At the time of writing, I've had my 2011 3.0 litre XF Premium Luxury for 3 years, 8 months. When an XF's original purchase was contemplated, it was suggested by several experienced owners that one adds a margin of a couple of grand to the purchase price to cover 'unforseen' and 'hitherto undiscovered' problems later. Nearly 4 years on, and having acquired a degree of experience of the marque, I would suggest maybe doubling that figure, but that's all rather subjective and difficult to quantify as a random element seems to be at play. Despite my eventual purchase having an excellent service history, there were plenty of things that 'could' go wrong, and all thanks to 'Murphys law' they did. Yet these cars can be astoundingly cheap, so the bigger 'margin' could be negotiated with the vendor with that in mind. I love my old Jag, but I have to admit, it can be an awkward cuss at times, and they really are as cheap as chips right now. The latest problem is with the temperamental air-con, as mentioned elsewhere on the JOC. With a cool ambient temperature and a low fan setting, it blows out cold air, but that is not exactly when it's wanted most. Sometimes one has to be a supersleuth and dig deep to get at the actualite's. This is where we members get a little lucky, because the JOC is often first with a solution and priceless pearls of wisdom. Such experience needs to be passed on, as with a good teacher and an attentive pupil. My Jag's temperamental air-con frustrated me, so I put the word out to my local friends to see if they could suggest a really good Jaguar Aircon specialist that would cure this issue once and for all, and good fortune smiled upon me and I ended up at a garage with a good and growing reputation, barely a few miles away. Talking to the proprietor, he told me how these things work. I still don't properly understand it, but I at least came away knowing much more than I ever did. For instance, he insisted it was best to use new gas, not recovered gas that would likely hamper the process of diagnosis. He also said he'd had these cars in before with a similar seemingly intractable problem, but there could be a number of things to rule in or out before we start replacing the bigger and more expensive items as some garages would routinely do, and charging big bucks for basically a one in, one out job with little or no attempt at a proper diagnosis. I think the operative words on this occasion are 'thorough' and 'diligent'. That is certainly how the garage owner comes across. I'm going to leave this story hanging for now. I was due to take my car in on the 28th September with quite a long queue of customers ahead of me such is his growing reputation, but other matters intervened, so I had to cancel at the last minute. He was very understanding and wouldn't accept my offer to compensate him for the loss of at least one day's work. When all is running right, and I am sure of a successful lasting outcome, I'll give his name and location so that other XF owners might relieve themselves of The Curse of the Temperamental Air-Con.

Welcome aboard Ashley! Firstly, for context, i'm in the throes of replacing the rear subframe on my 99 S Type. There were many later options offered to me while i was trying to hunt the correct one down and while most of these would have fitted onto the car, many things like the handbrake cables might have been looking for a home on them. Jaguar (in common with many other manufacturers) seem to have "amended the specifications" at a moments notice on subframes across the range. As such, i would strongly advise you get the "correct for your car" subframe. The last thing you want to be doing is working out a modification while the engine (and potentially the gearbox) is perched on the subframe in your driveway with the rest of the car 10 feet behind with the front end hung on axle stands or similar. I eventually found a subframe with a 2 year warranty via this search engine : 1st Choice SparesUsed Car Parts | Car Spares | Car Parts | 1st ChoiceUsed car parts online, cheap car spares and breakers yards: Find a part for sale, compare prices and buy for less from UK's No1 used parts suppliers.It took slightly longer to arrive than originally quoted but only by a weekend. I'd suggest if there is one with a longer guarantee and recnditioned/refurbished but is dearer, you bite the bullet and pay the extra. You'll only be doing the same job a few years later by going cheap and getting one straight off a car that hasn't been checked and painted or powder coated and warranteed. Good luck with your search, i'm sure one will come up sooner or later.

Hello, I'm new to the JOC, based near Peterborough. My 2010 XKR x150 has suffered the dreaded corroded front subframe - big time. I am trying to find a replacement, and whilst I know the correct part number C2P12652, I am told C2P22894, C2P23918, and C2P24494 are also suitable. Anyone know if that sounds correct? I have also been told it is possible to fit an F-Type subframe with minimum modifications - anyone done that? Any help to locate a suitable part would be much appreciated.

You could do a Browser search, but the best folks around as far as I know are the guys and girls at Hoodtech Limited in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. N6 JMX

My 2009 XKR rear window is separating from the fabric roof. I have seen on other forums the DIY fix but I am wondering if anyone knows a company in and around London and the Home Counties that would repair it for me?

I think the word you're looking for is ports Rob but nipples would be close enough as in a grease nipple. I don't know if the 4.0 V8 has a 5-port valve, i'm sure someone will know though. Also, welcome to the club!

Hi there, There's much to read about hot air coming from climate control on the S-type, but not so much on the 2001 4.0 V8 Most valves on the net have three nippels (?) While the 4.0 should have 5? Excuse for wrong words, not native language, I'm from the Netherlands.