Hello, I just randomly wanted to thank everyone on this website who devotes their time and knowledge willing to help anyone in need. Personally, I have learned so much here, and though I don't post every time that "I've helped myself, or "been helped by others',' or by "their post," it sometimes helps just knowing that you made in difference in life, especially in lives that are affected so much by the use of a car," so thank you. This is Monday's random thank you to everyone...


"DatDude"

 

I think "DATDUDE" makes a valid point. There are many of us who maybe have joined the forum recently and feel like we maybe don't have a lot to contribute as far as expertise on these cars. Yet we lurk around constantly reading virtually every post trying to learn from the experience of others. You "senior members" who post constantly should realize that there are a lot of people benefiting from your contributions. I am a pretty fair shadetree mechanic, but most of my experience is with really old cars (60's 70's, even some 50's)
I bought this X-type about 4 months ago, and I must admit I was pretty intimidated by it -wondering if I had done a stupid thing. I live about 3 hours from the nearest Jag dealer, and mechanics around here say, "Jaguar? Who makes that?" But thanks to you guys, I have already learned a ton of stuff and I am confident I can keep this ol' girl on the road. In fact I'm starting to have fun working on it, which I never had on my wife's Hyundai or my Chevy truck. Just don't forget, there are a lot of us "lurkers" out here who appreciate what you do!

 

Thanks guys, many senior, experienced members, mod team etc do our best and nice to know the appreciation is there and that we can help / have helped others.............Its the whole ethos of who we are and what we do!

 

I know I spread a lot of information. What I ask in return is very simple: Pay It Forward. When I don't answer a question (or you beat me to it) and you know something about that topic, speak up and post what you know. You may have been helped by the info here, so, turn around and help out someone else that may be struggling a little bit and tell them to in turn do the same. I didn't just wake up one day with all this knowledge. I did the same thing you did, lurked. Granted, having taught myself a lot about the computerized vehicles, that knowledge can be adapted to the even newer cars.

You never know, one of these days you may be referred to as "the senior member".

 

I try and help where I can. I try and make parts available and cheap so that people that are new can (diy) and feel good about doing it themselves. And save money in the process. To all I have helped, Your welcome... To the future ones yet to come...We are here to help.


Thanks
The Dr!

 

Yes, this! I have been on the forum for 3 days now and it is incredible how much I have learned searching the site and from getting quick and pleasant responses. Truly hoping I learn enough that I can share with others. I'm pretty good at breaking cars so good chance I will.

 

This has got to be the best forum out there. So many helpful people that are friendly, knowledgeable and willing to help. If someone posts they are having an issue on here, generally you get multiple responses within a couple hours. Other forums you are lucky if you get any responses. It is just such a comfortable place to be. Hell, I sold my X a couple months ago and I still check in here every day out of habit and because I like it. The Mercedes forum is OK, but half the posts there are advertisements and help seems to be less detailed and forthcoming. Maybe I am just not as immersed over there yet as much as I am here. This place is very special.

 

Alfa,.....in a deep hollow voice I say" COME BACK TO THE "X" SIDE "

 

Hey, maybe this part of the forum should be called "The X Files" ???

 

Alfadude......I am really glad you are happy with your Mercedes. I loved mine, but they make working on a Jag seem like working on an old Chevy. I had one timing chain slider(made out of nylon) fail, and since I was working quite a few hours, I took it to an INDY that I personally know, and still am close friends with, as in going to his house for Thanks giving this year. He cut the labor rate in half,Which means he was working for a tad less than $30 flat rate per hour, but still going by book time, which I didn't ask him to do. It still took a week to repair, waiting for all the parts to come in plus the repair itself.

You know how immaculate I keep my cars, both inside and out. There is never a drop of any fluid under my cars, except water from my AC. He said he loved working on a car, that actually had the engine polished, and he didn't get anything but oily once he opened it up. We did replace the waterpump, because it just seemed like the correct thing to do, having the front of the V8 removed. The cost of the repair was still over $1000, and REQUIRED expensive special tools just for Mercedes. Those Germans seem to make life miserable for the rest of us. Just look through the history of the world.

I pray this never happens to you, but I feel someday in the next couple of years, you will be back in the fold. Our cars maintenance mostly consists of just changing fluids, filters, normal maintenance, and replacing 10 to 75 year old parts.

Look on the internet, and you will find that all Mercedes parts
are at least twice what a comparable Jag part is. As you say, there is very little useful help.

I also found out there is a general pissing contest, similar to Harleys, Porsches, Ferraris and Corvettes, as to who spent the most money on their cars, and once again, they usually don't share their beer at gatherings, like Jag people do.

Jaguar people love all Jaguars, and when you meet someone, at the store(usually parked in the back of the lot , next to you) You can pretty much expect at least at least 10 minutes or more of complimenting each other's cars, and a hearty handshake upon leaving. I have even had a couple of people wait for me to come out of the store, so we could talk.

Sorry you left, but I do feel we will be helping you with your repairs again. I do miss seeing you on the forum....Take care.....Mike

 

Come BACK to the X side? Hell, I don't feel that I ever left. Yes, I traded my car in just because it was time. 2005 with 156K miles that probably needed $2K (wanted to replace the shocks and struts and front suspension stuff and new tires) before winter to keep it up to my standards. then I still have a car 13 model years old that while still looked and ran great, was starting to show its age. Plus, after having it 7 years you just start to get the itch for something else. So, when the independent dealer I have gone to for the last 25 years got a pristine 2012 C300 black on black with all the toys and rare AMG wheels I love, I decided that was the time. It IS nice in so many ways and I really love the way it looks, especially with those wheels.Handles great, has a killer surround sound system, hard drive, voice, phone, texts, panoramic sunroof and cool flat bottomed thick steering wheel. Biggest thing I miss is it being an automatic. Even in their sport mode I don't like the shift points and kick down lag. You can shift in manual mode and it is pretty sporty then, but nothing like driving a real manual transmission the way God intended. They are just harder and harder to find these days.

Like everyone here, I am a car guy. Although I don't physically own the Jag anymore, it is still a part of me and always will be, like all my other cars. I hope it ended up in a good home. I saw that it was for sale at an independent lot in Madison. So, if anyone on here recently bought a quartz gray X with a 3.0 manual and the carbon fiber interior with Aruba wheels: hope you are enjoying it and taking good care of it. I could easily see myself buying another Jag down the road, especially an XF with AWD. Until then, I will continue to enjoy being part of this community.