Ask the Car People.SM


Jaguar X-Type

2594 messages,  Last post on May 04, 2013 at 1:02 PM

You are in the Jaguar X-Type Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jaguar X-Type, Sedan

Messages Page 138 of 260

#1369 of 2594 Software Upgrades! Faster, Smoother X-types! by jagboyxtype

Nov 29, 2002 (6:35 am)

Alright, I know I've already said way too much here - get over it.
 
Anyway, here's the news: The current 2002 Jaguar X-types came with Version 16 of their engine/transmission computer-control software. A new "flash" (also called a "reflash") has come about from Jaguar, which replaces the old Version 16 software with Version 20. Communicating with other X-type owners, the 2.5-litre owners raved about how their cars felt as fast as 3.0-litre versions (seriously!), and 3.0-litre owners felt like their cars also had a "noticeable" boost in horsepower (I'm not saying the flash physically adds hp, but it controls the engine and transmission surprisingly more efficiently than the current Version 16 software that we have, or so owners with the upgrade have said). Both 3.0 and 2.5 owners with automatic transmissions also felt that the cars no longer had "strange" or inconvenient shift points, and that the transmissions were no longer lethargic, but much smoother and even "eager" to shift.
 
I'm overjoyed with how well my X-type drives and performs and am perfectly content (well, more than content - satisfied beyond description is more like it) with it as it is, but the new "flash" sounds like it works miracles on the cars. The owners who had the upgrade truly are raving about how much faster and smoother their cars are - it is actually noticeable! I've heard of some owners (before this upgrade came out) saying that their automatic transmissions shifted at odd points and that its engagement seemed slow, as if it didn't know where to go. This Version 20 upgrade really seems to fix that though. Best of all, it is free, and it can easily be done at a free scheduled maintenance point, or if you schedule an appointment with your dealer (you may have to ask them about it as some dealers seem unaware of what this "flash" is exactly).
 
So if you feel your X-type could be a bit faster, smoother, and that its automatic transmission could be more eager to shift and quicker, get your X-type "reflashed" to Version 20!
 
(I believe most 2003's have Version 20 of the software, at least the later-produced ones. From what I've found, this upgrade only came out a few weeks ago at most. If it makes 2.5's as- or almost as quick as 3.0's, and 3.0's even faster than they are now, then I can't wait for Edmunds' next review of the X-type [with the upgrade, of course]. The computer engine management is supposed to be far superior to what version 16 gives us. That will get us past that 0.2 second gap between an X-type and a G35 to 60 mph, and we'll still have that "je ne sais quoi" that other cars just don't have!)
___________________________________
 
Rumors and News (take it for what you will):
 
BTW, G35 owners are speculating that like the Lincoln LS, the earlier produced models used for reviews and testing had different gearing ratios than the ones in the cars actually sold to consumers. The G's latest 0-60 mph time was 7.1 seconds. The "canceled" (indefinitely delayed is more like it) F-type is rumored to be back in for 2006 or so. X-type sport wagons - "shooting brakes" - also got the green light and will appear midway through 2003 or in 2004 (but most likely mid-2003). Diesels for Europe should be coming up soon as well, since the program was pushed to nearly the top on the priorities list - they're about a year ahead of original schedule, but last I heard they were still trying to make them less "thirsty". The SEMA Racing X-type concept (whose picture and an article I posted links for back a ways [before my loooong rant]) may have convinced Jaguar to enter into American racing, and at the very least has gotten a line of performance parts for the X-type.
 
And as I spent some time experiencing the back seat of the X-type (just to see what it was like back there), I noticed that the front seats are designed to be elevated above the floor of the car so that rear passengers can place their feet under the rears of the front seats. It actually creates much rear leg room. The space under the seats stays quite large for the rear seat passengers' feet even when fully lowered to the floor. The car continues to surprise and delight...

#1370 of 2594 jagboy Re: Lincoln LS. by johnnylinc

Nov 29, 2002 (5:50 pm)

You said: "like the Lincoln LS, the earlier produced models used for reviews and testing had different gearing ratios than the ones in the cars actually sold to consumers."
 
I don't know where you're getting your information, but this is NOT correct where the Lincoln LS is concerned. The rear-end ratio on the V8-equipped LS was changed midway through the 2000 model year after Ford discovered that it had a potential problem with CAFE figures, but LOTS of 2000-model LSs were sold to the public with the original rear gear.
 
I appreciate your enthusiasm for the X-Type, but you should really be more careful with your "rumors" about other marques. Repeating incorrect/unfounded junk like this doesn't enhance your credibility.

#1371 of 2594 Rumors and News (take it for what you will): <-perhaps I should have bolded by jagboyxtype

Nov 30, 2002 (1:58 am)

First, you are attacking information that I explicitely stated was under "Rumors and News (take it for what you will)". The information listed there was obviously not 100% clear, so I posted it with the clear warning of "take it for what you will".
 
Second, my original quote was "G35 owners are speculating that like the Lincoln LS, the earlier produced models used for reviews and testing had different gearing ratios than the ones in the cars actually sold to consumers." That is true, as you even say that "The rear-end ratio on the V8-equipped LS was changed midway through the 2000 model year". Perhaps I should have said that a *majority* of consumers had the changed gear ratios and not the ones used in the reviews, but the point was that reviews of the car that were conducted around the time that it was introduced had different gear ratios than the *majority* of the cars sold to consumers. I NEVER said that Lincoln gave reviewers "fixed" cars, but I can see where you may have believed that I had implied that - and as that was not my purpose or intention, I appologize that it appeared that way to you.
 
Also, you ask where I received that information. It is quite noticeably posted in various messages in the LS board, and in more recent postings in the G35 board. As many owners of the LS had spoken about how "reviewers didn't notice the change, but enthusiasts sure did" (and other such like-quotes), I felt that the information was solid enough to be a "take it for what you will" piece of information. You may want to inform the LS and to a lesser extent, the G35 board, of the reason you found for the ratio change, as many of them believe that Lincoln "fixed" or "tuned-up" the LS's used in reviews. I hope this clarifies everything, and sorry for the misunderstanging.

#1372 of 2594 X-type Ski Rack Noise by jagskier

Dec 07, 2002 (2:40 am)

Does anyone out there (besides me) have a Jaguar-made ski rack for their X-type??? When I drive the car with mine, it makes a high-pitched noise around 16, 32, and 64 mph. Dealer is mystified since apparently mine is the only ski rack he ever sold. Seems odd for that to be true in a 4WD drive; however, this is southern California.
 
Anyone with a ski rack please tell me if it makes any such noises and if you have found a fix. Thanks.

#1373 of 2594 "Flash 20" and gas mileage by jagskier

Dec 07, 2002 (2:51 am)

Will the "Flash 20" software upgrade improve gas mileage? If so, it's definitely worth getting. My 2.5 X-type mileage is pretty poor (around 22 on the road) and I wonder what others have experienced.
 
I guess I expected that kind of mileage because of the V6 and the 4WD, but I was hoping for better.

#1374 of 2594 Mileage - jagskier by desertguy

Dec 07, 2002 (3:09 am)

I don't know about the flash 20 but my 3.0 gets 24 to 25 mpg without trying to get good mileage. I do not have my car set in sport mode for shift points. If you do, that could make a difference.

#1375 of 2594 Road&Travel's 2002 Car of the Year is the X-type by jagboyxtype

Dec 14, 2002 (1:41 am)

A short excerpt from their write-up:

"The new X-Type is our class valedictorian by virtue of its impressive ride and handling qualities, as well as its ability to provide safety through a new all-wheel drive system. With two engine choices, a spacious interior, standard luxury features like power windows, cruise control, and remote keyless entry, it's easy to see why this vehicle is setting sales records... Our judges chose the X-Type over other deserving entries like the BMW 745i and Ford Thunderbird by virtue of its ability to reach the masses, while proving that hard work results in exceptional rewards."

Of their Top 10 cars, the X-type is #1.

Click on the following link for further details:
http://www.roadandtravel.com/awards/2002/awardsbg.htm

#1376 of 2594 New Engine for 1999 XJ8L by willngayle

Dec 14, 2002 (2:08 pm)

I just brought my 99 XJ8L (with 41k miles) to the dealer because of a knock and vibration in the engine. After only a half day in the shop the svc mgr advised that there was something wrong in the "lower end" and they were ordering me a new engine. While I am greatful to be getting a new engine, I am still curious as to what was wrong. The dealer didn't explain the problem when I asked. He just said it would be more difficult to do a tear apart the existing engine so he was ordering a new one. Does anyone out there have any thoughts as to what could have caused an engine knock and why the dealer would be so willing to change out an engine. You gotta luv that Jag warranty. Like I said, I am very greatful. I'm just very curious as to what may have gone wrong. Thanks in advance for any responses. Bill

#1377 of 2594 new engine by kiiwii

Dec 15, 2002 (9:26 am)

The prices that dealers charge Jag for warranty jobs are probably the same as dealers charge customers for out of warranty jobs. The dealers get more $$ from Jag when they work on more expensive warranty jobs. That's probably why they are happy to drop you a new engine.

#1378 of 2594 engine replacement by scottc8

Dec 15, 2002 (12:32 pm)

Often that policy comes from the manufacturer. Either they feel internal engine work is more than they want their dealers doing, or they want their own technical people to examine the failed engine without it having been worked on by someone else. Typical is the case of the Jaguar-based 3.9 liter V8 in the Lincoln LS. Failures of this engine have been extremely rare but, in those cases, the factory has sent a new engine without the dealer opening it up. On our owner's club site we've even heard of an engine being replaced for a ticking sound we suspect may have been a cracked exhaust manifold, a somewhat common problem with early models.

Messages Page 138 of 260

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement