Getting my xkr ready for the nice weather, it needs two things to start.

I need new tires. I like the tread on the firehawk indy 500's, and they have great reviews. Should I replace the TPMS with it? It's coming up on 10 years old, and these tires should last a while.

Passenger side cat needs replaced. Any place I can source this a bit cheaper? My mechanic tells me $1400 if they buy it from the dealer. I'd like OEM.

Looking forward to getting out of the hummer and into the jag

 

Aren't you due for more snow this weekend? You guys have been getting hammered. Hope you get to take the car out soon!

 

Hah! I'm in western PA, watching the snow fall, looking for another two months of winter. As far as I can tell, Spring doesn't happen 'til mid May in these parts. I did manage to fire up the 2011 and get to the dealer for the annual oil change last week though, I think it was up to 25 degrees that day.

 

I got to drive pretty much any time I wanted this whole year. Utah got snow on Christmas day, then not again until about a month ago, and not much then either. A couple more times in the month since, but all gone within one day. Drove the XKR yesterday, probably will tomorrow, and since next week will be in the 60s or more, then also.

 

We had snow in the forecast for monday, but now it seems to have disappeared. I want to drive it, but we need a good rain to clean the salt off the roads. I took it out at christmas, it was 10F but bone dry all december and january.

Ordered new tires, Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's, plus 4 new TPMS sensors. They'll be here monday!

 

We get significant snow about once every 3 years here - by significant, I mean enough to make your wheels spin. Whole place falls apart, because we don't have the infrastructure - can't afford to have millions of £££ of snow-clearing kit sitting idle waiting for a few days every few years.

Anyway: I took the Beast out during our recent show, because at least it has Winter Mode to keep things somewhat under control. The alternative was the Fabia, but it also has wide tyres, and it's front drive, so the 75 in Winter Mode is actually easier to control.

I was pleasantly surprised how well it behaved - starting in 2nd, softer throttle response, holding gears longer to improve engine braking. Just felt more 'solid' than normal.

 

I had to plow and snowblow 15" of snow yesterday. That was on top of 10" on Saturday. I just had the car out last Thursday for a little ride. So it is starting to get in the 40*'s range and this stuff will all melt in a week or so. Right now my focus is on cleaning up my golf equipment . Target is the 1st week of April where the clubs go into the boot and off to the course.

 

I've just had all the wheels refurbished and replaced the rear tyres on my XK which is approaching four years old.

I considered replacing the TPMS and, after some reading, came to the conclusion that ten years is about the right time for this.

Graham