I am considering purchasing a 2006 X Type Sportwagon with low mileage, from Florida (I live in the Boston area) I have spoken to Brookline BMW/Jaguar, an indpendent repair shop, who not only advised me NOT to buy one, but would refuse to work on it if I did. What are people's experiences with this model? I know it's basically a Ford Mondeo in a Jaguar costume, but the car is beautiful, comfortable, the right size, and has AWD. Are there any reliable mechanics in the area who would take this on and keep it in top running condition? What are the foremost reliability issues? Any X Type owners out there I could talk to?

Submitted by jeffbolmeyer on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 14:33

I just picked up an 05 X-type Sportwagon with 47,000 and one owner. love the car. Have finished putting a new suspension in plus fixed the oil pan gasket leak. I'm upgrading the rear view mirror to an automatic and automatic controls to turn headlights on and off at night and daytime. Upgrading the entertainment system and have a set of 18" correct BBS wheels to go on it. Its going to be a great car when done.

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Thu, 12/06/2012 - 11:38

First thing I would do Jeff, is find another repair shop! One man's junk is another man's diamond. His attitude and refusal to service it just shows his ignorance.

I'm not a fan of the X-Type either, but I'd never turn someone away because of one. I've been with Jag since 1989, and personally wish they'd never built that car; but it sold in large numbers, and has proven to be a love it or hate it vehicle. And it has somewhat of a cult following. The Estate Wagon sold in huge numbers in Europe and elsewhere, but never really took off over here.

As far as reliability, the 2006 and later models were by far the best of the bunch, not near the issues some of the early cars had. It is an AWD, [well almost] so you should expect some greater expense over the life of the vehicle than a RWD, but it probably won't break the bank. I say "almost" because in 2004 the all wheel drive strategy changed. That year saw the deletion of the viscous coupling for transfer of power to the rear wheels. That was in fact "true" AWD.
In 2004 that went away in favor of an open system where it was really a front wheel drive car until it lost traction up front. At that point the stability control would apply brakes to a slipping wheel and force the drive to the rear, getting you the AWD. Works well, less expensive and feels better for most people. Those into racing or aggressive driving usually like the viscous drive though.

There is a low hanging cooling duct for the transfer case that can be broken off rather easily, you'll have to stay on top of that. Because of the 4-wheel drive train, you should keep tire wear as even as possible, ALWAYS replace tires as a set and rotate routinely. People sensitive to road noises might have a learning curve to deal with, after all, it is a wagon, and does not have eighty thousand dollars worth of refinement like the XJ.

Regular maintenance is the key here, as with any car. Just find yourself someone willing to take care of the car, whether they like the model or not!

Good luck!