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Post by alf on Jul 1, 2020 13:38:00 GMT
The XFR is go! And finally reunited with the summer wheels (which look so much better). I insured and taxed it from today, insuring it for 10k miles p.a. only now, and although NFU wanted £1200 (when their renewal on 15k miles was £700 a couple of months back) plenty of other places were around £500, so the insurance was less than the tax. A first for me...
In a couple of weeks we are probably driving to Bavaria to visit my partner's family, it's that sort of thing that puts me off trading it in for a Boxster or XKR cabrio or something equally silly. But I do love soft-tops from driving the 1 series cab recently.
I need to get in some long-journey practice in it before an all-nighter to Germany! First impressions today were of just how smooth and refined it is, and how much I love the seats and driving position. I'll be treating the loud pedal with respect for a bit as well - the 118i needs a fair shove to get moving. It's overdue a service (on time, its bang on the mileage) and MOT too (ignoring the extension) - when that's done in a week I'll start exploring it a bit more. I used to do so many business miles I didn't really drive "for fun" any more, but now all meetings are video meetings for the forseeable future, and we may drop the London office. I can see myself going to Wantage for a coffee a bit, great road....
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Post by PG on Jul 1, 2020 21:57:50 GMT
Enjoy using it. Mine's sat under its cover since February - apart from the odd move about and battery charging.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Jul 1, 2020 22:42:02 GMT
Enjoy it, Alf. Peter, you need to get out more!
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Post by Martin on Jul 2, 2020 6:53:26 GMT
Enjoy using it. Mine's sat under its cover since February - apart from the odd move about and battery charging. When are you planning to start using it again? |
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Post by PG on Jul 2, 2020 10:07:34 GMT
Enjoy using it. Mine's sat under its cover since February - apart from the odd move about and battery charging. When are you planning to start using it again? As Stu says, I need to get out more. But where! At the moment, we're not going anywhere that isn't local. Since we got the MINI, we used the Jag for longer trips and they're just not happening. Well, we did go over to Leicestershire to pick up a new ram we've bought, but the Jag isn't really designed to tow a livestock trailer.  |
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Post by Big Blue on Jul 2, 2020 10:48:40 GMT
Since we got the MINI, we used the Jag for longer trips and they're just not happening. We're the same: the MINI will do far more miles than the E46 ever did. |
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Post by Tim on Jul 2, 2020 12:10:59 GMT
We've made a point of using all the cars in an approximate rotation just to make sure they're getting moved around a bit.
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 2, 2020 12:26:21 GMT
I've always found NFU ridiculously expensive. My mother, being a farmer's daughter, used to use them until I pointed out it was costing her way more than it needed to.
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Post by Martin on Jul 2, 2020 12:26:59 GMT
When are you planning to start using it again? As Stu says, I need to get out more. But where! At the moment, we're not going anywhere that isn't local. Since we got the MINI, we used the Jag for longer trips and they're just not happening. Well, we did go over to Leicestershire to pick up a new ram we've bought, but the Jag isn't really designed to tow a livestock trailer. Maybe you should swap it for a RR.... Are you planning on keeping it or thinking of doing something different? It's a shame just leaving it under a cover and it can't be doing it a lot of good. |
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Post by PG on Jul 2, 2020 14:11:22 GMT
Maybe you should swap it for a RR.... Are you planning on keeping it or thinking of doing something different? It's a shame just leaving it under a cover and it can't be doing it a lot of good. We've been thinking about what to do fleet wise. The Jag is 9 years old in October and it's value has fallen to a level where selling or trading it almost feels like giving it away. I can't justify a classic car financially, so the XFR is almost becoming my modern classic - after all, Jag don't make V8 saloons any more. And starting it up still gives a huge feel good factor. I've been looking at XKR's as another possible modern classic, but a decent 02-05 XKR now fetches more than the XFR is worth. And later XKR's (the final shape from 06 onwards) are more again. What to do with the Shogun is probably our first decision point. It's 11 year old and although it has only done 85k miles it's worked pretty hard in that time and feels very baggy to drive now. I have thought about a previous shape RR but that ad the Jag are hard to justify. I'd love a new SWB Defender, so maybe once the initial furore has died down next year might be a good time to look at them. |
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Post by johnc on Jul 2, 2020 14:40:10 GMT
So sad to hear there are V8's around which aren't being used. You just need to use the loud pedal a bit to get a great big smile on your face. I had to dispose of a Golf GTi last night who was swarming all over the back of me and I can only assume that the noise and the speed with which I distanced myself from him were the reason for his sedate speed thereafter.
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Post by alf on Jul 2, 2020 15:01:16 GMT
XKR's are certainly a fair bit more money than equivalent XFR's - I've seen it suggested they are no better to drive either, though they look special.
Mine will get regular use now. The mistake we made was hanging onto the Audi - I don't mind using my car for the longer family trips now I'm doing so few business miles. At one point I was keen we kept the Audi as well to stop my mileage going crazy, but it has remained unused for quite some time now...
We just booked the Eurotunnel so the Mid-July Bavaria trip is go! That's out of retirement in some style...
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Post by Tim on Jul 2, 2020 15:12:38 GMT
We just booked the Eurotunnel so the Mid-July Bavaria trip is go! That's out of retirement in some style... We booked the tunnel last night for the 11th, looks pretty busy although that may be because we'll be in a van and, presumably, sharing with trucks. |
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Post by johnc on Jul 2, 2020 15:18:29 GMT
XKR's are certainly a fair bit more money than equivalent XFR's - I've seen it suggested they are no better to drive either, though they look special. Mine will get regular use now. The mistake we made was hanging onto the Audi - I don't mind using my car for the longer family trips now I'm doing so few business miles. At one point I was keen we kept the Audi as well to stop my mileage going crazy, but it has remained unused for quite some time now... We just booked the Eurotunnel so the Mid-July Bavaria trip is go! That's out of retirement in some style... I have a client with an XKR (2012 I think) and he only brings it out now on dry days in the summer. It is in beautiful condition being blue metallic with cream leather and it sounds wonderful. He is a good driver (having seen his times at PalmerSport) but he says it isn't worth the risk taking it out in the cold and wet because he has had several serious sideways moments at unexpected times and he wants to keep it straight and original. He is keeping it because he says it is an experience every time he drives it. |
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Post by alf on Jul 2, 2020 16:34:12 GMT
They all do that Sir. XFR's are never boring, XKR's have even less traction I believe!
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 2, 2020 17:07:11 GMT
We just booked the Eurotunnel so the Mid-July Bavaria trip is go! That's out of retirement in some style... We booked the tunnel last night for the 11th, looks pretty busy although that may be because we'll be in a van and, presumably, sharing with trucks. Is it still only one crossing per hour at present, or has it busied up again? |
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Post by ChrisM on Jul 2, 2020 17:47:58 GMT
^
No idea, but Eurostar don't seem to be welcoming passenger traffic
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Post by Tim on Jul 3, 2020 8:37:10 GMT
It had the usual time periods of 2 hours and 4 trains within that so I presume that's back to normal?
Remember we're taking a large van so will presumably be on the lorry train.
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Post by chipbutty on Jul 3, 2020 8:48:00 GMT
Me neither - but I've still managed to put over 800 miles on the F-Type since late March.
I go out early Saturday and early Sunday- quite frankly it's the highlight of my week.
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 3, 2020 10:42:00 GMT
It had the usual time periods of 2 hours and 4 trains within that so I presume that's back to normal? Remember we're taking a large van so will presumably be on the lorry train. Normal is typically four trains per hour (roughly one every quarter of an hour) but last I looked a couple of weeks ago, when the borders reopened, they were only running one service an hour. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 3, 2020 11:06:16 GMT
XKR's are certainly a fair bit more money than equivalent XFR's - I've seen it suggested they are no better to drive either, though they look special. Mine will get regular use now. The mistake we made was hanging onto the Audi - I don't mind using my car for the longer family trips now I'm doing so few business miles. At one point I was keen we kept the Audi as well to stop my mileage going crazy, but it has remained unused for quite some time now... We just booked the Eurotunnel so the Mid-July Bavaria trip is go! That's out of retirement in some style... I have a client with an XKR (2012 I think) and he only brings it out now on dry days in the summer. It is in beautiful condition being blue metallic with cream leather and it sounds wonderful. He is a good driver (having seen his times at PalmerSport) but he says it isn't worth the risk taking it out in the cold and wet because he has had several serious sideways moments at unexpected times and he wants to keep it straight and original. He is keeping it because he says it is an experience every time he drives it. A lad that used to work for us has won a 2011 XKR in one of those internet auctions - £30 a ticket, I believe. It's immaculate and looks immense. The photos of him and his family were posted, all smiling, but I couldn't help but thinking his missus will be selling it as soon as the fuss dies down and getting that new conservatory she wants. Enjoy it while you can Liam. |
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Post by alf on Jul 7, 2020 13:42:53 GMT
^^^ If he wants to swap it for a well used Q3 and whatever I have down the back of the sofa, I can sort him out... ^^^
The Jaaaaag is now fully back - it had a service and MOT yesterday (major service and MOT for £335 - not bad - good service too). Now the oil is fresh and the tyres not quite so green I will enjoy getting in some practice for my trip! It's amazing having the instant "squeeze to accelerate" pedal back, quite unlike anything else I've ever driven in just having everything you want from an engine - noise, instant response, low down torque, and screaming revs. Mighty.
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Post by Martin on Jul 7, 2020 14:03:20 GMT
^^^ If he wants to swap it for a well used Q3 and whatever I have down the back of the sofa, I can sort him out... ^^^ The Jaaaaag is now fully back - it had a service and MOT yesterday (major service and MOT for £335 - not bad - good service too). Now the oil is fresh and the tyres not quite so green I will enjoy getting in some practice for my trip! It's amazing having the instant "squeeze to accelerate" pedal back, quite unlike anything else I've ever driven in just having everything you want from an engine - noise, instant response, low down torque, and screaming revs. Mighty. Good to see you back! I was getting a little concerned when you were being all positive about the 1 series and Q3.....  |
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 8, 2020 15:39:31 GMT
^^^ If he wants to swap it for a well used Q3 and whatever I have down the back of the sofa, I can sort him out... ^^^ The Jaaaaag is now fully back - it had a service and MOT yesterday (major service and MOT for £335 - not bad - good service too). Now the oil is fresh and the tyres not quite so green I will enjoy getting in some practice for my trip! It's amazing having the instant "squeeze to accelerate" pedal back, quite unlike anything else I've ever driven in just having everything you want from an engine - noise, instant response, low down torque, and screaming revs. Mighty. Good to see you back! I was getting a little concerned when you were being all positive about the 1 series and Q3..... Yes, it was all getting a bit Prince Harry... |
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Post by alf on Jul 13, 2020 9:13:47 GMT
![]() I mentioned a while back that I had polished the XFR with some Meguiars "restorer" and it looked great since - here is a pic from yesterday (the only occasion being that I had the proper camera out - it had been sitting for a few days since being washed). The funny marks on the fromnt wing are reflections of the clouds...  |
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Post by PG on Jul 13, 2020 12:12:00 GMT
Paint looks amazing. My red paint has started to look a bit dull and there are a few minor scrapes and stone chips, so it might be time for a proper valet and some paint magic work to be done.
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Post by Alex on Jul 13, 2020 18:10:55 GMT
Totally forgot that your XFR is red. It looks great in that light and is a much nicer design than the current model. Glad you're still enjoying it.
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Post by alf on Jul 15, 2020 13:44:53 GMT
The current XF does not look or feel right outside or in, to me... In particular the original XF, and my facelift version, had a very sporty looking rear end (always a good thing) for a saloon, I always thought the rear window and boot are quite Aston-like and a triumph for a big saloon with a big boot.
It gets a great reception here in Bavaria anyway, lots of comment, though that may be as they don't typically spec the "M Sport" equivalent spec on all the dross in Europe like we do at home, they let a 320d look honest, so proper performance models stand out more. There also seems to be more praise than "why do you need that much" about power here.
The drive down went well - we left Newbury about 6pm Monday night and got to a town near Nurnberg about 0630 local time, so less than 12 hours door to door which seemed good to me! I drove most of it, I had a 2.5 hour rest for the first German section and then took over about 0430 for the last two hours as it got light, when the roadworks stopped and had a super drive for the rest. I try not to drive like a knob and et v maxes everywhere, but simply cruise at what feels safe on fairly busy roads with a family on board - usually between 90 and 110mph. It's still a weird feeling not having to worry about the speed limits (though a lot of sections are 120kph) and to have to just use your brain to set something appropriate, which feels like being treated as a grown-up. Obviously some big accelerations are "required" when the path clears and a BMW or (increasingly often) random VAG product is weaving in the boot. And some lunges up to 120/130 or so, its incredible how rapidly it still accelerates even on a part throttle at those speeds... This is the first time I've been this far south in Germany with the summer tyres on, and the car is super stable and grippy, with very strong brakes, which can be handy.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 15, 2020 14:09:07 GMT
Driving in Germany is great and I agree with the feeling that drivers are treated more as grown ups over there. It always seems to be a black Audi hooning down the outside lane.
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Post by michael on Jul 15, 2020 14:12:43 GMT
The worst part of driving in Germany is that you usually have to go through Belgium to get there which is a)dull and b) home to the worst tailgaters on the planet. How they manage to keep clamped onto your boot lid in the base model Ibiza is beyond me.
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