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I often look through this thread, particularly when there are updates; it only occurred to me I have never posted mine on here!
So here she is, 2007 model X358 2.7TDi Sovereign. She is a Long Wheel Base, with the rear feature pack (rear and side blinds, electric memory rear seats) and full rear entertainment (screens and rear armrest controls). She also has the cooled seats option in the front. She has 20 inch alloys and is finished in black coachwork, with black over magnolia interior.
I have made just a couple of modifications during my ownership, as follows; Firstly I have had an engine remap, which I highly recommend. Then I have also had the Ben Wilcox Jagdroid installed, giving me a high resolution screen and enabling me to use TomTom navigation and Android music Apps. Lastly I have added LED foglight assemblies and re-wired them so that they come on automatically when the main beams are off - so they function as basic DRLs.
The soft open device is on the other side of the glove box opposite the chrome button.
That side appears to be closing properly.
The door tends to separate from the interior but can be glued back and clamped.
I can't see exactly what the problem with your is but since you say that the soft open device
has been replaced it could well be an incompetent tech!
I grabbed a few pics I like including a Trio of XJ's I have had in the last 9 years. I left in one shot of my X308 VDP just because. But the Black X350's have been outstanding and the best Jaguar products I have ever experienced, and I have had a fair number of Jaguar cars. 7 in all, though my Brother has me by a number I won't ever succeed in topping, considering he has 6 Jaguars at present, including a E-Type, TWO Mark IX's, an XJ-S AND an XJS (Facelift), he loved those V12's possessing two 6 Liter cars and a 5.3a Series III XJ, and while no technically a Jaguar product he has a high end XJ13 project that is jaw dropping. It's "only" 450-470 HP, but in a car that's perhaps 1700 Lbs soaking wet, its scary. How about a chassis setup that allows TWO 6 Piston calipers PER WHEEL up front? I dunno - is 12 pistons going to be strong enough to pull down that 1700 lbs from speed? Like I say, jaw dropping stuff. Still, I love my 07 VDP with just 91k on the clock and very well sorted out as I got to know the cars and what to keep up with. I have mixed feelings about the 08-09 Face-lift Cars, liking some things but feeling that it was at odds with itself: Design changes meant to"modernize" this classically styled car that was not "retro" as people like to say (retro denotes a RETURN to a previous style - where the XJ was "Classically styled in a trend that went alll the way back to it's 1968 debut. The only point where "Retro" might apply is on the X300, returning to themes abandoned on the XJ40 which, while handsome, tried to take the XJ into the future, vs. revering it's roots. Whatever criticism Jaguar took for putting a classic Jaguar look to a modern, world class car, I don't put as much fault on that for damaging sales as I do on the decidedly mediocre X-Type. Not that it was a bad car. For the price it was a decent value, but by mimicking the XJ Style, perhaps trying to emulate Mercedes/BMW technique of making similar looks in different sizes, they devalued the XJ more that up-scaling the X-Type, in my humblest of opinions. I have met and spoken with Ian Cullen, and Norman Dewis, but I do not consider myself some type of Jaguar "Expert". More of a devoted lover of the brand, and someone who likes to help carry the torch! We never really "own" them but are stewards of the cars for some miles as I see it.
Final thought: While the current XJ is indeed a beautiful car and stands out among many cookie cutter designs, I almost wonder if the "XJ" designation was right for it. The thought I always have is that it might have worn a new name to suit it's break with the past, perhaps selling alongside the X358 for a few model years. But what do I know. Obviously Ford had it all figured out and knew how to make money with the brand and, uh... wait a minute now. See what I mean?
Last edited by Blairware; Aug 2, 2018 at 02:48 PM.
Reason: Fixing Text
Meet "Caty" my current daily drive, I purchased it about a month ago. Over the last 3 Years it was driven a total of 15,000 km, and sat for about 6 months before I picked it up. Had to change all of the spark plugs some ignition coils, the upper radiator hose, wipers, lots of light bulbs. Still working away at getting it great, but I'm loving it. The car is a 2005 Vanden Plas, with high milage, currently at 235,000 KM, but it's in very good condition inside out.
