Temps are falling below our personal top-down threshold (currently around 60° [15.5°C] if sunny) so the cat is pacing in circles as it readies to curl up for the winter. While I'm sure we will get a couple more weekends that qualify for open-air motoring, work schedules may not align with the motoring stars. Sigh. I've treated the top and the leather. All that's left is to top off the fuel and add a few pounds to the tires.

After three months of ownership, I thought I'd share a few thoughts.

This car is spectacular. All of the required driving aspects are there: acceleration, handling, braking, comfort and style. While it might not keep up with a Boxster in the twisties, who cares? I'm not out there looking to race. I'm enjoying the visceral thrill of feel, sight and sound and this car delivers a walloping dollop of each aspect every single time. I am going to agonize as Spring is a long way off. I'll also have that inner giddiness knowing that one day, I'll get to waken the beast.

Within the next month I'll swap the Michelin Pilot S4's on the Audi for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3's that turn it into a limo version of a Snowcat.

I'll be dropping in the Jaguar Forum from time to time to wet my whistle and dream of top-down trips to come! A huge thank you to all who have chimed in to offer help, advice and guidance during my initiation. I'm looking forward to this relationship getting better and better, like a fine wine. Cheers!

 

Scott, same here in Michigan, we've already had snow and by this time I always had my BMW Z4, tucked in bed with the lights out, but I sold the old gal about two weeks ago and bought a 2010 XK Convertible with 50K. miles showing.
I live 250 miles from the nearest Jaguar Dealer and made an appointment for a 50K check-up, but they could not get me in until Nov. 6, keeping my fingers crossed as to road conditions for the trip.
At least when I put her in the barn for the next 5 months I'll do so knowing everything has been checked over, replaced or adjusted.
Owning this car for only a few weeks had been great, same thoughts as to what you posted. We're forecast for a cold snowy winter, so spring my come a little late, but I have something really great to look forward to.

 

2 more weeks for me then mine is tucked away. In the south of Sweden we get little snow but a lot of salt so baby is off the streets til spring! 😊

 

We have salt and £550 road tax (about 800 US?) - for a car I barely use i figure 6 months on the road is enough. Roads are salt free by May, but im busy with the motorbikes then so Jun - November is her time on the road

 

I've put all my other toys away here in Toronto last week, but kept the XKR out for another couple weeks. No snow or salt yet, so I'll keep enjoying it on weekends until snow/salt is immanent.

 

Don’t forget the battery tender.

 

Same here, although my weather in Seattle isn't as harsh as some others on here, wet roads, summer tires and 550 BHP are thrills I don't need anymore. I've been running my fuel tank low so I can add fuel stabilizer (BG 213) and dryer (BG 281) and then I have a gas station that has ethanol free gas, so a tank full of that and run her for a few miles. I'll also add an oil stabilizer (BG 115). I'll be doing the same for the mini GP. Then both under covers, battery tenders connected and see them in the Spring.



Steve
Newcastle, WA 98056
2014 XKR-S 21,000 miles
2006 Min GP (1476)
2007 Range Rover Sport

 

The Pittsburgh Jag Club has its "Fall Leaf Tour" this Saturday so mine will get out at least one more time before spring.

 

What tyres do you use? Although we don't get snow here very often (Christchurch, New Zealand) our average winter overnight temperatures look lower than Seattle's and I drive my 600bhp+ XKR all year round. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's made a huge difference to the available traction compared to the OEM Dunlops, especially in the wet.

 

Tons of posts on this... for my driving preferences, Michelin alpine or Bridgestone Blizzaks. I also went down a rim size and matched the width of the front and rears.
The pirelli sotozeros were good too.

I actually run 3 sets of rims. IMHO you need AS tires in the spring and autumn in Canada.

 

I'll probably put mine to bed this weekend, The weather forecast here in NH, after Saturday, says high temps in the 40's. I'll put Stabil 360 Marine in the gas and run it for a while, hook up the battery maintainer, and put the cover on it.

 

Ahh the joys of SoCal, all we worry about is taxes, traffic, earthquakes and wildfires. No snow or salt on the roadways unless one opts to go up in the mountains.

 

knomad,why 360 Marine in the Jag, I use that in my boats, but put regular stabil in my cars.

 

i use a marine stabilizer, apparently its just a much higher spec regards keeping out moisture

 

Sta-Bil 360 Marine differs from that original formula in that it also releases a corrosion-­blocking vapor that is said to preserve fuel system components — even those not submerged in or covered by fuel. I also use it in all my fuel that I store for things like the lawn mower, snow blower, etc.
It doesn't cost that much more and I feel it gives a better level of protection.

 

On Wednesday my insurance changes over (to storage) for the jag and the A8L comes out of the garage again. I will put the proper winter tires on in late November

It is a sad time of year! But I drove the car the other day, it was 37 and a bit nippy.... It is time to put her away

 

I succumbed last year and bought a set of dedicated winter rims/tires for my A8. Summer configuration is 265/40/20 - Michelin Pilot 4S. For winter I went with 255/45/19 to keep overall diameter the same, maintain a correct speedometer, and have more tread to bite in the snow. My Audi dealer stores them for free and only charges me $30 to swap the set.

 

When I bought my car it had the winter tires on it, so I had to buy all seasons to rotate. Did you go with the Audi recommended dunlop? Or a different one? I think they pretty much sell the same winter tire sets.

Personally, I like the look of the propeller blade wheels that audi sells with the winter package. They look quintessentially audi to me

 

My summer setup is the OEM 20" double 5-spokes. For winter, I found a set of used-but-near-perfect OEM 19" 10 split-spoke Audi wheels then put on a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta R3's per the recommendation of my service adviser at my dealership. Boy was he spot-on!


Winter 19" 10 split-spoke


20" Summer