I just took a 2003 X with 113k miles for a test drive and have a question. I heard a low growling from the rear end that got louder as we got on the highway. Is this normal? The salesman explained it as normal for the all wheel drive, but as a 2000 Land Rover owner, I found that hard to believe. The sale price is $6500. The previous owner has had several Jaguars and just tarded this one in.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Brian

 

I have an 03, and it doesnt growl as you describe. With 113k, you should have it looked at, and ignore everything the salesguy tells you - except for his price.

 

bzavansik, I would look at the tires on the car. If they are a fairly aggressive tread (ie, a snow tire), they can create a noise like what you are hearing (think about the sound that lifted trucks make, same thing). Another thing I would ask is if the noise changed as you made high speed turns (ie, goes away when turning one way, but remained turning the other way). If so, then you have a wheel hub that is going out. It would be an easy way to knock $500-1000 off the price of the car and cost you about $100 to replace yourself.

As was mentioned, probably worthwhile to take it to a shop to have them look it over. You have a Jag dealership there in Cleveland that would be good to use (I have purchased parts through them, never had my car serviced there though, and they seem pretty trustworthy) unless of course you are buying the car through them. Then I would recommend a European car specialist. Sure they may run a few extra bucks over "Jimmy Joe Bob's" Corner shop, but they will also give you a detail explaination of what is wrong too.

 

The sound was constant and turning didn't change it. The car is in Solon at the Land Rover/Jag/Maserati dealership. I live near the Westside/Montrose Land Rover/Jag dealer. We bought our 2000 LR from the Solon dealer, but normally go to Joe-Bob at the corner for any work. I've used them for 10 years with all my cars, no issues. I looked at the tread on the tires, but don't recall if they were "all terrain" or not, I want to say no.

It sounded to me like the rear pumpkin was making noise if that helps. I have 2 weeks before I bring the car home, so I really want to be sure about what the noise might be.

 

It isn't a normal noise, I would take it to a transmission shop and get them to look it over for an hour or whatever. Better to pay someone 100.00 that to pay 6500.00 then another 500-600 for a new rear end of to have to get someone to replace the wheel bearings. If something is pooched get a cost for repai and then negotiate it off the purchase price!

 

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can get it looked at.

Also, I didn't mention that it is a manual shift. The clutch felt good, but I am the only member of my house that knows how to drive a stick and my wife needs to learn on it as well as my 18 yo son.

If they decide to burn it up, can someone provide an estimated cost to repair?

Or do I just tell them no?

 

The stick is nice, and you could probably teach the wife to use it safely (my guess is she will think its archaic and wont want to use the car much) But I would say "no" to the 18-year old (think about how you drove cars when you were 18!) - Give the kid the old car or buy a 10-year-old toyota for him to destroy for a year or two first - and then teach the wife to use the stick on that one.

 

I have a 3.0 liter manual and from my experience shifting in the X is a bit trickier than a lot of cars I have driven in the past. The engagemnet point is pretty abrupt and getting used to it takes some getting used to. Not sure if the car you are looking at is a 2.5 or 3.0 liter and I do not know if the clutch feel is different between the two, but for what it is worth the X would not be the easiest car to learn how to drive stick. That said, it's not impossible for sure especially if the pesron learning can follow directions and has some hand foot dexterity. To help avoid some of the enevitable lurching when changing gears you can always try skip shifting; going from 1st to 3rd. Might help smooth thngs out and can save a little gas as well. I personally think just knowing how to drive a stick is always a handy thing to know, even though it is kind of becoming a dying art with all the electronic paddle shifts and teh automanual features on so many cars today.

I'm not sure how much it costs to replace a clutch, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was in the $800-$1000 range. Although the manual is certainly less common in the Xs there are enough of them and I can't say that the clutch has been much of an issue. Haven't seen a lot of posts with problems associated with them.

 

It is a 2.5. I have personally driven a lot of manual shifts over the years and the Jag was quite easy for me. I was supposed to pick her up tonight, but, due to passover, it has been delayed till Thursday. UGH!

After some more research, the noise I heard does seem to be tire noise.

Short of the sun turning dark, I will be a newbie Jag owner in 1 hour short of 3 days. But who's counting?


Thanks for the advice, I'm sure I will be back.

 

Good luck sleeping the next three days. Shalom!

 

Wow, slept like crap last night. 10 hours from now....purrrrrrr.

 

It's been a month, so far very happy! I had the right rear hub replaced, noise is gone. New hub was $180 and installed for $65 (included a good looking over things while on the lift)

I have noticed the idle is beginning to get rough though. I normally use 93 octane, so I'm thinking plugs are next. Any suggestions on what's good, better, best?

Wires?

 

I'm particular to Bosche Platinum........ I would get as good as you can afford at the time, the plugs are a huge PITA to do, intake manifold has to come off to remove them so factor that in so dont cheap out.

 

I used the Bosch Platinum in the Land Rover so I was leaning that direction. Nice pictorial for changing the plugs in the stickied threads.