Jag X type Automatic transmission

lb1

Looking at an x type at the moment but its an automatic and ive only driven manuals before. Someone advised me to avoid automatics as they can be problematic Whats peoples experiences driving automatics and more particularly the x type Jag?

dergside

I read an article in a Jag Mag a while back highlighting the need to tread carefully in buying 4wd auto X-types. Serious gearbox problems seem common and hard to predict and replacement costs are huge, relative to the value of the cars.

I was curious because they seemed to offer a lot of car for the money. Also did a bit of googling and read enough to make me very cautious. Manuals appear to have fewer issues but even then I'd be careful. If there had been a 4wd version of any of the equivalent Mondeo's I'd feel comforted but in essence, Jaguar added a unique and complex 4wd solution to it because they didn't think people would buy a front wheel drive Jaguar and it wasn't possible to re-engineer to just a rwd. The solution may not be standing the durability test too well. As it turns out, a lot of people did buy fwd Jaguars and seem to have gotten a better experience because the drivetrains were closer to the tried and tested underlying Mondeo floorpan and running gear.

Having said that, most reports of problems, if you google, seem to refer to cars up to '03-'04 and all 4wd. Don't know if later ones are better or if they just haven't hit the golden spot yet in terms or age or mileage where the problems manifest themselves in numbers.

lb1

God!

Thats a lot to think about. Thanks for all the info.

Mr Benevolent

lb1 wrote: »

God!

Thats a lot to think about. Thanks for all the info.

Automatics in general are as reliable as manuals, however they're not zero maintenance. They need fluid and filter changes every 100,000km or so and are prone to problems in countries like Ireland where owners assume they don't need any looking after. However, the boxes fitted to X-types just don't seem to get along with the car, and I've seen a few on Donedeal.ie and the like with transmission problems. On average they cost less to look after (no clutch changes) but an automatic car will be more expensive to buy in the first place and tend to command a premium all their lives.

Personally I love autos, but I wouldn't buy a newer Jag with one.

Bigus

Drop in to an independent auto gearbox specialist and ask them about any problems with an X type front wheel drive auto. My missus had an auto x-type 2.1 fwd and no probs other than abit thirsty.Also was a bit too quick to drop down too many gears on kickdown but other wise very nice car to drive. I think the're good value and a lot more exclusive than an equivilent 3 series. Irish ones need regular suspension bushes also. All in all these probs are reflected in the asking prices.