Since I have only had the 2004 Jag for a few weeks now and today was my first opportunity to stretch it legs on the highway for over 100 miles at a time, a question popped into my head while I was cruising along.

As I was cruising along I-81 South, I had the chance to open the engine up a little, for the old girl up into the triple digits (only for short stretches of course - lol), the question that pooped into my head was this.

"I wonder if other X-Type owner have noticed that the car rides far much better at high speed than it does at say 55 mph?"

As I was motoring along, when I was moving to pass a semi, or getting the hell out of the way of some *** riders, the flow of power to from say 70 mph to 85 mph was very smooth and effortless. Even when I goosed it and hit triple digits, it took no time to get there and the car just had the feeling of wanting to go faster.

And the stability was amazing, no hint of vibration or shimmy, or of pulling left or right, just tracked down the road like an arrow.

 

I've had the same experience, and the feeling that these cars love to cruise at 75 or so very happily. Smooth and very sure handling at 90. Does not seem to have any bad habits at these speeds. I think the effortless acceleration is due to the low gearing (RPMs higher at given speed than I'm used to seeing) kind of keeping you in the power curve, and the handling is a pleasant surprise.

At over 100 there was no unexpected departure when changing lanes or negotiating curves/terrain, but obviously you need to pay attention as things happen faster.

I have a couple of small issues to sort out, but I'm hoping to be driving mine to Florida in March.

 

I think you will find that's what Jaguars are famous for.
Regards. Peter.

 

Hi, Darcy!

Depending on what and where you read it, the X-Type top speed is 'twixt 130 and 155 mph. Unless your car has been thoroughly serviced with high speeds in mind, and has brand-new high-speed rated tires, please don't even think about "extreme" speeds.

If you think she's stable at a few bumps over 100, you should try her at 1**+ !!!

(I ain't gonna admit to nuthin!)

The aerodynamics of the design simply glue her to the road and smooth her out.

She will likely go faster than most any average driver is skilled (or crazy) enough to drive. Here's a photo of what can happen if she gets away from you at speeds, however:

This was 2002 X-Type, non-fatal wreck:



To answer your question "I wonder if other X-Type owner have noticed that the car rides far much better at high speed than it does at say 55 mph?", the answer appears to be a resounding "yes!".

(plus, you get there faster!)

But you have to be careful. The scratches on the paint of that X look like they might be a bit difficult to buff out, yes?

PS - they last longer and have less problems if you tend to drive them a bit slower, too.

 

There is a stretch in central Schuylkill County that just screams for triple digits...and the car rides like it is on rails, especially on that fresh pavement.








I've had mine to top speed, but on the track...a buck twenty-seven in 5th, a buck thirty-three in 4th...at least that is where it runs up against the limiter, although it is still pulling and has some more past there.

 

We hit 115ish on the track. It's the only opportunity to stretch your arms, check the gauges and wave to the family.

 

When is your next race? Have you made any changes to the car since that race last year?

 

Our next race is in May, mothers day weekend. The car did so we'll it doesn't need much and we bought a third car and that ate up most of our upgrade budget. Outside of fluids we are doing the Volvo rear control arms and replacing sway arm bushings. The bushings are a rotted mess. I'll post on my race thread as we do the work. Probably February.

 

It is all relative.... My X-type wagon handles ok at the speeds you are talking about, but compared to my STR, the X-type feels like it takes forever to get to speeds 25mph+ slower than the STR. I've found that the X-type doesn't slow down fast enough at high speeds. Overall the X-type doesn't feel as sure footed as other cars I've owned. The interior noise is a lot louder in the X-type with its little 3L engine working so hard. Other than supercharger whine, the my STR stays very quite inside "twixt 130 and 155"
On the plus side, my X-type kicks butt driving in the snow!

 

wa3ra - that is where I stretched the legs....just a couple miles south of the Frackville exit.....