40,000 as tested MSRP.
What MT review are you talking about?
Here's a link to the Motorweek website:
http://www.pbs.org/mpt/motorweek/
You can use the website to find out if and when Motorweek is shown on your local PBS station. Motorweek also appears (with commercials) on the Speedvision cable network.
I haven't seen the X-type test yet, but I've always found Motorweek to be pretty fair and reasonable with their commentary. It'll be interesting to see & hear what they have to say.
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2102.shtml
Look at MT testing results:
In Nov-01 they tested a 3L M and got 0-60 of 7.9
In Jan-02 they test a 3L A and got 7.85.
How do they manage to drive an automatic faster than a manual??!
this is the same car that R&T got 6.5 for, and several other newspapers/magazines got 6.3!
These numbers put into doubt anything that is published in MT.
I have attached a section from the X-Type announcement document on the paint process which should help with a couple of threads on here about the so-called low cost approach Jaguar took on the X-Type paint process. You will see; a state-of-the-art painting process was put in place for the X-Type at a very high cost, and that it is the same 4-coat process used on all Jaguars.
Bottom line, if you buy an X-Type you get a quality paint job -- better than BMW or MB??? I suspect they would all be very close.
"Paint Shop
Considerable changes have been made to the Halewood Paint Shop for the Jaguar X-TYPE, with 70 per cent of the original equipment replaced or substantially modified at a cost of over £50 million. Though the quality required in the premium car segment was the main driver of this change, environmental performance has also been
substantially upgraded. The largest investment has gone into providing four new spray booths to deliver the four-coat paint process used on all Jaguars, rather than the three-coat system used
previously in the plant. This involves an extra, initial primer coat, which is then wet-sanded - another procedure new to Halewood - to ensure a super-smooth and flat surface for second primer and top coats. This helps deliver the sleek and glossy finish for which the company's cars are renowned. Each spray booth has the latest generation computer controlled automation, and is located within a 'clean room' environment, with air heated or cooled as necessary, humidified and filtered to give the best possible painting conditions. The introduction of water-based topcoat (rather than solvent-based) also helps raise finished quality, as well as being more environmentally friendly. Further environmental improvements include high specification 'scrubbers' to remove paint overspray particles from the exhaust air and full incineration of all paint oven gases. Another standard Jaguar practice introduced to the Halewood Paint Shop is the use of a 'reflow' oven for anti-corrosion wax. In addition to the cavity wax injection used by many car makers, the Jaguar process goes one stage further, putting the injected car into a special oven where the wax melts and runs into the vulnerable clinched joints, to give extra protection against corrosion. Further new facilities include an electrocoat oven, body wash and dry-off oven, and
new enclosures for enamel preparation and inspection. These enclosures include the latest 'striped' inspection lighting, which is critical for seeking out flaws in the paint film. Most other facilities within the Paint Shop have been replaced, modified or updated."
My "low cost" statement was in response to someone who I consider very knowledgable on Jaguars that they use a 10 step painting process rather than the normal 6 step. From this I must conclude that a mere 4 step process is low cost.
I stand by original statements.
The car is pretty to look at, but not worth $45K IMHO....not even $35K for that matter.
I think the XJS sedan is the last of the breed...
Well, the reviews have come in, and it is clear that the car is mediocre.
http://home.att.net/~christophera/wsb/html/view.cgi-photos.html-.html
This is the new quartz color, with in dash CD. Two delivery defects: the windshield washer jets weep (known problem), and the battery cover has a crack in one of the plastic hold down clips.
And for the naysayers on this board: the engine and transmission work, and the exhaust system is bolted to the car!
you've driven it yourself then?
Bill
I'm glad that they go to such extremes to insure a quality paint job. Unfortunately, by x-type in adriatic blue paint felt very gritty to the touch on all flat surfaces ( trunk, bumpers and roof) at delivery. the car was taken back re buffed and no improvement. The salesman, manager and service guy all agreed that the surface was not smooth like the other cars on the showroom floor. The ENTIRE car was lightly wet sanded, and the Jaguar finish came through. I did not have the option of another car since this was NOV, and it was expected to be 3-4 mo before a comparable car(3.0 X1,X2,X3, Alpine,Xenons, Manual) could be produced, no equivalent was found in the US.
After 1600 miles the car is flawless, sans a small buzz around the homelink trim over grooved pavement. A jaguar case number was made concerning the paint, hopefully it will be durable
"policies" or "practices" they want & i don't hav2 go along with'em. My personal policy is
honesty & upfrontness & if that conflicts with some corp's policy then i can choose not 2 do
business with them (unless its a global/local monopoly controlling an absolute need of life).
Someone posted that they'd actually checked on the MB & BMW threads to c if i'd complained
about their pricing policy & then complained that since i had'nt bitched over there i was a
hypocrite!!! Well, i've never been 2 those threads as i was looking for a new Jag not a MB or
BMW....As far as BMW pricing policies, I've owned 4 of'em & after negotiations were over
felt like i got a good deal or wudn't bought the danged cars...
My only point in posting was that Ford wud b selling a ton of these lovely cars @ 29950 with
the small engine if the a/t & your choice of color was included at that price...For heaven's sake, while some of the "performance" focused posters can't c an a/t; almost all ladies (including my
wife want nuttin' 2 do with shifting) & living (as most of us do now) in an ultracongested beep
n creep ridiculuosly congested commuting area doubt most guys want a manual trans on their
daily driver
And about the paint...they've got this super duper new paint plant. sure its almost totally
robotized. The cost of actually applying the premium paint is marginal, ie- the margin between
the cost of reg paint & premium paint....the robot just sprays the heck out of whatever comes
its way with watevr its been loaded with, don't think the paint robot really "cares" one way or the
other (unless its a Marin Co robot!!! programmed 2 care deeply!)
U guys made mostly good points but it sounded like some of u work for Jag/Ford from your
defenses of theirs (& other co's) "teasing ways".
As a believer in the free market, have made my decision not to buy the car even tho i liked
it alot! If the teaser price wudda been the "real" price for the car with minimally acceptable
features (a stinking A/T & any color paint they offer) it wudda been a sale.
I wanted to make the point that the argument about a 10 or 6 step process was misleading to many since all Jaguars use the 4 coat process and for the X-Type the Jaguar document confirmed they were painted the same way as the others. Bottom line, the misinformation I think is that a 4 coat paint process was not a cost reduction that Jaguar made for the X-Type as you indicated. The Ford process used in the same plant before it was ripped out for the new Jaguar plant used a 3 coat process.
Now the 10 step process to 6 step process may be talking about steps other than just the number of coats of paint -- I have never seen either of these referenced in the documentation.
I am begining to think I was lucky to get one of the very first X-Types in the area (made in May and delivered at the end of Aug. It seems they took a lot of pains with these.
I.E. the car doesnt have just one coat of color or clear.
Maybe that's the confusion..
I.E. 1 coat basecoat, 2 coats primer, 4 color coats, 3 clear coats..etc..
Bill
From the website:
"Jaguar's ten-step paint process results in a world-class finish, featuring deep lustrous color, that resists rust and corrosion throughout the automobile's life."
From the brochure:
"The largest investment has gone into providing four new spray booths to deliver the four-coat paint process used on all Jaguars, rather than the three-coat system used previously in the plant. This involves an extra, initial primer coat, which is then wet-sanded - another procedure new to Halewood - to ensure a super-smooth and flat surface for second primer and top coats."
hey when did you move to poland???
Oh.. the flag.. Monaco.
Its a 3 or 4 step process, that's true. What It is though.. is that its more than just 4 single coats applied from what I have found out..
Bill
My point that a 4 coat process was a cost lowering scheme was given from the ASSUMPTION that others who are much more knowledgeable than I said Jag uses many more coats, once again proving the caution that everyone should take when gathering information from the 'Net: Who is saying it and What is their motivation for doing so.
I apologize to everyone if my statements, based upon what I thought was reliable information, were incorrect.
Fair enough?
Bill
I just picked up my new X-Type last Friday night, 3 liter manual with X1 as the only option.
I took the Jag for my first mountain drive today, and it is truly amazing. I have rarely driven a car that makes me feel like a better driver, but the X does that. I drove through hairpin turns (posted at 10 MPH) and fast descending radius sweepers, up and down drastic elevation changes, all on twisty roads with a mix of dry pavement, sand and a little snow (Colorado can offer some great roads). The X cornered like it was on rails.
I was driving very fast, usually leaving the car in 3rd gear and just using the power to pull out of turns. I only got the car unsettld once, on a snow packed corner that I entered WAY too fast. Not having driven an AWD car before, I was trying to get the back end out a little, so the front end pushed slightly instead. The car caught itself, though, with just a little throttle lift.
I have friends that race SCCA autocross who are excellent drivers, far better than I. One has an Audi S4, another a BMW 330i. The S4 could take me easy due to the power difference, the BMW would be a close match. I am amazed at how flat the car road, with very little body role, but with a smooth and fluid ride.
The power delivery was great. Very responsive throttle, good torque distribution, and excellent pulling power. Even coming out of some slow turns in 3rd gear, the car pulled stongly and smoothly back up to speed.
I never noticed the all wheel drive. It didn't detract from the performance of the car, and in fact may be a little too competent. I NEVER noticed the front wheels pulling, or correcting a slide, because the car just wouldn't budge from whatever line I chose for it.
The steering is light, fast, and precise. Transitions between turns produced very little body role.
I am coming out of a Lincoln LS, so the seat in the X still feels a little confining, but was very comfortable over a 3 hour period with only one short break. Fuel economy is 19.7 at the end of the drive (237 miles on the car).
My only complaints are minor. First, this car deserves a 6 speed manual tranny. The 5 speed is slick and smooth, but 5th gear is basically worthless, keeping the RPMs up too high at highway speeds, but not providing any real power. Also, I personally would like the clutch to engage a little sooner, but it is very similar to other cars in its class.
So, to sum up: Very fast, very smooth, and very competent. I haven't driven the car enough to be good at it yet, but first impression is extremely positive.
Brent
The Edmunds review was very unsettling and brought back memories of Jag "quality" from years past. I hope everyone buying these vehicles is getting better quality then Edmunds got.
I am disappointed to hear the bad reviews the car is getting, I wanted to see it strike a home run.
Happy New Year everyone.
Jean