Hi All,

Former X-type owner here (2007). I am interested in getting back into one and am starting my search. Are there any references on the forum that show a breakdown of what changes happened on the X-type by build/model year?

Thanks for your help!

 

I'll put my hand up to give you an initial response, albeit I certainly don't have all the answers.

In the X-Type production run, mid 2005 was a change point where you will find a number of general changes in mechanical parts and onboard electronics were rolled through.
So you might consider something in the later production run late 2005 onwards to capture the later evolution of this model.
If you download the SNG Barratt parts catalogue (non-USA spelling) from the stickies at the top of the X-Type forum page, you will see as you go through the various pages that there a quite a lot of VIN number specific parts.
As you are in the States, your models were Gas and AWD, so you don't need to contemplate Diesel and FWD models that were also sold into other markets.

Transfer cases are a known weakness in the AWD models, but I believe the later cases were a different design and may be less problematic. (I would defer to any other member that might have some comments or input on that).

You are not likely to do any significant modifications to the engine or transmission as they don't lend themselves readily to that.
So you probably want to decide if the 2.5 or 3.0 engine is your preference and whether you want to hunt out a 5 speed manual or have the standard auto offering.
The X-Type came out as a Saloon or Estate (sports wagon I think they might be referred to there).

You will likely have some catch up maintenance to do if the service history of the vehicle is not particularly comprehensive.
Do a search in the X-Type forum on what to look for buying an X-Type as there have been some good threads written on the common issues.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

I also can give you just a vague answer:
Before I bought my 1st X-Type, I read somewhere that the ones after 2003, i.e. 2004 and newer, are better, as some of the initial production failures were fixed by that time. I have that stuck in my mind, but I can't find, where I read that.

But you may find this link of interest:
http://jagrepair.com/images/Electric...al%20Guide.pdf
Where they go into some of the details, which were improved starting with the 2004 X-Type model. Start reading on page 7. So there is at least proof that I am not imagining things...

Hence, my 1st X-Type was a 2006 (2.1L). I fixed that up - apart from the usual it needed 2 new front drive shafts do get rid of the shaking. Colour: Green
But when I spotted an extremely cheap X-Type, I could not resist, even though it was a 2001 (leaking, a bit of body damage and no reverse gear), 2.5L. I did not get around yet fixing that one up, but I will soon. Colour: Green.
Meanwhile I fixed up a X308 and a S-Type, and now I have nearly finished fixing up my 3rd X-Type, 2.5L, 2004 - it "only" took my 6 month, as it was utterly neglected. I had to repaint it big time (about 50% of the surface), new headliner, new sump gasket. Colour: You guessed it: Green!
It's because it reminds me of my past that I have 3 X-Type (I was part of the X400 (X-Type) design team in Coventry back then). If it wasn't for that I would rather recommend a Jag S-Type, also past the 2003 model years, i.e. starting with the 2004 X204, which was after the second facelift of the S-Type. That's why have 2 of those (Colour - Oh what a surprise: Both Green!). Those S-Types feature an aluminum bonnet (hood), amongst many other things - like improved suspension.

...other than that, my recommendation would be - you guessed it - a Green Jag!

 

For the cars in the US, here is a general breakdown of the big changes that happened:

2002: Car release in the US. Had viscous coupling transfer case that seemed problematic
2004.25 (March 31, 2004) car undergoes a minor upgrade that results in a changing of the wiring harness to allow for more options and the transfer case is swapped out for an open differential style case to reduce the number of transfer case issues
2005 Car goes through a facelift to change the external looks slightly and also gets a remake on some of the interior looks and features. DSC becomes a standard feature in the car since car was essentiallly a RWD car due ot the transfer case if the car lost traction on any tire unless the car was equipped with DSC.
2008 Car ends production at the end of the year in the US.

Keep in mind that throughout the years, some of the options become more common and others simply faded away (ie, folding mirrors were more common later than on earlier cars, etc). But, this varied year to year and was not really a "change" to the car.

As for best year, this has been argued and really it has 2 answers. If you are after a cruiser and just enjoy the highway, a later year car is going ot have more creature comforts more than likely. If you are after a car that in bad weather is going to keep all 4 wheels pulling you through, most will agree the 2002 thru 2004.25 is the better option. Both engines were plenty powerful for the car, but you need to look at how you drive the car as to which one is better. The 2.5L motor liked to be wound up and kept up in the RPM range. You like to drive that way, the car was plenty peppy. The 3.0l motor just had gobs of low end torque. So, to pass someone, you just eased into the gas a little bit, it powered around without downshifting (where the 2.5L would have probably downshifted to get the RPMs up). there was no real need to wind up the motor unless you were doing a hard pull from 0 to 100 mph. Even getting up to 60 mph, a 3.0L motor was faster than most other cars letting it get up to 2500 RPM and shifting naturally (assuming an automatic tranny here).