First time car buyer, have no experience regarding cars but found a good deal on a used X-Type. Has the features I want and is within my price range.

Need guidance on what to look for and be wary of buying this vehicle. It has about 80k miles on it. Have read that some of these have had over-heating issues and such. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

Hi BCG,

Here is one of the many threads for you to read that discusses the common issues to look for on an X-Type.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...x-type-215159/

They are indeed a nice car to drive.
Jaguar have managed to put a lot of refinement and comfort into what is effectively a compact sedan.
If you have access to a suitable OBD11 code reader, plug it in and note the codes displayed. You can post them on the forum and members will help you filter the chaff and diagnose possible concerning issues.

Hopefully you have moderate mechanical skills and a desire to use them. If so, you will probably get good service and enjoyment from your X-Type, but if you intend to send it to the garage each time you have any issue .....like any modern car it will cost you dearly if you have to pay for labour for every task that needs to be performed.
Your inquiry being for a 3.0 engine at 80K made in 2008, expect some suspension bushings to be on their way out (front and back) just due to rubber aging and not necessarily mileage. Take it down a rougher road to listen for any knocks and thumps from suspension.
Rear spring bump stops have likely turned into something that resembles compressed oatmeal. (common and relatively easy to change).
Spark plugs due at 100K if not earlier. If you are like me you will probably want to go through and reset the car maintenance with a general catch up service if it doesn't have much recent service history. (good "how to" threads written by members on most tasks you will need to do...oil changes, trans fluid, transfer case etc.)
Sway bar bushings are pretty easy to change at the rear but a nightmare for the front.
As the above thread says....listen for any noises above 50-60mph as that can point to the transfer case or prop shaft center bearing (different effects).
Cosmetically, the sills have a plastic dress cover hiding the sill metalwork, so have a look underneath if the car has operated on salted roads.....likely it might be pretty rusty underneath generally but the sills can be a major issue structurally if rotten and likely make the vehicle not viable to repair.
Make sure the electrics and electronics are all working, parking sensors, entertainment and remote door locking etc.
At this age many cars have their hood lining beginning to separate, creating some bagging. You can't easily re-glue the liner up as it is the thin backing foam that has failed. It is a fiddly job to pull the head liner out to renew the material, but many members have done it and written guides on their methodology.
As for overheating....the electronic fan control modules can fail, but generally they fail in a manner that turns the fans hard on all the time. Check the main radiator core fins for damage etc. and also make sure the cabin heater gives good heat output as the heater core can become plugged with sediment rendering it ineffective. Other than that the cooling system is pretty good (complex piping granted) but they can get air locked like many modern engines when drained and being refilled.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Broke, if you are worried about the cooling of the car, this is pretty easy to check. When you get to the car, it will probably have been sitting for a bit, so the engine will be cold. Get into the car, turn it to the RUN position and turn off the A/C, defrost, etc. Now, start the car. Open the hood and lean in over the center some. You should be able to see the fans and they should be still. Now wtih the engine still running, turn the A/C on, fan set to the highest speed it will go and the temp to the lowest temperature it will go. NOw, lean back over the center of the car and look at the fans. You should be feeling a pretty good blow of air in your face. If you have all of this, then the fan controller is fine.

One other thing I would check is the E-brake. With the engine off and the car in park, release the e-brake. Now, lift up on the e-brake lever. Does the release knob come up say 6 inches or so or do you feel like you are pulling the e-brake up towards the ceiling (the arm wil be pointed at the rear view mirror if not above it if you have pulled it too far). You should feel it gaining resistance as you lift it up. If it is easy to lift until you hit a stop. Problem. One of the common issues I had with my X-Type was the rear calipers also are the e-brake. The e-brake lever would rust and freeze, leaving the e-brake engaged. Obviously, this will trash a set of pads pretty fast. I have a few write ups on how to fix this.

Like was said, after you get the car, doing the plugs and checking a few other things is going to be well worth the money. What I am saying will probably run you $100, but this will save you from a lot of the common issues. Replace the spark plugs, but also go to your local auto parts store and get the upper and lower intake gasket sets for an 08 Lincoln LS with the 3.0L. the motor is almost identical and these are the correct parts. The parts store will more than likely have these parts. You ask them for the same parts, but for the Jag, they will tell you that they don't have them. A lot of parts are the same, but, like the water pump is not one of those parts. You have to get the Jag water pump. When you do the plugs, you will also want to get 2 of the IMT valve o-rings. These are known for failing and causing a vacuum leak. Since you will have everything apart, this is an extra $5 and 2 minutes of your time. The gaskets are about $30 for each set, the plugs will run you about $25 (get some platinum plugs, DO NOT!!!!! get anything fancy like the Splitfires or other "multi-spark" plugs, the kitty HATES THEM!!!!!). To do the plugs, seals, and o-rings will probably take you 5-6 hours since it is your first time, but get a friend that is mechanically inclined and offer him a 6 pack of his favorite drink and you will thank yourself for doing this.

 

If you can get it up on a hoist inspect the driveshaft center support bearing. And a code reader is cheap. P0420 code. That’s not a good one. While it’s on the hoist look at the transfer cases and spin the wheels to listen for the wheel bearings. JMHO having bought an older 2004’Xtype. And 100%…if you buy it…run premium fuel.

 

# 1 - Love and respect it for what it is. Do not buy with the intention of "personalizing" it into something it is not nor was ever intended to be.
# 2 - Accept the responsible attitude should be of becoming a respectful caretaker. You have the privilege of passing on a piece of history.
# 3 - There are lots of vehicles that may offer a cheaper option. There are few others that offer just what the X-Type does.

Your find is the right year. The miles are low. Depending on where it has spent its nearly 20 years, how it has been cared for and whether it has been garaged or
left out in the weather you might have a compelling find.