Jaguar XF 2.7 D long-term test review
Regular readers of CAR Magazine will know we’ve suffered a string of mishaps in our Jaguar XF test car. All of them electrical. The worst kind of fault in a car, coming and going with the predictability of a student’s bank balance.
It all started when the XF’s alarm went off while we were away, draining the battery. A quick jump start restored charge but also left the hazard lights permanently on. A tricky state of affairs – left flashing, they too would drain the battery again. Aggghhh!
A call to the Marshall dealer in Peterborough revealed the car’s electrics might have been zapped by the battery drain. They suggested removing and reattaching the battery lead, forcing a hard reset of the system. Which did the trick. Marvellous. Until a few other electrical gremlins crept in…
As we’ve detailed in print, the driver’s window then refused to lower for managing ed Greg Fountain, the central touch-screen froze for production guru Glen Waddington (disabling most of the car’s creature comforts) and I then discovered that the fuel filler flap stuck shut. Quite tricky that last one; I was stranded on a forecourt on fumes and could hear the catch moving but failing to open. Ever-helpful Marshalls advised a sleight of hand with a credit card – helping to pop the catch.
All seemingly small foibles, but ones that have rather dented our confidence in a £40k exec. Jaguar used to have a poor reputation for reliability but now regularly top JD Power and other owners’ surveys. It’s just a shame that our XF has proved the exception. Jaguar, alarmed by our report in CAR Magazine (May 2009), insisted on taking the car back for further investigation.
Apparently the electrical glitches were caused by a water leak through the boot seal, which had corroded part of the power supply hardware nestling in the trunk. The fuel filler flap release is a know issue and subject to a 'soft recall' (dealers fix it under warranty when you take your car in for a service).
The XF is back now and performing faultlessly. Sadly, as a now-outdated 2.7, it’s being called back. Jaguar no longer sells it now the spangly new – and rather excellent – 3.0-litre diesels are here, so we’re on our last few weeks with our XF.
By Tim Pollard
Source : Carmagazine
